Serious service: Alpina calibre 592

img_1267This Alpina has seen it’s fair share of action in the last 70 years and is looking a little worse for wear.

img_1268The watch has the German air force property stamp on the case back (D in front of the serial number). This watch was used a long time after the war ended as I counted 10 different service marks on the case back and had a chunky funky 70’s Swedish steel bracelet.img_1273The movement tries to run dial down, but stops when I move the watch in different positions.img_1278Removing the dial I notice that the setting lever spring has a crack and has lost its tension.img_1279Removing the cap jewel I notice the top pivot has literally been worn down to dust.img_1281Besides the expected old grease and dirt the movement is in pretty good shape.img_1284When taking out the setting lever spring it finally broke.img_1285The movement is almost ready for cleaning as the setting mechanism comes out.img_1282Here you can see the old mainspring before I take it out of the barrel.img_1371After cleaning I replace the balance staff and see that the balance moves freely.img_1372I fit a new mainspring in the barrel.img_1551My camera ran out of power and by the time it had gotten some charge the movement was almost back together and running.img_1552The watch is preforming very well.img_1557I have put the setting mechanism back together with a replacement setting lever spring and the movement is ready for the dial.img_1276The dial has not aged very well and luminous compound has turned almost the same colour as the dial. In my opinion that does not look right on an aviators watch.img_1277I clean off the old varnish and compound before applying a thin layer of new varnish.img_1297After the varnish has dried, I mix up a little custom yellow luminous compound. And yes I’m pretty pleased with how that turned out.img_1558The dial and hands back on the movement looking good.img_1610The movement goes back in the case, now running well in every position.img_1613Now that is what I call a transformation!img_1615In my opinion the watch now has the right amount of patina and looks great.

15 thoughts on “Serious service: Alpina calibre 592

  1. Great job Mitka.
    A very fine watch have you alone to thank for a new lease on life!
    The cleaning and re-luming of the dial was extremely successful.
    The cal 592 was introduced in 1938 according to Ranfft. I have never seen one without a shock protection system. I think this was part of the initial 592 design.

  2. Looks great! I would never have worn it before the restoration; now it looks presentable. By the way, when did they start using shock absorbers like incabloc if this watch is 70 years old?

  3. Wow, that’s amazing! I know you’ve talked about your dial restoring before, but what did you use on that Mitka?

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