Watch of Today

[GuyMontag]

1971 Bulova Oceanographer 'R'. The friction pinion was rusted to the large driving wheel arbor and after cleaning off the rust it was a little loose, so I tightened it but after assembly the hands didn't move. I stripped it down again, tightened the $#!! out of it, re-cleaned and still had the same issue. I think maybe the rust just ate enough away that tightening wasn't gonna do the trick. A donor part saved the day (along with a NOS dial, crystal and minute hand).

[KarlvonKoln]

59 minutes ago, GuyMontag said:

1971 Bulova Oceanographer 'R'. 

That's a pretty one!  Does it have one of the ANAC movements?

[GuyMontag]

20 minutes ago, KarlvonKoln said:

That's a pretty one!  Does it have one of the ANAC movements?

Thanks! Yes, it's an 11ANACB.

[AndyHull]

This elegant little Citizen Quartz (model 6110-844971 KY) has been sitting around for a while waiting patiently for its turn on the healing bench.

Today was its chance, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. From the serial number I'm guessing its from 1992. So far it is running perfectly.

 

[mpe7383]

Following on with another Citizen, this example from 1972. I purchased this for the case from Bulgaria. I have a square custom movement and dial that have been waiting for a case for quite a while now, but when it arrived was too good to just swap out. I haven't seen many of these in the uk market. This one has the 5204 movement 25J while the square custom has the 5203 movement 27J. I was assuming the movements were pretty similar so I could use the split stem, but the stems are not the same. The other main difference is that the 5204 also has hacking. I have now got another case from Italy this time, but now I need the correct split stem for the 5203. The stem adapters available from Cousins are not an option, not enough space.

Have been wearing this for the last 2 weeks and it has only lost around 30 seconds.

[mikepilk]

Just cased up my latest watch - a Longines 12.68ZS from 1953. I'm a big fan of Longines and couldn't resist this one. The dial is gorgeous, and near perfect condition. As expected from Longines, it's running beautifully. The balance even has mean time screws. 

Most of the watches I buy, I do up and re-sell on ebay to fund the next one. But this one is a definite keeper. 

 

Edited October 6, 2024 by mikepilk

[GuyMontag]

31 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

Just cased up my latest watch - a Longines 12.68ZS from 1953. I'm a big fan of Longines and couldn't resist this one. The dial is gorgeous, and near perfect condition. As expected from Longines, it's running beautifully. The balance even has mean time screws. 

Most of the watches I buy, I do up and re-sell on ebay to fund the next one. But this one is a definite keeper. 

 

Gorgeous watch, I would have a hard time letting that one go too.

[mpe7383]

mikepilk, that Longines is a beautiful looking watch, I'm now on the look out for one.

What's on my wrist today ... I present this Fero with the 15j EB 1344 movement. Well to be honest, it's not really my cup of tea but I chose to give this a chance really to have a bit of practice on smaller movements.

I was a bit taken back when I realised it is a pin pallet, I assumed out of those 15 jewels two would be on the pallet, but even better for my practice. Thanks to the exhibition caseback enabling spectators to marvel at the movement, visible was the second wheel rattling about loosely and could see the balance seemed ok and trying to go. The acrylic with the hour markers is basically a movement ring so all comes out as one. Stripped down and cleaned up really well, bit of wear on the movement plate centre hole, but what I did notice was that some of the jewels holes seemed way too big for the pivots, they didn't look worn at all, nice clean crisp lines and symmetrical holes, was this sometimes the case for cheaper grade movements? The balance hairspring is fixed post and I didn't look forward to messing with this if the beat error was way out, visually it didn't look too bad. Put on the timegrapher expecting poor readings, amplitude 260+, beat error 0.4, I'll go with that but running way too fast. Achieved +3 seconds but this was going up and down, I'm thinking this will settle down when the oil makes its way around the escape?

Like I said, not really my style but seeing as it's running fairly well, I'll give it a wear for a couple of days.

