Jump to content

Parts watch storage

kd8tzc
 Share

Recommended Posts

kd8tzc WRT Addict

kd8tzc

Posted
Posted

Now that I have worked on a few watches, I have started to develop some "spare" parts watches.  I'm just curious, how do you all store these?  Most I have put together as complete as possible, but others have some pieces not in them (I just haven't put them back in) and are in parts trays.  I'd like to do something with all these, but I'm not sure if I should reassemble them, or if there is a good way to just keep how they are and not forget a) what it is and what watch it goes to, b) parts safe from damage.

One watch I put in a small zip lock bag with a piece of watch paper that has written on it what that movement is missing and then I placed that in my wooden tool box.  This concerns me though as nothing is protecting it (no, it's not in  case of anything... just a loose movement).  The pieces that are loose (hands, dial, hour wheel, and a few other small things) are in a small parts bag so they won't get into the movement.

Anyhow, what do you all do?

GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

Posted
Posted (edited)

Coin envelopes with the movement written on the outside in alphabetical order. If it's just parts they go in an old tin fuse container and then in the envelope. I will write on the outside of the envelope whatever part I "harvest". I tend to put the movement back together if I have to take out a part(s).

movements.thumb.jpg.4a6d95e3b79a31a626e6ab4bd982409b.jpg

Edited by GuyMontag
GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

I use these for loose movements. I keep needing to remember to order more, as they come in handy for many watchmaking things.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/aluminium-pots-in-aluminium-box

For cased movements, I have a small cardboard box with a nice closure with a colorfully worded label.

Those look pretty nifty, I like the glass tops so you can see what's inside. And they are surprisingly cheap!

Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted
On 5/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, kd8tzc said:

Now that I have worked on a few watches, I have started to develop some "spare" parts watches.  I'm just curious, how do you all store these?  Most I have put together as complete as possible, but others have some pieces not in them (I just haven't put them back in) and are in parts trays.  I'd like to do something with all these, but I'm not sure if I should reassemble them, or if there is a good way to just keep how they are and not forget a) what it is and what watch it goes to, b) parts safe from damage.

One watch I put in a small zip lock bag with a piece of watch paper that has written on it what that movement is missing and then I placed that in my wooden tool box.  This concerns me though as nothing is protecting it (no, it's not in  case of anything... just a loose movement).  The pieces that are loose (hands, dial, hour wheel, and a few other small things) are in a small parts bag so they won't get into the movement.

Anyhow, what do you all do?

Any watches i have that are beyond repair at the moment are stored fully assembled in mini zip lock bags and then placed in egg boxes. By being assembled they are protected attached to the calibre that they belong to also providing a premade up walkthrough if needed ( trust me you will forget the assembly order over time ). The zip lock bags offers a moisure barrier, the egg boxes gives further protection keeping them seperate  and are easily stacked. You could also chuck a silica gel sachet in the box if you felt like it.

On 5/9/2023 at 4:51 PM, kd8tzc said:

That's a great idea (and inexpensive) for the coin envelopes.

Keep in mind the environment in which you live. Here in the Uk people are struggling to keep their houses dry and warm due to ridiculous energy costs. In winter older housing structures can be cold and damp without constant heat. Plastic bags are a permanent moisure barrier, regular paper is hygroscopic. VCI paper is a good alternative with good anti moisture properties. 

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.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Mark
      No images showing

      By Mark · Posted

      Hi guys. @VWatchie Those images are self hosted (not hosted on this server). Do a look at the page source and you will see this. I’m afraid, I can’t have control or backup images not hosted on this server. ( They seem to be served from here: https://qehvsw.bn.files.1drv.com/) This server is backed up fully every night and the database is backed up and versioned every hour, all stored off site on Amazon S1 platform. It’s hard for us to lose data. Ive got a huge overhead of space on this particular server the site is served from so no worries there 🙂 Sorry all for lack of response so far, I have been extremely busy and am embarrassed to say that priorities had to be set in place for a while.  Be assured that i’ve got constant monitoring and alerts should the site be in an extended problematic state (down etc) and work on these issues if they arise.
    • way2wyrd
      No images showing

      By way2wyrd · Posted

      Web sites are cheap. Message board are easy. Hosting both is less than 100 usd a year and small advertising would cover most of that.  In the discord group we did some 15 min poc and threw up a couple of different message boards on a domain i host.   The real value is the data / information / hive mind While I'm a rank amateur in watch repair the information and assistance on this board is invaluable. The members on here are friendly, entertaining and a wealth of knowledge This is what needs to be preserved  --Jeff
    • ChrisInOz
      No images showing

      By ChrisInOz · Posted

      The post below contains the link. If you don't already have a discord account it will take you to the registration screen.  Registration is free.   https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/31653-mark/?do=findComment&comment=279066
    • luiazazrambo
      WWW Eterna sucked me in.

      By luiazazrambo · Posted

      HWGIKE#57 Valex FEF 190 15 jewels Swiss lever full service and repair This one was waiting for a balance staff replacement in my cabinet parts and case cleaned up with a new balance staff and a 4th wheel as the original 4th wheel had a broken pivot for the off center second hand. I never attempted a balance staff replacement before however I received a Bergeon Molfres (i was hunting it for about 2 years) and with the help of it I managed to remove the old staff and riveted the new one in. It also received a new MS, crystal and the hole for the MS arbor was also tightened. With the new MS now it has an acceptable performance meaning that the amplitude goes up to 280 fully wound, has an acceptable beat error and I have the two nice lines but only dial up, dial down is not as nice and I could not figure out as why. I have the two lines but the amplitude is dropping to around 230 and the lines are a bit hairy. Both dial up and dial down the lines just go up and down without seemingly any pattern. I cleaned the movement two times, and then a 3rd time pegged out the main plate and train bridge holes but made no change. Both the HS collet and the roller table was too lose on the new staff... I did not count how many times I took the balance cock off to sort out the HS collet, the roller table and the beat error, somebody before me also shortened the HS by pushing it out a bit and it seems every time somebody is messing with the end of the HS the protruding bit is most of the time twisted bent etc. This one was probably one of the most challenging repair and service. I might take the new MS out and clean it lubricate it as I just pushed the new one in to the barrel from the retaining ring. Plus started to re-read the theory of the escapement and how to analyse the graph on the timing machine: Greiner Chronografic Record manual. I am also thinking to put the watch on a 24 hour long run with the eTimer SW it once helped me to figure out what was wrong with a watch. There is an interesting part of the Greiner record manual talking about the pallets and the end shake of the balance and pallet staff. Maybe this is my issue? Who could that possibly identify? After a few years now I am still without a clue how could watchmakers make parts I can only see with my microscope or how could/can they carry out complicated services impossible to do.. real magic..... .... ..... before I sent this post while the pics were uploading I had an idea, i was browsing the possible outcomes on the timing machine I had one for magnetism..... so I demagnetized the movement and it is not hairy now.... two really nice lines 0.2 ms beat error still a bit wavy, but a lot lot better..... argh....  
    • Nucejoe
      Hello from Cypress, CA

      By Nucejoe · Posted

      Hi there, welcome here.  
×
×
  • Create New...