Jump to content

1975 Timex Dynabeat - Basic Restore


Recommended Posts

Here we have a 1975 Dynabeat that cones from the Electric series Timex produced.   I'll start with the basic case tear down and preparation of cleaning.

Remove bezel ring, crown\stem, and crystal.   Next pull hands and remove dial.  Notice that these dials have tabs so care must be take not to over bend them.

For this I used a modified 45 degree Xacto blade which I'v added a notch to on the tip.  Place the edge of the blade at angle to tab and back the tab with you finger.

Lift slowly and move to next tab.  Notice that one tab is very close to the balance wheel.  This is where I use the notched tip.  Continue to remove the components under the dial.  Be careful with the date wheel detent spring as it very thin and bends easily.  

Now comes the step that many will find interesting or get a laugh over.  But, I tell you it works more times than not.  The idea behind this is to clean oxidation off the contact wire that bushes against the staff.  It also helps remove dried oil and other debris out of the movement.  I use a very high tech tool next to blow air to help dry the cleaner up.  "Okay so its just a cheap balloon pump". 

Next another tool I made up that is most helpful.  After dotting any pivots both top and bottom, I dab some oil to the train gears just next to the battery compartment.  Refit the stem, press down on a fresh battery and give the balance a flick.  Sometimes it takes a few but this one went off with just one.  clean and buff the outer parts, freshen up the hands, put it all back together.

There are some steps I left out and will add in future posting.

So what was the first thing that failed?  If you said the sweep fell off you would be right.  Why it fell off is because I forgot to tamp down the hole to be sure it fit tight again.

its has since been corrected and the watch is humming nicely.

Thanks for looking.

 

DSC05295.JPG

DSC05296.JPG

DSC05297.JPG

DSC05298.JPG

DSC05299.JPG

DSC05300.JPG

DSC05301.JPG

DSC05302.JPG

DSC05303.JPG

DSC05304.JPG

DSC05305.JPG

DSC05306.JPG

DSC05307.JPG

DSC05308.JPG

DSC05309.JPG

DSC05313.JPG

DSC05314.JPG

Edited by JerseyMo
spelling correction
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

isopropyl  alcohol  will do the same job,  without "spray mist'.  but,  good job!

very true, back when I did electronic video game board repairs it was very common to use alcohol as a cleaning agent.

on the other hand we discouraged to use of spray cleaners on the old electo-mechnical pinball machines because the residue

of conductive particles could drip between contact blades and relays.  Pulling apart a stack of relays was not fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When the cleaning does not work is a good indication of component failure or other such malfunction.  This would require a more detailed inspection.  Such is beyond the scope of this posting.

However, back in the day, Timex made NOS and\or factory reconditioned movements available to service centers. They did also have the individual parts such as new balance coils, contact wires etc. available to service centers.  I have acquirement many of these and have a nice supply of parts on hand.

I have also networked with other "Timexicans" who enjoy working on the Electrics and often ask for their support and in turn I provide similar favor for repairs to the day\dates which can be as equal a challenge at times.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...
On 6/10/2017 at 9:03 PM, JerseyMo said:

Here we have a 1975 Dynabeat that cones from the Electric series Timex produced.   I'll start with the basic case tear down and preparation of cleaning.

Remove bezel ring, crown\stem, and crystal.   Next pull hands and remove dial.  Notice that these dials have tabs so care must be take not to over bend them.

For this I used a modified 45 degree Xacto blade which I'v added a notch to on the tip.  Place the edge of the blade at angle to tab and back the tab with you finger.

Lift slowly and move to next tab.  Notice that one tab is very close to the balance wheel.  This is where I use the notched tip.  Continue to remove the components under the dial.  Be careful with the date wheel detent spring as it very thin and bends easily.  

Now comes the step that many will find interesting or get a laugh over.  But, I tell you it works more times than not.  The idea behind this is to clean oxidation off the contact wire that bushes against the staff.  It also helps remove dried oil and other debris out of the movement.  I use a very high tech tool next to blow air to help dry the cleaner up.  "Okay so its just a cheap balloon pump". 

