Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

banie01

So I have a couple of spare/broken movements that I've been trying to hone my DIY skills on.
Turns out that retinopathy is not conducive to any level of fine detail work with just my normal glasses.
Will likely buy a helping hand and LED-lit magnifier in the next few weeks and hope that alleviates my pesky eyes somewhat.

Skills that I have improved in the interim, lume application On sword and plain style hands at least.
Went from using a brush (terrible), to an oiler (a bit better), to a fluid dynamics dispenser tip(better again).
To finally experimenting with a fine flathead screwdriver, surprisingly gave me much better control over the spread and depth of the bubble of lume than any of the other options I'd tried.

The other methods, no matter what I tried always gave me a line, dimple or smudge that would appear even worse when emitting.
The screwdriver... well flat is flat I suppose!

Uncasing the movement, even managed not to feck up the keyless :P
Re-casing it, well that will depend on whether I can get the date wheel back on after it popped off :pac:

I plan to use my spare gubbins to put together a watch, now it won't be a "serviced" watch as that is far beyond me as yet.
But I have what I think is an ETA 2836 that could do decent service in a new case, so after I hand in my last essay(Which I'm currently writing now ) That will be my summer project.
Dependent upon reseating the bloody date wheel of course

Any tips would be much appreciated, and @Wibbs, the patience and sheer skill in re-luming will never be wasted upon me again!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Get a cheap set of surgical loupes on ebay. They are not the worlds best optics and the pupilary distance is not set right for everyone, but they are comfortable to wear, you can look over them, and you can get them in a range of magnifications. Once you get used to working with them, your accuracy improves a lot and your posture. Some come with a headlight which is very handy as it moves with your head, and you cannot cast a shadow on it.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/2-5X-3-5X-Binocular-Dental-Loupes-5W-3W-LED-Head-Light-Medical-Surgical-Glasses/273867909804?hash=item3fc3ccaaac:m:m69npNhknkyBpX4OxXahPng

Side note, anyone see McGreggor and Weirs Patek special edition
https://www.tmz.com/2020/05/08/conor-mcgregor-cops-ultra-rare-watch-the-hulk/?fbclid=IwAR2pXdJ4TdLX1VkLF-Z3n89QmjwbPd6sJE3QwBBfO5wkG5b4oZtPhl5jplQ

banie01

Sky Helpful Fencer wrote: »

Get a cheap set of surgical loupes on ebay. They are not the worlds best optics and the pupilary distance is not set right for everyone, but they are comfortable to wear, you can look over them, and you can get them in a range of magnifications. Once you get used to working with them, your accuracy improves a lot and your posture. Some come with a headlight which is very handy as it moves with your head, and you cannot cast a shadow on it.

Thanks FG, very much appreciated.

893bet

Sky Helpful Fencer wrote: »

Get a cheap set of surgical loupes on ebay. They are not the worlds best optics and the pupilary distance is not set right for everyone, but they are comfortable to wear, you can look over them, and you can get them in a range of magnifications. Once you get used to working with them, your accuracy improves a lot and your posture. Some come with a headlight which is very handy as it moves with your head, and you cannot cast a shadow on it.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/2-5X-3-5X-Binocular-Dental-Loupes-5W-3W-LED-Head-Light-Medical-Surgical-Glasses/273867909804?hash=item3fc3ccaaac:m:m69npNhknkyBpX4OxXahPng

Side note, anyone see McGreggor and Weirs Patek special edition
https://www.tmz.com/2020/05/08/conor-mcgregor-cops-ultra-rare-watch-the-hulk/?fbclid=IwAR2pXdJ4TdLX1VkLF-Z3n89QmjwbPd6sJE3QwBBfO5wkG5b4oZtPhl5jplQ

Seen that.

I have decided not to get one so. Done like the association.

unkel

Gorgeous watch in fairness. And a bit of a steal at just GBP80k

893bet

I think is horrible personally. Especially the strap.

Far too “Irish”. Some times less is more and in this occasion the really missed it IMO.

banie01

893bet wrote: »

Far too “Irish”. Some times less is more and in this occasion the really missed it IMO.

Honestly one of those things that would put paddy off a watch but will sell well to the Oirish IMO.

I'd much rather a Sólás

micks_address

Hi folks,
So im after a moon watch that isn't an Omega or Bulova or homage.. seen a few interesting quartz seikos and looking at some raf Seiko gen 2 quartz. Seem to have a hankering for a chronograph and or fleiger.
Any suggestions in the sub 500 euro mark to scratch the itch? I had the Bulova and sold. Probably too hasty as it's a solid watch.
Cheers,
Mick

Cienciano

893bet wrote: »

I think is horrible personally. Especially the strap.

Far too “Irish”. Some times less is more and in this occasion the really missed it IMO.

Yeah, the green is way to bright. A deeper darker green would look way better. Looks like a novelty watch he got in carrolls of Dublin.

Thirdfox

893bet wrote: »

I think is horrible personally. Especially the strap.

Far too “Irish”. Some times less is more and in this occasion the really missed it IMO.

They needed the Celtic music too!

On WuS - you'll see some comments on how they loved the background music

micks_address wrote: »

Hi folks,
So im after a moon watch that isn't an Omega or Bulova or homage.. seen a few interesting quartz seikos and looking at some raf Seiko gen 2 quartz. Seem to have a hankering for a chronograph and or fleiger.
Any suggestions in the sub 500 euro mark to scratch the itch? I had the Bulova and sold. Probably too hasty as it's a solid watch.
Cheers,
Mick

What would you consider a moonwatch? One that's been on the surface of the moon? Or one that's been in space? You might want to have a look at Raketa/Poljots chronos - I think they have a model that was the USSR's Omega Speedmaster in terms of space.

