Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • 4 months later...
Posted

I just got this Croton Tropartic with a blue linen dial. Has an AS 1951 caliber. Haven't had time to investigate too deeply into the apparent paint loss. The seconds hand is red as on the 2nd pic; having trouble getting the color correct on the pictures. This dial is well balanced I think. 782174470_DSCN51832.thumb.JPG.f8dc8019f32fd2c6ddaff83df9e0924e.JPG692488772_20230422_2214093.thumb.jpg.12060fd9c5f4f8c39801d7b4e25acc11.jpg

  • Like 3
Posted

NewCrystalCaseRefinished.thumb.JPG.b99968305756e8706734c391522d426f.JPG

RIMG0951.thumb.jpg.26e3e022ff1fd867882da811dfda3cbb.jpg

This Sekonda with a Seiko day/date movement was in a bit of a state (which is why it also qualifies as a 404 club member).

The deep blue sunburst dial changes hue, depending on the light.

AsPurchased.png.53813317a451e210f2ebf076007b5694.png

This is how it looked in the ebay listing, so a new crystal and a case re-finishing was needed to make it presentable.

I have to confess that I managed to crack the first replacement crystal I fitted, while re-fitting the case back.
I was too lazy to check, and find the correct die, so I used one that I assumed was big enough.
Obviously it wasn't.
We do things right 'cos we do them twice. 🙄

  • Like 3
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Here is another one like above but with the bezel. The nato strap is actually more comfortable than the original blue strap in the photo above. My original intention was to take the bezel off of this one and put it on the watch above. However it did not quite fit and I wonder if the crystal is keeping it from easily pressing onto the case. Either way I don't want to force it.DSCN53702.thumb.JPG.e1a0146f82fdbbd7bcf4816f0946a76c.JPGDSCN53712.thumb.JPG.d6d915328933068d215c620b74fd3bd4.JPG20230711_2154062.thumb.jpg.6f2fa882cd9cec117c2a00891f9e29f8.jpg

  • 4 months later...
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Cropped.thumb.jpg.cdfecda1ced369afadafc8f00ca9d643.jpg

Merry blue dialled Festivmas ;~)


If you thought the Chairman Mao smoking watch was pretty terrible, here's Wally, and no, I have no idea what he is holding in his hand, but I suspect it might require ointment. 

  • Haha 3
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

My latest. 1973 Bulova Sea King HH. Looks more like the dial shot with the gray. The camera must be picking up a tan color and not the gray for some reason.DSCN5689.thumb.JPG.f0ffd2490342abf425f4e5a81f83deff.JPGDSCN56822.thumb.JPG.65c27415f50176270fdac7a76246cf3c.JPGDSCN56852.thumb.JPG.c782e4306401e7101eb688767a45d760.JPG

And the obligatory 10:10 shot!

20240107_2209522.thumb.jpg.19da1315c0b69cf4cae3678fd86583a6.jpg

 

Edited by Razz
Added photo.
  • Like 4
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 months later...
  • 2 months later...
Posted (edited)

CIMG1067.thumb.JPG.ec4571381cc4af6f8606ed2a52f21415.JPG

I'm not sure why photographing blue dialled watches seems to be that little bit more tricky than other dials.
In reality this watch looks pretty much immaculate, but the moment the camera points at it, 1000 motes of dust land on it, and the camera (or perhaps the photographer) entirely fails to do it justice. 

CIMG1064.thumb.JPG.b1e310198959bedd23a34123a422d63a.JPG

CIMG1076.thumb.JPG.13dcb677b90f9a51be2d1c2fa0aad54a.JPG

There is a bit of a story to this watch, which I may share at a later date, and one of the other members of WRT will almost certainly recognise it.

Suffice to say it hits the spot nicely in every way, but particularly when it comes to blue. My sincerest thanks to its previous owner for letting me have it, and I hope the beaver settles in to its new home comfortably. 

 

I'm also not quite sure why there seems to be a particular shared fondness for blue dials.

Perhaps it has something to do with this.

image.thumb.png.d5d5c7cb0f6b3acea34c599e093cd541.png

Edited by AndyHull
  • Like 3
Posted

I only have two working watches with blue faces, out of around 30 total - and both are quartz ones, by chance. 

(I think giving them a wipe must add a static charge that pulls all the dust back!!)

IMG_3129.thumb.jpg.da48336f0d3df2b318a7f92c32d29b25.jpg

IMG_3130.thumb.jpg.c2576d3dd18bf45b4a07fbc800f0fd18.jpg

 

  • Like 3
Posted

My two blue-dialled examples, which don't appear to be duplicates of anything already posted on this thread.

Both have mechanical movements, the first being my 'take it anywhere, do anything' watch which has been up mountains and diving (once). It is properly waterproof and the sapphire crystal is resistant to pretty much anything, although the bracelet is showing signs of wear after 17yrs of hard use. The other is a bit different.

Alec

IMG_1071.jpg

IMG_1072.jpg

  • Like 4
Posted
On 7/17/2024 at 9:07 AM, AndyHull said:

A very nice pair. The Patek in particular is a real stunner.

Thank you. Yes, the Patek is a thing of beauty, and a genuinely nice company to deal with. The staff in the London salon were incredibly helpful, and very kind to my (then quite young) daughters.

