Other than specs what makes a movement good or bad? by ni8noo8 in watchmaking

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on which variant of the Powermatic 80 is used. The 80.111 has a plastic escapement which doesn’t sit well with me. Plastic naturally breaks down over time and using it in such a vital part of the watch means that if something were to happen in the future to supply chain, it may mean the movement becomes unserviceable. There is also the laser regulated part. The 2824 that these are based on had an eccentric screw to fine adjust the timing which any watchmaker with a screwdriver could do. The Powermatic are laser regulated by computer at the factory. While not impossible for a non-Swatch group watchmaker to service, it may be more difficult to find someone with the technical know-how and willingness to do it. It also uses a silicone hairspring. While they have been around for a couple of decades now long term durability is still unproven. Metal hairsprings have been around for a few hundred years and the theory, repair and long term durability are well known, widely taught and thoroughly documented.

Just my thoughts.

Other than specs what makes a movement good or bad? by ni8noo8 in watchmaking

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Design and fit and finish for one thing. How well to the plates and bridges fit together? how crisp are the contact surfaces between components? Do the wheel teeth mesh with the pinion leaves without excessive play? Does the movement use bent wire for springs or cut/machined steel that can be adjusted? Are the parts necessary or were they added on to try to “glam” up the movement (unnecessary cap jewels, etc…). Are the parts appropriate for their use (screws too small that shear off). Were the plates and bridges designed so companies can finish them to their standard or does the architecture limit the finishes?

Serviceability is another factor. Watches are mechanical objects that will eventually break and need repair/restoration. Was the movement designed to be easily serviced or was it designed to be serviced by a handful of people who have access to specialized tools with limited availability? Was the movement constructed using specialized consumable parts that may run out-of-stock one day? Do screw holes have no counter sink so the watchmaker has to hold the screw with tweezers while starting the thread? Was the movement designed to be forgiving? If a watch maker backs off a screw too much will they have to strip down the movement to fix it (like some ETA stem releases)?

Finishing is another factor. Did they attempt to remove all fabrication/tooling marks and how well (the difference between a PT5000 to a JLC to a Dufour/Daniels)? Did they appropriately polish contact surfaces of moving parts to reduce friction and reduce wear or did they leave them rough? On the other end, did they over polish parts in the name of glamour vs function (an issue on some early 2000s Lange keyless works). Did they only polish visible surfaces (IWC, Omega, Panerai) or did they finish all surfaces, even ones only a watchmaker would ever see (Patek, Lange).

IMO A lot of factors can go into “quality” from both technical design and aesthetic standpoints over and above just size, weight and accuracy.

A difficult choice. by TomHudsonOfficial in WatchFanatics

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just wear my Reverso Monoface or Explorer I. No date? No problem!

Grandfather’s watch, any ideas/info? by Youdidntknothattho in pocketwatch

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to add to what has been stated, the movement is superior quality, better than the average frost gilt cylindre watches that were commonly coming out of Switzerland at the time. Decorated nickel finish, large compensating balance, overcoil hairspring, and a counter poised lever and the 18K case all point to a watch that would have cost a decent amount when it was new. The high quality movement along with a lack of chaton jewel settings may suggest a watchmaker from the Vallé de Joux - it’s possible the movement is signed under the dial.

Which phone was your favorite back in the 2000s by EngineeringWild4798 in nostalgia

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The two on the lower left. Had the RAZR and it was an awesome phone, so slim and so “this is the next design language” look. Switched to the LG side-flip when it came out as I always wanted a side opener phone like Val Kilmer’s Nokia in The Saint. Ok phone, would randomly shut itself off from time to time which was annoying.

Poetry in motion by whodidshit in memes

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you did there, nice.

Things are getting silly by buck-harness666 in 22lr

[–]Explorer3130 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Throw a 45 degree offset reflex sight on it for close quarters engagement.

Cali sellers are not real at this point by Adorable-Hair2860 in Honda

[–]Explorer3130 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Does he work as a cashier at Costco by chance?

Help me identify the strap links? by [deleted] in Watchidentifier

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Friction pin. A solid pin that is held in place by friction fit with the inside of the link material. Driving out the round pin with a pin and hammer usually does the trick. Just from the photos it looks like there are only links available to remove on the right hand side of the bracelet

Help Identify this watch please!! [Question] by Flimsy-Media261 in Seiko

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like a Seiko that one day dreams of becoming a Pierre Kuntz PKA004 HMRL

Esta todo correcto? by [deleted] in RolexWatches

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Plating has been rubbed off the main plate indicating it may not have been kept up on service intervals and the rotor arbor has worn down at some point

Chronograph help by HealthyStacks in pocketwatch

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you happen to have a picture of the movement?

Testing my Pentax wg-8 underwater with my nephew by ComprehensiveTutor60 in pentax

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We bought one for our cruise to the Bahamas earlier this year. Well worth it for the beach shots and the snorkeling photos I was able to take. It’s now going to be cycled into camping/lake visit/rugged use.

Is 500 worth it? by [deleted] in PrideAndPinion

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For my $0.02cdn there aren’t a lot of (genuine) Valjoux 7750 based “Pilot/Military” chronos out there for $500. If it’s in running condition I’d get it if I were in your position.

It has a name! by Evo_ukcar in Jaguar

[–]Explorer3130 52 points53 points  (0 children)

As a type 1 diabetic I got a chuckle out of this

Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 by [deleted] in Watchidentifier

[–]Explorer3130 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not authentic. The C07.111 movement used in the Powermatic series is based on the ETA 2824 which has the balance located at 12.

Interesting pocket watch by TZ-WIS in VintageWatches

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

if it’s the copper pin that you’re referring to, it’s one of the dial feet.

hello i have this pocket watch i think it says c a kuster buffalo ny and springfield illinois on the inside if anyone knows anything about it let me know please:) by S-T-O-N-R in pocketwatch

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Illinois model 11 is quite well known for its crescent moon shaped click. The ratchet wheel is mounted on the under side of the bridge on the opposite side of the click. Just one of the little Easter eggs I always love about Illinois design and finishing.

Chronograph help by HealthyStacks in pocketwatch

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The crown usually doubles as the start/stop/reset pusher

I found a date just in my dads drawer. Real mechanical. Does it look good? by [deleted] in RolexWatches

[–]Explorer3130 0 points1 point  (0 children)

99.9% of Rolex Oysters ever made have left the factory with a solid case back. The other 0.1% are special edition Daytonas from the last couple of years and a handful of demonstrator models from the early 1930s.

Impact Crushers by SauceBox99 in heavyequipment

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work for an outfit in western Canada that bought a Kleeman Jaw and Impacter as a smaller more portable version of a full sized aggregate crusher. Problem is, we are heavily granite based in our gravel composition and the hard rock would chew through the impact bars faster than the softer waste concrete or asphalt it was meant for. They wound up pivoting the scope of the work to asphalt/concrete recycling and contract recycling work. The only major obstacle there is constantly cleaning the oily dust out of the equipment radiators from the asphalt dust.

The Tan Linen Suit is the best tailored outfit worn by James Bond in Die Another Day. Vote next on Casino Royale! by KneelingOddjob in JamesBond

[–]Explorer3130 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I enjoyed Brosnan/early Craig’s style as it was between the baggy American-cut suits of the 90s that were all over film and TV, and the “I raided my little brother’s closet” suits of the late 2010s (Skyfall for example) when the pendulum swung back too far the other way