404 Club

[AndyHull]

Another 404 club chronograph. This one is a "Time Force model 9346".

No idea what calibre is in it, nor what the missing widget at the bottom of the bezel was, but Its a chronograph, and it was well within the 404 club rules at 2.50 GBP. Furthermore I suspect it should clean up pretty nicely.

Suggestions for what to put at the 6 o'clock on the bezel anybody?

Edited September 23, 2024 by AndyHull

[Razz]

Spent a nice Saturday morning on this nice Helbros that I picked up at the beginning of the month in a lot for $5US. Did not work, could barely get the minute hand to turn and was dingy.

Stripped it down and had a bent 3rd wheel and it looked like someone tried to make an overcoil out of a flat hairspring. Has an AS 1660 with only 7 jewels so did not want to have to put any money into it. I did have a new acrylic and watch strap that fit beautifully and the dial cleaned up a bit with just IPA and water, carefully and gently of course.

[mbwatch]

Is this meant to allow the barrel to be replaced without removing the bridge?

[Nucejoe]

16 hours ago, Razz said:

the dial cleaned up a bit with just IPA and water, carefully and gently of course.

Hi Razz, good show, specially like how well dial has cleaned up, will you elaborate on details, I guess ISP/ DRY  first !  then wash away the residue with water. 

TIA 

Oh, beeauty full dial.

Edited September 29, 2024 by Nucejoe
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[spectre6000]

2 hours ago, mbwatch said:

Is this meant to allow the barrel to be replaced without removing the bridge?

That and the faux bridges. It's 3/4 plate, but doesn't look like it until you really look close. That removable barrel would simplify things a bit during reassembly. That dial side winding setup came up this morning as well in the Venus 170 Thoughts thread. Very interesting movement!

Edited September 29, 2024 by spectre6000

[Razz]

3 hours ago, mbwatch said:

Is this meant to allow the barrel to be replaced without removing the bridge?

I had not conteplated that but seems to be a valid conclusion.  I will have to check it out! This also has no yoke clutch in the keyless.

2 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

Hi Razz, good show, specially like how well dial has cleaned up, will you elaborate on details, I guess ISP/ DRY  first !  then wash away the residue with water. 

TIA 

Oh, beeauty full dial.

Yes just IPA on a foam swab gently then distilled water to remove anything loosen up but not aggressive or on the printing.

[Razz]

4 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

That and the faux bridges. It's 3/4 plate, but doesn't look like it until you really look close. That removable barrel would simplify things a bit during reassembly. That dial side winding setup came up this morning as well in the Venus 170 Thoughts thread. Very interesting movement!

Yes 4 pivots to fit plus the barrel!

That last one and the jump hour were 2 of the 6 watches i picked up at a local monthly vintage fair for $30. 

Next one up in the bench is the lower right. A Gruen Precision with an auto 460 with a bumper rotor. The dial is too far gone. I replaced the acrylic, but ordered a new one with a tension ring as was in here. Also added a SS crown. A lille large on this 32.6mm case, but gives it a kind of a field watch vibe. SS case with drilled lugs. The sides are brushed vertical instead of horizontal. I still need to strip and service, but this Veri-thin movement has an incabloc shock system and a Breguet hairspring.

Looks okay on the dark brown nato, but probably better on a tan/Khaki with SS rings. Last 2 pics after a US bath of the case and caseback. Edit: Oh and it is currently running!

Edited September 29, 2024 by Razz

[AndyGSi]

Just won a job lot of 10 watches for £8.39 including delivery but it's the Casio I'm most interested in.

[AndyGSi]

Something a little different from a recent job lot so cost me about 85p.

Odyssey Diplomat Mk 8 Alarm which was Dixons own brand.

 

[AndyHull]

A Festina F16242/A based on the Miyota 6p89 which has seen better days.

On the plus side, at 0.99p the price was right.

I do wonder how the poor thing ended up in this state.

This is what they should look like.
Lets see if this one is revivable.

Edited October 24, 2024 by AndyHull

[AndyGSi]

23 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

This is what they should look like.
Lets see if this one is revivable.

It does potentially look like it's just a new crystal as long as the battery hasn't leaked.

