A friend of mine is blind and I thought this Revue would make a cool gift. The minute hand has broken off and the watch is hardly running so a service is in order.
The movement is in great condition.
You press the button on the top of the crown, which opens the front bezel, and you can feel the time by touching the hands.
I have taken the dial of the movement and you can see the winding mechanism and a bit of corrosion around the barrel arbour.
I take the movement apart without any problems.
The old mainspring is still good and I will take it out, clean it and use it again.
Here you can see all the parts cleaned and ready to be put back together.
I start by testing that the balance moves freely after fitting the balance jewels.
When putting the gear train back on the plate. I usually start with the barrel and the centre wheel.
Here you can see the rest of the gear train back in place.
I now place the train bridge back in palace, and with the ratchet wheel in place, I can see that it moves freely.
The balance starts swinging straight away.
Nothing I could do about the discolouration on the base plate, but the setting mechanism is back in place and working like it should.
I needed a minute hand with a reinforced tube. I did not find any that suited the job so I soldered a standard hand onto the old tube.
Dial and hands are back on the movement.
I’m very happy with the performance.
Movement back in the case looking very good. I think these Revue watches are excellent! One of the most underrated brands out there.
A very elegant watch indeed.
Watch Guy
Watch repair blog
I have s brand new braille watch ,both hands have come off ,day one ,was agift ,cant tell psrtner ,no shops ,can anyone repair thanks 0xxxxxxx
Barbara, I have sent you a text message.
I came to your list as a result of a google search. My died recently, and I came across a braille watch which feels as though overwound. Where can I get it repaired? I am totally blind myself, so I do not know what kind of braille watch it is.
Hi Alan,
I’ll send you an email – we can fix the watch for you.
Mitka,
One was indeed up for sale just last week on ebay. Have not unfortunately been able to find the reference again to send you but you might know how to do this better than me.
Good luck.
Chris
Hi Mitka,
May I suggest this vintage Stowa, though it looks like it needs some work:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/VINTAGE-Stowa-17-Rubis-Blinden-Armbanduhr-Metalarmband-Handaufzug-/142184965515
Alternatively, this Sinn is quite handsome (though pricier) if your friend does not mind pocket watches:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/TOP-erhaltene-Sinn-Blinden-Taschenuhr-SWISS-vergoldet-21K-pocket-watch-Nachlass-/172414375599
Thanks for all the suggestions but I came across a vintage Cyma blind watch:)
Really sorry to hear about your friend having his watch taken Miitka, especially after all your hard work.
A mechanical alternative might be a Vostok. Less than 50 quid and if anything like the Amphibia rugged and surprisingly good performance.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VOSTOK-BRAILLE-MECHANICAL-WATCH-BLIND/dp/B01HK3D1Y6
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Russian-Vostok-wrist-watch-for-blind-5210-NEW-/120818252609
I’ll keep an eye open, but also do something that I normally would not do here; plug a modern watch… A blind friend of mine is very happy with his Eone: https://www.eone-time.com/
I can imagine it being way too expensive, since you can easily repair/service a cheaper second hand or antique watch, but I like what they’ve done, and the fact that a part of every purchase goes to helping train guide dogs.
More on-topic; it was a very nice watch and repair. Good luck!
The sad news is that someone stole this watch from the locker room when my friend was swimming last week. So if anyone sees it for sale on a online action please let me know.
Sad news.
To steal from a blind person must be the lowest of lows.