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ChatGPT can't yet generate video content, but it can create illustrations. The above image illustrates "curb pins". Enjoy! I especially like the screw slots. I haven't got the screwdrivers for them yet but I guess it's just a matter of time before Bergon has them on offer.

Here's an illustration from en ETA 2472:

I wonder why the essential info always comes after all tried to solve the puzzle?

I'm sure I've seen those screws before. I think they were in a Mumbia special that had been recently "serviced". They too were bit of a multiple choice question when it came to how to undo them.

Interestingly enough, the corresponding description for Sellita does not mention Glucydur. It is claimed that the movement I serviced – Special – should have Novodiac but has Incabloc. I assume there are more variants than those mentioned, as the clients, in my case Maurice Lacroix, can specify how they want their movements. Furthermore, I believe that the pallet stones in my movement are red rubies (not Polyrubies). "Polyrubies: Often have a more muted or slightly cloudy red appearance. This can result from the polycrystalline structure and less refined production methods. The colour might not be as vivid or consistent. Red Rubies (synthetic rubies): Typically exhibit a clear, deep red or pinkish-red colour due to their uniform crystalline structure and purity. They have a more transparent and vibrant appearance, often resembling natural rubies. The colour difference isn't just cosmetic—it can indicate differences in quality and material properties."

in amusement that I have is database programs are very important in the universe but seemed to be almost invisible in the programming world. so according to Wikipedia company started in 1984. sold the company in the early 90s where the program continued for several more years then did not transition into Windows. Although part of the problem was that the programmers programming clipper in DOS had a hard time transitioning into Windows also. there are programs out there that generate videos. you're seeing more and more examples of that of people making videos for YouTube. I wonder if we can find somebody with the video generation program and ask it to make a running watch for us? Then the illustration is interesting of what happens when? I don't suppose you could ask to produce a slightly different version of illustration in other words I like to pull it apart so we can see all the bits and pieces and how this new watch works?

10 watchmakers: 15 opinions on lubrication I use a synthetic 5w-30 motor oil in a syringe to lubricate my lathe.

Yes the battery +ve needs shorting to the AC contact to reset after a battery change. @Matt77 Looking at your photos I can't see any obvious signs of corrosion. I suggest you try a good quality battery (literature shows SR927SW but would go for a SR927W) then reset the movement as above and see what you get.

I'll tell you what, I'll see if it can write me a Cobol compiler ... entirely in Fortran 77. Well it looks like ChatGPT would be up for the challenge.

As currently implemented, possibly never. The problem is that we don't actually fully understand how organic life forms "understand", so it is difficult to define understanding in the context of anything else, including AI, however current AI does not work the way most people think it does, and certainly does not work the same way the human brain for example works. By that definition, it will never understand. That is not to say that we will never be able to make a system that is truly self aware, and genuinely understands its own existence. AI is however, not that system.

Hi all, This is a bit delicate and I don't want to be offensive to any new members... but I've noticed a couple of new members joining over the last few hours, that may well be AI creations or phishing attempts. All young ladies... Just be careful if you receive personal messages asking you for your credit card details Cheers

I didn't really feel like forking over $70 for a Bergeon one, so I designed and 3D printed my own. Just needs a 608 bearing in the base! Link to model file in case anyone wants to print their own.

You just need a pair of tweezers with a fine point, put one in the hole marked AC then touch the other on the battery for a couple of seconds.

100% Most members here know it, often found out the hard way

Sorry I hadn't picked up they were different for the 2H & 4H, most are the same. I've a list of sellers and sites depending what I'm looking for. I'll have another look and let you know.

yes, it worked! I'd been avoiding the correct hole (as they say), as it seemed veeery near to a couple of cogs, but it worked a treat. Stem had to be in the fully out position for it to pop out Thanks all, a 5/5 thread

Mobil 1 is excellent for anything from PC fans & small motors upwards!

If you're talking about this black then I think it is corrosion but it's just the circuit cover. I suppose it depends how much it extends under onto the board itself.

Yes, I had a nice contract back in the noughties, converting a Fortran system with flat files into Java with an Oracle database. Fixed a few ancient bugs while I was at it. Funny you should suggest that. One of my projects for the final year of my degree, back in 1979, was an Algol compiler written entirely in Pascal. Never used either of those languages in my career later. In the eighties, almost everything was COBOL.

Yeah those Deckels are very hard to come by. I snagged got for a bargain but had a lot of restoration work to get it how it is. Works beautifully though! Updates on the Omega. My incabloc springs came in and after a tonne of messing around I was able to install one and get the chaton back in place. Thankfully I bought 5 because 1 completely disappeared on me. This was try number 2! A check on the timegrapher and the results are disappointing. This is with zero running time so far and with the original mainspring, but I was hoping for more. But still a huge improvement from the beginning. Im going to give it a few hours or so to settle in, then I’ll check a few positions and revert back. I think more effort is required though as I have some issues in some positions.

