Hi From London

[Andrewolf79]

Hi everyone i'm Andrew 38yo Italian and i've lived in London since 2001, moved to the UK from Turin italy for a change of career.

Passion for time machines, watches & Clocks is always been in me since i was a little kid and i loved my Grandad huge Grand Father Clock and his vintage Gold Rolex that he always praised..

I have a small collection of watches i gathered trough the years nothing fancy but very dear to me, I always commemorate a special event or occasion with a watch and in the last decade the passion has grew stronger in finding more and more about who makes them there history of the names and the technologies involved in creating these amazing machines.

Always been mechanically minded since a small age, loved lego, meccano... rc cars to small motorbike engines to making a career in fine sports cars as a tuning mechanic.

So now for some reason life got me in a boring job for the last 9 years and i keep thinking, what if .. how hard is it .. where do you learn how to fix, repair, dress up or modify watches?? and by researching on how to, i stumbled across the youtube channel and this forum witch i though it would have all the answers for knowledge and suggestions i need...

I love my watches, and i think i will appreciate them even more if i can service them, fix them work on those mechanics like i did and do with my cars and motorbikes.

 

Guys i like what ever advice you have to give from former watch makers or just lovers of time keeping industry like me!!! 

[dadistic]

Welcome to the forum!

Tons of information here to satisfy an inquisitive mind, and lots of people willing to answer any questions you may have. 

[clockboy]

Welcome Andrew, There is lots here on this friendly forum. No question to trivial many here have there knowledge to share. Beware this can become very addictive.

PS I had a second home in Italy until recently (Abruzzo).

[Andrewolf79]

Thanks guys!! So I'll dig straight away in the forum what are the basic movements to look for or buy to start learning how to.. strip down fix clean adjust and reassemble...

[dadistic]

The latest advice is to look for an ETA 6497 or 6498 movement, either Swiss or one of the Chinese clones. Even though those movements are found in watches, they are really pocket watch movements. Large, and relatively easy to work on. These are also the movements used in Marc's Watch Repair Lessons, and there are lots of resources available for a beginner.

Have Fun!

[oldhippy]

Hello Andrew, you will find this a very friendly forum. There's loads of info on here for you. I see you also like clocks which is my thing. I hope you will be able to contribute to that section as well as the watches. 

[Andrewolf79]

Indeed, I hope what I have will be of interest and a good conversation topic. First time I'll go back to Italy I'll take a few pictures of my family fortunes to see if there's anything interesting to be talked and discovered for you guys an me.

[Andrewolf79]

Amazing advice just what I was looking for, this will get me started hands on...and have a more realistic feel on what I'm planing to do in future.

[Ado213]

Welcome Andrew, you won't be short of help and advice here, there are lots of distinguished members here with a wealth of knowledge, don't be afraid to ask!

[jdm]

Welcome Andrea.. I guess it's tough to keep your as a male name in the UK.

[Andrewolf79]

Yes, indeed lol, especially over the net when you only have a name to figure out who's on the other side, you can't imagine how many ppl have phoned me expecting a woman's voice....

[SeikoWatch]

Welcome to the forum Andre

[ro63rto]

Benvenuto Andrea (oppure Andriu con l'accento Italiano [emoji6] )

Sent from my Honor 5c

[noirrac1j]

Don't worry That name is completely normal for Spanish speaking people. Benvenuto y Bienvenido Andrea. Have fun and post lots of pictures...this is the place for it. 

 

J

[Vich]

Hello Andrew and welcome from me,

great forum here with good advice freely given.  My idea of a basic movement would be three hands, hour, min and seconds no day, date or chronograph stuff.  You may try a pocket watch as the parts are a bit larger but just the ordinary type no fusee etc.

lastly good luck,

Cheers,

Vic

[Andrewolf79]

thanks to you all guys i like it the way ppl really a willing to help.

[RayCJ]

Hi Andre...

I'm new here too and also appreciate timepieces.   I'm really not in a position to offer constructive advice but, I'm compelled to suggest you invest in a Timegrapher unit.   The one I purchased is:  "YaeTek Watch Timing Machine Tester Tools Multifunction Timegrapher" from Amazon.com at a cost of $145 US.   I believe this is a fundamental piece of diagnostic equipment that will benefit anyone interested in mechanical watches.

 

Ray