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I haven't worn this for a few months, so I figured it was time to give it an airing. A Felsa 790 series "Orfilux" 25 Rubis Automatic from around 1955, in a "Hermetica Garantie" case. RWAG is most likely the case maker Rodi & Wienenberger AG, Pforzheim Germany. (Translated link). Sadly RWAG appears to have ceased trading around 2019. I can find nothing on line regarding the "Orfilux" brand, but I suspect it may have been a German company, using Swiss movements. If anyone else knows anything about "Orfilux" I would be keen to hear. I cleaned and serviced this on November 30th 2019 and it is still going strong, though I suspect that is more a testament to the quality of the caliber than it is to my amateur servicing efforts. It also probably helps that this is not a "daily driver", and that thus far I have resisted the urge to pull it all apart again and "fix" the hands, a process that might be fraught with possible pitfalls. The "patina" (some might call it rust) on the hands, isn't obvious unless you shoot a macro shot of it and post it on line, so when I'm wearing it, I can live with it. I should really sort it out by polishing and reluming the hands, but I'm happy enough to leave well alone for the time being. Maybe next time it needs a service, the I will be unable to resist the urge.

Its not very often in horology a truly new concept arrives Omega seem to have achieved it. The Omega Spirate is a new balance spring system that can be adjusted for stiffness to allow fine adiustments of the rate to within 0.1 seconds per day. This is one of the few truly new ideas in horology made possible by silicon manufacturing techniques. The system was announced in January this year. However, technical details were sparse, with Omega supplying only basic images of the spring and views of the watch into which it's installed, the new Speedmaster Super Racing. Recently Omega invited the H7 to a technical conference on the Spirate from which this exclusive report has been prepared. The Spirate has at its core a flat balance spring with unusual features, depicted in Figure 1. The body of the spring proper terminates at a flexible flat blade rather than at a more usual stud. The whole arrangement is in turn fixed to a stud by means of the short arm pointing to the right. The general principle is this: the overall 'stiffness' of this balance spring is a combination of the stiffness of the spiral part and the stiffness of the blade. This overall stiffness directly affects the oscillator's period, (the rate of the watch). By subtly altering the stiffness of that short blade, the watch rate can be adjusted extremely finely. See Pics:

I wish you hadn't done this does this mean I have to look at his video because I'm not a big fan. Fortunately it looks like I only have to watch about not very long at all but I will point out a couple of things in the beginning. The gray metal container is designed to hold the 16 size pocket watch it does not have to be Hamilton. You want to be careful if you have one as it holds the watch quite tightly and from memory I think I scratched the case of one of my pocket watches So he went to be careful when either removing or inserting the watch into the holder. Then the sweep wheel satisfaction of making your own tools versus purchasing them. They do make tools for removing sweep wheels they work just fine if you don't want to make your own tool. Now we get the something interesting the pivot? Yes typically on vintage conical pivots you would see the recess to keep the oil from running down the pivot. So based on that his conclusion of logic is this is a pivot that would have oil and I guess from that point of view we can't really fault the logic now can we. Then there is the other little problem of vintage service information for pocket watches for the most part doesn't exist. Some of the watch companies do have a little information on lubrication but I don't remember how specific it is. What we need is the service guide for a 992B as there is a separate service guide but I don't have. The closest I have would be the US Army training manual does cover several pocket watches and a quick look of lubrication does cover the escapement in a procedure which I would not follow it does not mentioned to lubricate the pivots though. On the other hand it doesn't say you shouldn't it just doesn't say you should. In case you don't have a copy of the military training manual which is a really good book you can download the PDF from this link https://archive.org/details/TM9-1575 I was trying to think of what else do I have from Hamilton that's pocket watch and well it's a really big pocket watch. Yes you could carry it in your pocket it would be rather noticeable and that is the Hamilton deck watch. This is really another very beautiful Hamilton watch one of my favorites and I do have a service guide for that. So let's see what it says about pivots not that I've ever oiled the pivots in this watch but let's see what it has to say. Oh and even though there is a considerable size difference between this and I nine to be it does share some parts in common like the escape wheel I believe is the same in both of them that's the wheel without the pinion. Because in the deck watch the pinion as much much taller. I believe then the pallet forks should be identical. Then there is several other parts that I know the interchange. I'll can only highlighted the upper pivots as the lower pivots are identical as far as lubrication goes it looks like the pallet fork pivots are lubricated. But I still wouldn't lubricate the pivots even if they do say there supposed to be lubricated. Yes the fun of disassembling the watch when the parts come out with the upper bridge. Including the pallet fork from time to time what were people thinking. Oh and not just pocket watches the definition Of where I work of vintage can be interesting as it also includes vintage quartz watches if we cannot do a movement swap. I remember once removing the bridge of an early Seiko quartz watch and all the wheels were stuck to the upper bridge. Which is interesting because synthetic oils existed at the time the watch was made somebody must've used something else and it got really really really sticky. Basically the 4992B would be in the category of 992B and its variations. As there are other variations including a stopwatch based on this. But none of them include lubrication guides. So I think I covered the lubrication up above yes the service manual says to do it I don't care I don't do it. As nice as the sweep is just the regular ordinary 992B is still a beautiful watch. I'm attaching the technical guide and the timing specs. Hamilton 992B technical data 127.pdf Hamilton 992b 950 timing.pdf

