My latest Russian Submarine Clock

[HectorLooi]

I had lunch in Chinatown today and took the opportunity to trawl a few antique shops in the vicinity.

Then I came across this beautiful Russian clock in pretty good condition. And the asking price was only $88. I didn't even bother to bargain. I just paid up and went straight home.

When I gave it a few winds and shook it, the second hand came to life, albeit a little sluggishly.

I thought that all it needed was a good cleaning and oiling was all that was needed. Just the right project for this long weekend.

When I opened it up, I was in for a shock. There was a puddle of thick brown oil inside, about the same colour and consistency of honey.

When I took off the escapement platform, I was in for another disappointment. The upper balance pivot was broken.

I proceeded to disassemble the rest of the escapement platform and did a preclean.

It is evident that a butcher had worked on this clock. The banking pins were flared ppen to the max!

Then I took a look at the pallet fork. The pivots were mushroomed almost to the point of breakage.

I contacted my usual supplier in Ukraine for Russian parts to see if he had a new platform but he has yet to reply. I hope he's ok.

 

[oldhippy]

I don't think I have ever seen pivots so worn as those. 

[RichardHarris123]

Almost looks like a cylinder escapement staff. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

47 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Almost looks like a cylinder escapement staff. 

Haha thats what i thought, thats an extremely worn lever arbor , you wont be burnishing that damage out Hector lol

[oldhippy]

2 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Almost looks like a cylinder escapement staff. 

That's true. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

That's true. 

If someone has used a cylinder for an arbor Hector would have spotted that for sure ( way too small for a cylinder ) . I'm amazed it could even move, it must have to get to that state .

Edited June 15, 2024 by Neverenoughwatches

[nevenbekriev]

3 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

 

Verry impressive picture, have never seen something similar. The white powder on the previous picture must be abrasive.

Actually, the clock is not submarine one. It is regular ship cabin clock. The submarine ones have 24H dial.

The parts are really big, isn't it time to attempt making new staffs for the fork and balance?

[Neverenoughwatches]

9 minutes ago, nevenbekriev said:

The white powder on the previous picture must be abrasive.

Well spotted Nev I wonder if that is aluminium oxide from a worn fork jewel or something to do with an epilame treatment. ?

[watchweasol]

Hi Hector. Never have I seen anything like that. Other t an tht it looks a nice clock from the outside pitty the movement is in poor shape

[nevenbekriev]

Hi Rich, I doubt that it is epilame, as USSR watchmakers (those who repaired watches) usually newer heard of such thing existing.

It is not for sure powder from worn stone, Rather something that the movement was exposed when the cover was open.

[HectorLooi]

Hi @nevenbekriev, I'm thinking of replacing the whole platform. Mine is marked 4-82. The seller has 4-69, 4-71 and 4-72. Will any of them fit my clock?

1 hour ago, nevenbekriev said:

The white powder on the previous picture must be abrasive.

The white powder was not visible at first. It only appeared after I did a preclean in 95% denatured alcohol.

[Luc]

I don't understand how there is abrasion at this place and not at the tip of the pivots.

Also the tips are conical, weird?

[nevenbekriev]

4-82 means: 1982, 4th (last) quarter of the year.  1-76 means first quarter of 1976.

[HectorLooi]

So does that mean that any platform would fit and the numbers don't matter?

I'll probable get a new platform and practice repivoting on the old balance and pallet fork. 

Thanks Neven.

[nevenbekriev]

Yes, this numbers does not matter. As I remember, the platform type is X3 and any of them will fit