Jump to content

The Priceless Watch Service

Lawson
 Share

Recommended Posts

Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
Posted

The Priceless Watch Service

 

My Uncle visited my parents today, and brought along a friend from his church.  I got a call to come over as Mrs Young's Husband had passed away, and she brought over the watch he was given by TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) for 25yrs service with them.  It hadn't run for many many years, and she asked me if I could clean it up, and give it a service.

 

post-246-0-95791300-1410291411_thumb.jpg

Watch brand is "Unicorn" and has 25Jewel AS 1903 Automatic Movement. 

 

post-246-0-80649200-1410291408_thumb.jpg

 

I'm not doing a full write-up on this movement, as I only took reference photos, and was concentrating on doing a good job.  This watch is priceless to Mrs Young, being a memory of her husband, and believe me, I felt the pressure of getting this one right!

 

Here's the reference pics for your enjoyment :)

 

post-246-0-59969500-1410291415_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-31878400-1410291419_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-80450900-1410291422_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-37805100-1410291426_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-48386100-1410291429_thumb.jpg

 

Timegrapher once complete and adjusted

 

post-246-0-09666100-1410291432_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Bad news guys :(

 

The Cannon Pinion is worn out and slipping ... hence the hands aren't moving; even though the watch is running beautifully.

I don't have a staking set yet, so I can't tighten it ... anyone know a place I can purchase these items?  Bear in mind that I live in Australia.

 

To be safe I'd like to get both the Drive Wheel and Cannon Pinion, as under close inspection they both like a worn from lack of grease.

Both AS1903 and AS1913 take the same part.

 

post-246-0-18006000-1410345175_thumb.jpg

Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

I noticed that in the photo, but presumed there was still enough left on the teeth to allow it to drive OK.

Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey Geo,

 

The pinion in the photo, isn't the resistant point on this movement; that one is free spinning.  It looks worn because its covered by a plate.

This one is a pinion off the "Fourth Wheel" I believe ... the one marked below.

 

post-246-0-03886200-1410349602_thumb.jpg

CKelly WRT Addict

CKelly

Posted
Posted

Hi,

   I checked and Dashto.com has some used movements in this caliber family. I'm don't know what his shipping to Australia might be but I have ordered from him and his shipping has been better priced than anyone. If you look just check his partial movements as well as his complete ones. He also gives you a price including shipping before you order. 

Charles K

  • Like 1
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Hi Chales,

 

You are right about the prices! I was checking them out but that page is not easy to navigate for me! Do you have a system to it? I mean, other than search their long list? Thanks

Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey Charles

 

Thanks for the site info mate.  I'm going to see If I can grab one from a scrap movement on Friday, if not I'll be emailing Tom from Dashto.com, confirm I'm getting a good pinion, and grab one of those movements.

Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Also, since I've got the watch stripped again, I'll take some more pics of this movement; including the auto-winding mechanism as it's quite interesting how it's designed ... and it will be good for others to use as reference photos.

bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

That's what I'm talking about! More pictures, YES! :woohoo-jumping-smiley-emoticon:

 

Great job Lawson and thanks for posting more pictures (in advance).

CKelly WRT Addict

CKelly

Posted
Posted

Hi Bobm12,

   You were asking about a method to navigate through Dashto site. About the only method I know of is patience. The silly search will at least tell you if what you are looking for is on the site and in what areas to look. I do like his site. You can find hard to find items at very good prices. I just ordered some things from him this past weekend and it arrived Wednesday.

Charles

bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Thank you Charles, I thought I was doing something wrong! Yes, I agree about patience with that page. They do have great prices and hard to find items, based on the little time I have spend there (on and off) and other members' reports. Great link though.

Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good news!  I've got replacement parts coming for the Large Drive Wheel (201/1), and Pinion (240)!

 

Found a website and they replied within a few minutes to my enquire and the deal was all done in about 30mins!!

 

Awesome shipping cost too ,,, UA$2.00 shipped to Australia!  NICE!

