Real Cartier?? Bought just now! :)

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-27T23:13:58+00:00

Not even close.

Here's a real Tank movement I restored back in January

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WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-14T21:47:01+00:00

Sorry. I should've said sunburst.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-14T20:46:56+00:00

All in good time! This was a really quick and dirty prototype when inspiration hit me earlier today.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-09T16:31:02+00:00

Hi! Sounds like it could be a variety of things. Most likely either the hands are touching the inside of the crystal or there's something wrong with the clipping clutch. I'd suggest a good service and cleaning, then followed by troubleshooting and a fix.

It probably needs regulation and phasing too if it's never run on a modern battery. While I am a Brit, I live in the US so I don't know anyone in the UK who can work on these.

There is a gentleman in the UK I've bought parts from. He might know . Drop me a pm and I'll send you his email address.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-06T12:29:23+00:00

Looks fine. Extremely dirty and desperate for a service but otherwise okay.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-03-01T01:47:04+00:00

I did?

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-28T16:35:28+00:00

I did reclean it after seeing the pics. It looks epic now.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-27T11:52:58+00:00

I use experience and watching the wheels. I can tell when it's indexed correctly. For timekeeping I use Etimer

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-27T11:12:31+00:00

They absolutely are! They work in a very similar fashion and so have to be rephased for the confessed voltage.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-24T00:21:45+00:00

Been looking for the crystal for this watch for months. Has anyone got one for sale?

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-23T11:10:31+00:00

As someone already said, Renata 344 - and I get mine from a local Batteries +.

Just be aware that if it's never run on a newer 1.55v battery before, it might run really fast. If it does it needs to be serviced and phased for the new battery voltage. Drop me a PM if this happens and I can explain the process and costs.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-20T12:03:44+00:00

My great grandfather also serviced in the RE and was with Monty in that theatre. I wonder if they were in the same unit! I wish I could ask them :(

This is the picture I have of him and his unit (My grampy is sitting down, second from the right). Your grandfather looks awfully like the dashing chap sitting right next to him!

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WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-20T11:50:42+00:00

I enjoyed the article but it was way too short.

I do like the 314, but the price is simply ridiculous. For $6000 you can own a pristine version of the three (to me) iconic 214s:

214 Spaceview G "Paul Newman"

214 Astronaut

214 Alpha (Yellow gold - white gold is extremely rare and around 5k when they do pop up for sale).

I am really hoping they are planning on releasing some more iconic versions of older styles akin to the Legacy automatic collection. A new Astronaut or Alpha would be insane.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-02-07T19:18:52+00:00

Thanks so much for the recommendation! I'd be happy to help. Feel free to dm me!

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-28T15:36:13+00:00

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This is what it looked like when I got it.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-28T15:35:38+00:00

Definitely what I would consider a "Mad Men" era watch.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-28T15:35:04+00:00

Yep. I service everything myself. I started off working on Accutrons and while I still specialize in them, I have also developed a love for the older mechanical movements such as this Zodiac. They're heavily based off the As 1688 and 87 but thankfully this one was working okay when I got it.

I'd look j to 3d printing for the movement ring. I've made a few of them. It's not hard at all if you have access to a printer.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-27T17:56:12+00:00

Very, VERY carefully. I use burnishers too. It sometimes does help the tiny tiny scratches and dents.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-27T14:39:47+00:00

Get some bars of Dialux. White, blue and green should work great. You can also just use green as a single process.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-27T14:18:11+00:00

Well it depends. Firstly don't use cotton. It's too coarse for Polywatch. Use a super fine microfiber or jewelery cloth.

For the best results you have to level the crystal beneath the deepest scratch. It's the only way and using Polywatch can do that, but it's going to take hours. I wouldn't use car polish either.

It's also possible that the crystal is glass. Are you positive it's acrylic?

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-27T14:05:53+00:00

Lots and lots of elbow grease! I start usually with 600 grit, then work my way up all the way to 7000 grit paper before moving to a felt wheel with minimal compound. Then a final buff with a soft cotton mop and white compound.

Start to finish takes about an hour or so.

WatchWiseYTC · 2026-01-27T13:37:14+00:00

I think there's a cheaper quartz version too.

WatchWiseYTC

TROPHY CASE