First up is one I'm finishing, a Hamilton 61 based 688. Gorgeous movement that had 1 jewel with a TON of dried...shmoo in it. Currently cleaning the case and waiting on the replacement crystal to arrive, but a fabulous runner after only a few hours of work.
Also, just taking apart a Longines 23Z with a broken stem. The pivots were FITHY on this one, yet it still ran not half-bad, so I'm optimistic. It is currently in the cleaning machine! I might try a touch of work on the dial, as it is a bit dirty too, and has a great texture! This one came with a horrible crystal, but its in the same package as the one above, probably coming next week.
Both of these are from @G___ who gave me a solid deal on both! I'm just glad I'm going to get a good runner out of both of these!
AND one of my NEXT projects, assuming I can get through a few others, is this Rolex 1501 off ebay! My first Rolex project, sold to me as 'has water damage'. Best I can tell, the movement looks water-free, but it still isn't a runner. All that stuff on the case is shmoo, not rust!
I'll have to spend some time on this one, I'll bet it is a bit of a sizable project when I'm done:
Amazing! they're getting the love and attention they deserve
Welp, the longines isn't gonna make it sadly :/ The hairspring slipped in the stud a whole bunch in the cleaning machine. My attempts to loosen the pin that held it in place managed to snap the spring.... So this one is sadly into the parts bin.
Damn. Let me encourage you to put it down for a bit and revisit it in due course. Some cheap 23Z movements on eBay, with dials..
Yep, sadly all of the ones I see are either really expensive, or are older ones without shock protection, so finding one that will work is either challenging or expensive :/ I'll put it on my 'list of parts to poke at ebay for every once in a while' though.
Set the saved search, your shock protected balance for a 23Z will come. Didn't know there were model changes on that.
The hammy looks fantastic and that rlx should be a great challenge !
Set the saved search, your shock protected balance for a 23Z will come. Didn't know there were model changes on that.
The hammy looks fantastic and that rlx should be a great challenge !
I actually found one and installed it! Sadly, it has a fixed stud, and ~3ms beat error, so I have to remove the balance a few times to get it better. Sadly, that is probably how I ruin the most hairsprings, so I'll need luck D:
Plus, I now have to track down a fine needle to open the regulator, I've never had luck with this style of regulators.
