It's a truing caliper (if you're using it in your watch room)... but If you use it in another recreational room, we don't really want to know Jim. What you do in your own time is your business.

 

This just came in this morning via the Forum's own @Modest_Proposal . This is my first private watch purchase (woo hoo!) and @Modest_Proposal was kind enough to guide me through the Paypal maze. Now it seems so easy -- as in dangerously easy

 

I was on a mission. Found it. Without seeing what it was here. So for the benefit of other non watchmaking but inquisitive enthusiasts ...

Truing caliper .... this one is a "lyre style".

..... quoted from the source I found ..

A truing caliper is used to insure the balance is flat and in the round. You place the balance in the jaws and close until it still turns, but not freely. You then place the index arm close to the balance edge - on top to check running true in the flat, then at the perimeter to check true in the round. If the balance fails one of these tests it must be corrected, usually by bending while still held in the caliper. This is a bit dicey and takes practice..

There are two main types of calipers. The “lyre” style and “figure 8” calipers. The lyre calipers are specifically designed for balance wheels. The guage which comes out from the center can be used to see the wobble in the wheel and also to make the correction. The nice thing about the lyre calipers is that it is easy to make and fit different tips for them.

So .... no I doubt I'll never get to that point, but interesting to see the tools of the trade. Had I started this hobby 20+ years ago I may very well have enjoyed going to that level.

 

Bought this - not a watch, but a box! On holiday here in the south of France and found one of these...


Now to try and find the watch that came in it..

 

Nice catch

 

I got a 16mm deployable Omega clasp



But steal of the day is this - an Elma Vibrette watch part cleaner. The chap selling it said it wasnt working, so I low balled him a best offer of £50... which he accepted! I've got it home, turned it on and lol and behold it works. Even the heated drying chamber.



It just needs a good clean and a new basket and it's good to go.

 

I considered making a single thread for my two newly arrived watches. Even though they are very different, they are also very cool and IMO interesting.

The first I have already shown here, the Helvetia diver's watch with depth gauge:




I had not seen one before the sales post I saw this one in, but I had to send the seller an offer of "take my money!" when I did. 39mm steel case, very uncommon functionality and great looks - it's a winner


The second one is a bit more of "usual fare" for me - a Constellation 14.393 in steel:




The heavy spotting on the dial is not a good look, but I am sure that it will come off quickly, should I choose to clean the dial. Apart from nylon tracks on the case back, the condition is very good. It seems as unpolished as my 14.381, which it shares another feature with - it's a full set



Well, it is missing outer box, original strap and buckle, but beggars can't be choosers


Along with big sister:

 

Nice... I assume that the fluid filled capillary around the face is the depth marker. Every 5m is 1atm, IIRC from my scuba training.

 

Pretty sure it's 10m of water pressure, though.

Don't worry, I'll keep it out of the oceans

 

Oops. Yes, you're right. Good job I'm not taking an exam on it now!

 

Finally got my hands on this, a bit rough/polished but recently serviced and on an NOS 1162/173. Did pretty well on the price, very happy with the watch.

 

So you had to make do with that poor specimen? I feel for you

 

Dibs!

 

Swiss movement, Belgian heart?
Thank you "FullyWound".

 

Finally got my project for the year:

Got it over 2 weeks ago and took its sweet time to get to me from Aulstralia.

 

Bought it Saturday and it arrived today. I'm so happy I'm doing the Mango Tango (where's Nugent when you need him). It was definitely not a safe queen.

 

Put my deposit down on this beauty from Basel

 

@ConElPueblo Would be interested to hear your experiences should you go this route. Got my granddads Omega Seamaster (that I absolutely adore) with a similar issue...