Community Stories

Fixing Tuning Fork Watches - help!

T
Posts
3
Likes
2
Hi all, long time lurker here and Omega military watch collector. I recently bought a haul of early electronic watches from the 1950s onwards. Some amazing watches in there fro a long time collector, Hamiltons, LIPs, Wittnauers, Omegas (the rare "D" shaped constellation one and a denim dialled 2.4 Megaquartz), Bulova and more. Most work well but there are a handful that need attention. Does anyone know of anyone in the UK that can repair tuning fork watches? Any advise appreciated!
 
wagudc
Posts
4,608
Likes
11,674
See these threads:
https://omegaforums.net/posts/2388256/ Leeroy
Leeroy 路
I have used Keith Tilley an OF member keitht, I have also used Al Evans who quite openly sells converted Spaceviews on ebay alastaire2003 he also can repair ESAs. Both were quick and both had a happy ending. Paul at Electric Watches seems to have the best reputation but is never open when I have an issue 馃槙
https://omegaforums.net/threads/constellation-chronometer-electronic-f300hz.168042/ Cover Image
Thread 'Constellation Chronometer Electronic f300Hz' 路
Hi all,

I have had this watch for quite a while. Never had it running. I have changed the battery etc.

Are these cost effective to get repaired or is not really feasible?

Thanks for your help...
RuaRed 路


I don't have personal experience with them but in the UK:
https://electric-watches.co.uk/service-and-repair/

For some of the more unusual electronics you might need to send them to the US:
https://www.unwindintime.com/pages/copy-of-restoration-2

For tuning fork movements I can recommend based on personal experience Rob B in Thailand. He does top notch work and is the cheapest you will find anywhere. He gives instructions for mailing to Thailand and a pre-filled customs form with Thai writing.
https://www.accutronwatchpage.com/
 
wagudc
Posts
4,608
Likes
11,674
I forgot to say welcome to the forum! Glad to have you participate. Maybe you can share some pictures of your collection.
 
Spruce
Posts
7,400
Likes
59,053
I鈥檝e used Croydon Service Centre a couple times and been very happy with them.

[email protected]

They prefer to examine the watch before giving an estimate and charge 拢30 (or it was when I last used them) which they deduct from the final charge if you go ahead.

Both of my watches were cal 1250 movements

IMG_0124.webp
 
Spruce
Posts
7,400
Likes
59,053
I should have mentioned that although my watches were/are using Renata 344 batteries, on one of mine another OF member advised sourcing the old fashioned batteries, still available from China on eBay, and these work perfectly well, particularly with a third watch which didn鈥檛 respond to the Renata

IMG_0684.webp
 
SpeedyPhill
Posts
6,200
Likes
11,486
Battery issues easily solved byt tuning fork movements have very tiny teeth wheel and repairing those is a whole other matter...
 
Vinz Clortho
Posts
224
Likes
495
SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
Battery issues easily solved byt tuning fork movements have very tiny teeth wheel and repairing those is a whole other matter...
Granted, never have torn one of these movements apart to actually see one of the wheel, but remember reading manuals from time to time. Would've thought with the advent of 3D printers these parts could be manufactured.

Know the original movement from Accutron had 300 teeth which caused the movement to hum at a Key of A. When the later movements from Omega were produced, it was refined and the wheel had 360 teeth, which caused it to hum the in the Key of F.

My dad had one which ran for over 25 years+ as a daily driver, never being serviced because most of the watchmakers who serviced them weren't around anymore. He even took it to Germany and Switzerland and his brother looked for the better part of 6 months, couldn't find anyone who would work on them.
 
Canuck
Posts
14,255
Likes
41,086
The Accutron movements used in the commemorative Accutron Spaceview watches, introduced by Miyota circa 2010, are new production. Reverse engineered by Miyota using original 214 calibre movements. Nothing interchangeable with Accutron 214 movements. I鈥檝e only seen one of these. They look the same, except the Miyota movement is negative ground, where the Accutron was positive ground. I鈥檝e been told that these movements cannot be serviced, even by Miyota.
 
