Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

The Priceless Watch Service

 

My Uncle visited my parents today, and brought along a friend from his church.  I got a call to come over as Mrs Young's Husband had passed away, and she brought over the watch he was given by TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) for 25yrs service with them.  It hadn't run for many many years, and she asked me if I could clean it up, and give it a service.

 

post-246-0-95791300-1410291411_thumb.jpg

Watch brand is "Unicorn" and has 25Jewel AS 1903 Automatic Movement. 

 

post-246-0-80649200-1410291408_thumb.jpg

 

I'm not doing a full write-up on this movement, as I only took reference photos, and was concentrating on doing a good job.  This watch is priceless to Mrs Young, being a memory of her husband, and believe me, I felt the pressure of getting this one right!

 

Here's the reference pics for your enjoyment :)

 

post-246-0-59969500-1410291415_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-31878400-1410291419_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-80450900-1410291422_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-37805100-1410291426_thumb.jpg

 

post-246-0-48386100-1410291429_thumb.jpg

 

Timegrapher once complete and adjusted

 

post-246-0-09666100-1410291432_thumb.jpg

  • Like 1
Posted

Bad news guys :(

 

The Cannon Pinion is worn out and slipping ... hence the hands aren't moving; even though the watch is running beautifully.

I don't have a staking set yet, so I can't tighten it ... anyone know a place I can purchase these items?  Bear in mind that I live in Australia.

 

To be safe I'd like to get both the Drive Wheel and Cannon Pinion, as under close inspection they both like a worn from lack of grease.

Both AS1903 and AS1913 take the same part.

 

post-246-0-18006000-1410345175_thumb.jpg

Posted

I noticed that in the photo, but presumed there was still enough left on the teeth to allow it to drive OK.

Posted

Hey Geo,

 

The pinion in the photo, isn't the resistant point on this movement; that one is free spinning.  It looks worn because its covered by a plate.

This one is a pinion off the "Fourth Wheel" I believe ... the one marked below.

 

post-246-0-03886200-1410349602_thumb.jpg

Posted

Hi,

   I checked and Dashto.com has some used movements in this caliber family. I'm don't know what his shipping to Australia might be but I have ordered from him and his shipping has been better priced than anyone. If you look just check his partial movements as well as his complete ones. He also gives you a price including shipping before you order. 

Charles K

  • Like 1
Posted

Hi Chales,

 

You are right about the prices! I was checking them out but that page is not easy to navigate for me! Do you have a system to it? I mean, other than search their long list? Thanks

Posted

Hey Charles

 

Thanks for the site info mate.  I'm going to see If I can grab one from a scrap movement on Friday, if not I'll be emailing Tom from Dashto.com, confirm I'm getting a good pinion, and grab one of those movements.

Posted

Also, since I've got the watch stripped again, I'll take some more pics of this movement; including the auto-winding mechanism as it's quite interesting how it's designed ... and it will be good for others to use as reference photos.

Posted

That's what I'm talking about! More pictures, YES! :woohoo-jumping-smiley-emoticon:

 

Great job Lawson and thanks for posting more pictures (in advance).

Posted

Hi Bobm12,

   You were asking about a method to navigate through Dashto site. About the only method I know of is patience. The silly search will at least tell you if what you are looking for is on the site and in what areas to look. I do like his site. You can find hard to find items at very good prices. I just ordered some things from him this past weekend and it arrived Wednesday.

Charles

Posted

Thank you Charles, I thought I was doing something wrong! Yes, I agree about patience with that page. They do have great prices and hard to find items, based on the little time I have spend there (on and off) and other members' reports. Great link though.

Posted

Good news!  I've got replacement parts coming for the Large Drive Wheel (201/1), and Pinion (240)!

 

Found a website and they replied within a few minutes to my enquire and the deal was all done in about 30mins!!

 

Awesome shipping cost too ,,, UA$2.00 shipped to Australia!  NICE!

 

Here's a link to the site: http://oldswisswatches.com/index.htm

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

New Drive Wheel and Cannon Pinion came in from Old Swiss Watches for Mrs. Young's Watch.

 

The packaging was simple but excellent!  The parts came in a tiny little hard plastic box.

 

post-246-0-27203400-1417252332_thumb.jpg

 

When opened the parts were also packed in a light foam to protect them even further ... just outstanding!!

