i dont quite understand the "ampere" on the time grapher display.

lets say it shows 18000 where i believe it should show 36000

does it mean, that dirt in the movement lowerd the rate down to 18000 or does it mean that my presumption of 36000 is wrong and the movement is meant to be a 18000 ?

(its regarding a vintage zenith el primero from the 70ties that shows 18000 and a friend told me it should show 36000)

 

Are you talking about the frequency???

 

Yes

 

More likely the machine was in manual mode or incapable of automatic detection. Any pictures?

 

the frequency of a watch is still the same. it's selected automatically. Sometimes the movement is so dirty that it does not recognize it. You can select it manually. the El primero should be 36 000 so set the machine manually a 36000