Jump to content

Watch of Today


mk3

Recommended Posts

15 hours ago, stroppy said:

Jeff...I've had a bad bout of insomnia this past night but the reading material you gave me helped the night pass by.  Thanks!  I was engrossed by all the details...especially about the founders of the company and how one went a bit kooky.

It's certainly an interesting read!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Today its a lovely mid size 'Services Navigator' for me. I got it for a steal as a none runner of the bay it had a few teeth missing on the ratchet wheel replaced that and stuck a cleaner dial on I had laying about in my spares tubs. the movement is a ORIS 292 and keeps amazingly good time for a 60-70 year old a pin lever.IMG_0296[1].JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Sekonda today, with Poljot 2612.1 alarm movement.

sekonda-apr-22-3.jpg

This was the first watch I ever serviced. When I received it, was running 28 minutes per day slow, amplitude was 86°, and beat error was 10ms. The acrylic crystal was also really badly scratched up. Now it's running +/-5s/d, amplitude is around 280°, and beat error around 0.5ms, and I've polished the crystal. I also recently overhauled the very stretched folded-link jubilee bracelet.

sekonda-apr-22-1.jpg

I did a write-up of the service here, http://www.stefanv.com/watches/restoring-a-russian-alarm-watch.html, and the crystal polishing here, http://www.stefanv.com/watches/polishing-an-acrylic-watch-crystal.html.

Edited by svorkoetter
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, svorkoetter said:

My Sekonda today, with Poljot 2612.1 alarm movement.

sekonda-apr-22-3.jpg

This was the first watch I ever serviced. When I received it, was running 28 minutes per day slow, amplitude was 86°, and beat error was 10ms. The acrylic crystal was also really badly scratched up. Now it's running +/-5s/d, amplitude is around 280°, and beat error around 0.5ms, and I've polished the crystal. I also recently overhauled the very stretched folded-link jubilee bracelet.

sekonda-apr-22-1.jpg

I did a write-up of the service here, http://www.stefanv.com/watches/restoring-a-russian-alarm-watch.html, and the crystal polishing here, http://www.stefanv.com/watches/polishing-an-acrylic-watch-crystal.html.

The entire presentation of this Sekonda is just great.  Really snazzy looking watch there.  Do Sekonda still make watches?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, stroppy said:

The entire presentation of this Sekonda is just great.  Really snazzy looking watch there.  Do Sekonda still make watches?

Thanks Stroppy.

Sekonda never made watches. :)

Back in the 70s to 90s, they imported mechanical watches from the USSR, like my example above.

These days, they import quartz watches from China.

Apparently they had a lot of funny TV ads for their watches back in the day. You can search for them on YouTube.

Edited by svorkoetter
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, svorkoetter said:

Thanks Stroppy.

Sekonda never made watches. :)

Back in the 70s to 90s, they imported mechanical watches from the USSR, like my example above.

These days, they import quartz watches from China.

Apparently they had a lot of funny TV ads for their watches back in the day. You can search for them on YouTube.

I just watched the 80's commercials featuring Ronnie Barker (RIP) ...what a hoot!:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

NICE!

2 hours ago, stroppy said:

Looks like they are all Chinese watches coming out of the factory with makes "Jaragar" and "Kronen & Sohn".  Both European-sounding brands for what are Chinese watches through and through.

I saw a kronen & sohn on auction site, (not the bay), looked good until I searched, not against china brands, just don't try to make something out to be what it isn't, Brandfoolery?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I couldn't find anything about them either except for a couple of more expensive gold cased ones. Its a really nice watch clean and simple to read I can't even guess when it was made maybe the 60's it also keeps excellent time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wearing a new acquisition today..

 

A Mondia 'Top Second'...the hole in the dial 'blinks' as there is a red panel that is fixed to an extended pivot of the escape wheel. "Poor man's complication!".

Powered by an AS1913...not my favourite movement but this is the only one used for these watches. Apart from the movement construction, which is a bit fiddly, I'm not a fan of the quickset by pushing in the crown. Also the clutch wheel is a weak point in these movements.

I've known about these watches for some time but they've usually been priced more than I was willing to pay. This turned up at a local flea market at the right price (about what I would spend for a night out with the boys!) so I snapped it up. The dial condition probably didn't help the seller as its a bit spotted. Case is pretty scratched and the crystal could do with a replacement as there is yellowing of the glue around the edges but no urgent need to fix it...one of these days I'll get around to it!

Have a good weekend !

 

P_20160430_173825.jpg

P_20160430_173826.jpg

P_20160430_174030.jpg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Noirrac,

I won't be opening this watch any time soon but there's some good write-ups if you Google 'top-second'. 

As far as complications go, this one isn't complicated at all! Something like the waving Mao Tse-Tung.

Cheers!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Another question if I may. When you guys buy watch lots are you buying a mix of mechanical and quartz as well? Most of the job lots I am finding (all overseas) are a mix. If they are all mechanical, it is generally just movements with no cases. I am not at the point where I can identify movements by just viewing them so I'm not inclined to buy a bunch of stuff which will just end up lying around. Is anyone able to successfully move any of the watches they save on to someone else? I can't see a viable market in Australia for refurbished watches. Most people I have seen at work only have a watch if it counts their steps, answers their phone and makes the coffee. I'll admit it, I have a super cheap smartwatch on my wrist. Will I buy another one when it quits? Doubt it. I don't know if I would even bother with a pedometer. Heart rate? And do what with all the data? Blood pressure? Never been right since I got the watch. Sleep? If I can't work out that I'm not getting enough, I need to have a serious talk with myself. I think I'll go back to my Seiko and just make myself stay active.
    • I suppose this fits "best" in this forum 😃 Im looking for some wall 'art' that doubles as a reference. Specifically Id like to find an ETA 28xx or Sellita exploded movement view. 2824/2836 would be ideal. Have any of you seen/found such a thing - there seem to be a lot of these for specialized movements, and none of them ready to print or to be had as a poster. Why help is appreciated.
    • The diameter is that of the ring - afaik, will have to look it up. “Wiggle room“ doesn‘t matter as long as the spring length is in the ball park.  Essential sizes of a mainspring are thickness, width and length. Diameter is just a hint if you can push into the barrel directly or will need a winder, it is no property of the spring. Frank
    • Hi @Zendoc, I guess you're like me and you don't have a mainspring winder.  I searched GR mainspring for the AS 1686 mainspring and I now understand your dilemma. The exact one is discontinued. To answer you question more directly, I see two good alternatives for you: a) GR4485 with 1.60 x .10 x 280 x 8.5 ( I guess this one is the one you found): https://www.cousinsuk.com/sku/details/mainsprings-by-list-watch-pocket/GR4485 OR b) GR4477 with 1.60 x .095 x 320 x 9. https://www.cousinsuk.com/sku/details/mainsprings-by-list-watch-pocket/gr4477   As you know, the the AS 1686 spring is supposed to be 1.60 x .10 x 300 x 9. - both of the above will fit and you'll manage to insert them from the retention ring without need for a mainspring winder (provided you know how to do it). - GR4485 will give you more power (=higher amplitude), but less power reserve (due to shorter length) than the original. - GR4477 will give you the same power reserve as the original. However, a bit less power.   Personally, I'd take GR4477 for two reasons: 1. Well, the power reserve is better. 2. With modern lubricants and modern mainspring metal alloys, you tend to get a higher amplitude anyways. You'd maybe even end up with too much amplitude (knocking) if you go with the original size and use thin synthetic oils-- see discussion here: https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/10580-omega-calt17-help/#comment-248101      
×
×
  • Create New...