After working at WatchGuy for over a year, Christian gave me a truly spectacular watch to celebrate the occasion.
The watch movement was supposedly newly serviced, but there are some issues that will needs to be resolved.
Movement looks to be in decent condition.Performance is not to bad but could be better.The auto winder mechanism is not working and I notice the reverser wheel is cracked.Base movement with auto winder mechanism removed. You can see some pitting on the case.Movement out of the case, hands and dial removed.The date wheel has a massive spring that builds up tension over 24 hours, enabling a super snappy date change. This is not snappy at all and it turns out to be the tube inside the date wheel, which was pressed down too far. I was able to press it back into the correct position so that it is working like it should.The base movement is coming apart nicely.The train bridge removed showing the gear train.Simple and effective hacking lever.As for the resent service the mainspring was not changed or cleaned as there is plenty of old dirt when I open the barrel.Old balance pivot is a little worn.I change the balance staff. Here I am riveting the new staff in place.Here I’m pressing the hairspring back on the balance staff.I test that the balance swings freely. The balance did not swing as the balance cock was bent downwards to compensate for wear on the old balance staff at one point. So I carefully bend it back to position until the balance moves freely.New mainspring in the barrel.Base movement coming together.
Base movement back in the case and ticking strongly.Dial side coming together. I apply new luminous compound to the hands and dial as the old compound is crumbling.Now that’s what a 1570 should look like.I put the auto winder mechanism back together with a NOS reverser wheel and it still does not wind.The culprit was not the reverser wheel but the auto driving wheel. It is come loose in the riveting.With a new auto driving wheel the auto winder is working as it should again.I’m not that crazy about the ondulated bezel ring and replace it with a plain one that suits my simple taste;)The watch fits perfectly on my wrist, as it is not too chunky! The watch keeps time, is water tight and I have now been wearing it every day since I got it! Thanks to Christian and watchguy I now have the best job and watch in the world!:)
[Q] How can I remove the driving wheel for the center second pinion ?
Thanks in advance.
There is a special removal tool for that. Cousinsuk.com sells it.
Mitka,
Nice work. I’ve been working on a similar project and like the bezel change. How difficult is it to remove a Datejust bezel?
It’s easy to remove, but I recommend you let a watchmaker do this;)
I may be two years late on this, but that’s a fine watch there Mitka. Wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary and an exceptional repair too.
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome!
Congratulations Mitka!
The watch came out looking fantastic. I agree with the bezel swap as well.
Great work on the movement also:-)
But then again I wouldn’t expect anything else.
Wooaahh!
Would there be a more fitting gift?
I also prefer the bezel you have changed for. I think I may well show my employer this page!
A gift of appreciation is a special gift indeed.
Congratulations Mitka, a well deserved yet generous present! Keep up the great work for many years.
Any reason for using the oversize gloves? I would have thought correctly fitting nitrile gloves would allow greater dexterity?
The gloves are medium size, and fit my hands perfectly. Looks like Mitka has got smaller hands 😉
Size medium fits well when you pull them all the way back. I just put those gloves on loosely. To tight gloves makes for sweaty clammy hands:)
Cracking work Mitka! Yet again you and Christian demonstrate why you’re simply the best watch guys around.
Mitka, you are a lucky chap to have Christian as your boss! After 21 years of service
I got a Tissot 1853 Quartz watch.Congratulations on your brilliant work.
No doubt! Christian is great boss and a even greater mentor:)
A Rolex for one years service. Now that’s what I call an employer.
Yes especially when you consider the employee!!!;)
Very nice, and nicely done.
Rolex for one years service, well done.
Congratulations on the watch. I like the plain bezel better than the coin-edge. It looks great on your wrist.
Very well deserved. Now that’s what I call quality.
Love the new bezel it just takes an already lovely watch up a notch.
Congratulations Mitka! From what I can see, you’ve come a long way since starting with Christian, and the watch is well-earned (but like ConElPueblo above, I at first also thought that the present was being allowed to service this one, which would be quite an honour in itself). I agree about the bezel, especially when the fluted bezel is old and worn. How big is this watch? 34mm? 36mm?
Hi Stefan, its the 34mm case. The 36mm is to big for my wrist;)
Sounds like your wrists might be even smaller than mine. The watch I’m wearing today is 36mm, and I can wear up to 38mm in this style. 34mm would suit me too.
I’m lucky as most vintage watches are around 32mm and they suit me perfectly. Oversized vintage watches also tend to be much more expensive. I could stretch to 36mm:) I have a 20’s watch witch is no bigger than 30mm http://watchguy.co.uk/service-hans-moser-cie-calibre-f-e-f-100/ that also looks elegant when I wear it.
I think also it is a matter of taste as I know people with my size wrist that wear 40mm and upwards.
Nice job Mitka and I agree about the bezel. It looks great now.
Wow, what a fantastic present! I started out thinking that the present consisted of you getting permission to service the watch, not actually getting it! Congratulations to you 🙂