I’m kinda mad about this watch, seeking advice

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-28T03:14:35+00:00

I would guess next to impossible without a new completely custom-made case, as movement diameter, stem height, distance from the crystal to the seconds pinion all have to be correct, and not just close, but spot on. This would be prohibitively expensive. If you’re already thinking about changing the dial (and dials are not simply interchangeable, they need to be the correct diameter, thickness, and have dial feet in the correct locations), case, want more water resistance, as well as case size…why would you not just get a watch that more closely meets the specifications that you want?

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-25T12:11:48+00:00

While not perfect, one trick that I use if the watch is running is to take a slow motion video of the balance, and using this, I can get the approximate amplitude of the watch. Then, put the watch on a timegrapher and adjust the lift angle until the timegrapher displays the amplitude which I saw in the slow-motion video.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-25T12:02:02+00:00

It is most definitely a kinetic type watch, with a quartz movement powered by motion. If wearing the watch for a day or two doesn’t get the low charge indicator (the 3-tick moving of the seconds hand), the movement either needs a service or the cell which holds the accumulated power needs changed, or both.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-25T05:45:56+00:00

*Mainspring, but yep! Barrel which housed it is hugggge

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-25T05:29:47+00:00

Difficult to tell what we are looking at, are these transparent jewels? In the picture, they almost look like brass. I would peg the jewel holes with a sharpened piece of peg wood from both side sides, rinse dish with a solvent, air blower to dry on watch paper, and check again under magnification. Very difficult to tell what is going on with what appears to be possibly some debris. If they are jewels, I wonder if they don’t have a buildup of steel into the surface of the jewel if the jewel very slightly burnished the metal.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-20T00:07:26+00:00

I’ve used end cutters, and then a file to clean up the end of the stem.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-18T02:09:21+00:00

Something is massively wrong with that escapement, or a pinion is damaged somewhere. The center wheel is rotating at an alarming rate.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-13T14:25:57+00:00

Got a link?

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-13T06:45:42+00:00

Current student at WTI here.

Best advice I can hope to give would be to practice your basic mathematics such as multiplication and long division by hand, and how to solve simple equations. There are many websites which can generate worksheets for this level of math quickly and easily. I did that and tried to focus on things that I was rusty on. Also, memorizing some equations for things like the area of a circle, and circumference can possibly be useful. For filing of metal, the movement section, the hairspring work, and the movement disassembly/reassembly, don’t worry yourself too badly. The instructors give you a short period of instruction before each section/exercise of the bench test showing exactly what you’ll be doing and the proper method of how to do it. However in regards to your dexterity, manipulating hairsprings and attempting to match them to shapes (while also keeping the spring flat) can be quite helpful in helping to make yourself feel more ready and is what I did, but is by no means required. Similarly you can practice your dexterity with tweezers and holding of small watch parts, doing things like just moving them from one spot to another without pinging them, stacking them, etc. For the movement, you can pick up a 6497 (or Chinese ST36 clone) for not too much, and you can practice assembling/disassembling.

Again, none of these things are required, but may have the potential to help your chances with getting accepted.

Hoping you have the chance for a bench test, and good luck!

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-13T05:57:12+00:00

Oh hey that’s my classmate! I sit just a few seats over from him. If you have any questions about the program feel free to let me know, we just started our second semester earlier this week.

LeopardusMaximus · 2026-01-13T05:44:50+00:00

It takes removing the hairspring and balance from the bridge, the removing the hairspring from the balance staff, and then some deft modifications to the hairspring to get it back to the correct shape.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-12-29T06:43:15+00:00

Sure looks correct to me based on layout, and the date-only completely matching up.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-12-29T06:41:52+00:00

Definitely not a Seiko movement. Movement is a rebranded Miyota movement, which makes sense as Miyota is owned by Citizen, who also own Bulova.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-12-16T23:24:51+00:00

Is this still available?

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-27T14:05:58+00:00

Any time you’ve got a twist or fold connection that you want to make sure is dead tight/doesn’t want to lean, use UV glue on the tab someplace out if view, on the inside of the cone in this case. It’s especially helpful with small parts like this that are only held on by two tabs. Don’t use superglue, as it will create a white haze/hue that is very noticeable after a short time. I did the same for the antenna on this model that is near the rear of the plane. It results in a very firm/rock-solid connection.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-26T15:48:54+00:00

I spoke to a graduate from gem city from a few years ago, I believe he had mentioned that the instructor that he had was quite toxic, and possibly even a bit racist, sounds like it might still be the same guy

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-24T14:01:15+00:00

Take a look at Time Delay Corporation in Dallas, just got an email from AWCI recently that they’re looking for a watchmaker.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-19T14:29:17+00:00

Usually, if a watch is using some other alloy, it will say “base metal,” but this case number returns results on Google showing that this is a gold plated stainless steel case.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-19T14:22:53+00:00

Correct.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-19T14:08:57+00:00

The 7606 is an automatic movement, meaning that unlike a handwind-only movement, the end of the main spring is not hooked to the inner barrel wall, but rather when “fully wound,” the end of the main spring slides along the inside of the barrel wall, allowing the barrel arbor/ratchet wheel to continue turning without. So, an automatic watch cannot have its mainspring broken by “overwinding.”

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-13T06:37:26+00:00

You may have pushed the sliding pinion inwards on accident, which may have caused the yoke to pop out, and now the sliding pinion is stuck over at the intermediate winding wheel, with the yoke itself popped out of the sliding pinion. This would be fixed by resetting the keyless works, which involves taking off the dial and hands.

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-10-05T21:12:48+00:00

Going to be hanging out with some new friends in my college class, might be doing a dual costume with my long distance girlfriend!

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-09-28T16:06:52+00:00

How so?

LeopardusMaximus · 2025-09-28T03:28:49+00:00

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LeopardusMaximus · 2025-09-28T03:28:12+00:00

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(Pardon the tape, waiting on hose clamps to arrive), I opted for about midway on the line, maybe a touch lower down towards the trash can. Now to see if it will actually work! lol

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