A fox with oxford degree in cunningness.

This is the tool.

Yes I notice I still have eBay. On the other hand at least it is not watches yes I know we like watches but sometimes when there is such an overload of watches it's hard to figure out where the discussion is amongst the advertising. I was going to do the experiment later in the day but off to eBay for a few minutes it looks like I haven't been there so long I had the login. Now that I'm in let's look at women's underwear. Then eBay made suggestions of? No I'm not going to give you images but the definition of women's undergarments has an amusing well that just isn't very much covering down there. But I see eBay is making lots and lots of suggestions of and let's see if it has any changing on my eBay choices on this website. It probably won't happen instantly I'll let you know if anything changes. Although? I wonder if it would've been better to click on the eBay advertising here and then go look at something okay I'll just leave what I've done for now I'll let you know if anything changes over the day and if that doesn't work I'll click on the advertising here and go look at something interesting and see if that causes a change. Because once we figure out our advertising choices clicking on the advertising is somehow good for the message board and we might as well look at something interesting. As opposed to trying to find the messages buried amongst all the other stuff like watches it gets confusing.

I think I preferred working on the SWISSAM (Ronda) the Kienzle has one of those rocker type keyless works where you always feel like you are playing the flute trying to keep everything in place and screw it all down at the same time - I'm afraid there may have been a few expletives uttered and several cups of coffee drank at that point of the re-build.

Thanks for the welcome. I live in Leeds, but I'm originally from Brisbane (a long time ago). These are my soon to be patients. Sorry about the poor quality photo. They are all runners except for the Prescott. In fact I've been wearing the little Roamer at the top left a fair bit. I suspect it was probably fairly inexpensive even in its day. But it's a lovely little thing. It looks great on a tan leather strap, and it keeps perfect time. Of course, you buy one Roamer and the internet goes; "here's something else you might be interested in...". Next thing you know, you have two more... The one on the right is older. Late 50's early 60's I think. With the logo that got them in some bother with Rolex. I'll be sure to take better photos when I start working on them.

holy toledo! is it gold plated. that's exactly the tool wristwatch revival used. thanks for sending that. it's out of stock at esslinger. it looks like it might be available elsewhere for a little cheaper. well, a good excuse to buy another tool. Take care, Arron.

And if you buy a bronze watch case and submerge it in yoghurt you can have a watch of the purest green!

So cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a fox !

This sounds like a cunning plan my lord

How disappointing, maybe you should look up lingerie on ebay.

There is no end to modern technology they are always managing to re invent the wheel. Another step in the Horological evoloutinary saga. The use of modern plastics and silicones in Clocks and watches continues. Luddites beware.

Honestly, I have never used my concave pushers in 8 months of having my jeweling set. Flat and pump are a must. I think the only time you use a concave is when you are pushing domed jewel from the domed side. This might be more common in vintage American pocketwatches.

Thanks for the advice last week! Proof attached finally got the stem out of the Dennison case - seems like such an easy solution - why didn't I think of that!

Yes I bought the Star! Should be here on Wednesday, then we'll get it up and running

@HectorLooialso posted a video using double sided tape, it may work.