 

Here's a link to the site: http://oldswisswatches.com/index.htm

  • 3 weeks later...
Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

New Drive Wheel and Cannon Pinion came in from Old Swiss Watches for Mrs. Young's Watch.

 

The packaging was simple but excellent!  The parts came in a tiny little hard plastic box.

 

post-246-0-27203400-1417252332_thumb.jpg

 

When opened the parts were also packed in a light foam to protect them even further ... just outstanding!!

 

post-246-0-54377400-1417252334_thumb.jpg

 

So, Lord willing, I'll be completing the watch tonight for her.  I re-stripped the watch, re-inspected the jewels and cleaned them with peg wood, and am washing all the parts again ... just to be sure, to be sure ^_^

 

And just for my mate bobm12, I'll be posting heaps more pics including the automatic movement of the AS1903: I know he luvs em!

Edited by Lawson
Lawson Super WRT Addict

Lawson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Here ya go Bob ... the AS1903 Automatic Winding Work for your viewing pressure ;)

 

The photo is taken with the base plate of the Auto Section laid down on top of the Train Bridge.  You then place to two spring into their slots, then place the Intermediate Wheel on the left, and the Auto Click on the right.  The Transfer Wheel is then placed between them, and the top cover is put on.  You then move the Intermediate Wheel, and the Auto Click, up gently with a fine oiler (through viewing slots), so they rest on the teeth of the Transfer Wheel, and at the same time locate the pivots.  When it's all in place the top cover drops into position ... and your done!

 

post-246-0-76993100-1417278772_thumb.jpg

 

Was extremely happy with the outcome of this watch ... with 25 Jewels; instead of the standard 17J in most AS1903, this was not a cheap watch, and it was very gratifying to work on. 

 

Being such a precious watch to Mrs. Young (as a keepsake of her late husband), I was more than a little nervous working on it, but I thank my Lord and Saviour that it went very smoothly, and a satisfying result.

 

post-246-0-81625800-1417279278_thumb.jpg

bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Excellent Lawson, great outcome and happy ending as I knew was going to be! This is an exhiting movement to work on. Love the pics, thanks!

  • 3 weeks later...
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Mark
      Oldhippy

      By Mark · Posted

      @oldhippy - wishing you all the very best of recoveries
    • Mark
      Message board problem

      By Mark · Posted

      Looks like the kind of message that occurs when there are routing issues between your local network and the remote server the site is living on - there can sometimes be 20 or 30 hops and when there are issues some of those hops become unavailable temporarily for some people but for others where there is a different path being used the issues are not manifest. Another explanation, and this used to happen to me a lot with my ISP, is using the ISP DNS servers on your device or router sometimes is not as robust as changing to a public service such as 1.1.1.1 or similar. I was having a terrible time watching Youtube a while back - changed the DNS on my Apple TV to use 1.1.1.1 and problem solved. However, these issues tend to resolve themselves fairly quickly.
    • watchweasol
      Help with repairing a quartz clock

      By watchweasol · Posted

      As mentioned by the other members, it’s a dismantle job clean and inspect the solder joints. It’s an older generation using the paxolin pcb  not the glass fiber ones.
    • watchweasol
      French drum novice

      By watchweasol · Posted

      Hi  in regard to your questions,   The springs should ideally removed from the barrel but to do this you need a mainspring winder that are quite expensive for a one off. Or you c a make your own see Google “ joes mainspring winder”. I have made two and they work well, you will also have to source some tube for the retainers. the gathering pallet cann be removed using levers ( mini crow bars) again I made my own no problem. the case can be glued using evostick wood glue but bind the case together to close the crack. When solid you can use wax sticks (used for furniture) melted and rubbed in to cover any blemish left. best to clean the case and then use bees wax to polish, a bit of elbow grease needed  do not clean the dial with anything other than warm water and a couple of drops of mild soap. Try on an inconspicuous part first. There is a product called MILIPUTTY in various colours on eBay that can be used on cracked enamel dials depending on how bad it is .
    • RichardHarris123
      Broken watch stem in watch crown

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      I was wondering because of the alum idea. 
×
×
  • Create New...