New to watch repair

[ChrisC24]

Hi, my name is Chris and I’m new to watch repair. Always found it fascinating so thought I’d give it a try so bought some cheap vintage automatics watches and giving it a go. 
 

I do have a specific question. I bought an old orient watch with a 46940 movement. I’ve taken it apart and put it back together, minus the balance wheel which I wrecked but not sure it was working to begin with, but the time, date and day all move so good sign. The crystal was damaged and when I tried to take it out I broke it. Now I’m struggling to figure out the crystal I need for it. The case number is g469633-70. Anyone know the right one to get or point me to where I might get the info? From what I can find it’s a compression type.

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

Photo always help when asking questions along with your location
so we can point you in the right direction regarding suppliers.

Is it a Crystal or an Acrylic that was previously fitted and what's left to take measurements from?

[RichardHarris123]

Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 

[ChrisC24]

I’m in Ireland. Unfortunately my wife threw out what was left. I think it was probably acrylic as seemed quite plastic. I also hadn’t realised there was a bezel keeping it in place when I forced it off and some was left in there but I’ve since removed the bezel and removed was was left. It was domed and the bezel is loose if I put in on without the lens, if that helps. I’m in the office at the moment but can take a pic later. Is there anywhere that has any archive of specs on cases?

[AndyGSi]

31 minutes ago, ChrisC24 said:

Is there anywhere that has any archive of specs on cases?

Not for Orient that I'm aware of.

If you've not got anything left then it will be down to measuring with calipers
and even then probably having to buy several options to cover yourself.

My first thoughts were that it would be a Tension Ring but
from your description it could be something more special.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/acrylic-tension-ring-armoured

Edit

This is the other type I thought it could be from your description.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/special-form-underlayed-sternkreuz-u

Edited January 7 by AndyGSi

[ChrisC24]

Took a few pics but not sure how clear it is. Tried to show the kinda grove on the case and the bezel on it

[AndyGSi]

So what are the internal diameters of the bezel and the case?

Also do you remember if there was any tension ring on the old one?

[RichardHarris123]

I wonder if it's a crystal with a shoulder? 

[AndyGSi]

2 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I wonder if it's a crystal with a shoulder? 

You mean an underlay like this?

[RichardHarris123]

Just now, AndyGSi said:

You mean an underlay like this?

Yes, seen them called a shoulder or step but not underlay.  One of the problems with terminology. 

Correction, step and underlay seem to be different things.

[LittleWatchShop]

If I understand correctly, fitting crystals to these is a challenge in my experience.  You need to find a crystal that fits the outside diameter of the case (the lip), but is not to thick for the bezel to fit over the crystal and snap in place.  Thus, there are two critical dimensions: inside diameter and outside diameter.  Most generic crystals are fitted based on outside diameter.  That's my take anyway.

Best case scenario is that you can find a genuine crystal for that case.

[ChrisC24]

Thanks all for the feedback. I don’t have a Calipers at the moment but have one ordered so can’t measure yet. Will see what I can find then. Gonna look more into seiko watches going forward as there seems to be a lot more cheap ones and a lot easier to find parts.

[ChrisC24]

Hi I have a new question I’m hoping someone with experience can help with. I bought a secondhand Seiko 7002-7000 dive watch and the part under the bezel where the bearing goes seems to be clogged with dirt. Any tips on how to remove, I have tried 20mins in a ultrasonic cleaner and also soaking in iso but just can’t seem to get it out

[AndyGSi]

Looks like the bearing it mangled anyway so will need to come out and be replaced.

[ChrisC24]

Ya was planning on replacing the spring and bearing and housing part if needed but any suggestions on how to get it out? The case is in great condition other then this so really would like to use it.

[AndyGSi]

If that is the bearing, is it split like it appears in the photo and does it press in at all.

[ChrisC24]

No there is no movement, if it is the bearing that’s split then it’s compacted with what I think is dirt. Bought it on eBay so could be anything

[GPrideaux]

Last year I worked on a Seiko 6105-8110 that used as its bezel click a spring-loaded ball peened into the case. The ball would not move at all. I eventually got it out by working my smallest screwdriver round and round the ball to open up the part of the case that had been peened to hold the ball in. Eventually the ball came out, revealing a spring that had turned to rust. With much patience and repeated visits to the ultrasonic I got the rusted spring out. The top half of the spring had essentially disintegrated although the bottom half was largely unaffected. Once I had all the pieces of spring out and the hole cleaned up I was able to replace spring and ball.

[AndyGSi]

9 hours ago, ChrisC24 said:

No there is no movement, if it is the bearing that’s split then it’s compacted with what I think is dirt. Bought it on eBay so could be anything

If that is a split, try and hand wind a drill bit into it and see if you can pull it out with the complete sleeve.

[Neverenoughwatches]

10 hours ago, ChrisC24 said:

No there is no movement, if it is the bearing that’s split then it’s compacted with what I think is dirt. Bought it on eBay so could be anything

I think before you go any further you need to determine or research what design it is.  Is there any sign of it on the backside ? If not then probably a spring loaded ball catch with a peened over lip to hold it in place, like the one Glen was working on last year.

[ChrisC24]

Ya it doesn’t go through and I’ve seen online you can buy replacement spring, housing and bearing so that’s what I’ve assumed it is. I’ve tried a pair of tweezers and screwdriver but don’t have a drill bit small enough but I’ll get one and give that a go. Thanks for all the advice

[ChrisC24]

Decided to just buy a used mid case since I have everything else I need. One thing I’ve been really struggling with though is the balances. Seems like most vintage watches I’ve bought they do move but not for long. I’ve tried to fix them but it’s not an easy job, I’d imagine it can take al long time to get good at it but any tips on what to get to try fix them? Wrecked a few already trying to correct the alignment

[Neverenoughwatches]

32 minutes ago, ChrisC24 said:

Decided to just buy a used mid case since I have everything else I need. One thing I’ve been really struggling with though is the balances. Seems like most vintage watches I’ve bought they do move but not for long. I’ve tried to fix them but it’s not an easy job, I’d imagine it can take al long time to get good at it but any tips on what to get to try fix them? Wrecked a few already trying to correct the alignment

Balance issues and the related escapement problems can be many. It's an area of watch repair that is the least understood, so you're not alone. There are many books written about just the escapement. Thing is you are trying to repair watches that are old , worn and probably had many hands working on them , many unexperienced and untrained hands. The situation of - buy an old watch, try to fix it, cant fix it, break it a little bit more, move it along  - . A watch that you are working on might have had this happen to it a lot of times. I enjoy that challenging side of repair, but not everyone does, you try you fail, but you try again and eventually you land a success.  That success rate grows until it outweighs the fails, you just have to keep going and if you enjoy that journey of learning then the fails really do not matter. If it was easy then it wouldn't be worth doing because you wouldn't be learning anything. Consider the proverb of " The idle mind "... some say watchmaking is for the insane...pah that's rubbish, working in my watchroom is where my sanity returns......did I just make the suggestion that I could be a sane person ?

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, ChrisC24 said:

Decided to just buy a used mid case since I have everything else I need.

Not sure what you mean by a mid case?

[tomh207]

22 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Not sure what you mean by a mid case?

It’s a term I have read in books Andy, midcase as it sits between the other 2 parts of the case, bezel and caseback.

Tom