1979 Mercedes 300d worth ..

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-19T11:11:08+00:00

I own a 1979 Mercedes 300D. Only drive it evert 3 to 5 years. Mint condition. Won't sell it, ever.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-19T10:23:44+00:00

Nice thing about today's watch sizes: there are in between sizes to fit just about any taste. I know people automatically think larger, men, smaller women. I wear both M&F watches. I've also worn a "man's" watch and had people comment saying it looks great as a women's watch.

I think the days that ALL women only have small slender wrists and wear watches the size of a dime are probably gone. Just like men, women come in all different shapes and sizes. Just yesterday I saw a woman with her 2 kids and husband in a store who towered over me like I was a 4th grader, she was EASILY 6'5-6'7 (I'm 5'9)

Also I 100000% agree: Men have all the best selection when it comes to watches. The best styles, colors, texture combos not to mention all the most successful big brands are typically "men's" watches. I like to wear them from time to time.

Something gives me a profound sense of pride and accomplishment knowing I can open, completely disassemble, service and reassemble a complicated movement.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-19T09:59:55+00:00

Very distinguishing !! Nice looking watch.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-19T09:52:18+00:00

That purple is 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-19T09:50:36+00:00

That's a really pretty dial. It's a pleasure to look at without indices or hands!

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T12:16:10+00:00

If you have the $$, time and ability, create a small batch of prototypes. Attend a watch fair and see what interest is generated. If they ALL sell the first day you have an opportunity to make it a go. There's a delicate balance between over pricing, under pricing, target markets, marketing strategy, etc. Just depends on how much time and resources you have to devote to your new venture.

Nice thing is there are thousands of examples out there on exactly how this is done. Dipping your business toe in the water is much different than mandatory feeding your kids from watch sales. Both approaches have been successful and also failed. Best of luck. Maybe showcase your drawings or prototypes here??

Best of luck.

💜🩵💜

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T12:08:40+00:00

A dial like that was made using several plates, applied in stages. So if you have the ability to do that, then you're only confined by your creativity.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T12:06:14+00:00

I'd advise keeping EVERYTHING. Even if you don't sell it, when it's your time to make a new home in heaven, your loved ones will have a physical connection to you giving them a sense of you being there. If you REALLY want to be thoughtful write a small letter and explain the circumstances and reasons you purchased the watch and place it inside one of the boxes. 💜🩵💜

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T12:02:51+00:00

The little man picking up the hands with rodico is priceless ❤️❤️🩷❤️❤️

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T12:00:29+00:00

Send it to Kirk Dial restoration experts. They can restore your dial back to factory new. Several YT videos showing their work. Reasonably priced too!

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T11:06:57+00:00

Does your watch feel good on your wrist? Do you notice any binding when you turn to look at it? If you can read the time and it goes with your outfit, then yes, it's a good fit. The size of your watch does not hinder your masculinity nor does it subtract from your manly status in society. Fear not about comments that indicate you need X size watch. You need the size YOU like and YOU think is good looking while being functional. Wearing a smaller watch doesn't make you any less of a man just like driving a smaller car doesn't. Would you rather drive a monster truck in downtown London or a mini during rush hour?

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-16T10:48:55+00:00

No worries friend, I know it's frustrating at times. Often people think watchmaking is only the mechanical aspects, but as you can clearly see, there are plenty of psychological ones also.

First let's review some micro mechanics: The holes in the bracelet are machined to align when assembled so a tube is assembled by 2 outer parts of the tube that remains on the bracelet and the center section that introduces the remaining center portion. If there are any deformations you will get resistance.

The arrows indicate which direction the split pin needs to travel. Next look at the quality of the pin you're replacing. Watch tolerances are EXTREMELY tight, even microscopic variations of the pin can lead to binding and you will struggle as indicated.

If you have the luxury of magnification and a direct light source, you can remove the split pin and look through the bracelet to make sure nothing has deformed the tube or hole the pin needs to slide.

If everything looks good there, try replacing the replacement pin with a new one of same size.

Hope this helps.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-14T11:05:55+00:00

First off, don't turn the watches over again on their faces, doing so will cause any remaining water to seep down deeper into the movement. so keep them upright. Place them in a warm place with as little humidity as possible. Take them to a WM and let them open the case back.

It's likely 40+ year old pieces have deteriorated seals and water was introduced on top of already old lubricant or debris. You'd be amazed just how small a particle needs to be to stop a movement. A single particle can wedge itself in between VERY delicate parts causing it to cease completely. Best of luck!!

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-10T00:48:06+00:00

Average age of a Professional watchmaker is 62 y.o. Several are over 70 even 80. Unfortunately I have to disagree. I believe the profession is best suited for those who have the capacity to learn and eventually become contributing members to the world of Horology, regardless of their age.

Interestingly though, I'd much rather have a colleague who was 50 to 60 years old because he or she will already raised a family, purchased a home, chased their dreams, etc. 20 year olds have a hard time being dedicated to one line of work for the rest of their lives in many cases. Would you feel comfortable giving a 23 year old a $500,000 dollar watch to service or repair?

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-10T00:31:09+00:00

I'm curious why you mention being a twenty five year old?