neilfrancis
Posts
592
Likes
1,537
T Trunkman
Hi all, long time lurker here and Omega military watch collector. I recently bought a haul of early electronic watches from the 1950s onwards. Some amazing watches in there fro a long time collector, Hamiltons, LIPs, Wittnauers, Omegas (the rare "D" shaped constellation one and a denim dialled 2.4 Megaquartz), Bulova and more. Most work well but there are a handful that need attention. Does anyone know of anyone in the UK that can repair tuning fork watches? Any advise appreciated!
+1 for Paul at electric-watches.co.uk
 
Vinz Clortho
Posts
224
Likes
495
Canuck Canuck
The Accutron movements used in the commemorative Accutron Spaceview watches, introduced by Miyota circa 2010, are new production. Reverse engineered by Miyota using original 214 calibre movements. Nothing interchangeable with Accutron 214 movements. I鈥檝e only seen one of these. They look the same, except the Miyota movement is negative ground, where the Accutron was positive ground. I鈥檝e been told that these movements cannot be serviced, even by Miyota.
Sounds about right when reverse engineering. Let's make it so none of the parts we use can be used on the watch we used to reverse engineer it from. Guessing after this they went to work for the government 馃ぃ
 
Canuck
Posts
14,255
Likes
41,086
Vinz Clortho Vinz Clortho
Sounds about right when reverse engineering. Let's make it so none of the parts we use can be used on the watch we used to reverse engineer it from. Guessing after this they went to work for the government 馃ぃ
Not really much of an issue since so few will work on tuning fork movements, period. Miyota (the maker of the clone) doesn鈥檛 work on these either, I am told. I serviced my ETA based F300 Omega tuning fork movement two weeks ago.

IMG_2817.webp
 
T
Posts
3
Likes
2
thanks for all the info. Not sure electron watch guy still repairs anything unless it's an Omega or on his short list. Which does not include Bulova. Here are some of the military watches I collected a few years ago, From about 2010. When they were cheap...some Omegas in there including the SM300 military.

IMG_4817.webp IMG_4818.webp IMG_4821.webp
 
Vinz Clortho
Posts
224
Likes
495
And I was overly excited when they announced the reissue and totally underwhelmed once I tried it on and read more about it. Also, the sales guy was a dick when I started to call him out on BS he was claiming about the original movements and he got all piss about all the training he had gone through. Would've thought the three I brought in for new batteries would of clued him in. Basically swore me off Accutron for the rest of my existence.

Told everyone "if you see me with an Accutron on my wrist, I'm probably being held against my will. Send help."

That being said, I'm sure in the next six months they will be releasing something amazing, taking the watch world by storm. Perhaps a square dial with a round movement.
 
Vinz Clortho
Posts
224
Likes
495
T Trunkman
Note the Omega 1953 with the MOD dial. And here are some more including some of the electronic watches...

IMG_4822.webp IMG_4823.webp IMG_4826.webp IMG_5326.webp IMG_5644.webp IMG_6214.webp IMG_6215.webp IMG_6218.webp IMG_6219.webp IMG_6220.webp IMG_6230.webp IMG_6308.webp
Love those funky dials which give character to the watch. Would definitely strike up a conversation with someone wearing one of these. Think using all the technology has robbed some of the creativeness out of the water making process. Are they technically better designed yes, are they missing the design elements of the guys doing shrooms and hits of acid, probably.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

WhatYourWatchSay

Accutron Day Date Tuning Fork Watch & Boxes

WhatYourWatchSay Private Watch Sales
WhatYourWatchSay
WhatYourWatchSay
Posts
0
Views
256
wagudc

F300 Titus Tuning Fork Watch $195

wagudc Private Watch Sales
Bruce235
Bruce235
Posts
4
Views
2K
WhatYourWatchSay

ACCUTRON 2192.10 Tuning Fork Watch circa 1977 With Boxes

WhatYourWatchSay Private Watch Sales
WhatYourWatchSay
WhatYourWatchSay
Posts
1
Views
4K
padders

Accutron Tuning Fork Watch

padders Private Watch Sales
padders
padders
Posts
4
Views
2K
Tet

Hummer/ Tuning Fork watch for 拢500

Tet Wanted To Buy
lillatroll
lillatroll
Posts
8
Views
2K
Diabolik

UNIVERSAL GENEVE UNISONIC TUNING FORK WATCH WITH ORIGINAL BRACELET

Diabolik Watches For Sale
Diabolik
Diabolik
Posts
3
Views
2K