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So after shooting some pics of the lathe in the garage, er, I mean workshop, I still had the camera in hand, so here is what I'm wearing today.

My son arrived from LA with a few packages for me that I have been busy accumulating on the Bay. I find that the watches and parts are really good value and often the sellers accept a quite low best offer price so I now have the following stuff in a queue for attention (except for the Omega watch which is now on my wrist). I managed to pick up this Omega movement: And I have got this case in the UK which I believe to be compatible, at least the sizes match and the ages of both the case and movement are about right as well so I am hopeful. The movement is working but the hands will need a re lume and the movement a full service. There is some rust to attend to but I have a new stem arriving from Argentina (got 5 for £8.50 postage inc.) and the case spring and bumper springs are not too bad when you get a proper look at them. Even the dial is in better condition than it looks in the photo. I also got a couple of Helbros watches one of which is in really good condition and comes with original box and papers but the lens needs replacement or polishing the other Helbros is not so good as the case is chromed and worn but the movement is working and the dial is good but I got it for a total of £12.00 and it has a brand new Speidel expandable bracelet on it so I probably will break even on it with a bit work and I have some spare cases that may fit. I got the Accutron coil for a song but it is a bit of a punt - have not tested it yet but fingers crossed. On a whim I got this GP movement that will go in my box for repairs as it needs some bits so I will keep a look out. Finally a treat from my wife, Fully serviced and working like a charm and I am well pleased with it. Now what can i get to bring back with me when I go to LA next year --- Hmmmm. Cheers, Vic

Who's "Woking" and what do you want them to do to you? [emoji47] [emoji16] [emoji12]

Stephen, the brushes look as though they still have plenty of meat on them. Have you had a look at the commutator? It may need cleaning. Have a look at this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=MkBLwUG_AdU

I'm also in the snap back camp,..run a sharp needle round the line on the back...you should see a pry point. Anil

If it doesn't open from the front, then I'm sure it should from the back. If I remember and correct me if I'm wrong this is an old Russian made watch from around the 1980's time, if so Russian watches never had any fancy way of opening back then. This is a bit of a long shot and I can't think that it's the way but I'll mention it. have you tried pulling the stem too see if it is a two piece stem, if it is you then remove the glass and the movement will drop out. If you try it be very careful as damage can be caused. By the look of your photos you are not the only one to have had this problem it looks as if it has been tried by someone with a hammer and chisel. I expect you will have more replies from those that are still working with watches, me I retired from this type of work years ago so it is just my memory that I have, at times that's not to good. Good luck.

Hi Stephen - that really looks like a snap-on back to me - though you have the advantage of having it close to you. There's what looks like a clear seam in your 3rd photo down - and there appear to be scratch marks where others have faced your dilemma. I've got watches with very tight snap-on backs and I know they can be a b*gg*r to get off. You might try a scalpel (carefully) if a case knife isn't up to the job. Logically, either the bezel or the back has to come off. As Holmes said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the solution."

In eBay there are many Indian based sellers.Most of them from Mumbai. I just got 4 complete movement for 450Rs , cleaned,serviced.

I "think" Caravelle 11dp/Citizen 0241 parts would be an exact replacement for the HMT parts, but I've never gotten around to buying an HMT and trying them. They're pretty inexpensive on eBay and might be a good alternative to getting gouged for the original HMT parts. Here's a pile of parts from two movements I cleaned a while back.