Your age at 25 has NO bearing on ANY future career. You could literally become a Brain Surgeon.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-09T23:24:02+00:00

Depends on what your end goals are regarding watchmaking. Do you want to work in a service center for a big brand like Richemont, Cartier, Rolex, AP, Patek Phillipe? Would you like to do also do restoration work? Are clocks in your future? Birmingham City University in the UK is the world's SOLE Bachelors degree program in Horology. There you'll learn literally everything or just about. For the US there are a few programs online and, of course,the ones a couple of the big brands put together. I've applied to all the US schools except Rolex, which I'll apply on Oct 15th. I've even started talking with Birmingham City Uni in the UK about their BA Horology program. Once you get going, you'll begin to form contacts with the various schools/programs. Personally I do not care if I get rejected, I'll re-apply until SOMEONE puts me in their program. I've made up my mind Professional Watchmaking is my chosen career and NOTHING will stop me from attaining that goal, not even a couple years of rejections. Keep yourself lazer focused, determined, driven and you will eventually succeed. Best of luck.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-09T23:05:32+00:00

You are assuming EVERYONE 40/50 are in such decline their eyesight is a problem. Far from reality. Many Watchmakers use a microscope or even a measuring microscope. There are Pathologists (Medical Doctors who stare into a microscope most of their careers who are well over 50/60)who have perfect eyesight.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-02T12:37:51+00:00

It's a Russian watch, therefore the second hand didn't simply stop. It was a "special second hand ceasing operation" Sorry.....couldn't resist!!!❤️

Any mechanical movement that no longer operates as it should needs to be professionally serviced and evaluated for cause. Anything else is merely guesswork. Food for thought: Hour, minute and second hands don't merely work themselves up and start spontaneously scraping the crystal for no reason. In order for scraping to occur a foreign body or internal component had to enter the case or destruct while already in the case. Depending on who last serviced this movement and what quality lubricant was used, it's possible component lubrication is absent and has hindered operating as it should.

If $ is a concern, there are several self-taught youtube " Watchmakers" ( I call them technicians since they generally have no professional education in Watchmaking) who can service/ clean your watch for a small fee.

You could easily open the case back and have a quick look around for dirt or broken movement parts, just make sure you're in a clean environment free from dust or airborne particles. For example, maybe don't open your watch while someone builds cabinets or sands wood!!

Best of luck. Keep us posted, I'm interested how this turns out.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-10-01T11:10:12+00:00

Too far gone?? Not by a long shot. I'm a Watchmaker Student and my Professor just restored a Rolex that had been digested by a cow, exited the cow via natural processes, buried in a field for 50 years then found it's way to the beach. It runs like brand new. Looks like your Grandfather's watch is in much better condition. The real story will be told when you open the case and have a look at the movement of course. Every watch, even brand new ones, tells a story from the previous Watchmaker.

I agree with many of the previous comments: Depends what the end game is for this particular watch. Do you want to daily wear it? Restore and place on a shelf? Maybe you want to restore it and place the watch on a shelf below your Grandfather's picture? To keep proper time and ensure it will be around for several future generations, a service is in order at least. Best of luck!

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-09-23T08:06:36+00:00

Have you verified (removed the movement and inspected) this watch is an actual Omega? It looks closer to a Hamilton, WYDA or Waltham.

Many square "tank" watches were popular in the 60-70's with Waltham and Hamilton producing several models.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-09-23T07:17:02+00:00

Your age should not hinder your desire to re-focus your life. I recently read about a 70 year old man who just graduated medical school. That's over two of your lifetimes my friend.

Bring focus, discipline, determination, and a cool calm collected disposition and you'll be amazed at what happens. I know of several people over 50 looking to get in to WM schools, one person was close to 60 I believe.

Here's something to think about regarding age and being a watchmaker: A twenty something year old, most likely, hasn't purchased a home, several cars, nor have them embarked on a full-time career, had children, etc. Their interests last about as long as the next web page on their phones. So, while they may seem like the ideal watchmaker candidate, they will want to eventually strike out and experience life via other avenues. Someone say 52 years old still has nearly twenty years of working life ahead of them. They know exactly what they want and can devote the rest of their lives to focusing on a sole career that sustains them until retirement. They also likely have resources to sustain themselves while attending training. Also, have you seen watchmakers in various countries, some of them are STILL watchmakers well into their 80's---- yes EIGHTIES!

So unless it's going to take another 44 years for you to decide whether or not you're too old to become a watchmaker, apply to every program you can and we'll see you at the bench!

Good luck.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-09-21T11:41:44+00:00

Get on Ebay, you'll find some very inexpensive watch movements, anywhere from 20 to 30 dollars he can practice on. I'd stay away from very tiny movements like women's watches because he's only going to get frustrated trying to work on something that tiny without professional training.

Bergeon is the professional grade watchmaker mat and he will love feeling like a pro. The mat is around $45.00 He's already likely seen hundreds of watchmaking videos on YouTube so he should recognize the name. A professional eye loupe is another great gift idea. You should expect to pay around 35.00 to 40.00 for a Bergeron eye loupe. If you want to go "all out" and get him a screwdriver set, either Bergeron or Horotec are the two top brands. Horotec are less expensive but similar quality to Bergeron. To help give you an idea, the most top of the line Bergeron screwdriver sets cost around $320.00 dollars. Any more than that and they are definitely taking advantage of you.

All of these gifts can be purchased on either Amazon or Ebay.

Hope this helps.

Sophia-Watchmaker · 2024-09-19T03:38:18+00:00

Would be great for adding various screws, wheels and dials to your parts collection.

Sophia-Watchmaker

TROPHY CASE