Category: Watch Repair

Bulova A-11 & American Strap Co.

Adding the proper strap to the A-11

As I stated on my most recent post, I’ve begun searching for the proper bracelets or straps for each timepiece that crosses the workbench. Prior to the 1960’s most watches were sold with simple leather watch bands although some brands (Hamilton springs to mind) designed metal bracelets for their watches during this period and those bracelets were tailored to the timepiece. From the 1960’s forward, it was not uncommon for stainless steel watches to come with stainless steel link bracelets. Many of these bracelets have not survived the test of time and if you can find a 50+ year old timepiece with its original leather strap you almost certainly want to replace it! Continue reading “Bulova A-11 & American Strap Co.”

Favre Leuba Bivouac 53203

Service of a 1961 altimeter watch

Almost two years ago I placed a post on the blog detailing the service and repair of a vintage Favre Leuba chronograph  that I’d purchased from an antique dealer. I commented at the time that I had become aware of the Favre Leuba brand when I read about their “Bivouac” model which had the ability to inform the user of his or her altitude in addition to the time. Today I’m happy to be able to tell the story of my Favre Leuba Bivouac, which I’ve been working on for the past three years. Continue reading “Favre Leuba Bivouac 53203”

Gallet Multichron 12

Service of an Excelsior Park chronograph movement

Slowly but surely I’ve been working my way through the various chronograph movements from the Golden Age of Chronographs. I’ve worked on the Valjoux, Venus, Landeron, and Lemania movements and today I can strike the elusive Excelsior Park movement off the to do list. Continue reading “Gallet Multichron 12”

Seiko Bellmatic 4006-7020

First crack at an alarm complication

A couple of years ago when I first got into this watchmaking thing I wanted to share my hobby with the family and figured giving my father and brother a good watch for Christmas was a capital idea. Fast forward to Christmas Eve and my father had a finely refurbished Seiko 7002-7000 and my brother had the empty case of a 7002-700J- it would take another couple of weeks for the movement to be ready! Continue reading “Seiko Bellmatic 4006-7020”

Omega Speedmaster Automatic

Service of an Omega 176.0012 Speedmaster

It’s been a long while since I’ve worked on an Omega but fortune smiled upon me late last year when I found this 1979 Omega Speedmaster Automatic in need of aid. The seller stated the watch was non-operative on account of parts missing- specifically the Balance, Pallet, and Balance Cock. Continue reading “Omega Speedmaster Automatic”

Hampden Pocket Watch

Service of an antique American pocket watch

Here’s a pocket watch I picked up after having a day that was so bad it kept me up at night. Instead of a restful sleep, I found myself perusing the classifieds in the early morning for interesting antiques and stopped myself when I came across the advert for this fine piece. Continue reading “Hampden Pocket Watch”

Gucci Bangle Watch

Servicing my mother’s watch

This watch belongs to my mother; it was a gift from my father many years back- a Christmas gift I believe, although I may be mistaken. She delivered me the watch along with a few others for replacement batteries. Sadly, I didn’t have the needed power cell on hand and had to place an order for it. Instead of twiddling my thumbs while I waited for  the delivery I decided to give the watch a good clean. Continue reading “Gucci Bangle Watch”

Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part 3

Conclusion of the Navitimer project

This is the final chapter of the Breitling Navitimer Restoration Project which began in 2016.  As you’ll recall I had serviced the movement and repaired the damaged case; I had also repaired the hour and minute hands which were bent and needed new luminous paint. Continue reading “Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part 3”

Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part Two

Continuation of the Navitimer project

Having finished the service of the Navitimer movement I needed to find a stainless steel case to house it, so I began scouring the internet for one of the right vintage. I deduced that the movement was from the late 1960’s from the flat hairspring, beat corrector, and general finishing so I was on the lookout for a case with a serial number in the 1130000 – 1350000 range (which would place production between 1967 and 1970). As luck would have it the first one available happened to fall right within range. Continue reading “Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part Two”

Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part One

A 1967 Breitling restoration project

In October of 2016 I purchased a second vintage Breitling Navitimer which I knew would be a long term project. The watch consisted of only a Venus 178 movement, dial, slide rule, and hand set. I would need to service the movement and find a case and strap for it before the project was complete. I’ve continued working on this project off and on now for a little over a year and although it’s not yet complete, I have enough documented to put up a blog post or two detailing the journey thus far. Continue reading “Navitimer 806 Restoration: Part One”