Rui from Portugal sent in his father’s old Chronostop. This is the driver’s version, which means that the crown and pusher are on the right side of the case, and so is 12 o’clock.
At first glance things don’t look to hot as the watch is not running and the case is missing its pusher.
The movement has had some water ingress and I can already see that the pallet and escape wheel are rusty. On the bright side all of the chronograph parts are in good nick and the balance seems fine.Things take a turn for the worse under the dial, as most of the setting mechanism is rusty and the lower pivots of the pallet, escape and fourth wheel are gone.After contacting Rui about the condition of his watch, he gives us the green light to continue work.Removing the balance you can see the corrosion of the pallet.You could guess the pallet came of the Titanic considering its condition.Working my way down the chronograph layer.I’m now ready to dismantle the base movement.The gear train is in a rough shape and you can see the rust around the pivot holes.The barrel arbor is in good shape with no rust.A overview of broken and rusted parts that will be replaced.I had to replace the lower Incablok shock spring as the old one had rusted apart. Here I’m testing that the balance moves freely with the new spring in place.While putting the gear train wheels back in place I notice that the third wheel teeth have been worn down.I replace the third wheel and gear train is moving freely as it should.The dial side of the bottom plate has cleaned up very nice.Movement starts right up as the balance goes in place.Performance is not bad at all considering this watch used to be as dead as a dodo.I start to assemble the chronograph layer.Chronograph layer assembled and working as it should.The dial needs a clean,new varnish and luminous compound.After results are considerably better.Winding and setting mechanism back in order.Dial and hands back on the movement.The movement is back in its case and looking very nice.All set and ready for racing;)
Hi there, a great read. Thanks for sharing.
I too was given an omega chronostop, cal. 920 version, and lucky it’s still working well. The downside is that, the pusher is missing its cap, so don’t wear it often, just in case I got it wet.
Please could you advise me the model no. for the replacement pusher? Or a supplier I can reach out to?
I’m grateful for the advise.
Many thanks.
Andy
That’s probably a job you shouldn’t do yourself. Any decent watchmaker will be able to fit a new pusher.
Apparently, a lot of the metal things on the Titanic have resisted rusting pretty well due to the low oxygen levels at that depth but there is actually a steel-eating bacterium on her that is doing most of the damage! They named the bacterium after the ship – Halomonas titanicae.
Loving the layout and design of that watch 😉
I just received my watch carefully wrapped in a box and like a kid in Christmas, I had to take it all apart eager to get my hands on my precious!! Thanks guys! I trully appreciated what you did here! All the best Mitka and Christian! Rui
Very nice!
great work, many watchmakers would have refused this one I think.
Amazing what a good mechanical watch movement can go through and be resurrected.
Brilliant! Back from the grips of death! 🙂
really interesting watch! awesome piece congratulations to the owner. And outstanding job Mitka!
Great work!
Where did you get the spare parts? Another movement or did you still get original Omega parts?
Hi Armin,
All the parts are original Omega parts we got from our supplier.
Nice work. Can i please ask, what set-up is used for the fine images taken during service? Must be special for not stealing time from your work…
Hi Henry
It is just the macro setting on a Cannon IXUS;)
I have to say that I’m truly amazed with the stunning work you did on this one and that I’m really really eager to have it back!! Mitka thank you so much for putting this watch back to all it’s glory and for the entertaining article!!
I’ll be sure to proudly show both to my father and friends!! 🙂