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Back in march I requested information regarding the old style anit-shock protection in a Rolex that i was having slight issues with. This system dated from the 1940’s and is called Shockresist. I had hoped to get a detailed explanation of how to disassemble, clean and lubricate the device, but unfortunately nobody came up with specifics that I was after. I did a bit of research to find out how the system worked and bought an old movement fitted with the Shockresist, so that I could dismantle it to see how it is put together. I removed the balance and cock in the normal way having first slackening the screw that holds the hairspring stud. The next thing was to release the curb that regulates the hairspring, then gently remove the balance and spring from the cock. As I suspected, there are two little screws under the balance cock that holds cap jewel and adjustment lever in place. I removed these tiny screws and as predicted, the regulator components and cap jewel came apart. I now turned my attentions to the balance jewel and retainer which was in the forum of a “C” clip. For safety, I partially covered the clip with Rodico before dislodging it with the point of a Stanley blade. To hold the cock securely during this process, I pinned it to a piece of cork with a screwdriver. The turned out that the jewel and shock resisting spring were now very firmly held in place so I decided to clean them in situ. I could have pressed them out, but thought it unnecessary. The only parts of the watch that I cleaned and lubricated were the Shockresist components. But to my surprise, the watch sprang into life on assembly, and given the filthy state of the rest of the movement, gave a reasonable reading on my timegrapher. All I have to do is pull the old Rolex apart now! Here are some pictures I took of the disassembly.

Last Friday my son took me to dinner at an Argentinian restaurant in San Francisco. We started with beef empanadas, moved on to spare ribs and grilled chilies, then roasted potatoes and a 26oz rib eye. We washed it all down with an excellent bottle of Malbec and some Chilean Carmenere. For dessert we had alfajores, churros with chocolate sauce, and vanilla shakes. Then we waddled back to the train, bloated but contented. Best food I've ever had and made so much the better by who I shared it with.

It sure is Phil, you will probably require a little help with that one.

Dirt or no dirt, it looks like a classy movement. Nice pics.

The mind boggles, what a piece of junk, the clever bit is selling it at £108. When there are many good quality reasonably priced movements available one has to wonder why Swatch went to all the trouble of developing it, just to save a buck or two. My Chinese Rolex look alike @ £14.95 from Ebay is a proper 21 Jewel? automatic and twice the watch the Swatch will ever be.

Decided we needed fresh air so had a drive to Amble then Warkworth and after a walk along the river popped into the Masons Arms for a pint of Deuchars, crystal clear and Delish - cannot whack a good bit of hand pulled (try to avoid the easy option here lads). The light of my life took a photo so you could be forgiven for thinking it was Hobgoblin. Pic of Warkworth Castle as well.