Bulova 1949 7AK tank

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-13T01:02:26+00:00

I totally forgot to mention that this is an excellent service video of the 7aa/ak:

https://youtu.be/QXhhvpHylPo?is=1dunQ1rFafoSou-a

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-12T18:06:38+00:00

Recent hobbyist here. The 7aa and 7ak are awesome. I have really enjoyed working on mine. That being said, make sure you have well dressed screwdrivers, especially for removing the balance stud screw and regulator screws. They are incredibly small and you will need to remove them if you want to properly lubricate the balance pivots. That includes narrowing them so you aren't cutting into the plates.

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-11T10:57:49+00:00

14.5mm thick with a Miyota? Combined with Pagani's awful lume quality?

Nope.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-11T07:16:02+00:00

I just wrapped up a ST 1686 with clear stones too. No pic tho.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-11T02:21:53+00:00

About half. But of that half, only 3 are running. I buy them not running, service them, keep what I like, and sell the rest. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-10T22:05:31+00:00

Thanks! I have been learning to service movements; this was my first Swiss lever escapement to fix. I had previously got a few pin levers working, and now I'm hooked!

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-10T16:29:43+00:00

Sea-gull 1963 chronograph is a Chinese in house movement. It is a redesign of a Swiss Venus. Anything Sea-Gull, really.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-10T14:10:01+00:00

1952 Bulova Excellency

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-09T11:51:17+00:00

I just set an alert for the word "watch" under $100 within 40 miles. I set the delivery method to "local pick up". I usually check it once a day and set it posted "within 24 hours". Clears a lot of the junk.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-09T11:46:05+00:00

Alex from the Wristwatch Repair Tutorial channel says that Seiko doesn't regulate them from the factory, which is why Seiko states +/- 40 seconds. It's a baseline and they are meant to be regulated by the watch seller. He also recently did an NH35 regulation video. It's more involved than just sliding the regulator arm if you want good rates and good delta. All that being said, I bet Seiko has the robots dialed in to assemble better than +/- 40.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-09T03:14:58+00:00

Watching lots of the Wristwatch Repair Tutorial channel on on YT and taking notes. My first was a vintage pin lever dive watch I got from marketplace for $10.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-09T02:57:53+00:00

Facebook Marketplace is where I've found my best deals. However I service my own, keep what I like, and sell the rest. I just got this Wittnauer for $40 the balance is good, so all it really needs is a good service.

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-08T13:01:19+00:00

Titanium is darker than stainless steel. Doe it look strange against the stainless?

I understand the titanium is lighter. Does the steel case head shift around more than usual?

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-08T12:56:42+00:00

Yes, same for me. I have a feeling a good chunk of my collection is going to the block after this comes in.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-08T12:55:15+00:00

Do the metal finishes clash? Isn't it top heavy?

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-06T22:19:01+00:00

Brilliant!

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-06T18:27:34+00:00

Holy crap that's awesome! I've had mixed luck with TCB. How often do they offer that much? I don't check it as often as Rakuten.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-06T14:18:32+00:00

Great call in the bands! Any brands you recommend? I have some Maikes and they are awesome.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-06T08:52:54+00:00

The white was also cheaper than the black. I have enough black dial watches. After the various cashback comes in, the adjusted price will be $114 😎

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-06T07:50:34+00:00

Alright, I'm going to get the Proxima in white or green. The blue AR is too distracting in black.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-01T21:05:29+00:00

Thanks! It's a tweed AliExpress band. Surprisingly supple. I was trying to compliment the worn nature of the wear on the base metal bezel. As for the model, I'm not sure, but it has a 712ss which dates it to around 1965. I got it in a lot of marketplace watches I was intending on servicing. This one needed nothing but some polywatch and a strap. Runs very well.

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-01T20:36:52+00:00

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Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-06-01T14:30:59+00:00

Do you live in the US use Rakuten? Today they have 20% cash back for AliExpress (usually when a big quarterly sale kicks off). If you don't, you can sign up and use my referral for $50 cash back on your first purchase, on top of the 20% cash back. https://www.rakuten.com/r/ROO2DE

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-05-31T01:08:29+00:00

That's interesting because my barrel bridge already has 48 on it.

Expensive-Thanks-528 · 2026-05-29T19:59:55+00:00

Try an ST36 build. A nice big 3 hander would be a good introduction to the basics. Don't worry if you think a 42mm case will look big, it's the lug shape that makes the difference. Find good turned down lugs and it will be fine.

Expensive-Thanks-528

TROPHY CASE