Next another tool I made up that is most helpful.  After dotting any pivots both top and bottom, I dab some oil to the train gears just next to the battery compartment.  Refit the stem, press down on a fresh battery and give the balance a flick.  Sometimes it takes a few but this one went off with just one.  clean and buff the outer parts, freshen up the hands, put it all back together.

There are some steps I left out and will add in future posting.

So what was the first thing that failed?  If you said the sweep fell off you would be right.  Why it fell off is because I forgot to tamp down the hole to be sure it fit tight again.

its has since been corrected and the watch is humming nicely.

Thanks for looking.

 

DSC05295.JPG

DSC05296.JPG

DSC05297.JPG

DSC05298.JPG

DSC05299.JPG

DSC05300.JPG

DSC05301.JPG

DSC05302.JPG

DSC05303.JPG

DSC05304.JPG

DSC05305.JPG

DSC05306.JPG

DSC05307.JPG

DSC05308.JPG

DSC05309.JPG

DSC05313.JPG

DSC05314.JPG

Very helpful breakdown.  I just got a Dynabeat Time Zone.  It didn't have a battery when I bought it, so no corrosion.  Put in a new 357, but no action.  I know these sometimes need a little whack to get going, but nothing resonable has worked.  Any ogher suggestions before I break it down???  Thx!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very helpful breakdown!  I just got a Dynabeat Time Zone.  It didn't have a battery when I bought it, so no corrosion.  Put in a new 357, but no action.  I know these sometimes need a little whack to get going, but nothing resonable has worked.  It looks clean, no obvious issues on inspection. Certainly no rust.  Any other suggestions before I break it down???  Thx!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, maxbernat said:

Put in a new 357, but no action.  I know these sometimes need a little whack to get going, but nothing resonable has worked.  Any other suggestions before I break it down??? 

If a shot with a demagnetizer or line release box doesn't start a quartz watch the module is toast.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would connect a multimeter in ohmmeter mode to the +ve and -ve terminals then give the balance a good swing with a wood stick. If there is any reading at all, then there is hope. 

Spray contact cleaner on the contact wire and keep swinging the balance back and forth for awhile to breakdown any oxidation on the contacts. Then keep your fingers crossed, put in the battery and start it up again. 

This has worked for me so far except for one with a contact wire that seems to have lost its spring temper. It's all limp and gets bent very easily. I have no idea what happened to that.

Goodluck! :thumbsu:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I would connect a multimeter in ohmmeter mode to the +ve and -ve terminals then give the balance a good swing with a wood stick. 

I realize now  that is an electric movement, sorry I don't know anything about these, pls ignore my posting above.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
On 6/10/2017 at 9:03 PM, JerseyMo said:

Here we have a 1975 Dynabeat that cones from the Electric series Timex produced.   I'll start with the basic case tear down and preparation of cleaning.

Remove bezel ring, crown\stem, and crystal.   Next pull hands and remove dial.  Notice that these dials have tabs so care must be take not to over bend them.

For this I used a modified 45 degree Xacto blade which I'v added a notch to on the tip.  Place the edge of the blade at angle to tab and back the tab with you finger.

Lift slowly and move to next tab.  Notice that one tab is very close to the balance wheel.  This is where I use the notched tip.  Continue to remove the components under the dial.  Be careful with the date wheel detent spring as it very thin and bends easily.  

Now comes the step that many will find interesting or get a laugh over.  But, I tell you it works more times than not.  The idea behind this is to clean oxidation off the contact wire that bushes against the staff.  It also helps remove dried oil and other debris out of the movement.  I use a very high tech tool next to blow air to help dry the cleaner up.  "Okay so its just a cheap balloon pump". 

Next another tool I made up that is most helpful.  After dotting any pivots both top and bottom, I dab some oil to the train gears just next to the battery compartment.  Refit the stem, press down on a fresh battery and give the balance a flick.  Sometimes it takes a few but this one went off with just one.  clean and buff the outer parts, freshen up the hands, put it all back together.

There are some steps I left out and will add in future posting.

