Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 13, 2017 I know nothing about watch mechanism's When I attached a crown and tried to set time it was very stiff. I didn't want to force it and break anything But yes, seconds hand sweeps nicely Well, here's your chance to learn about watch movements! Get yourself an eye-loupe and some decent screwdrivers and have at it! Spend a little time on youtube watching some servicing videos. What do you have to lose, besides some time? Think I'm going to buy these I bought a watch tool kit on eBay, some tools in it are good, some utter crap, first time I used the little hammer the top fell off and I had to glue it back on. The screwdrivers in the set seem slightly too big. Perhaps I can file/sharpen them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_morgan 0 Posted June 13, 2017 Do the screwdrivers have replaceable tips? Also... just grab a GOOD single optic eye loupe, those cheap ones you're thinking about are a pain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 13, 2017 Do the screwdrivers have replaceable tips? Also... just grab a GOOD single optic eye loupe, those cheap ones you're thinking about are a pain. Yeah they are replaceable, hadn't noticed that before.... Thanks for the advice on the loupe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_morgan 0 Posted June 13, 2017 So you can buy genuine bergeon tips for the cheapie screwdrivers, and have good quality working drivers for way less money than buying the real thing... think of them as Franken-drivers ;) http://www.esslinger.com/bergeon-replacement-screwdriver-blades-each/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diver Dave 0 Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) I know nothing about watch mechanism's When I attached a crown and tried to set time it was very stiff. I didn't want to force it and break anything But yes, seconds hand sweeps nicely Well, here's your chance to learn about watch movements! Get yourself an eye-loupe and some decent screwdrivers and have at it! Spend a little time on youtube watching some servicing videos. What do you have to lose, besides some time? Think I'm going to buy these I bought a watch tool kit on eBay, some tools in it are good, some utter crap, first time I used the little hammer the top fell off and I had to glue it back on. The screwdrivers in the set seem slightly too big. Perhaps I can file/sharpen them? DO NOT! You will suffer from eyestrain with these cheap items. You need both a VISOR and a LOUPE. Visor: Buy a ORIGINAL "Optivisor", which is made in the USA and it not expensive and is top quality. Do not buy cheap tools, you will only suffer and not be able to do good work. If you cannot see, you cannot work, and if you buy shitty lenses you will not be able to see. Loupe: Buy a good one. Look on EBay for an old Bausch & Lomb one, you can buy them for less than a Chinese copy. . Edited June 13, 2017 by Diver Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 13, 2017 DO NOT! You will suffer from eyestrain with these cheap items. You need both a VISOR and a LOUPE. Visor: Buy a ORIGINAL "Optivisor", which is made in the USA and it not expensive and is top quality. Do not buy cheap tools, you will only suffer and not be able to do good work. If you cannot see, you cannot work, and if you buy shitty lenses you will not be able to see. Loupe: Buy a good one. Look on EBay for an old Bausch & Lomb one, you can buy them for less than a Chinese copy. . Thanks for the advice mate This thread has been most informative Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 19, 2017 Found this movement with crown and stem on eBay Seller says it's working fine I figured getting a movement in good order may be cheaper than fixing a broken one Hopefully I don't get bid up too high Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diver Dave 0 Posted June 19, 2017 Found this movement with crown and stem on eBay Seller says it's working fine I figured getting a movement in good order may be cheaper than fixing a broken one Hopefully I don't get bid up too high Looks good, but bidding on ebay is like playing poker: Don't show your cards until you have won the game. I'd delete the above post if it were me... Bjut it's a good plan to replace the movement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 24, 2017 Can't believe I got this for my original bid What a score Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_morgan 0 Posted June 25, 2017 Congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 25, 2017 Congratulations! Thanks mike I mean, $25 for this gen movement in working is a fucking bargain! If I was the seller I'd be pissed I didn't put a reserve on it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haltec 0 Posted June 25, 2017 @OP - how much did watch it self set you back? ($) You did good with movement. Very good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 26, 2017 @OP - how much did watch it self set you back? ($) You did good with movement. Very good. Originally paid $165 Aussie dollars with a tense bidding war in the last 5 mins. Was under the impression that the movement was working, however in total, with new dial and movement I've paid a touch under $200 down