Create own watch from existing movement?

[Estiaan]

I've come across this online site that sell movements without the face or the dials or anything. It is the online shop for a physical shop that is close to me but I was wondering what is the reason behind selling these movements like this? Is it to build your own watch by choosing a face and the hands and all that or is it to practice with. Some clearer info would be appreciated

 

[wls1971]

You could do that but in most cases its to replace an existing movement in a watch because quite often that is the most economical thing to do with quartz movements especially total replacement of the movement is often the cheapest and quickest option than expending the time and effort to fix an existing movement. 

[Neileg]

Most of these movements are quartz. When repairing a quartz watch, a new movement is often the most cost effective fix. The same can be true of inexpensive mechanical watches. That’s why most new bare movements are bought.
You could as you suggest build your own watch, and some folks will rescue a dead mechanical watch with a quartz movement.
Neil


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[Estiaan]

Aaaah that makes more sense. The odds of finding the exact movement for the one you need might be a bit slim? I've also wondered about the watch balance wheel. Do they all differ depending on the movement they are being used in or are the more basic mechanical watches using a standard type of balance wheel?

Thanks for the info so far. I'm most likely going to asking questions as they come up.

[digginstony]

Aaaah that makes more sense. The odds of finding the exact movement for the one you need might be a bit slim? I've also wondered about the watch balance wheel. Do they all differ depending on the movement they are being used in or are the more basic mechanical watches using a standard type of balance wheel?
Thanks for the info so far. I'm most likely going to asking questions as they come up.

Interesting and I see where you're coming from but interchangeable parts does not denote cheapness, in fact it's the opposite. The initial set up of such machinery would be beyond the financial capabilities of most watchmakers.
Seiko enjoy a high degree of interchangeable parts including balance assemblies which is why they may be so popular with the watch repairer

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[Neileg]

Balance wheels aren’t really standardised but a dozen quartz movements might cover 90% of the watches you come across.
Neil


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[Neileg]

Balance wheels aren’t really standardised but a dozen quartz movements might cover 90% of the watches you come across.
Neil


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[jdm]

11 hours ago, Neileg said:

Balance wheels aren’t really standardised but a dozen quartz movements might cover 90% of the watches you come across.

What diggingstony meant to say is simply that Seiko balances are interchangeable across 7S, 4R, 6R, 70x and may be even older movements. Indeed, a nice point for repairers and tinkerers.

[digginstony]

What diggingstony meant to say is simply that Seiko balances are interchangeable across 7S, 4R, 6R, 70x and may be even older movements. Indeed, a nice point for repairers and tinkerers.

Yes, thankyou [emoji16]

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[Neileg]

What diggingstony meant to say is simply that Seiko balances are interchangeable across 7S, 4R, 6R, 70x and may be even older movements. Indeed, a nice point for repairers and tinkerers.

Yes I understood the point. All I meant was that quartz movements are less varied than mechanical watches (on the whole).
Neil


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[Estiaan]

Thank you for all the info. This is really clearing up a lot of different things. Can't wait to start buying all the tools and to start tinkering with various watches and movements.