So what was the first thing that failed?  If you said the sweep fell off you would be right.  Why it fell off is because I forgot to tamp down the hole to be sure it fit tight again.

its has since been corrected and the watch is humming nicely.

Thanks for looking.

 

DSC05295.JPG

DSC05296.JPG

DSC05297.JPG

DSC05298.JPG

DSC05299.JPG

DSC05300.JPG

DSC05301.JPG

DSC05302.JPG

DSC05303.JPG

DSC05304.JPG

DSC05305.JPG

DSC05306.JPG

DSC05307.JPG

DSC05308.JPG

DSC05309.JPG

DSC05313.JPG

DSC05314.JPG

Thanks for your walk through!  I ordered a can of the contact cleaner which you show in your pictures.  I also have Watch Tech which I use for quartz watches.  Do you think it would work too?  Also, Timex recommends removing the balance and soaking it in modern watch cleaning solution which, won't damage the insulation on the coil.  Any idea what kinds of solutions you think might be safe?  Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/17/2020 at 9:23 AM, maxbernat said:

Very helpful breakdown!  I just got a Dynabeat Time Zone.  It didn't have a battery when I bought it, so no corrosion.  Put in a new 357, but no action.  I know these sometimes need a little whack to get going, but nothing resonable has worked.  It looks clean, no obvious issues on inspection. Certainly no rust.  Any other suggestions before I break it down???  Thx!

I have two Timex Time Zones.  One is missing the red, second zone, hour hand (just in case anyone has a spare) and both are gold toned.  I just had one on yesterday.  They are very smart looking watches.

Cheers

Shane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/14/2022 at 10:41 AM, DouglasSkinner said:

Thanks for your walk through!  I ordered a can of the contact cleaner which you show in your pictures.  I also have Watch Tech which I use for quartz watches.  Do you think it would work too?  Also, Timex recommends removing the balance and soaking it in modern watch cleaning solution which, won't damage the insulation on the coil.  Any idea what kinds of solutions you think might be safe?  Thanks!

Timex would have recommended standard watch cleaner solution.  The one part to be careful of is the balance coil which is coated with some type of lacquer\varnish or similar.  I have used alcohol was well as lighter fluid.

