Your work is just gorgeous man !!!
What a pleasure to see that this profession still attracts daring men! Bravo !
What a pleasure to see that this profession still attracts daring men! Bravo !
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PsychoTee's Repair & Servicing Journey
- Thread starter PsychoTee16
- Start date
New Equipment addition to the bench!
My entire watchmaking career has primarily been working from a bench at around 33” height. This meant I needed to bend over to the movement with my loupe to apply oil and do work (yes I know terrible ergonomics). I started this hobby trying to do work on a higher more traditional bench height, and I had shoulder and neck pain as well.
So really neither option worked well for me.
After another fellow watchmaker started doing work under his microscope, and raved about it, I wanted to try it. Granted he’s a microscope pro!! And let me tell you…this is the first thing I should have invested in and it’s an absolute game changer. I opted for the Leica A60 and won’t second guess that choice.
I know “that’s not the traditional watchmaker setup” but this is far superior to a loupe. You can see the entire movement at 5x power, the depth perception is way better than a loupe for obvious reasons, zoom in to 30x, eye fatigue is gone, the clarity of the lens is amazing, and I can comfortably sit at my bench doing work.
My entire watchmaking career has primarily been working from a bench at around 33” height. This meant I needed to bend over to the movement with my loupe to apply oil and do work (yes I know terrible ergonomics). I started this hobby trying to do work on a higher more traditional bench height, and I had shoulder and neck pain as well.
So really neither option worked well for me.
After another fellow watchmaker started doing work under his microscope, and raved about it, I wanted to try it. Granted he’s a microscope pro!! And let me tell you…this is the first thing I should have invested in and it’s an absolute game changer. I opted for the Leica A60 and won’t second guess that choice.
I know “that’s not the traditional watchmaker setup” but this is far superior to a loupe. You can see the entire movement at 5x power, the depth perception is way better than a loupe for obvious reasons, zoom in to 30x, eye fatigue is gone, the clarity of the lens is amazing, and I can comfortably sit at my bench doing work.
Hey All!
I'm going to make a concerted effort to share more photos here on this thread....been slacking lately.
And in all honesty, using the microscope I forget to take a lot of pictures!
Had another 4130 for general service, and a 3235 for general service and Gen Crystal Install. First 3235 I've seen with the perlage finishing missing on a good amount of the mainplate and trainwheel bridge.
I'm going to make a concerted effort to share more photos here on this thread....been slacking lately.
And in all honesty, using the microscope I forget to take a lot of pictures!
Had another 4130 for general service, and a 3235 for general service and Gen Crystal Install. First 3235 I've seen with the perlage finishing missing on a good amount of the mainplate and trainwheel bridge.
Morning Everyone!
A few more bench pics from the last week.
Couple Bezel / Xtal installs during a service...it pays to have the correct dies for these activities. Ever since getting these, this type of work has become easier.
I also developed a few bridge holders. One for the 3135, 3235, and 4130 Auto Module as well as the 4130 Train Wheel Bridge. There is still slight tweaking to be made on the 3135, but these turned out great! And FYI....I have no plans to sell these, only making for myself!
And we can see why its good to get your brand new watch from china cleaned and serviced...
A few more bench pics from the last week.
Couple Bezel / Xtal installs during a service...it pays to have the correct dies for these activities. Ever since getting these, this type of work has become easier.
I also developed a few bridge holders. One for the 3135, 3235, and 4130 Auto Module as well as the 4130 Train Wheel Bridge. There is still slight tweaking to be made on the 3135, but these turned out great! And FYI....I have no plans to sell these, only making for myself!
And we can see why its good to get your brand new watch from china cleaned and serviced...
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Evening All!
Had a simple yet enjoyable Tag Heuer in for service this weekend. This was a gen, and even though it’s a simple 2824-2 movement, they are always a breath of fresh air to work on.
This one hadn’t been serviced for 11 years, and it was quite noticeable. All the jewels were caked up with thick or gummy oil, and the mainspring had broken.
But it’s all fixed up now!!
Had a simple yet enjoyable Tag Heuer in for service this weekend. This was a gen, and even though it’s a simple 2824-2 movement, they are always a breath of fresh air to work on.
This one hadn’t been serviced for 11 years, and it was quite noticeable. All the jewels were caked up with thick or gummy oil, and the mainspring had broken.
But it’s all fixed up now!!
- 17/4/17
- 860
- 733
- 93
- 12/3/18
- 35,369
- 69,751
- 113
Morning All!
Had the chance yesterday to use some newly acquired tools!
Proper Rolex tools are always a joy to work with! I’ve been lacking the proper tool to remove bezel inserts from the bezel. I always have used a straight edge Bergeon die to press it out, but I always like to have the proper dies.
And it works like a dream!
Got a nice case holder as well to assist with pressing inserts in. It has a small oring on the bottom that helps give some cushion when pressing the insert in.
Also got some hytrels made for the 116610 / 116710 series for testing. Next up is the 126610!
Plan to order some so I continue to have on hand.
Enjoy!
Had the chance yesterday to use some newly acquired tools!
