Sharing a bit of Watchmaker's relief

[RyMoeller]

Sometimes you get lucky and for me, it looks like this is one of those times.

Here I have a vintage Navitimer that I picked up for a fair price but also with a fair bit of risk involved as it was bought online and in non-working order.  

Under inspection following receipt I discovered that dial wasn't seated properly and pushers were jammed.  Things were indeed looking bad.  Imagine my relief upon seeing this under the microscope.

That would be a case screw hiding under the fourth wheel!  Unfortunately it's sheared off in the case, but the good news is that the movement started ticking merrily away once the screw was extracted and with the works unjammed the pushers are operating properly again.  

With luck, a simple cleaning, alum bath, and a new case screw will be all this one needs.  (knocking on wood)

[SSTEEL]

I feel your relief, I have had similar experiences, but never with such a great piece with so much potential, look forward to seeing it again once you have restored it.

[Seiko97]

Beautiful watch. Glad everything worked out!

[clockboy]

Nice. That calibre Breitling for me was one of their best. It will be well worth a restore & if it was me I would have a shark mesh strap fitted to really show it off. 

[RyMoeller]

20 hours ago, SSTEEL said:

I feel your relief, I have had similar experiences, but never with such a great piece with so much potential, look forward to seeing it again once you have restored it.

Yes, this isn't my first time either in fact.  

Other than the Speedmaster I've not worked on such a nice piece though.  Usually I'm working on Pierce watches because I like chronographs but have a limited budget.  

[RyMoeller]

18 hours ago, clockboy said:

Nice. That calibre Breitling for me was one of their best. It will be well worth a restore & if it was me I would have a shark mesh strap fitted to really show it off. 

Well I blew my budget on the watch I'm afraid.  It will have to do with the standard black leather strap.  I'm always struggling for cash when it comes to the bracelets!

[Geo]

Black leather with a black dial looks the business!

[RyMoeller]

Just an update- finished the service yesterday and the watch came out looking fine and running well.  It was a pretty straight forward service- breakdown, clean, reassemble, and lubricate.  I'll post a walkthrough in just a bit.

[Geo]

Excellent result Ry!  What a great subject for your 100th post.

[Tmuir]

That scrubbed up nicely and is a great looking watch, well done.

[RyMoeller]

1 hour ago, Tmuir said:

That scrubbed up nicely and is a great looking watch, well done.

I learned a new lesson today too- note the "30" on the slide rule before and after.  I think the paint was lost when holding the slide rule with a nitrile glove.  I'm glad this is my watch and not a paying customer's.  Most enthusiasts would see red from that error!

Still, I'm happy with the overall result.  

[Tmuir]

Ouch, I did miss that.

I did notice you were wearing nitrile goves, any reason you use them rather than the finger cots, other than you can get those gloves at the local supermarket?

I'm just waiting to pay day so I can place my next order of supplies which will be all the oils I need plus some singer cots.

[RyMoeller]

4 minutes ago, Tmuir said:

Ouch, I did miss that.

I did notice you were wearing nitrile goves, any reason you use them rather than the finger cots, other than you can get those gloves at the local supermarket?

I'm just waiting to pay day so I can place my next order of supplies which will be all the oils I need plus some singer cots.

Well, only because they were more economical and easier to take off (one glove as opposed to multiple cots).  I have the the cots in a drawer though- will remember to wear them the next time I handle a painted surface.

[SSTEEL]

Looks superb,. well done!

[Vich]

really good looking watch - well done.

Vic

[bobm12]

Excellent looking watch and the partial 30 is hardly noticed. I'm glad you mentioned the effect of nitrile gloves...I use them all the time.

Cheers,

Bob

[vinn3]

thanks for the sharing !

[Pip]

Looks like you won that one, looks lovely now.


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[Watchtime]

great job, well done. Thanks for the warning about the gloves, was not aware of that.