Community Stories

Your opinion on this cal. 321 movement issue please…

M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
You can see from the first photo that the cage holding the regulator jewel is normal.

IMG_3405.jpeg


In the second photo, the cage is completely mangled:


IMG_3404.jpeg


So, my question is: if you were buying the second watch, would you insist on this being fixed, or replaced? Is this part even available? Thanks
 
ahsposo
Posts
3,788
Likes
20,211
Looking at the screws, I'd say they

a) are not the same watch

or
b) somebody beavered up a pristine looking movement.

I feel sure that is a replaceable part. Just don't take back to the butcher that did that.
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
My fault, I wasn’t clear: the first watch was posted as an example of what the normal cage looks like. The second picture is a movement shot from a watch I’m considering.

I think the cage is too far gone to fix, and needs to be replaced, but: 1) not sure if the part can be found, and, 2), not sure how necessary it is to replace. A deal breaker?
 
gatorcpa
Posts
13,433
Likes
18,641
I’m not convinced there is anything wrong. Looks like there are shadows and picture is way out of focus.

upload_2024-1-9_19-59-41.png


See if there are pictures of the movement from other angles.
gatorcpa
 
sheepdoll
Posts
2,893
Likes
4,617
If by cage you mean the incabloc spring?

These are fairly common parts as the same size can fit many watches. They can be fragile. Usually one leg breaks off. There is usually a U clip underneath what holds the jewel assembly in place. My avatar is a fun toy that shows how all this fits together.

I wonder now who still makes the incabloc parts? I think at one time it was an independent company.
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
sheepdoll sheepdoll
If by cage you mean the incabloc spring?

These are fairly common parts as the same size can fit many watches. They can be fragile. Usually one leg breaks off. There is usually a U clip underneath what holds the jewel assembly in place. My avatar is a fun toy that shows how all this fits together.

I wonder now who still makes the incabloc parts? I think at one time it was an independent company.

So, that specific part isn’t just for a cal. 321?
 
Dan S
Posts
24,585
Likes
54,593
That incabloc shock protection device is one of the most common movement parts of all time, probably found in thousands of movements.
 
tritto
Posts
370
Likes
556
The Incabloc spring will be available - that's not a big issue. However, it's not an easy part to fit. You actually need to remove the balance from the balance cock and then use a jewelling tool to press out the incabloc setting then refit the setting with the new spring and press it back in and adjust its height precisely. A watchmaker will do this, but not every watchmaker should be let loose on a 321 movement. I think the spring is actually ok, but ask for some better photos.
 
ghce
Posts
4,932
Likes
49,852
Any Watchmaker worth his salt would do that in his sleep.
And if he can't he obviously would not be a trained Watchmaker.
 
Archer
Posts
29,880
Likes
77,290
sheepdoll sheepdoll
I wonder now who still makes the incabloc parts? I think at one time it was an independent company.

That would be Incabloc...
 
Archer
Posts
29,880
Likes
77,290
M'Bob M'Bob
So, that specific part isn’t just for a cal. 321?

That spring is used on 21 different Omega movements. There will likely be many more that are non-Omega.

BTW it looks fine to me...
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
And while we’re at it…

Do these screw heads look unusually buggered, or par for the course on this age watch:

IMG_3404.jpeg
 
Archer
Posts
29,880
Likes
77,290
Nothing out of the ordinary I would say...
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
Archer Archer
Nothing out of the ordinary I would say...

Thanks. Anything of concern jumping out at you?
 
Archer
Posts
29,880
Likes
77,290
Needs a service, but nothing other than that.
 
M'Bob
Posts
7,219
Likes
23,404
Archer Archer
Needs a service, but nothing other than that.

Does what appears to be case corrosion in the lower right side of the photo look troubling?
 
Davidt
Posts
13,282
Likes
23,061
M'Bob M'Bob
Does what appears to be case corrosion in the lower right side of the photo look troubling?

Certainly looks like pitting. More photos are required to see how bad it is.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Ron_W

Any thoughts on 1962/65 Speedmaster cases with much earlier cal 321 movements ?

Ron_W Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
3
Views
682
SBund

Help on this cal. 321 OJ 2437 chronograph!

SBund Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
M
myatt
Posts
6
Views
2K
Bakkebaard

Your opinion on this cal. 601

Bakkebaard Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
11
Views
3K