Proper Rolex tools are always a joy to work with! I’ve been lacking the proper tool to remove bezel inserts from the bezel. I always have used a straight edge Bergeon die to press it out, but I always like to have the proper dies.
And it works like a dream!
Got a nice case holder as well to assist with pressing inserts in. It has a small oring on the bottom that helps give some cushion when pressing the insert in.
Also got some hytrels made for the 116610 / 116710 series for testing. Next up is the 126610!
Plan to order some so I continue to have on hand.
Enjoy!
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Hey Everyone!
Few pics from the last week or so on the bench. Lots of Crystal, Date Wheel, and Hand swaps for gens on some 40mm subs and GMTs.
I know there has been lots of photos showing how much grease is used on these GMTs, but these things are very messy. Every single one I work on is loaded with grease. This all gets cleaned off, and I apply a very small amount of grease to the three clicks on the spring.
The GMTs do look great with those gen pieces installed!
Few pics from the last week or so on the bench. Lots of Crystal, Date Wheel, and Hand swaps for gens on some 40mm subs and GMTs.
I know there has been lots of photos showing how much grease is used on these GMTs, but these things are very messy. Every single one I work on is loaded with grease. This all gets cleaned off, and I apply a very small amount of grease to the three clicks on the spring.
The GMTs do look great with those gen pieces installed!
This is something I'd really love to be able to do. It's a dying art I'd like to keep alive, like yourself I have a background in engineering, I have a steady hand and an eye for details.
I'm a very keen student, I'm going to do more research on how to get proficient. Any tips are greatly appreciated.
I'm a very keen student, I'm going to do more research on how to get proficient. Any tips are greatly appreciated.
Got some new tools that were 3D printed yesterday! Excited to add these to the collection.
As most know, these are bezel removing dies. I'm not going to sit here and say these are "custom"....they aren't. They were directly copied from some pictures that were posted on this forum, of a genuine Rolex Die. With a bit of measuring of a 41mm and 40mm sub, these are fairly easy to design in SolidWorks (It’s simply a 2 dimensional cut-section that is rotated 360 degrees).
If you have some experience in SolidWorks or Fusion360, these can be modeled quite quickly. Total model time for me was around 2-3 hours...and I am by no means an expert.
I printed these for $25 each (SLS with a small amount of Vapor Smoothing). Peanuts for how nice and easy they remove bezels. You’ll also need a small point pusher for the top part of the press. That was another $8. So all in I spent $60, some modeling time, and now bezels are very easy and safely removed.
I am going to model one for the GMTs as well. Those have taller lugs than the subs, and the bezel lip is a little different on geometry.
I have a Bergeon Bezel Remover that will now most likely sit and not be used....and that was WAY more expensive. Don't get me wrong, the Bergeon works great, but these Rolex copies are very slick as well.
Disclaimer - I am not selling these nor the STL files.
As most know, these are bezel removing dies. I'm not going to sit here and say these are "custom"....they aren't. They were directly copied from some pictures that were posted on this forum, of a genuine Rolex Die. With a bit of measuring of a 41mm and 40mm sub, these are fairly easy to design in SolidWorks (It’s simply a 2 dimensional cut-section that is rotated 360 degrees).
If you have some experience in SolidWorks or Fusion360, these can be modeled quite quickly. Total model time for me was around 2-3 hours...and I am by no means an expert.
I printed these for $25 each (SLS with a small amount of Vapor Smoothing). Peanuts for how nice and easy they remove bezels. You’ll also need a small point pusher for the top part of the press. That was another $8. So all in I spent $60, some modeling time, and now bezels are very easy and safely removed.
I am going to model one for the GMTs as well. Those have taller lugs than the subs, and the bezel lip is a little different on geometry.
I have a Bergeon Bezel Remover that will now most likely sit and not be used....and that was WAY more expensive. Don't get me wrong, the Bergeon works great, but these Rolex copies are very slick as well.
Disclaimer - I am not selling these nor the STL files.
Afternoon All!
Had a cool build come across my bench this past week.
I guess you could call it a "Right Sided 126720VTNR" !
Build includes a clean 126720VTNR Insert, Gen GMT Dial, Gen Hands, Gen 126710 Crystal with Gen retaining ring and click spring, and I believe a V9F Case as the base.
Movement received a service of course. Installed a gen tube and crown as part of this work as well. Requires the case to be chamfered, and this one went very well. Its passed vacuum and up to 7 bar test thus far.
The bezel also didn't play nice with the gen retaining ring. The bezel was very hard to turn. I'm guess the retaining ring is slightly larger than the rep version, creating a much tighter seal with the hytrel ring....and of course gen spec hytrels didn't fit.
You'll notice the Clean insert sits really deep in the bezel. I'm sure this is due to the fact that the V9F bezel isn't gen spec, as the old insert was thicker. Still looks great to be honest.
Enjoy!
Had a cool build come across my bench this past week.
I guess you could call it a "Right Sided 126720VTNR" !