[AndyHull]

The Festina works, and by placing a drop of mineral oil on the crystal, to hide the imperfections, the dial and hands look to be in good shape. When I get a chance, it should tidy up nicely.

[Waggy]

8 hours ago, AndyHull said:

placing a drop of mineral oil on the crystal

Nice tip, never thought of doing that

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 10/18/2024 at 10:09 AM, AndyGSi said:

Something a little different from a recent job lot so cost me about 85p.

Odyssey Diplomat Mk 8 Alarm which was Dixons own brand.

 

Wow, i remember Dixions electical local outlets, thats going back a way. I seem to think they are still a company online.

1 hour ago, Waggy said:

Nice tip, never thought of doing that

I use a similar idea at work....wood effect plastics for doors windows and kitchens...any light scratches become unnoticeable with a quick wipe over with WD.

[AndyHull]

The Festina got a little TLC, including some work to free up the very smooth action unidirectional bezel,  a clean, polish, fresh crystal and a new blue silicone dive band.

I think it looks pretty good for 0.99p. Another fine addition to the 404 club, *and* the blue dialled watch club.

Edited November 18, 2024 by AndyHull

[mbwatch]

8 hours ago, AndyHull said:

smooth action unidirectional bezel,

At a glance I might have assumed that was a fixed bezel. It would look nice if you painted the bezel numbers in black (or blue)

[AndyHull]

5 hours ago, mbwatch said:

At a glance I might have assumed that was a fixed bezel. It would look nice if you painted the bezel numbers in black (or blue)

I'm tempted to give that a go.

The original look is for a mirror polish with frosted numerals.

I may revisit the bezel and improve the polish, as there are still a lot of scratches, but I don't want to over polish it and flatten out the numerals.

I'll wear it for a bit and see if its current state annoys me enough to do some more work on it.

[AndyHull]

A fairly petite (assuming the seller isn't a gorilla of course) "Count" 15 Jewel Swiss pocket watch is on its way.

I'm intrigued to see what is inside as much as anything. Obviously the lume needs attention and the crystal is also a little the worse for wear and may need replacing. I may have to fabricate a bow for it too, as I doubt I have anything that small. It only cost a quid, so I can't really complain.

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by AndyHull

[RichardHarris123]

Pin lever. 

[AndyHull]

Just now, RichardHarris123 said:

Pin lever. 

Most likely, but you never know.

[RichardHarris123]

5 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

Most likely, but you never know.

Indeed, I'm guessing because most of the watches that claim antimegnetic/ unbreakable mainspring, I've worked on have been.  But we'll see. 

[GuyMontag]

I'm not sure if I posted this one before but I recently serviced it and was able to get a crystal that fit. I had an issue finding one that was both the correct size and was an 'underlay' type but found one on Cousins. This one fits although the corners are more rounded than the original. The watch came as part of a watchmakers estate and was labelled as an AS970, which it is also marked on the dial side of the mainplate. These seem to be few and far between with the vast majority of AS970's having a sub-seconds hand.

[Razz]

My latest score for last weekend. 33 watches plus a couple of cases and some other junk. 4 of the watches are runners with the gold color seiko with a 6106-6007 and all original H link bracelet. The best one may be a sleeper Westclox. I tend to overlook westclox because their movements are not that great to work on. This one was different and seems to be a seiko 7006a as a base caliber to the Westclox A361-1 in a all SS case that is 41mm and 39mm lug to lug. This hunk of metal, while not a turtle does have its DNA in seiko, just have not figured out yet what it's corresponding Hattori  case number is...not bad for less than 30 US cents apiece. Worth the price of admission to the fun!

Edited March 5 by Razz

[spectre6000]

If you scrapped all the rest, that Westclox would still land you in the 10:10! I'm right there with you in generally giving Westcloxes a pass for the PITA movements. Great example of the name on the dial meaning nothing! That's a pretty serious score right there!

[Razz]

Next is this nice dial in a chrome bezel that I popped a new crystal and added a carded strap. Missing the second hand at 34mm still a nice watch on my small wrist. A 1 jewel pin pallet but nice dial and the bezel is in great shape.