Clipper database? very vague recollections about software called clipper back in the DOS, C/PM days of yore Tom

In that context it is likely to be a fake utilising a Chinese movement hence the rougher than expected appearance for a heuer. have you tried the operation Andy suggested above yet? Tom

Apologies for the late contribution, but could you check the lower pivot again? That's the one that the balance is sitting on dial down, i.e. when the watch runs. It could just be the lighting, but to me it looks bent as well as worn.

COBOL as well, know a couple of folks who work 4-6 months of the year and earn 6 figures working with it. Tom

There is a certain irony in the fact that knowledge of Fortran is still in use in some niche areas (mainly banking and finance) to this day. Maybe I'll ask Chatgpt to write me some Fortran 77 code, just for fun. Speaking of AI and time (wasting), you might find this interesting. https://hackaday.com/2025/02/06/a-great-use-for-ai-wasting-scammers-time/

well, the keyword that you've dropped is 'artificial' It's a programming technique that aims to emulate intelligence, and to some extent, it does achieve that. Answers are improved over time as more information is learned from training. I get what you mean, though. What I find interesting is that the information obtained from actual 'intelligent' humans can be equally erroneous. Anyone who's studied for a degree will know that all information needs to be evaluated, regardless of where it's obtained. It can be correct, accurate, inaccurate, biased, misleading, or, in some cases, plain wrong. I think the point here is always to educate yourself and reach your own opinion rather than blindly trust any source of information.

The users in question have been investigated and removed from the forums. If anyone has anything to report like this please use the report function or message the moderators. Thanks Tom

@ChrisInOz indeed, the invention of what would become the most prevalent database in the world, excel. Tom

You could do that. Most would use a slide rest for this work; quite often it would be used to put a step on a setting, modify the diameter/s seat height etc. Also useful when making new settings. All depends of course on how true it runs (the ones I've encountered haven't been great).

These typically fit in a 5mm collet, and have adjustable depth stops. They are used to hold the setting that takes the jewel for doing lathe work; these jewels-in-settings are most often seen in American made pieces.

I'll try and post a photo later but on the 351580 there's a split in the square section which depending how it lands could affect the operation.

yep! these were for factory and or service center use - I have managed to come across a few myself.

UPDATE: Yes I could spare the 30 seconds to test a brass hammer before I go to work. It worked! They jarred apart and separated, the surfaces look pretty good, no damage and a tiny bit of surface on the outer flare. And lot of oil. Thanks very much for your generous help @caseback.

Here is my 1973 NOS Bulova 'Minute Man' on the original lizard skin strap. The '70s vibe is strong in this one.

I have this Pogue that I have been working on. Aftermarket pushers because the originals were bent. Working on sourcing those and have some on the way. The dial has some patina but is all original and a nice orange "tropic".

the following post may help. It is my "saga of the stuck screw" from last year. There is a lot of good advice from forum members on how to deal with the problem, and also what not to do. I eventually freed the stuck screw by hot/cold shock treatment using a soldering iron and an aerosol freezer spray.

Shock is one of the best things to release a rusted together part. If you have a staking tool, rest the barrel arbor in a stump, and come down with a flat face punch on the screw, good contact, then one sharp smack with the hammer. If you don't have a staking tool, you can try with some other means of support and punch but would be less ideal. Then work the screw, putting pressure in both directions, until it starts to move. As said, there's a chance it's left hand thread, but sometimes going the "wrong" way a little helps loosen things up.

…my Watch O’ the Day today. This one is under monitoring as it was a mess and I just buttoned it up. A bit of a scam this one was as it was messed up in a way only someone experienced would have done… The hairspring was out of the regulator and bent in a way so the balance wheel would turn just enough so the auctioneer could write ‘ticking’. The banking pins were bent outwards about as far as they could move and it tricked me for a long time. A picture from WatchGuy solved it… …the roller was supposed to look like this but someone had replaced it with a one piece far too large to fit, though it looked fine in the watch. My mistake . I filled the wheel with the missing screws and rebent the over-coil to see what the escapement was doing, so I get to the bad roller in a roundabout way… I sourced a new balance. The hairspring needed some heavy correction and so far its holding. I may go back and repeat the service as I spent much time messing with the escapement…

I had the same problem so I bought both. So for the record the ATCB measures 2.25mm compared to your 1.26mm.

Sounds like something an AI would say....... hey wait a minute!

Another reason ET of any form might not of found us is our planet is tiny and space is huge ( understatement) and interstellar travel may turn out being impossible no matter how advanced. AI designed an aerial for a satellite which was totally different to a human design. The satellite was launched with both, the AI worked better than the human one. For any gamers (me), the Mass Effect games where about AI wiping out organic life.

Hi I think its the small black pin just south of the stem in your first picture press it down gently and pull the stem. I Have enclosed the tech sheets for your interest. 612_ETA955.102,955.112,955.122,955.132,955.402,955.412,955.422,955.432.pdf