Panerai 127 with Swiss 6497 brought back from the dead for Baz1872

[andyboy 5]

I was having a chat with Baz at the recent Glasgow GTG.

 

In his case was a Pam 127 that was looking a bit sorry for itself.

 

He told me that there had been a problem with the hour hand catching the seconds hand at 9.He had arranged for someone to look at it but had been let down by them and the watch was returned to him after a year with the hands missing.

 

 

Having done plenty of hand and dial swaps I offered to source some new hands and get it up and running again.So I left the GTG that night with Baz`s 127.

 

 

You can see it sitting in his Case at the GTG.

 

 

 

 

 

So the following day and with a bit of a sore head I started to de-case the movement.Now remember as far as Baz and I know, it is only the hands that are missing.

 

This is the first time I have been near a 6497 movement never mind a Swiss one.

 

I come across a couple of problems to start with

 

No Stem

 

 

No movement holding tabs or screws

 

 

 

 

so I get the movement out the case and notice another problem.

 

The dial is not sitting properly and is slightly to the right as you can see with the seconds pivot

 

 

 

 

So i take the dial off and come across another problem.

 

The Hour wheel and Cannon Pinion that the hands attach to are missing.

 

 

So this is not as straight forward a fix as we first thought.

 

I do a bit of research and find a couple of really good guides for the 6497 movement

 

http://www.eta.ch/swisslab/6497/6947.html

 

http://www.watchstuff.org/?p=5

 

Looking through these guides I have a chat with Baz,he is shocked with what is missing but is reassured that we can get the watch up and running.The parts aren`t too expensive so I order

 

 

New stem x2 (Just in case I fuck up the first one when cutting to size)

New Cannon Pinion and Hour wheel

New Hands

 

 

from Gordon aka Nightwatchman.(great guy and very helpful).

http://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?showforum=101.

 

 

The parts arrive a few day`s later and off I go.

 

Now remember I haven`t much experience on working on the movement and there is a very major issue that I did not pick up on.

 

 

I start to fit the Cannon Pinion but that`s when I notice something isn`t right.Basically there should be a small pivot in the centre that the Cannon pinion pushes on to.It`s gone snapped off.

 

 

 

So a bit more research and I discover the small pivot is actually part of the Centre Wheel and is indeed snapped off.There should be a small pin sticking out the middle jewel.

 

 

FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK.

 

This is accessed from the other side of the movement and requires alot of the movement to be stripped down.

 

 

I contact Baz again with the Bad news.

 

Lots of FUCKS later and a bit more research,I come to the conclusion that It might not be too hard a job to replace the Centre Wheel so Baz gives me the go ahead.

 

I`m obviously a bit cautious as it`s a Swiss movement and not mine.

 

I order up the Centre Wheel and the correct servicing oils from Cousins.As I am stripping down the movement I thought I might as well service it as I go along.

 

It all arrives and off I go.

 

Following the links to the Swiss Lab strip down and Odyseus guide I start to take it apart.

 

Barrell Bridge removed

 

 

 

all stripped with old Centre Wheel removed

 

Old and New Centre Wheels.You can see the pivot that is missing.

 

 

 

So I get it all fitted back together,I line up the dial better,cut and fit the new stem and and give it a wind.

 

Bursts into life and seems to be running great

 

 

 

But no FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK

 

 

I can`t set the time,the stem is moving fine but the hands won`t set.They are turning with the movement running.

 

 

I chat with Baz again and we both agree on the FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK part.

 

 

So back to the guides and the pictures I took when I first took the watch apart to find out what the problem is.It`s a problem with the Keyless works but I didn`t know what.

 

 

 

The more experieced will be able to see from the first picture

 

 

 

 

Cocktail stick is pointing to the problem

 

 

 

It`s missing the Setting lever.This couldn`t have fallen out as it is secured with a screw that can only be accessed from the other side of the movement with the Barrell Bridge removed.

 

 

 

 

 

So again another chat with Baz and lots of FUCKS given.

 

 

 

Part ordered from Cousins and a few day`s later it arrives.

 

In my haste to get the watch fixed I forgot to take some pics of it fitted but here is one with the new Setting lever ready to be fitted

 

 

 

So I built the watch back up and bingo all is working great so all that needs done now is some new movement tabs and screws.Had a look about but they are expensive for what they are so

 

I decided to make these myself using an old dial.