Alec

  • Like 1
Posted

CIMG1081.thumb.JPG.2ea6c0402ff1a75a706e9de1772947b5.JPG

It has a blue dial, so technically it qualifies,but it certainly isn't in the same league as the Patek.

A circa 1979 Sekonda LCD 32786Hz  with what is quite possibly a USSR "Elecktronika" fabricated module, although it is completely devoid of any markings.

It uses a slightly unusual lead-frame construction, i.e. the die is bonded to and in an epoxy moulded  lead-frame construction a bit like a conventional DIP IC package, but instead of the lead-frame legs being folded to make legs, it is flat, with slots where the zebra strips sit. Some of the lead frame legs extend to the edges of the circular module and form one of the contact surfaces for the "buttons".

 

Posted

CIMG1101.thumb.JPG.b81240d487846fa69bf9fd64fd952831.JPG

Today I've been giving this blue dialled "French Ebauch" Montine 17 jewel beauty a bit of an airing.

AsPurchased3Cropped-l1600.jpg.7bd8cf5da6879b182177f63d65ac37e0.jpg

Here is the "before" image. I thought I'd posted this watch previously, but apparently not.

AsPurchased2-l1600.thumb.jpg.55f4c9a853b3a682fabc034282acf654.jpg

.. and of course the mandatory movement shot. 

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)

CIMG1102.thumb.JPG.5a939373b68f1b992f57b1779b78422a.JPG

A Miyota GP11 based Accurist MB613 fresh from the healing bench. Not much of a repair as the original module was  completely eaten up by a leaking alkaline cell.


I rarely bother to change out failed quartz modules for relatively inexpensive watches such as this, since the cost of the replacement often outweighs the value of the watch.  However I found a suitable brand new replacement for this one for a very reasonable price. The new battery is a silver oxide one, so there should be slightly less chance of a repeat of the carnage.

I wasn't keen on the original strap colour, so I went with a navy blue with red stitching, which oddly photographs as almost black.


I may give the crystal bezel a bit of a shine to remove those micro scratches, but since they are barely visible to the naked eye, perhaps not. Lets see how much they bother me while wearing it.

Edited by AndyHull
  • Like 2

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I’ve been playing with a NH35 movement that which has the classic Etachron regulation system and a few balance assemblies as practice. What I’m trying to do is get comfortable with the effect both the stud and regulator pin positions have on rate and positional error. When I install a new balance assembly I install it with the assembly in place  on the cock and cock is attached to base plate. I use the back of the tweezers to push the stud into place and feel the click. However, I noticed that the angle of the stud can be adjusted and what I also noticed is that some movements have the stud carrier arm bent down a little and that changes the angle of the hairspring leaving the stud. This angle effects how the spring goes through the regulator pins and also the spacing of the coils opposite the stud. What I thought I was supposed to do is set the regulator block in the middle of the curve, open the pins, and use the stud angle to center the spring.  Then the stud is set.  Now on all the new NH movements I have seen the angle of the regulator block is about 60 degrees counter clockwise from full open. I watched a video where the author used the regulator pin adjust to adjust rate and position error. When I close down the pins I do notice that the rate increases but also the amplitude drops, the coil spacing changes and hairspring appears slight straighter between the stud and the regulator block. If I open the pins the amplitude comes back, the spring breathes a bit more between the stud and the regulator block and the rate slows.  So, a long post I know but I would really appreciate any advice on how to correctly adjust the etachron system for rate, amplitude and positional error.   
    • Aw come on Andy, it was just a comparison between spending 30 quid and tackling a tricky piece of work. You appeared to be volunteering,  i volunteer for stuff all the time it gets me into all kinds of trouble.
    • It's not really shown here , but the blade flips over, so it faces the other way. The knob and threaded case holder then pushes the caseback seam into the blade. Once the blade starts to penetrate into it, the lever and blade are lifted , which should hopefully pop the back off. A lot of fashion style cases have very tight seams and need a sharp blade to start separating them.  Don't buy the cheaper plastic versions of this tool, the posts with the pins through for blade holder break easily if the apply extra force to blade. 
    • You will still be looking for a balance complete I’m afraid, this is the balance staff, balance wheel and hairspring in one package. Hairspring and the balance wheel are matched in the factory. Whilst we can change a balance staff the hairspring and balance wheel stay together.   Tom
    • The hairspring end has come adrift from the small terminal barrel.  I have tried to remove the taper pin to relocate it, but the task is beyond my skill set, eyes, hands and being in my 70s, probably beyond my life expectancy.  It is not too badly mangled on the end.  On the ebay offer, that really is a bit on the rich side.  I'll keep looking, maybe a good hairspring will turn up with a shot balance staff. As for time spent on knees.  I made up one of these from 3M magnetic tape and a piece of wood.  It works well for magnetic parts. Other things I have suffered with.  I found lubricants so very expensive that I bought some very small syringes and tiny needles.  I just decant a drop into my oiling pots when I start a movement and the remainder keeps really well in the syringes. Finally identifying the correct screw for the part led me to make up the board in the final pic.   Thanks for the info. Kind regards   Chris  
×
×
  • Create New...