Donjr, I fully agree with you. Someone will see that I have a watch on and ask me the time. Once in a while, depending who it is, I will say like "it's a quarter of". They will then ask " a quarter of what?" I say, (as I look back at my watch) "well.... the hour hand broke off my watch, a week ago and I had not gotten around to fixing it yet, but it's a quarter of something". Some get the joke, some just give me a strange look.
The ability to keep accurate time changed the world. Look up John Harris Marine Chronometer. Watches represent more than just telling time to me, and quartz watches are not a real watch, to me. A Frank Muller was brought to be serviced. It had a very large, Manly looking 18K case. The back said something like "The Jewelers Watchmaker" or whatever. Upon opening it, I found a little tiny quartz movement made for a small Ladies watch. HA If the guy wearing it only knew. They are making more high-end mechanical watches with complications than ever before. Someone likes them!! |
A favorite joke......When someone asks me the time....I reply (example): " it's ten after". They then ask, "ten after what"? I say, " well,.. the hour hand had broken off my watch and I hadnt gotten around to fixing it yet,...but its ten after something"! Sometimes they just give me a strange look.... |
This reminds me of a costumer of mine who wore his Breitling to the Symphony, and while applauding a pieces ending...broke the balance staff! Apparantly this model had smaller pivots in an attempt to raise amplitute.
Rolex has always been known for their sports oriented models and do have a unique engineering, not to mention the Oyster case design. As to swinging a golf club, I recall Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer always sporting Rolex Presidents. As for chopping wood,...well I dont see them being worn in the Lumberjack contests. All kidding aside, I think that severe shocks to the movement resulting from chopping wood could displace the oil from the jewel sinks. I believe Rolex recommends 5-7 years for an overhaul. Rolex turns away any watches with any generic parts fitted or any previously unauthorized serviced watches. Rolex or Rolex Authorized Service only. |
I agree.......the Rolex was/is geared toward the sportsman-woman with an active lifestyle. Actually, I've had a couple of "older" costumers whose Rolex's would stop occasionally as they weren't active enough! The Rolex automatic modules are not the most efficient, but it is rare when someone moves that little. I've heard suggestion to use the next lighter mainspring...not recommended by Rolex. Anyway, 007 Sean Connery, never took his off....well maybe in the sheets.....that automatic would be spinnin' !! |
Do you wear your watch on your hammer hand? Either way, an automatic watch has a mainspring which is designed to slip back after full wind-up. That is why you can manually wind an automatic for ever, it never gets to the end of the mainspring. As to "overwinding" a manual wind will come to the end, and especially older versions say 1960 or earlier, which had blued-steel mainsprings, are more prone to breakage when slightly pushed further when at end. Or at least they will be force of the connection at either end, termed "un-hooked". As to your watch running a few hours fast, only one thing can cause this phenomenon. The hairspring or balance spring is in charge of fast or slow. It is a flat coiled or spiraled spring. Above and below it are the balance jewels which hold a small bit of oil. A very hard knock "can" dislodge oil out onto the spring, which while coiling and uncoiling can make to (or more) coils stick together hence shortening the "working" length. Shorter spring-quicker opening and closing. The coils on your watch happened to free themselves after running a while. Keep up the good "Exploring" :) |
Yes Hotmailjbc, you are indeed a bit messed up, as are many of the other fine members here. Me..? I'm very fortunate as being still in denial of any human weaknesses'. You hammer here, throw there, watch over here....you are just plain unpredictable, good thing. Messed up?, good! Once we self realize our own human frailties, we are over the hurdle and can go on to any greatness!!! I suggest researching this News story yesterday, as of this writing: Manhatten, Actor, Tom Magill,suicide attempt. Jumped from 40th story, landed on Dodge automobile, broken leg. He is given a second chance, and I hope he does good! Im also working toward becoming imperfect one day!! |
The Swiss may have holes in their cheese, but not in their watches! :) |
