"Nah, had it for thirty years, never missed a beat............"

The only reason the owner paid any attention to it was due to condensation under the crystal.

I said I'd open it and dry it out for him. After opening I saw the insides. That was when I asked him the question.

So we agreed on a strip, clean and lubricate.

This was the balance jewel, note the pool of black gludge in the oil well.
The cap jewel also had a nice little mound of black crud dead centre

As our mentors here say, just because it works doesn't mean regular servicing can be ignored.

 

I think I will show this to one of my colleagues. He has been wearing an inherited Rolex that has not been serviced for at least 30 years (IIRC) and won't listen to my advice about getting it serviced. I'm sure we'll see some more nasty photos before you finish this one Jim.

 

I neglected to do much photography as it was going to be a quick "dry and seal back up".

But here's the first pic that made me go "Uh Oh!".

 

I didn't know you serviced watches? Do you take other people's????!

 

And does a dam good job even re-lumed the old set of seiko hands for me that turned out a treat...

 

I'm a watch tinkerer, in no way a "watchmaker", which is the person you need for a happy result.

I've done a couple of basic services on Seiko movements as that's what I've been learning on.

Also done some basic work on Omega 601 and earlier movements and I just enjoy doing things like bringing an old pocket watch back to life.

I'd be very reluctant to attempt any detailed service on a watch I didn't own unless it was of low value and the owner accepted the fact that it may not end happily.

 

Honest answer.

I've seen some horrid sights inside unserviced watches. Grooves cut into axels, cracked jewels, etc. Some mainsprings are powerful enough to push the wheel train despite a lack of lubrication and decades of dirt. Just asking for trouble. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

 

T

Okay, thanks for the answer. Do you have a watchmaker of trust locally? (Ie anywhere in oz)

 

A couple here in Melbourne, I'll send you some names.

 

I don't think I can save the spring

But I might save the rest, but will probably try to find a better crown/stem assembly.

 

You may want to try some WD40 with the little red tube. Works on my shovels and garden tools.....Of course I jest.

 

How long should a manual and an auto really go before servicing?

 

Worth a read @Frunkinator

https://omegaforums.net/threads/if-...-does-that-mean-it-doesnt-need-service.20475/

 

Thanks for posting this, Jim.

Great pics!

My beloved 6309-7049 is currently being restored in California by a Seiko specialist...I hope mine doesn't look like that...but there's a good chance that it does since it hasn't been serviced in 28 years.

 

seiko services eh? I have a few seikos that need servicing

 

How to service a Seiko:

1) Take a few pictures.
2) List it in the Sales Forum cheap.
3) Receive payment.
4) Ship watch to buyer.
5) Apply more funds to the money collected for the sale of the old Seiko and buy a new Seiko.

Voila!!!

 

Why list it cheap?

Do it this way.

Sell for $495.



Buy for $157 (Practically the same, brand new versus 30 year old cluncker)





Spend the profit on other watch bits!

 

Please someone list their pristine but not working 62MAS cheap in the forum!! Or better yet just PM me and we can do a cheap deal...thanks!

Cheers, Al

 

I have a Citizen automatic day/date... I asked the local Rolex watchmaker if he would service it... he said that I should replace the movement with a new one for $30.

That just seems wrong, somehow...

Tom