Preparing to get into the rep world

[tsujinai]

Hi everyone, so this will be part asking for knowledge and part intro. Can call me Jin or Vince, wtever u like. (btw, feel free to modify the thread if I placed or did anything wrong and sorry just in the case)

So first off, I've been reading alot as a lurker the past few days almost nonstop, addicted already even without the basic equipment or the all-important rep. This thread will mainly help me get down my last questions before i pull the trigger which likely won't be after a few months until i can sneak enough savings into my personal-Personal usable funds budget (to get both needed equipment and the rep so one doesn't pile dust waiting for the other).:

The watch I plan to start with is grand carrera calibre 36 rep. Still deciding on color, the silver from asian7750 which is cheaper or the little bit more expensive pvd version which seemed to hv very recently updated with the 200 fixed from timesshopnet. (Would be happy if asian7750 will also have the corrected version at a less price by time I purchase, hehehehehe.)


And here's the part where I would be considered ridiculous with my lack of actual experience with watches:err:. I will be getting the a7750 and would like to try servicing it myself, couple reasons: interest in the workings, being it will be a watch I love - I would want to take care of it, and also if things work out I won't have to send my watch everywhere.

So basically I've gone through several threads on watch breakdown and one about a7750 as well, but I've also read in one thread on this forum about the dials going dead after servicing on calibre 36 and 17 rs2 due to undetachable dials, is that still true with the current a7750 movements in this rep?

If the former question is no longer a problem then is it possible to send the rep to a smith in pieces if in the end I really go crazy and give up putting the piece back together:wacko:.

Also, anyone here know what if any updates may have gone into the new version from timesshopnet other than the 200 on the bezel, just wanted to know what I should expect if I do get that version.

Last, please give me any advice, opinions or things I should know stepping into this realm except the part about getting addicted as I already know that:lol:. Actually, I'd be grateful to be pointed in the right direction on the types of cleaners, lubes, and oils I should be stocking up on. I'm sure I had a few more questions I forgot about, but I'll leave those for when I get closer to actually making my purchases.

Thanks again, sorry for the long read. Hope to be of contribution in the future as I gain more knowledge and once again hello to everyone on the RWI forum.

Jin

 

[Bonesey]

Hello mate, and welcome to the forum. We were all once like you, ready to take the plunge.

I will say this right now regarding servicing. First of all you need a lot of experience, a large amount of tools and equipment and also a lot of learning before even thinking about servicing a 7750 movement. Off the top of my head I can think about $000 worth of kit before I would start working on 7750's.

If you are really interested in servicing then I would seek out the courses that start you off on 6497 movements, then you could move on to 2836's and then 7750's. You will break a lot of movements if you go straight to 7750's without previous experience. It's not just a case of opening it up and adding a spot of oil here and there and then regulating. The watch movement (several hundred individual parts) needs dissembled, cleaned and then re-assembled and regulated. A complex job even for professionals.

If you get stuck then we have a few guys who work on 7750's. I dont think Kat works on them but you could check out Victor who's in Canada.

Bonesey

 

[ALE7575]

Good lesson Bones
Bear it in mind tsujinai

 

[tsujinai]

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely getting ahead of myself as I do whenever I start getting very into a hobby, someone to tell me off is exactly what I needed:lol:. I do understand it's not just straight forward piecing together parts, same as alot of other things I tinker with, but just can't help desiring to get into the main dish from the start. I've watched my father playing with movements and fixing his old Rolex when it was down making it look easy, just never understood his hobby until now when I found a watch I really want. Makes me wish I paid more attention on what he was doing at the time, stupid me:facepalm:. I guess better late than never.


I still do want to get into servicing. While I likely won't be getting into courses, I do have a friend that I know with experience who I can ask on for guidance; Just that I know he'll be a jerk about it which is why I try to avoid him (unless left with no other options). Not to mention the forum members are likely more knowledgeable and would help me without setting up random mean conditions:thumbsup:.


Anyhow, following Bonesey's recommendation, I'll definitely try to get a few of those movements to start with and push back my kamikaze plan a bit. I guess that leaves me now with just the last question of the types of fluids I should be stocking up on.

@ALE7575 - I will take it to heart too


Hope to hear more. Thanks.


Jin

 

[Bonesey]

Well you'd need the ultrasonic cleaning fluid as well as the specific oils for movements.

Have a look at these links;

http://www.eta.ch/swisslab/7750/7750.html

http://hiro.alliancehorlogere.com/en/Under_the_Loupe:ETA_7750

The first link shows you step by step dismantle and assembly for the 7750 movement including the locations of the 5 (yes 5!) different lubricating oils and the locations you need to apply them.

Good luck!

Bones.

 

[waddster]

Welcome aboard! I think after you've had the pleasure of re-sizing a few bracelets to fit, you will reconsider wanting to tear any movements apart. I like the fact that you have the curiosity of how a watch works. To small of parts for me to want to mess with.

 

[tsujinai]

Thanks Bones, actually already have those saved to my favorites earlier. However, until you mentioned the oil is listed there, I did not notice the oil symbol button to the right of the arrows at all. Big Thanks for pointing it out:notworthy:.

For cleaning fluid, I also read on G's 7750 tutorial about the use of one dip, is there a specific need for both or would ultrasonic suffice?
About the movements, would the Asian movements be good enough for practice. Or do you believe at least one eta version would be good to know?

@waddster - I think I already jumped right pass the resizing part and went straight for wanting to tear apart movements:lol:. In my case I am quite use to small parts already, details in plastic modeling got me pretty good with tweezers, soldering things on laptop, assembling remote control cars, taking apart anything that start to lose functions such as earphones or egg timer. Most memorable of small parts was a made in china toy - one of those dancing well in my case drumming doll music box, the electric wiring inside was unexpectedly thin, and I mean hairline thin, literally; made me wonder how they actually got that toy put together in mass production with such a delicate wire in tack. Took me some time to solder that broken wire together too which had to be done twice because another part of it split when slicing off the coating to get metal contact on one end. All I can say is that I was impressed by the Chinese laborers that worked on them. Mainly, I'm pretty sure I just love to take things apart .


Sorry for all my questions and long winded replies, but I'm sure everyone expected them from the noob:crazy:. Thanks for all the information.

Jin

 

[trailboss99]

Welcome mate, when it comes to tools don't forget our own trusted dealer, Watchbitz. In fact you can win 100 bucks worth of tools at the moment: http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/has-offshore-gone-madi-huge-88210

 

[tsujinai]

Thanks, . I know about the raffle, all too well, in fact, my first post was entering myself into that raffle :lol:. Now I just need to figure out if any of my relatives in Australia plan to visit the states, so I can get around the shipping fees.


Jin

 

[Bonesey]

Jin, an asian 7750 would be ±$100 or so if you source one from a dealer but there is no guarantee that genuine parts would fit should you break something. A genuine ETA 7750 is going to be $500+ so I guess the risk is up to you.