If one purchases a case, movement, dial, and hands, what skill level is required to put that all together? What special tools would be needed?

Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
If one purchases a case, movement, dial, and hands, what skill level is required to put that all together? What special tools would be needed?

Well, I went to two years of school full time to learn to do it, and had to buy a couple of thousand dollars worth of tools (in addition to the big tools at the school: lathes, milling machine, etc.), but it can be done with less. It also depends on the type of movement -- quartz will be easier than mechanical -- and how "complete" the movement is.

At a minimum I'd suggest a movement holder, case wrench, screwdriver assortment, tweezer assortment, oilers and a selection of oils, hand-setting tool, and one or more loupes appropriate to your eyesight.

There are online watch repair courses, and one might be worth your time and money depending on your level of interest in watches.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
What special tools would be needed?

Here's my favorite source of watch tools:
http://www.ofrei.com/page235.html

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
If one purchases a case, movement, dial, and hands, what skill level is required to put that all together? What special tools would be needed?

Thanks in advance.

I bought junk watches to practice taking apart and reassembling.

BrianO and ScreamingCockatoo, thanks for the help. That changes my thoughts a bit.

I had thought about getting a SW200-1 movement and then putting together my own Meister Singer knock off.

I don't know when or why it happened, but I have been bitten by the watch bug. I simply can't afford my tastes. I am more of a Timex sort of guy.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:...I have been bitten by the watch bug. I simply can't afford my tastes.

I know what you mean. During final quarter of watchmaker's school we got a tour of a high-end jeweler's store, and got to handle some very nice watches by Franck Muller, IWC, etc. I was examining one watch that I was particularly attracted by, and when I looked at the price tag I almost dropped it. $124,000! I was literally trembling when I handed it back. My personal watches are a Seiko 5, a Casio Duro, and an ESQ by Movado. I was only able to afford the latter because I worked at a Movado store and used my employee discount. Ah, if only I'd won that $307MM Powerball last month.

My goal is to not buy anymore watches for the year, and try to thin down the herd a bit. Therefore trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of has become a small task.

I'm definitely keeping the Darth Turtle.
PVD coated watches aren't normally my thing, as I don't think a black watch is very versatile but they are striking in the looks department. I've settled on this black sailcloth strap that I was using on a gold 55fathoms build. That watch will be sold, so I swapped the sailcloth strap to this one. I also replaced the deployant with a black pvd buckle. I think they are a perfect match.

If you ever feel like a straight trade for my Blue Lagoon, let me know... we can swap rare Turtles if you feel like a change of pace.

I'm gonna get me a 007 or 009 soon!

quote:

Originally posted by agony:
My goal is to not buy anymore watches for the year, and try to thin down the herd a bit. Therefore trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of has become a small task.

I'm definitely keeping the Darth Turtle.
PVD coated watches aren't normally my thing, as I don't think a black watch is very versatile but they are striking in the looks department. I've settled on this black sailcloth strap that I was using on a gold 55fathoms build. That watch will be sold, so I swapped the sailcloth strap to this one. I also replaced the deployant with a black pvd buckle. I think they are a perfect match.

Love that one. Out of my price range unless I sell something and I happy where I am right now.

Beautiful! Congrats!

RMD

An old Rodania 17J (actually an A. Schild 1430 from the 1950's) that I am just about finished rebuilding. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the movement wouldn't run when I put it back together and finally discovered that the lower pivot on the pallet arbor was missing. I guess I ham-fisted it right off. Anyway, bought a partial movement for the pallet alone and now it lives!!

I also discovered the joys of handwinding a mainspring without a mainspring winder. Takes some practice.

RMD

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The old soldier fights onward!

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Link to original video: https://youtu.be/FqboxkpL_YQ [/FLASH_VIDEO]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rduckwor,

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Hi, Rogue.

Sorry for the delay. Hi. .. and Hi everybody! I had been back since then that post, but missed your post. As penance, a special watch pic.

How, my Grandfather's Girard-Perregaux? Dial redone by a dumb ass kid (me) when I first inherited it. But at least I still have her (and I have the original crystal too in a box). I plan to get that reinstalled one day.

Very nice. I have a similar Hamilton tank watch that was my grandfathers. Mine is from the '30s or maybe the '40s. It needs mechanical work, but I don't know if I'll ever do it, as it has a gold filled case, and the corners are worn down through the gold to brass. It would be a major restoration project.

1974 Seiko Lord Marvel 36000 BPH just arrived from Hong Kong:

A word of warning: Chinese Seagull movements.

I bought one of these as a training aid. I sadly discovered that the mainspring in the movement was a piece of shit. As soon as I unwound it, it broke and appears to have been improperly annealed as in "not at all". It readily takes a contrary set and bends easily. I am replacing it with a genuine ETA mainspring.

If you have to open and work on one of these movements, be wary of the mainspring. Maybe mine is a fluke.

RMD

quote:

Originally posted by agony:
My goal is to not buy anymore watches for the year,

Good luck with that one...I suck at that.

quote:

Originally posted by RobLew:

quote:

Originally posted by agony:
My goal is to not buy anymore watches for the year,

Good luck with that one...I suck at that.

You're right.
Picked this up over the weekend. Price was too good to pass up.

Furnace blue hands? Beautiful and elegant.

RMD

This is a fantastic thread!!!! I guess I always knew that gun collectors are also watch nuts!!!Some serious watches here, some real beauties. RE; The redial on the GP, I completely agree with the thought of a redial, sort of like refinishing a Colt SAA. I had a dial refinished once on a vintage Breitling Geneve I found on flea bay. Not a particularly valuable watch. The dial was unreadable, I sent it to International Dial in Ohio and it's now a usable watch. I wish I could post some pics of my watches, but I never really got the hang of it.

Is that a Bambino?

I REALLY want the Orient Mako Ray II (orange face)