New Addition: Omega Electroquartz Desk Clock

[webvan]

So how has that bad boy been running since you fixed it ?

 

[MoclovFlop]

webvan

So how has that bad boy been running since you fixed it ?

Great!... until it wasn't.

Ran perfect for a couple weeks and then started getting lazy in a few places again.

Seems like I need to have another go at the stepper and add/remove slack again. Or reach out to STS and see if they are willing to take it in for service since they are a name that keeps popping up.

Kind of lost its shine after that. So motivation has been low.

 

[webvan]

Sorry to hear that, I'd say you've already been further than most anyone here could have. You could try STS but while they have the best knowledge/parts for old quartz movements used in watches I'm not sure it includes the one of a kind 1390 !

 

[Dan S]

Just as a random side-note. IIRC, Portescap was the original manufacturer of incabloc shock-protection devices starting in the 1930s or thereabouts. Now mainly a manufacturer of small motors apparently. Assuming it's actually the same company.

 

[MoclovFlop]

Dan S

Just as a random side-note. IIRC, Portescap was the original manufacturer of incabloc shock-protection devices starting in the 1930s or thereabouts. Now mainly a manufacturer of small motors apparently. Assuming it's actually the same company.

That would explain their incabloc logo in the photos.

This is un-jeweled and I see no shock protection, So I'm assuming even when this was made, it was the motor branding.

 

[JimInOz]

Dan S

Just as a random side-note. IIRC, Portescap was the original manufacturer of incabloc shock-protection devices starting in the 1930s or thereabouts. Now mainly a manufacturer of small motors apparently. Assuming it's actually the same company.

MoclovFlop

That would explain their incabloc logo in the photos.

This is un-jeweled and I see no shock protection, So I'm assuming even when this was made, it was the motor branding.

Like all companies that evolve, it is the "same" company.

Although significantly changed from the time when they introduced INCABLOC as "Le Porte-Echappement Universel SA" in the 1930s, Portescap is alive and well.

I had the task of trying to restore a 1950s electric Portescap movement some time ago. It was a rather ingenious/Heath Robinson (take your pick) assembly and was a wonder to watch as it ticked away.

Unfortunately Portescap adopted two early versions of modern production technology.

1. The material for the "rubber tire" that was kicked along by a tiny micro-motor.
2. The adoption of non-replaceable assemblies (stamped/pressed/sealed construction).

So, the tiny rubber tire perished and needed to be replaced, same as you would do on a car or a motor cycle.
However, the tire was sandwiched between sealed "hubs", and changing a tire about 2.5mm ø was impossible without destroying the whole thing.

I did find a NOS Portescap movement in Spain, but being true NOS, the rubber would have been in the same condition, and I wasn't willing to take the chance at €480.00 plus postage.

 

[Wirdy]

Happened upon this thread & I might have some info.
I've just bought a 1975 quartz clock with a PORTESCAP movement & stepper motor by SOCREM.
By the looks & dimensions, it's either very similar or identical to the stepper motor used in your omega clocks. The same maker & same timeline makes this highly likely the same motor; I don't think there was much competition around in 1975 to make a competing stepper motor of this specialist type?
My clock is by Looping, a swiss company, but it would seem Jaeger Lecoultre provided the movement. A quick bit of research shows this JLC movement was used by Ulysse Nardin & also Imhof, in their clocks too.
Your drive voltages at the motor would tally with the 1.35v Mercury cell that my clock originally used (it runs fine with a modern LR50 Alkaline cell).
Since I only paid £70gbp for my clock, they might by a source of stepper mo to keep your omegas running?

 

[Wirdy]

 

[Wirdy]

https://clockdoc.org/SearchTag.aspx/?moid=54770

 

[webvan]

That's an Imhof movement, from the mid/late 70s, completely unrelated to the Omega Calibre 1390 from 1969 of the OP.

 

[Wirdy]

Yes, clearly different, but the OP was seeking a source for a replacement stepper motor? This could be a viable option.

 

[MoclovFlop]

Good info for sure! Your clock is really cool. I ended up selling mine since it became a pretty desk weight. But wouldn't mind finding one like yours.

I wonder if the Omega one stepped the voltage down to 1.5v (never did check), or if that's not an issue for these motors

The issue would still be finding other donors of your clock for anyone else who stumbles on this thread. I assume the quartz clocks from this era are few and far between on a good day. You might have been lucky with your find/price.

Regardless, the person I sold mine to said he was able to service the stepper and make it work, so apparently there's a way.

 

[Wirdy]

MoclovFlop

Good info for sure! Your clock is really cool. I ended up selling mine since it became a pretty desk weight. But wouldn't mind finding one like yours

Cheers, Yep, it's very heavy & a solid thing, the stepper gives a very loud tick as well. Not good if you normally like silent sweep/tuning fork clocks!

 

[dlukask]

Jetsons!