Poljot Strela - https://wornandwound.com/watches-in-space-alexey-leonov/

Not unlike a 1963 chrono in terms of design actually!

micks_address

Thirdfox wrote: »

They needed the Celtic music too!

On WuS - you'll see some comments on how they loved the background music



What would you consider a moonwatch? One that's been on the surface of the moon? Or one that's been in space? You might want to have a look at Raketa/Poljots chronos - I think they have a model that was the USSR's Omega Speedmaster in terms of space.

Poljot Strela - https://wornandwound.com/watches-in-space-alexey-leonov/

Not unlike a 1963 chrono in terms of design actually!

I'm not that fussy...let's say moonwatch looking

banie01

micks_address wrote: »

I'm not that fussy...let's say moonwatch looking

Alpha 1957? Or one of the Bulova hybrid quartz ones?

micks_address

banie01 wrote: »

Alpha 1957? Or one of the Bulova hybrid quartz ones?

The alpha is probably to homage for me

btkm8unsl0w5r4

micks_address wrote: »

I'm not that fussy...let's say moonwatch looking

That would be an Homage so....try the Alph M1957

edit you beat me to it, You looking for a black faced white hands chrono?

Thirdfox

micks_address wrote: »

I'm not that fussy...let's say moonwatch looking

Ah - speedmaster homage as it were right?

So here's a good list as well as a massive WUS thread (I see you've had the Bulova already):

https://theupgreater.com/best-budget-omega-speedmaster-alternatives-moonwatch-homage/

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/best-speedmaster-homage-181042.html

Seems like the Alpha speedmaster is around $60?

micks_address

Sky Helpful Fencer wrote: »

That would be an Homage so....try the Alph M1957

edit you beat me to it, You looking for a black faced white hands chrono?

Yes

btkm8unsl0w5r4

micks_address wrote: »

Yes

https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-watch-t106-417-36-051-00.html
https://www.jomashop.com/seiko-recraft-watch-ssc669.html
https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-watch-t100-417-11-051-00.html

This is it

So similar to Mick, something I never really thought of, would there be any suggestions for a watch similar to the Tag Carrera below? Would like a blue/navy dial so the dial colour from the second link on the face of the first link, if that makes sense?

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuer-carrera-automatic-men-s-black-dial-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuer-carrera-blue-chronograph-41mm-men-s-watch

Really, this watch but a men's version

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuer-carrera-blue-dial-steel-28mm-ladies-watch

Edit, budget would only be about €200-300

hitemfrank

micks_address wrote: »

Yes

Another possible option - Dan Henry 1972

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Talk to unkle about the Tag he is selling, it will be a fruitful chat.

banie01

Just been over on the Alpha-watch.com website and a couple of their 3 register chronos have caught my eye.
Their Pandas in particular, at $170 new they seem a great way to scratch a speedy itch.

How come I never see Rado watches here? I'm guessing it's that they don't have a history of mechanical movements but they do seem to be quite innovative in terms of style and materials and I would have thought, for the collectors out there, that some models might be good investments.

Thirdfox

Speaking of Irish watchmakers (actual watch maker):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYwBeiGy_RQ
McGonigle's

Now I'm not saying that Sólás no.3 will be a minute repeater...but... :eek:


...(it probably won't - would love to make an accessible minute repeater for those who want one however). The name is even ready - the Sólás Moonlight (Sonata) - one has to aim high!

You heard it first here folks

HDMI

Thirdfox wrote: »

Speaking of Irish watchmakers (actual watch maker):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYwBeiGy_RQ
McGonigle's

Jeez when he brought one of his tourbillions to a watch meet he wouldn't even let us get a wrist shot, didn't want the leather creased before it went to it's new owner. And there he is letting that guy take one apart before the customer gets it. :rolleyes:

Have to admit it looked a little scary when it was taking two of them and a mallet to take the bezel off :eek:

Thirdfox

HDMI wrote: »

Jeez when he brought one of his tourbillions to a watch meet he wouldn't even let us get a wrist shot, didn't want the leather creased before it went to it's new owner. And there he is letting that guy take one apart before the customer gets it. :rolleyes:

Have to admit it looked a little scary when it was taking two of them and a mallet to take the bezel off :eek:

Well to be fair to Mr McGonigle - the watchmaker there definitely didn't crease any leather

He was at a watch meet? That sounds pretty cool - we should try and organise something after the quarantine is over

Mallet to a watch looks fun - especially if it's a (I'm guessing) something like a 60,000/100,000 euro watch?

blue5000

Thirdfox wrote: »

Speaking of Irish watchmakers (actual watch maker):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYwBeiGy_RQ
McGonigle's

Now I'm not saying that Sólás no.3 will be a minute repeater...but... :eek:


...(it probably won't - would love to make an accessible minute repeater for those who want one however). The name is even ready - the Sólás Moonlight (Sonata) - one has to aim high!

You heard it first here folks

All I can say is I'm glad Mr. Seiko makes watches for the great unwashed:D Fascinating video though.

banie01

Thirdfox wrote: »

Mallet to a watch looks fun - especially if it's a (I'm guessing) something like a 60,000/100,000 euro watch?

The video and commentary are wonderful.

Had to go and check the price, €200k OMG!

Cienciano

The minute repeater. A €150k party trick :pac:
Ok, I can appreciate the workmanship and engineering that goes into it.

banie01

I've made what I hope will be a good decision.

I'm going to use this impending downturn to try and lay my hands on a watch that I didn't know existed until earlier in this thread.

But!

That given a convergence of interests in Aviation, Kelly Johnson, Lockheed and the skunk works, with my weird GMT obsession...

A Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT with coffin link has been added to all my alerts.

I will have to clear out 1 watch if I ever get hold of one that I can afford

unkel

"What you selling?", asked the vultures :pac: