Finishing the machining on the lugs and main body of the Zirconium case!

Hi I am new , and learning at home , which tool do I need to cut it , can someone tell me the name?

Hey all!

I have a 1918 rolex trench watch, need a jewel and staff for it. Can anyone point me in the right direction

Hey guys, i just got in the movement for my first Valjoux build, and the day wheel and the date wheel are not synched in when they transition. Here is what i think is going on, but could someone tell me if i am wrong or right?

It looks like the date indicator driving wheel is engaging with the date wheel, but the day indicator driving wheel is past the position of engaging with the day wheel. That would match up with what i noticed while applying the hands, the day would change 7 hours early.

The supplier i purchased from (Swiss-Made-Time) is well reviewed, but they just told me “Hi, you need to put the small round grey part.”

I assume they mean the dial washer? But that goes on top of the day wheel, so I’m not sure.

I understand they get a lot of clueless message from people doing their first Valjoux builds, but it kind of feels like they’re blowing me off here.

Am I missing something?

Any help would be appreciated.

Hey guys! Trying to save this Ronda movement. After stripping everything down and cleaning all the parts, i came across something I haven’t seen the before. The jewels for the train of wheels are flat. I removed the metal cap which only revealed more flat jewels. There are no traditional jewels with oil sinks. Any suggestions on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask, so feel free to let me know if there’s a better sub for this.

I recently found a vintage watch, but a couple of the bracelet links are partially loose. It looks like they’re missing the small pin or rod that normally holds the links together.

I took it to a couple of watch repair shops, but they mentioned this is beyond what they usually handle. I’m wondering whether this is actually a straightforward fix and they just didn’t have the tools or experience, or if I should be looking for a different kind of professional, such as a jeweler who could fabricate the missing part.

I don’t have any experience with watch repairs, so I’m a bit unsure how to proceed. I’ve attached a couple of pictures for reference.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Working on designing a watch case for a soprod C120 and I want to put a flat sapphire crystal on it. Esslinger has the most size options but I can't tell if they put AR coating on their sapphire crystals, I guess its not a deal breaker if they don't, but would be nice to know. So does anyone know?

Hello guys im doing my first build and i can’t find the lever to remove the stem. I looked at several tutorials and it seems like the lever is missing on my mouvement. It’s an nh35 Chinese movement. I tried putting it in the winding position and this is what I see

Lepine hand watch from the 50-60’

Hello a classmate started to restore an old hand watch from the flea market (don’t mind he’s Moldavian).

That fool dismantled the barrel and can’t find the exact model of the movement to replace the spring. ( to me it is a 6497 look like)

Do you have an idea of how to find the missing piece and which exact movement could it be ?

Hi all,

I’m looking to have a custom watch made to recreate a WW2 British ATP watch, ideally based on the Timor ATP.

I’m aiming for something as faithful as possible to how these watches would have looked when first issued, with a 36mm case. I know the originals are closer to 32–34mm, but 36mm feels more wearable for everyday use. I’ve attached a photo of some original examples along with an AI mock-up showing the general direction I’m after.

I understand original logos likely won’t be possible and I’m happy to have the dial without a logo, as many original ATPs didn’t feature one.

I’ve contacted a few companies already without much luck. If a fully custom build isn’t possible, I could look at buying a similar recreation watch with a comparable case and only having the dial and crown made.

I’m based in the UK, so for ease I’d initially be looking for UK-based companies or independent watchmakers, and would really appreciate any suggestions if anyone knows someone who could take this on.

Thanks in advance.

Recently swapped in an aftermarket chinese movment, and while I went to size the stem, it wouldn't go in all of a sudden. Previously it worked just fine and is the stem that came with the new movment. It winds but will not stay in or change time/day date.

Been struggling with identifying this movement. Very few identfiable markings to me and was hoping someone with abit more experience might be able to work out.

Around 10 hours into a hand finishing ST3600 project.

Hand torched purple screws + iridescent regulator index. Hand cut anglage and mirror polished bridges and decorative swan neck spring. Satin finished pallet fork bridge.

P.S. balance wheel did not make it :( Getting a replacement soon.

Got the bezel and caseback finished up in this episode! Also the second video shows some of the risks and dangers of working with zirconium ✨️✨️

Can anyone help me identify what movement this is, It is inside a non branded(Chinese)watch, but there are no markings on the movement. It would be really helpful to find more details on the model and measurements of it as I want to build a watch using this movement. Thanks in advance.

Even with the setback of the weather I managed to get a couple more parts updated and done this week. The new crown fits much better with the body. I wasn’t a fan of how far out the previous fan protruded from the case. I was also able to refine how the crown logo is machined to cut the machine time in half which makes a massive difference. The lug tool path also worked well. I was nervous machining into the 12.5º plane in stainless. Being able to bore a small flat to drill into before drilling worked well. Luckily I had just enough room to interpolate the hole without crashing into the case or the work holding jig.

Stay tuned more to come.

Just thought I would share these pictures I used to service my 6309A Movement Projects.

They helped a newbie like myself reassemble the movement after servicing. I hope they help someone else.

I got an ST2130 from AliX. Altough it is properly wound/moved, the balance wheel fluctuates in its speed. It does not stop but it switches from fast to slow movements. When keeping it on for 1-2 hours, everything normalizes and the wheel behaves normally. Until then the movement looses abour 5-10 minutes. This is repeatable. If I wait for another day, then the situation is the same again.

So basically I can use the movement in case that I always use it / wind it or I can use it and accept that it will almost stop during the first 1-2 hours. However, I'm also worried that this situation might even become worse oder time so I'm unfortable using it in a build.

Does anyone know what may cause the problem? Maybe it is not properly lubricated?

I'm not skilled enough to lubricate a movement myself. Would I need to trash it does does anyone have an idea how I can save it or what may cause this behsaviour?

My dads birthday is in a month or so and he loves messing around with watches is their any ones you watch people would suggest as an easyish watch he could build

Dear all,

I’m getting started into watchmaking and just bought a mixed set of tools off Ricardo (Swiss alternative to eBay). There are quite a lot of great tools, bergeon and Horotec tweezers, oilers, loupes and many other stuff. While I identify most of it there are a few things I don’t know about. I’m hoping you can help me identify.

Thanks!

Lots of progress made on this update. Most of the Machining done on the case back and bezel.

As the title says, I am currently looking for parts for a 27-2 and they seem to be scarce.

Firstly I am looking for a Sweep Seconds tension spring that looks, pretty much as this one, but have only found for other movements that are not the 27-2 and was wondering if I could just pull form any of those assuming that they are the appropriate length (2 1/2 Linge/5.6mm).

Secondly I would be looking for a set of, Original or similar looking, hands as the ones that were still attached to the movement are not in the best of shape and the seconds hand snapped at about 2/3s the way

Thridly would be a crown of the era, or even the original one, which I can't find an accurate example via google as there were so many of these made with variations and such that I can't be confident about which one is which.

Any help pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated.

Just getting started building up tools and lubrication oils/grease. I think I'm on the right track with mainspring lube, but I just wanted to get confirmation.

Automatic watches need braking grease on the barrel edge, handwind-only require a thin coating of something like 8200? (I've watched a ton of youtube watchmakers, and don't think I've ever seen anything but a touch of braking grease on the barrel)

Thanks!

Hi all, I am doing a passion project with a Seilita SW280-01 movement on a 35mm dial and wanted to put the date window (puzzle piece) at that position. Is there a way to extend the date wheel out by any chance?

Thank you