 

 

Strip of metal cut and drilled to make 2 tabs

 

 

First tab starting to take shape

 

Movement fitted with the new tabs holding it in place.

 

 

 

 

 

So lots of problems encountered that were not expected.Basically this watch seems to have been stripped of several of it`s vital parts and was in a sorry state.

 

 

 

With a bit of patience,research and help from guides and members on the forum it has been restored to it`s former glory.

 

 

 

 

 

It`s a Beauty of a 127.

 

 

 

It got reunited with it`s owner last night when Baz,Del and myself met up for a coffee.

 

 

and I still can`t beleive me and Del had to buy our own coffee`s,running late beacuse of the kids my arse

 

 

 

Cheers for the refreshments Baz.......that shall be my work for the weekend

 

and for the pleasure of working on your watch.

[Callumz 44]

Amazing work Andy, really shows the community spirit of the board.

Also highlights the fact that reps are never straightforward!

[sconehead 5]

[andyboy 5]

Amazing work Andy, really shows the community spirit of the board.

Also highlights the fact that reps are never straightforward!

 

 

 

Community Service that`s what it`s all about

 

[D_Chico 0]

Awesome Job Andy!!

[elp 26]

I propose Andy for a knighthood.....

 

Well done mate!

[sconehead 5]

...mind you, what happened to the original parts, did it come like that from the dealer? :o

[Amit 72]

Great work Andy and fantastic gesture.

[AndyBlue 538]

Well blimey....

 

Care in the community...

 

You kept these talents well hidden Andy...

 

I may have to PM you about my busted Omega...

 

[Cyril_Clunge 0]

Many thanks Andy for sorting this mess out

[Amit 72]

Coffee shops take PayPal now Del?

[Baz1872 27]

Really can't thank Andy enough for everything that he has done to get my beloved 127 back on my wrist!

 

There have been many times in the last year or so that I have written this beauty off. The fact that Andy didn't have any experience with this movement and what he has achieved is just awesome.

 

Sorry for letting you guys buy your own coffee, will make sure I'm there on time to get the next one!

 

Thanks again for everything Andy, it's very much appreciated!!

[andyboy 5]

any time BAZ.

 

 

a pleasure

 

 

[andyboy 5]

...mind you, what happened to the original parts, did it come like that from the dealer? :o

 

 

 

This was not to do with any of the dealers.

 

[askit1 0]

Great stuff Andy ,,,

[BadPickle 2,774]

 

 

You are certainly the man now bruv!!

 

 

:AT: :AT: :AT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[greg_r 82]

Nice work, Andy - you're a star

[Del 4,497]

Fantastic work mate!

 

This was one major saga with many twists and turns but it was very nice to see the happy ending last night. I actually thought I saw a tear in Baz's eye...

 

But Costa don't take PayPal!

 

 

[Chiquita Fanjita 1,800]

Fantastic job Andy! Having had many conversations with Barry and knowing the saga with the watch, I like him, never thought I'd see this running again. Hats off to you mate

 

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

[andyboy 5]

Fantastic job Andy! Having had many conversations with Barry and knowing the saga with the watch, I like him, never thought I'd see this running again. Hats off to you mate

 

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

 

 

Sorry

 

It was all Del`s idea

[Del 4,497]

Fantastic job Andy! Having had many conversations with Barry and knowing the saga with the watch, I like him, never thought I'd see this running again. Hats off to you mate

 

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

 

 

Sorry

 

It was all Del`s idea

Hey! I only went for the free coffee, which it wasn't! :coffee2:

[Chiquita Fanjita 1,800]

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

 

Sorry

 

It was all Del`s idea

Bloody mods

[Frazzle 5]

Great work buddy and really enjoyed the read. Thanks again

[AndyBlue 538]

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

 

Sorry

 

It was all Del`s idea

Bloody mods

This was a beautiful tale of tears and triumph. Then the mods ruined it... revolt!!

[Chiquita Fanjita 1,800]

But what's this about a mini GTG, without the Glasgow GTG Co-ordinator knowing about it??? :(

 

Sorry

 

It was all Del`s idea

Bloody mods

This was a beautiful tale of tears and triumph. Then the mods ruined it... revolt!!