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • This is a very sad day for the industry.. For most of us being amateurs the cost of replacing parts for ETA,s etc will be beyond affordability for the customers.   see full statement below   We have now received the decision from Judge Michael Green on whether or not the High Court has jurisdiction to hear our claim against Swatch, and sadly it is not the decision we had hoped for.   As we have pointed out in previous news items (see below),the rules that Judge Green had to apply strictly prevented him from examining in any way how the Swiss Court arrived at its verdict, even if it is blatantly obvious that the verdict is wrong.   As Swatch’s lawyer was summing up in the last few minutes oft he hearing, the Judge twice pinned him asking if it was alright if, as a result of the Swiss verdict, consumers had to pay 50% more for their watch repairs. After some stumbling, their lawyer’s reply was “Yes”, so  I am quite sure that Judge Green left his court fully aware that the Swiss verdict does not reflect the norms of British Competition Law. However, the rules simply do not allow him to take that simple fact into account.   Judge Green noted that our two arguments relating firstly to British Competition Law now being different from that of the EU, and secondly to the contention that the legality of the Authorised Service Networks has not been tested, had both been mentioned in the Swiss verdict. Because they had been mentioned, he felt that to allow us to argue them again would constitute re examining the Swiss case, and could not be allowed.   As to our claim that we were denied our right to be heard because our evidence was not considered, our lawyers had argued that the evidence we provided could not have been looked at because had the Swiss Court done so, it could not have reached the conclusion that it did. In his verdict, Judge Green highlighted general statements in the Swiss verdict that evidence had been looked at, and acknowledged the arguments we made to him, but again he considered that this was re-examining the Swiss verdict, and could not be permitted.   Our case has attracted considerable interest within the Legal community, and within minutes of the decision being made public we were approached for comment by one of the largest subscription news services, Global Competition Review. They asked us two very pertinent questions, and I reproduce them for you below along with our responses, as they neatly summarise the consequences arising from our case.   What are the key takeaways?   Enormous damage has been done to the fundamentals of UK and European Competition Law by the Swiss courts. It has always been the case that the effect on consumers and competition has to be considered in any decision making, but we now have a ruling that states even monopolists can remove wholesale markets from the supply chain without any consumer benefit based justification. Those entities looking to subvert Competition Law and exploit consumers for their own benefit will be looking at this very carefully.   Has the court made the wrong decision? If so, will you appeal?   The issue lies not with the High Court, but rather with cross border jurisdiction treaties that have no requirement in them for foreign jurisdictions applying UK law to take account of the Ratio Legis [a legal term for the fundamental reasoning why the law was written] of that law, and have no remedy within them for UK Courts to overcome decisions that clearly do not.    After eight years of work, and a very considerable sum in legal costs, I can not begin to tell you how disappointed I am at this outcome. For the time being, there is no further route through the British Courts that Cousins can follow. However, I promised that we would fight to the end, and that promise stands.   The UK is no longer part of the Lugano Convention, whose rules Judge Green has applied, and as yet nothing permanent has replaced it. The political tide turned against repair prevention by restricting supply of spare parts some time ago, and our efforts on behalf of the Watch Repair industry have resulted in high level contacts within several Government Departments. You can be sure that we will keep working to overcome this unjust situation that we now all find ourselves in.    I will keep you advised.   Kind regards   Anthony
    • Dell fancy a challenge🤣   https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285785684626?itmmeta=01HT29WVJY21Q94C73GYHGBTFX&hash=item428a277a92:g:15YAAOSwNRVmBAUz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0DIe4QLQBW66rSyIMiyBuk8GY%2B86pQ%2BQnxGbcNq7egAGe5DIs9YMmiWJIbZtMSxwNJIiJxuojbq523IeUSBQ6pJEIQ0tfz2ChrBR03BksmKINyklg1IK4GAfAcYY9Hta9wVeSZSZN7ZCNAfZTgKs9c4%2BUIUZ3Qjc3QjUXDn2uPRo1FiYOEewMG5A26EXb%2BclBgrqtbOmM6P3bea%2F8ZImOAXNI1HtbmtMk84pIGoM6ISwaM1PKFuADtTFMccS5e3ZjndCbXYXHrW3CecsV0edw3M%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8q588nQYw Darwin’s theory of evolution has not been proven to be absolutely.  😀 
    • A already know the size movement I have the problem is the dial a had purchased has a dimension 20.6mm wide a want to find a watch case that going to fit the dial perfectly 
    • Hi.  I would like to take issue here regarding battery driven , watches, clocks,etc. I will and do repair these clocks in fact I have sever al in my collection as well as the regular mechanical ones. I have one on my mantle piece over 60 years old tha belonged to my wife’s Aunt,  long gone Iam afraid and it has been cleaned etc and never missed a beat and is accurate. Every one has their preduices as regards Electrical /electronic Horology but I regard it as part of the progress time line of the art of Horology and to be treated as such. Like Darwin’s theory of evolution it evolved.  Two cavemen knocking rocks together and a shard broke off , looking at it he worked out if it was stuck on the end of a stick he would have a spear. Likewise his pal seeing what he was up to picked up a piece  and did the same, now that’s evolution. Some clockmaker decided to build a clock that ran with a battery and no spring to wind up and break, progress and both the mechanical and battery driven clocks evolved, the battery ones got better to the point that if it broke you changed the complete unit. Likewise watches did the same but both can be repaired by people who approach Horology with an open mind without preduice.  We all have our likes and dislikes bu I for one would never dismiss any technology because I don’t like it.   The mobile phone is a good example of modern technology at work as is the automotive industry. There buttons and switches in my car I don’t use because to me they are not nesessary but I still drive the car.
    • I haven't gone through all the reading of what it might be or not. The first thing I would do if nothing obvious stands out is replace the mainspring, you have to start at the source of the power. Nine times out of ten that is the problem.  
×
×
  • Create New...