Thanks for all your inputs guys. An update, I tried using the Stanley knife and the one sided razor to remove the bezel with no success. But I read from another post in this forum that another person manage to remove the bezel of this brand of similar watches using the Stanley knife. I decided to give up (due to cost and time). As your hand might be hurt by the Stanley knife in the progress, you risk scratching the metals parts of the watch and time and patience is needed to testing out/figuring out a quartz watch. The watch is light weight, looks attractive and shiny for sure. Changing the internal movements and setting up the watch hands is a standard procedure. Perhaps anyone looking at changing this watch glass might consider: 1) using the watch press to break and replace with a new glass (cost is affordable). 2) using the sharp blade and hammer on the bezel 3) using the bezel removing tool as suggested by Hector above. The community here is kind and responsive. Cheers for all the advises Have a good run at 2023

Watching it run isn't good enough. To enhance your spotting- ablity , take a video of its running, watch it in slow-mo , most likely its intermitent sticking. Good luck

Thank you all. The problem is; Now I want a genuine one. Rgds

I appreciate being allowed to join this forum. Thank you. I've always had an interest in watches but didn't start collecting until I retired about 15 years ago. Most of them are Seiko's of course but occasionaly treat myself to something more expensive. For the last few years I have started collecting older watches. These generally require some work and I am slowly building up my knowledge and collection of tools. The thrill of the chase for some long obsolete part is definately part of the attraction. I can't imagine being able to do this without the internet! I've just finished rebuilding a Seiko 7A28-7040 with new coils, pusher seals and springs, crystal and gaskets. Am really pleased with the result. The pusher seals were a pain but with the use of a tooth pick and a spring bar tube I managed it. I very much enjoy working out how to do something though sites like this are invaluable. I hope I can assist with my limited knowledge. Best wishes. PS: Apologies for the naff username but it was the first thing that caught my eye.:)

That is a fake. Just look at the poor finish on the screws. Not even highly polished. No detail on the balance cock. Original have fine detail.

Glad to be of service.

Have a look at thus website. I'm not sure if it's the same calibre, but this thing is fully jewelled. https://deployant.com/review-wempe-chronometerwerke-tonneau/# Definitely different calibre and it seems to be missing parts.

So Sunday is try to play with springs day. Suffice to say I ended on my knees for a few hours try to find said spring and its neighbouring parts. Magic wipe did help me to find it. I will try it again next weekend. How did everyone elses weekend go? Better I hope. I have however popped everything back in excluding the spring and put it on my wrist because instant gratification. I will work on the spring again next week.

Sometimes you need specialized tools to get the crystal off. Watch Front Cover Glass Opener Flat Glass /Arch Glass Remover Screw Tool Watch Part Repair Tool Accessory for Watchmaker https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrbeKIw This is a relatively new tool designed to pull the glass off from the front with double sided tape. I haven't used it personally but it was developed by my mentor's think tank group from China. He has been using it for a few years. Other times, you do this...

If you're asking a theoretical question I'm attaching a PDF of what Omega thinks about this. Omega-have-adopted-the-screwless-balance.pdf Thinking about that I guess it might help if we had the technical guide. And typically don't find technical guides because most of technical documentation was scanned for the purposes of the parts list. So for instance if we had the technical guide like the one that's attached what can we learn? There's a reference to these are improved versions of prior watches as in the first paragraph. Then we get a list of the modifications and because typically people don't like to read PDFs I will snip out the important stuff I've highlighted the interesting modifications and the technical guide talks a little more about those highlighted items like the adjustable stud holder I do find sometimes with Omega because of how well they manufacture things that may be the adjustable stutter holder goes unnoticed. But it is definitely adjustable then we have the balance wheel and hairspring A rather nice image of 269 and I suppose you could squeeze the balance wheel in there with screws of course it would defeat the whole purpose of the improvements to the watch but I think you'd have a challenge doing it and I don't think on watches when improvements are made I don't think you can Downgrade to a earlier non-improved version and mixing and matching parts. That usually doesn't happen Omega technical guide calibers 269 and 286.pdf

Did you notice the watch is currently in pieces way up above? Not the first time on the group somebody's working on a Rolex with no Rolex knowledge. I'm looking forward to how the hairspring turns out.

I'm sorry,but I can't get under the dial,cos minute hand doesn't wanna come off