Heres the 007 watch rundown: Dr No; Rolex Submariner/Croc... Goldfinger: Rolex Submariner/nylon... Thunderball; Breitling Top Time/geiger counter... Never Say Never; Rolex Submariner/laser cutter... Live and Let Die/ Rolex Submariner/rotating bezel saw... Spy Who Loved Me/ Seiko... For Your Eyes Only; Seiko/radio transmitter... Octopussy; Seiko/direction finder+tv... Golden Eye; Omega Seamaster Professional/laser cutter+detonator... Tomorrow Never Dies; Omega Seamaster/detachable charge+grappling hook... The World Is Not Enough; Omega Seamaster/grappling hook... Die Another Day; Omega/detonator+laser... New Casino Royale; Omega |
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awci.com american Watchmakers Clockmakers Institute. Lists certified watchmakers in your area. |
Funny, factory service/warranty work for Omega was sent to Dallas, who in turn would send to us in NJ or a couple of other independent shops. Some special watches would be sent to Switzerland. I don't understand why a Seamaster would be. |
I know you are in Dallas that is why I mentioned. I have never refinished Titanium. Either a satin type wheel is used or a sandblasting. Perhaps that facility could not perform the latter. Titanium cannot be high polished. |
Example: The Yachtmaster Bezel's low relief is sandblasted followed by a high polish to the raised numerals. |
Roxy and Brian, I was referring to a "high" polish as in example of Rolex. Bracelet outer links satin, inner links high polish. Watch case also shows both examples on different planes. High polish inner links then cover with special tape "carefully" and satin the outer links. Done many @ per Rolex. Roxy, as a jeweler you full well know the term. I have not worked with titanium. We would sandblast the Yachtmaster bezels, then high polish the numerals "carefully" @ per Rolex. |
I am a watchmaker. (been out of practice)
Joseph Bulova School NY.
Wostep Switzerland.
Rolex Sa. Geneva Factory training
I grew up in the antique business. School of hard knocks!!
Tough-ass Mom. Happy Mothers Day:)
I use classic watches, everyday. |
Albert,
I bet just a quick glimpse at your archive of photos brings all the great memories right back! |
Cerrot, UN IS a very special watch! They were known for their early Ship Chronometre work. I have a UN wrist watch from 1940's. Marked Chronometer on dial with blued (purple) Breguet styled hands, sub seconds. Rectangular case marked Staybrite with thin inner case to help prevent magnetism. Rectangular movt. marked 3 adjustments with Breguet overcoil hairspring. I grew up in the Antique business and later became a Watchmaker as I did like watches that much! Thanks for reminding me of it. I wouldn't mind hearing more about yours.. (hint) Enjoy!!! |
Tboooe, Schaffhausen, Excellent collection!! IWC always had a much nicer finish inside than Rolex. (bite my tongue) The quality was only splitting hairs away from the few top makers. The one I always wanted was Ref 5251. Rare and expensive if found.
Cerrot, I had to look them both up. Your power reserve indicator is always a cool feature. And Chronometer Grade is the best!! The Freak...Tourbillon.. WOW. The price of a really nice audio system!! You have to be a bit of a (watch) Freak yourself to have spotted it! HA I have a Audemars Piguet 2870. First automatic tourbillon, from 1980's. I bought it from a vintage dealer years ago. WAY, WAY cheaper than all the new tourbillons!!! |
The big Seiko flashy/sporty automatics and Divers, etc ALWAYS caught my eye when I was a young boy!!! They certainly had their own unique look to them. I also very well remember their magazine advertisements back then. They are slightly tricky reinstalling the main bridge until you've done a few. Also the automatic rotor bearings would wear, "if I remember right". Very strong running watches. It holds true as with other watches, as in rare dials, tho I know very little about Seiko collecting. |
Syntax, The Rolex Oyster cases are unbeatable!! The screw-down pushers were an excellent addition! (a lot of gaskets in that case :) Always great pictures from you:) I think that watch still has the Valjoux 72. I am lucky to have the model with a Valjoux 72C. "C" designating addition of triple calender feature. Early 1950's.
Seikosha, Your Diver is a "high-beat" All very cool stuff! They must be very hard to find.
Donjr, There are SO MANY vintage watches for sale at very reasonable prices. Just look at Epay. Be selective. You want a watch with the original dial finish. (not re-done) Like a Hamilton manual wind from the 1940's, as example. Excellent quality!! And It'll run forever. Enjoy |
Rouchefoucauld sounds like an over-priced cheese.
I am a Watchmaker, btw |