under dollars. I see other examples of these watches going for approx $500 Yanky bucks. If all goes well with my restoration then I've got myself a bloody bargain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 4, 2017 So I've just spent what felt like an eternity fitting the new parts to the Snorkel I have a cheap nasty watch fixing kit and basically zero know how and yet I seem to have come up a winner! New movement installed, new dial installed and a mix of the old seconds hand and the hour and minute hand from the new movement, which as you can see all go together quite nicely with the matching orange. Watch has been running for only an hour and hasn't yet lost time. See how it's looking in the morning. Fingers crossed Anyway, you don't wanna listen to me, you just wanna see some pics right? Any one got any tips for buffing up the crystal? I have no idea what it's made out of I've heard you can buff plexi up pretty easily? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daffy 105 Posted August 4, 2017 So I've just spent what felt like an eternity fitting the new parts to the Snorkel I have a cheap nasty watch fixing kit and basically zero know how and yet I seem to have come up a winner! New movement installed, new dial installed and a mix of the old seconds hand and the hour and minute hand from the new movement, which as you can see all go together quite nicely with the matching orange. Watch has been running for only an hour and hasn't yet lost time. See how it's looking in the morning. Fingers crossed Anyway, you don't wanna listen to me, you just wanna see some pics right? Any one got any tips for buffing up the crystal? I have no idea what it's made out of I've heard you can buff plexi up pretty easily? Novus plastic polish works wonders for me. Heavy scratches takes #3, then usually #2 gets it done. Follow up with #1 if you're a perfectionist. The guys who restore pinball machines use this religiously. It also works wonders on your fogged up car headlights. https://www.novuspolish.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted August 4, 2017 Awesome work really does look great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperbMonster 4 Posted August 4, 2017 Nice work there Thommo. Cracking result and you can wear it with pride knowing that you made it happen I really like the dial and hand colour combo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 4, 2017 name='SuperbMonster' timestamp='1501876249' post='2019690']Nice work there Thommo. Cracking result and you can wear it with pride knowing that you made it happen I really like the dial and hand colour combo Awesome work really does look great! Thanks guys, I appreciate that It does feel good to have done the work myself, especially since I really had no idea what I was doing Agreed on the dial/hand colour combo Monster, it's just too bad they have no lume From last night to this morning, the watch hasn't lost any time And to think I only paid $25 for the movement (eta?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 4, 2017 Novus plastic polish works wonders for me. Heavy scratches takes #3, then usually #2 gets it done. Follow up with #1 if you're a perfectionist. The guys who restore pinball machines use this religiously. It also works wonders on your fogged up car headlights. https://www.novuspolish.com/ I've got some car headlight cleaner, think I could just use that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted August 4, 2017 Novus plastic polish works wonders for me. Heavy scratches takes #3, then usually #2 gets it done. Follow up with #1 if you're a perfectionist. The guys who restore pinball machines use this religiously. It also works wonders on your fogged up car headlights. https://www.novuspolish.com/ I've got some car headlight cleaner, think I could just use that? Yeah so long as it's headlight restoration stuff it's gonna have the abrasive in that will polish up the crystal, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cubic Hare 494 Posted August 4, 2017 Good job Thommo.. Looks great mate. Cubes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MoveAlong 23 Posted August 5, 2017 Great tinkering job! Satisfying, isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 5, 2017 name='Cubic Hare' timestamp='1501882142' post='2019744']Good job Thommo.. Looks great mate. Cubes Great tinkering job! Satisfying, isn't it? Thanks guys And yes, it's completely satisfying Had no one to show apart from my missus, who really couldn't give a shit Hopefully the first of many projects Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 6, 2017 Yeah so long as it's headlight restoration stuff it's gonna have the abrasive in that will polish up the crystal, Gave it a polish with the headlight stuff It did make a difference but I guess some of the scratches were too deep to polish out. Doesn't bother me that much but I may possibly look into getting a new plexi one day Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted August 6, 2017 Pretty happy with the Bulova Here's a pic in the sunlight with the hands in perfect position Thanks for the encouragement guys Gonna get into strap making when I get some time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