 

post-246-0-54377400-1417252334_thumb.jpg

 

So, Lord willing, I'll be completing the watch tonight for her.  I re-stripped the watch, re-inspected the jewels and cleaned them with peg wood, and am washing all the parts again ... just to be sure, to be sure ^_^

 

And just for my mate bobm12, I'll be posting heaps more pics including the automatic movement of the AS1903: I know he luvs em!

Edited by Lawson
Posted

Here ya go Bob ... the AS1903 Automatic Winding Work for your viewing pressure ;)

 

The photo is taken with the base plate of the Auto Section laid down on top of the Train Bridge.  You then place to two spring into their slots, then place the Intermediate Wheel on the left, and the Auto Click on the right.  The Transfer Wheel is then placed between them, and the top cover is put on.  You then move the Intermediate Wheel, and the Auto Click, up gently with a fine oiler (through viewing slots), so they rest on the teeth of the Transfer Wheel, and at the same time locate the pivots.  When it's all in place the top cover drops into position ... and your done!

 

post-246-0-76993100-1417278772_thumb.jpg

 

Was extremely happy with the outcome of this watch ... with 25 Jewels; instead of the standard 17J in most AS1903, this was not a cheap watch, and it was very gratifying to work on. 

 

Being such a precious watch to Mrs. Young (as a keepsake of her late husband), I was more than a little nervous working on it, but I thank my Lord and Saviour that it went very smoothly, and a satisfying result.

 

post-246-0-81625800-1417279278_thumb.jpg

Posted

Excellent Lawson, great outcome and happy ending as I knew was going to be! This is an exhiting movement to work on. Love the pics, thanks!

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I’ve been playing with a NH35 movement that which has the classic Etachron regulation system and a few balance assemblies as practice. What I’m trying to do is get comfortable with the effect both the stud and regulator pin positions have on rate and positional error. When I install a new balance assembly I install it with the assembly in place  on the cock and cock is attached to base plate. I use the back of the tweezers to push the stud into place and feel the click. However, I noticed that the angle of the stud can be adjusted and what I also noticed is that some movements have the stud carrier arm bent down a little and that changes the angle of the hairspring leaving the stud. This angle effects how the spring goes through the regulator pins and also the spacing of the coils opposite the stud. What I thought I was supposed to do is set the regulator block in the middle of the curve, open the pins, and use the stud angle to center the spring.  Then the stud is set.  Now on all the new NH movements I have seen the angle of the regulator block is about 60 degrees counter clockwise from full open. I watched a video where the author used the regulator pin adjust to adjust rate and position error. When I close down the pins I do notice that the rate increases but also the amplitude drops, the coil spacing changes and hairspring appears slight straighter between the stud and the regulator block. If I open the pins the amplitude comes back, the spring breathes a bit more between the stud and the regulator block and the rate slows.  So, a long post I know but I would really appreciate any advice on how to correctly adjust the etachron system for rate, amplitude and positional error.   
    • Aw come on Andy, it was just a comparison between spending 30 quid and tackling a tricky piece of work. You appeared to be volunteering,  i volunteer for stuff all the time it gets me into all kinds of trouble.
    • It's not really shown here , but the blade flips over, so it faces the other way. The knob and threaded case holder then pushes the caseback seam into the blade. Once the blade starts to penetrate into it, the lever and blade are lifted , which should hopefully pop the back off. A lot of fashion style cases have very tight seams and need a sharp blade to start separating them.  Don't buy the cheaper plastic versions of this tool, the posts with the pins through for blade holder break easily if the apply extra force to blade. 
    • You will still be looking for a balance complete I’m afraid, this is the balance staff, balance wheel and hairspring in one package. Hairspring and the balance wheel are matched in the factory. Whilst we can change a balance staff the hairspring and balance wheel stay together.   Tom
    • The hairspring end has come adrift from the small terminal barrel.  I have tried to remove the taper pin to relocate it, but the task is beyond my skill set, eyes, hands and being in my 70s, probably beyond my life expectancy.  It is not too badly mangled on the end.  On the ebay offer, that really is a bit on the rich side.  I'll keep looking, maybe a good hairspring will turn up with a shot balance staff. As for time spent on knees.  I made up one of these from 3M magnetic tape and a piece of wood.  It works well for magnetic parts. Other things I have suffered with.  I found lubricants so very expensive that I bought some very small syringes and tiny needles.  I just decant a drop into my oiling pots when I start a movement and the remainder keeps really well in the syringes. Finally identifying the correct screw for the part led me to make up the board in the final pic.   Thanks for the info. Kind regards   Chris  
×
×
  • Create New...