Timex next, pulled all the ones I've got out for a post yesterday, never done a Timex but now they're out, now is a good excuse. So if you read this JerseyMo, know that someone in Lancashire UK is scratching there head attempting a Timex automatic with a rotor with about 3mm of play

[JerseyMo]

3 hours ago, mpe7383 said:

Timex next, pulled all the ones I've got out for a post yesterday, never done a Timex but now they're out, now is a good excuse. So if you read this JerseyMo, know that someone in Lancashire UK is scratching there head attempting a Timex automatic with a rotor with about 3mm of play

Typical issue with the rotor.  You can try to peen the center to tighten up the slack.  

[mpe7383]

11 minutes ago, JerseyMo said:

Typical issue with the rotor.  You can try to peen the center to tighten up the slack.  

Thanks JerseyMo, I've got it all stripped down now, will give it a go later. Disassembled far more than I thought I could with a Timex, glad I took pictures.

[mpe7383]

Today on this fine Sunday morning in the North of England, adorning my wrist, I give you this 1968 Citizen Dandy Seven Custom, with the 27 jewel 5204 movement.

I've had this for a while now and it gets fairly regular wrist time and keeps excellent time. I had been on the look out for a dandy seven for a long time, there doesn't seem to be many around in europe sales, a few in Japan and they are normally quite pricey. Then this appeared on ebay and it didn't look good, but I risked the gamble. When it arrived it was even worse than the listing photos showed, a real sorry state. Removing the caseback revealed a completely green movement accompanied by a strong smell of old perfume. I can only guess that someone thought perfume might free up the movement, the setting lever spring was broken so not much achieved with the perfume rinse. This contamination took its toll on the movement and dial though, a lot of plating lifting and a furry crust around the dial. So this will never be a showpiece but I saw it through. Everything cleaned up well but there are scars, eventually sourced a replacement setting lever spring. When the balance dropped back in, fired straight into life, regulated very well and as said previously, keeps excellent time. So although it's a bit scruffy, I've got my dandy seven and I love it.

Timex coming on well, movement ticking away working the oil around the escape, but my word ... that escape wheel and pallet. Let me tell you there was some adult language at my workbench getting those two back in.

[AndyHull]

On 10/13/2024 at 7:42 AM, mpe7383 said:

Timex coming on well, movement ticking away working the oil around the escape, but my word ... that escape wheel and pallet. Let me tell you there was some adult language at my workbench getting those two back in.

Sounds familiar, I'm pretty fluent in multiple four letter worded Timex related Anglo Saxon phrases myself.

[mbwatch]

4 hours ago, AndyHull said:

Sounds familiar, I'm pretty fluent in multiple four letter worded Timex related Anglo Saxon phrases myself.

I have done dozens of them and never had a significant issue with the fork & escape wheels beyond my first 2 or 3. Until a field watch I worked on 2 weeks ago, where I bent 2 forks and mangled 2 escape wheels getting it back together. Had to open up 3 different donors to make a ticking watch that time.

[AndyHull]

 

Today its the turn of this Tissot 2030 powered early quartz Limit International to enjoy a little of the Autumn sunshine.

I've shown this one before, but it is a bit of a personal favourite, with its spectacular blue dial. 

It came with the original box, instructions and "hair puller" steel band.

Currently I have it on a quick release navy blue soft suede strap and I must admit I'm pretty enamoured with it. I should wear it a lot more.  

The Tissot 2030 (from around 1977) has a rather unique setting mechanism, which confuses anybody who is used to the more conventional method, hence they are often listed as not working, spares or repair or whatever. They generally work just fine if you take the time to read the instructions.

More details about the Tissot 2030 calibre here -> https://www.crazywatches.pl/tissot-seastar-2030-quartz-1977

[mpe7383]

I must admit, that until a couple of years ago, if I came across a Limit watch in a lot, with no hesitation it would be discarded into the junk pile and never thought of again. That is until I came across one and happened to notice that it had made in GDR on the dial, and was 36j automatic. Proceded to remove the caseback to see what was going on in there. Inside, a wonderful Glashutte spezimatic. I will wear it soon and put some pictures up. Needless to say that Limit watches are now firmly on my radar, I had no idea Tissot also supplied movements, I do have another with Swiss FHF movement. 

