Service: Girard Perregaux Alarm / AS1475

IMG_7823This one is Andy’s from California, and in need of a service. The watch is probably from the 60s, when alarm watches were the big craze. I still have two alarm watches, and I find them useful even in the days of smartphones. It’s just so much cooler to have a watch go off than a phone!

What I like about it is the little opening at 6 o’clock for the alarm time, rather than having the usual hand indicating when the alarm will go off.IMG_7826

GP branded the AS 1475 movement, and you can see that a previous watchmaker has engraved “AS1475” into the wheel bridge, so he would known what parts to get next time around 😉IMG_7827

Not too bad, but the movement is dry, and can do with some lubrication.IMG_7828

There is a bit of damage at 3 o’clock, but otherwise, the dial has aged very nicely.IMG_7834

The central second hand is driven off the fourth wheel, which goes through the centre wheel.IMG_7847

On most alarm movements, the top plate has the usual movement, and the barrel and gear to drive the hammer, whereas the bottom plate carries the release mechanism.IMG_7854

The huge lever running across the middle releases the alarm hammer.IMG_7862

At 12 o’clock, you can see that one of the case screws has broken off, with the remainder stuck in the plate. Somebody has already tried in vain to get it out, as you can tell by the scratches around it.IMG_7864

24 hours in alum solution, and the screw is gone.IMG_7905

After the alum bath, the plate goes through the cleaning machine with the rest of the parts.IMG_7906

To clean up the thread, I run a tap through it.IMG_7908

As usual, a new mainspring.IMG_7911

As with any movement with complications, I start off by just putting the base movement back together, to make sure all is well, before starting with anything else.IMG_8000

With a bit of adjusting, the beat error and beat rate are where I want them to be.IMG_7917

Now I can put the bottom plate with the alarm mechanism back together.IMG_7918

The hour hand has lost almost all its luminous compound, so I will re-apply new compound to all the hands.IMG_8001

 

I put the dial and hands back on, and case the movement. With a new crystal, it’s looking rather smart again!

17 thoughts on “Service: Girard Perregaux Alarm / AS1475

  1. QUE OPINION TE MERECE ESTE RELOJ VIEJO
    ES BUENO? ESTOY INTERESADO EN ADQUIRIR UNO EN ESTOS MOMENTOS, ME ENCANTA ESO DE LA ALARMA MECANICA
    SE QUE LA MARMA G/P ES EXELENTE
    SALUDOS Y GRACIAS

  2. Nice trick with the alum! Could this also be used for dissolving broken screws in a watchcase? I have a Longines (la grande classique I guess gold plated) with a broken case back screw. Would it be safe to use this method to dissolve the screw?

      • Thanks for your feedback. It’s a bit difficult to determine the case base material. It is gold plated, no idea what beneath it.
        I’m just afraid to damage the case itself. Drilling out the screw is also an option, but then a new thread will have to be put on & I’d like to use the original screws.

        • As screws tend to be hardened, I find drilling will always lead to the drill moving off into the surrounding material, rather than drilling the screw out.

          You could try a drop of alum solution somewhere on the inside of the case where it won’t be visible, and leave it for 20 minutes or so. If nothing happens, try for another hour and so on. If nothing happens within half a day, you are safe, and you can dissolve the screw using alum.

          • Isn’t there a type of “screw-driver” that has a tip that bites in to a damaged head or shaft?

          • Sounds like a good idea!
            First will have to buy alum somewhere. Is it the same stuff they sell to fix yourself up when you cut yourself shaving? May i ask where you but alum?
            Really appreciate the help!

  3. That central trefoil bridge is the give-away that the movement has an AS heritage I think… or at least I always associate it with them 😉

  4. Wow, I actually serviced one of these AS1475’s last month, The watch it was housed in however was know where near as nice!

    After using Alum for the first time last week (as per your guidance 😛 ) I found it actually works its magic in only a few hours when kept nice and warm constantly.

    Particularly, since you don’t necessarily have to wait for the whole stud to dissolve. The thread, being the thinnest part, dissolves very fast, and the remaining stud simply pops out when you poke it with a needle. Saves waiting a whole day!!

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