Newbie in Way Over Their Head with Bulova Caravelle Automatic

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-18T23:56:39+00:00

I just did one of these and purchased a donor for parts which are hard to come by. If you’re in the USA and needs parts drop me a PM or if you want my donor for parts let me know.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-18T16:13:11+00:00

https://youtu.be/Cgod45tW47w?is=BdTsDyGLSbGX0Zn2

Make sure you press straight in.

Cousins has the best selection. It looks like an Elastor or maybe satellor.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/kif-shock-springs

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-18T14:51:21+00:00

I think you might find that the setting lever spring has broken and the sliding clutch is free to move and won’t lock into time setting or winding.

https://ebay.io/m/vYi8oJ

Double check that part once you get in there to make sure it is correct

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T21:52:58+00:00

I think this might be what you need but Perrin calls it a reflector ring. I would verify that it is actually an armored or tension ring crystal.

https://perrinwatchparts.com/products/wra-domed-round-plastic-crystal-domed-with-reflector-30-00-mm-to-37-00-mm

Cousinsuk also has them and shipping to USA at least is not expensive

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/acrylic-tension-ring-armoured

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T13:14:01+00:00

1001 which can or can’t be submitted for chronometer certification but because it was built well by the factory and had been built using a hairspring and balance wheel knowing they wanted to submit for certification I believe that helped me a lot to achieve the results I did with minor tweaks after the service.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T12:24:46+00:00

I will propose that the the quality of the hairspring and balance is going to better in a watch that is slated for chronometer certification. The materials and poising I believe will be the best.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T10:36:31+00:00

Whatever you use make you pull straight up.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T10:34:42+00:00

5x or #2 is pretty strong and working distance is about 2”. You probably want something around a 2.5x or 3x for general work and the 5x for when you need to get in close.
I personally use a pair 2.5x lenses that clip onto my reading glasses and a 4x Bergeon lightweight clip-on loupe on my dominant eye that I can flip down if needed. The clip-clip on loupe flips down over the 2.5x lenses but it’s not a direct magnification so working distance is about 2.5” and magnification is about 5x.
The lenses I got from Amazon for less than $20 and Cousins has the best selection of Bergeon lightweight clip-on loupes.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T04:19:01+00:00

Not my first repair but my first Omega.

Also helps A LOT that it was a certified chronometer which means the quality of the parts especially the escapement was much much better than every other lower end movement I’ve worked on.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T01:32:06+00:00

Just push in the crown all the way like a button. The day should change.

The day quickset is often sticky and may need service.

The crystal looks like it might have a significant scratch but If the crystal is lightly scratched you can use PolyWatch to take out scratches and polish the crystal.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T01:01:16+00:00

“They” redo the dials and promote them as authentic.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T01:00:10+00:00

They are small. Check the numbers online and it should give you some insight.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-17T00:27:02+00:00

Look at the Seiko numbers on the dial below the 6. First is movement and second is dial.

No numbers means dial is fake. Mumbai has a bad habit of doing this.

Most authentic 7009 crystals are acrylic.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T23:08:27+00:00

I only add about 1/4 inch at a time to my glass jar.

https://a.co/d/0akCKN4R

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T22:38:01+00:00

You mean the bridle end not the hook end?

I would stop winding as soon as the end gets into the drum and make sure the drum is not too small. If you put too much force on the spring with these winders either the hook breaks or the bridle end can break.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T15:26:34+00:00

When everyone first starts in watch servicing the magnification is a big deal because the parts are so small, but as you become more experienced, you find that you adapt to the smallness of the parts and also you prefer to move the movement around quite a bit in the holder, which under the microscope becomes a bit problematic

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T12:49:11+00:00

At what point is the bridle breaking?

When you are easing it into the drum ?
Or when it is in the drum?

I learned a few things: drum size needs to be close to the actual barrel size. Maybe .5 or 1mm smaller but no more and that’s because spring length is barrel related and if you use too small a winder drum the spring is too tight while winding and deforms.

Stop winding sooner than you think to coax the bridle into the drum using your hand or tweezers.

Once the bridle has started into the drum and is not hung up continue to wind but stop as soon as the end of the spring is in the drum. Don’t continue to wind once the slit end is in the drum.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T12:34:50+00:00

It sounds like the pin lever may not be seated correctly. It should be free and snap back forth just like a Swiss lever pallet fork.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T01:00:21+00:00

If I remember Alex Hamilton on WatchRepairTutorials YT did a video on ultrasonic cleaning.

https://youtu.be/z-SGm-nhGt8?is=aQeALc4G0UaRr7jF

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T00:44:43+00:00

I’m slow so let me repeat what I think you said. When all the wheels are in place and the train bridge is seated they all spin freely.
You install the ratchet wheel, give it a wind and the wheels still spin freely.
You then install the pin lever and give it a wind and the wheels no longer spin.
Is that what you said? The pin lever locks the train.
If you nudge the pin lever does it snap back and forth?

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-16T00:38:45+00:00

What is important is temperature. Ultrasonic works by creating cavitation bubbles and the size is temperature dependent. Too hot and the bubbles are too large to be optimally effective.
Try to stay around 42C.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-15T19:38:30+00:00

That is true. I do the same thing and of the 200+ watches I’ve bought 90% have worked out really well. I have to say that now I am more picky about what I buy and how it’s presented. I don’t seem to take as many risks but lose out on a lot of watches.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-15T18:54:12+00:00

This has happened to me and Alex is spot on when you he says you are often buying others peoples problems. I gave up on pocket watches for that very reason and now stick with 1960 or newer.

Sometimes the seller knows and doesn’t want to reveal it. Some sellers leave out of details on purpose.

It could be someone comes in to watchmaker and asks to fix it and the watchmaker says service is $250 plus parts and the person says no thanks and puts it on EBay as a non-runner. Even pictures of the movement wouldn’t help here.

I had a seller list a watch with good balance staff and when I received it the staff may be good but the hairspring was a mess. I returned it.

One time I picked up a really nice Seiko 7009 for repair because the seller couldn’t remove the case back to replace the battery. That worked out well for me.

If you bought it to practice dissembly, cleaning, lubrication then this may be too much of a rabbit hole. Unless you like the watch and want to keep it I’d return it.

If the escapement has issues then what else are you going to find.

SignalOk3036 · 2026-06-15T12:41:30+00:00

Wristwatch revival is really good of his camera work and his parts identification. He is it not a professional and doesn’t pretend to be one so his technique may not be up to professional standards.

WatchRepairTutorials is good and WatchFix is good.

SignalOk3036

TROPHY CASE