Melanieds
·Thank you for sharing this is really interesting
So let's dig in!
Here are some of my cal. 30 watches. I am sure they all have original dials.
I am not at all sure that all of these dials are original. But we can each have our own opinions.
one winding up seems to last about 8-10 hours - is that normal?
Just as an extra question- one winding up seems to last about 8-10 hours - is that normal?
No not normal. As I mentioned in my earlier posts it will need a service. When healthy a full wind lasts circa 40 hours. When you buy a second hand watch, you always need to factor in the service cost, that is unless the seller provides written proof it was done in the past few years. Sellers routinely lie unfortunately or sell it as perfect just because the second hand moves.
It’s not an automatic though.
Manual wind/Auto makes little difference, it is a still a mechanical device. It will still need a service at least every 6-7 years to run optimally. You can get away with longer but something that hasn't been touched in 20-40 years wont be healthy.
Needs servicing, no doubt. Slight chance mainspring needs degrading, often gets just changed.
not sure if it is a redial (the movement shows no sign of past humidity damage, so why repainting). However, it has probably been gently washed, and the laquering may have suffered.
Can yoi r
Can you explain what you mean by degrading? The guy who sold it to me said it has just been serviced- and it does feel a bit tight when I wind it?
Can yoi r
Can you explain what you mean by degrading? The guy who sold it to me said it has just been serviced- and it does feel a bit tight when I wind it?
If it only lasts 8 hours after winding fully ie until you can't wind it any further then the guy's verbal assurance that it had just been serviced was to put it politely an exaggeration. Or to put it less politely b***s***. If you are winding it fully, ie for about 60-80 winds and it stops running that soon then clearly needs work. Sellers regularly do this, probably 80-90% of the watches for sale at any one time on ebay for example are in urgent need of a service. Are you winding it fully?
Bear in mind that there are two issues.
The first was that the case, dial, hands etc were in great condition for a 70 year old watch and the consensus is that it’s original.
The second is that any piece of vintage machinery needs care and servicing.
Your watchmaker will have no problem lubricating it and securing any replacement parts that need replacing - like the mainspring that is responsible for you power reserve.
Think of it like replacing a clutch cable or brake pads, oil filters, or lamp bulbs on your car.