Fine looking watch there Andy

[AndyHull]

Limit International produced a lot of interesting watches, and used a lot of different suppliers. I don't think you could claim they were ever "high end", but they did make some very attractive watches.

They are still around, in one form or another, but like quite a few watch companies, their current offerings are a bit of a mixed bag of "Smart" watches and rebadged, mainly Chinese, mid range mass produced stuff. Their older stuff is always worth looking at as there are some real gems.

[rehajm]

8 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

 

Limit International produced a lot of interesting watches, and used a lot of different suppliers. I don't think you could claim they were ever "high end", but they did make some very attractive watches

 

..the wife wanted this one- six quid at a UK auction house. Swiss labeled movement with jewels only for the balance and pallet fork…

Edited October 17, 2024 by rehajm

[AndyHull]

 

 

Limit also turn up in a lot of job lots. Often they just work, as was the case with these two (although obviously the one with the luminous dial needed the hands re-fitted).

I have a couple of others, including a good looking "tachymeter" and at least one more mechanical, but I can't find pictures of them on my laptop and I'm not at home at the moment.

14 minutes ago, rehajm said:

Swiss labeled movement with jewels only for the balance and pallet fork…

Very nice. Probably a Denison case. Does the "Watertight" designation indicate anything special about the case?

48 minutes ago, mpe7383 said:

That is until I came across one and happened to notice that it had made in GDR on the dial, and was 36j automatic. Proceded to remove the caseback to see what was going on in there. Inside, a wonderful Glashutte spezimatic. I will wear it soon and put some pictures up.

Now that is something I would very much like to see.

[mpe7383]

Ok, no time like the present ...

26 jewels, not 36 as previously mentioned ... fat fingers on phone

And the Swiss example

[RichardHarris123]

Another Limit, nice watch and yes running when I got it.

[mpe7383]

Well today marks a special event, a personal horological milestone, a wrong has been righted .... righted? Well you may be asking what could this grand announcement be, the event in question is that a Timex has been on my wrist for the first time, that I can remember anyway. I proudly present this rather well worn 1971 Timex Viscount with the M32 movement ... if my googling skills are up to scratch!

Ok, so I finished this last night and have been giving it a test run all day, was 10 seconds fast when I set it and it's still 10 seconds fast. As previously mentioned I had one hell of a battle getting the escape and pallet back in, the source of my stress was the setting lever spring hampering one of the posts I'd left loose from locating back in it's hole, once I'd noticed that and one last struggle and miraculously without causing damage, I made it through. The rotor with way too much play tightened up perfectly with a few gentle taps with a stake to the pivot rivet at the back of the rotor, nod to JerseyMo for that, thanks. The beat error was off the scale, all set up nicely thanks to the mark on the balance. Wasn't expecting good readings but was very surprised with the good end result.

The movement holder is now vacant and this next watch has been waiting patiently.

Anyone got any information on this? I can find nothing on the watch and very little on the movement.

[mbwatch]

2 hours ago, mpe7383 said:

Anyone got any information on this? I can find nothing on the watch and very little on the movement.

The movement sure looks like it is based off the ETA 1080. What can you see under the balance?

[mpe7383]

Just had a look, and hat's off to you mbwatch, 1080 stamped there, also a seperate 7 or 1 all on its own, just visible 9 o clock. No makers mark, just assumed that the 3559 on the bridge was the movement.

I'll get it stripped down for cleaning, maybe some more clues await.

[AndyHull]

I'm not sure if we have all reached our limit on Limit watches, but just in case anyone wants more, here is another one, along with a few more of my 404 club quartz models.

2 hours ago, mbwatch said:

The movement sure looks like it is based off the ETA 1080. What can you see under the balance?

The ETA 1080 always reminds me particularly of the HMT 020 and its Citizen cousins.

 

Edited October 17, 2024 by AndyHull

[rehajm]

10 hours ago, AndyHull said:

Very nice. Probably a Denison case. Does the "Watertight" designation indicate anything special about the case?

…I see only a bit unique in that the back locks nearly flush with the case…and the crown takes a gasket. It does not screw down however…

Edited October 17, 2024 by rehajm