Build includes a clean 126720VTNR Insert, Gen GMT Dial, Gen Hands, Gen 126710 Crystal with Gen retaining ring and click spring, and I believe a V9F Case as the base.
Movement received a service of course. Installed a gen tube and crown as part of this work as well. Requires the case to be chamfered, and this one went very well. Its passed vacuum and up to 7 bar test thus far.
The bezel also didn't play nice with the gen retaining ring. The bezel was very hard to turn. I'm guess the retaining ring is slightly larger than the rep version, creating a much tighter seal with the hytrel ring....and of course gen spec hytrels didn't fit.
You'll notice the Clean insert sits really deep in the bezel. I'm sure this is due to the fact that the V9F bezel isn't gen spec, as the old insert was thicker. Still looks great to be honest.
Enjoy!
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Morning All!
Haven't posted in a bit, but did get to build a really nice Daytona recently.
This one had gen crown, pushers, dial, hands, crystal, and bezel....very nice build. The gen dial still blows away any rep dial currently available.
The pusher case holes had to be re-tapped, but once that was done everything fit very well. Watch passed all values during the pressure test.
In other news...got some 126610 Hytrel gaskets developed and made. The first round looked promising with very little tweaks needed....so that will be nice to finally have spare Hytrels for the 12 series subs.
Currently have a VR3235 movement on the bench. The VRs have a crappy friction fit post for the winding wheel that loves to come loose. Had to get the staking set out to reduce the hole size, and press the post back in. Now all is nice and snug!
Enjoy!
Haven't posted in a bit, but did get to build a really nice Daytona recently.
This one had gen crown, pushers, dial, hands, crystal, and bezel....very nice build. The gen dial still blows away any rep dial currently available.
The pusher case holes had to be re-tapped, but once that was done everything fit very well. Watch passed all values during the pressure test.
In other news...got some 126610 Hytrel gaskets developed and made. The first round looked promising with very little tweaks needed....so that will be nice to finally have spare Hytrels for the 12 series subs.
Currently have a VR3235 movement on the bench. The VRs have a crappy friction fit post for the winding wheel that loves to come loose. Had to get the staking set out to reduce the hole size, and press the post back in. Now all is nice and snug!
Enjoy!
Morning All!
Got to love new tool days!
Yesterday I got my new timegrapher delivered. The Witschi Chrnomaster Pro. Probably one of the last major tools purchases to happen...famous last words.
Before, I was using the very basic timegrapher sold all over Ebay or Amazon, and while it works and gives you readings it is not effective for troubleshooting or more in-depth measurement. It also shows only a small window of time, whereas the Witschi shows a much larger graph for viewing.
The Chronomaster has several different modes. The tracking and recoding of the different positions and a pass fail designation will be a lifesaver for me. All watches will be timed in all 6 positions now!
I personally opted for the Chronomaster for a couple reasons.
- I don't like the screen attached to most timegraphers. Takes up more space, and my PC sits next to my bench area. The Pro connects directly to my PC.
- This unit provides a lot more functionality for evaluation than the WatchExpert G4. I believe the G4 only shows your standard trace and variance modes. I look forward to using the scope modes to evaluate issues within the escapements!
Got to love new tool days!
Yesterday I got my new timegrapher delivered. The Witschi Chrnomaster Pro. Probably one of the last major tools purchases to happen...famous last words.
Before, I was using the very basic timegrapher sold all over Ebay or Amazon, and while it works and gives you readings it is not effective for troubleshooting or more in-depth measurement. It also shows only a small window of time, whereas the Witschi shows a much larger graph for viewing.
The Chronomaster has several different modes. The tracking and recoding of the different positions and a pass fail designation will be a lifesaver for me. All watches will be timed in all 6 positions now!
I personally opted for the Chronomaster for a couple reasons.
- I don't like the screen attached to most timegraphers. Takes up more space, and my PC sits next to my bench area. The Pro connects directly to my PC.
- This unit provides a lot more functionality for evaluation than the WatchExpert G4. I believe the G4 only shows your standard trace and variance modes. I look forward to using the scope modes to evaluate issues within the escapements!
Totally forgot to post some additional photos on ongoing work at the bench!
126610LV in for service and Gen Datewheel install. His previous Datewheel was way off, so he opted for a gen!
Got to use my bridge holders as well.
126610LV in for service and Gen Datewheel install. His previous Datewheel was way off, so he opted for a gen!
Got to use my bridge holders as well.
Evening all!
Had an awesome build cross my bench this weekend.
Although I didn’t service the nearly complete gen movement it was still a joy to assemble and tune.
Gen case, gen dial, gen hands, gen bezel, gen crystal, gen movement (99.9%), and of course gen crown and pushers.
Customer opted for the open caseback, which take it to the next level.
Enjoy!!
Had an awesome build cross my bench this weekend.
Although I didn’t service the nearly complete gen movement it was still a joy to assemble and tune.
Gen case, gen dial, gen hands, gen bezel, gen crystal, gen movement (99.9%), and of course gen crown and pushers.
Customer opted for the open caseback, which take it to the next level.
Enjoy!!