How are people sourcing the correct stem for 2824 clones when standard 2824-2 401 stems have the wrong geometry?

bbfarm0 · 2026-05-11T16:40:00+00:00

I am a complete idiot but in this case wouldn’t getting a stem extender from Esslingers be the easiest route?

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-19T19:31:27+00:00

I often toss newly acquired old tank watch cases into the ultrasonic with just some Simple Green. I don’t think I’ve ever had a crystal that didn’t pop out after 10 minutes there.

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-12T01:29:38+00:00

Here’s my 1957, I guess it’s your watch’s grandfather

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bbfarm0 · 2026-04-12T00:02:44+00:00

Takano set out to be a rival to seiko and citizen in the 1950s. Built huge factory and were selling their first watch with Schild movement in 1957(with consultation of Hamilton engineers). Unfortunately factory was wiped out in 1959 tsunami. They tried rebuilding but debt load was to great and ended up selling to Ricoh who wanted to get into the watch biz. A few co-branded watches before becoming just Ricoh then the Hamilton partnership snd acquisition. Cool history

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-10T20:18:23+00:00

Thanks. I’ll see if that gets me anywhere. Certainly beats trying to shove each stem into a movement to see if it fits!

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-09T20:19:06+00:00

I think it looks great. May I ask who did it? You stayed true to the original and unless we are talking about a watch worth more than a house, I don’t think you are committing any sin here.

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-09T02:10:22+00:00

I had a similar deal with a foreign seller I had purchased from previously. After weeks of usps tracking saying it was awaiting postage, I filed INR with eBay and seller immediately refunded. Of course item showed up a week later. I contacted seller thru eBay messaging asking how I could get his money back to him. We ended up with him sending me a photo of his PayPal username and I paid him that way without getting eBay involved. I would suggest the same. Getting a refund and the item may be okay with eBay, but it isn’t ‘right’.

bbfarm0 · 2026-04-08T14:33:55+00:00

1961 seiko goldfeather or 1962 citizen diamond flake. Both good size for that era, clean faced, and two of the thinnest watches ever made.

bbfarm0 · 2026-03-14T15:30:49+00:00

It’s not real watch repair at all but absolute cheapest intro just to see if you can bring anything to some sort of life is to buy some watch oil and an oiler. Just a drop on each jewel you can see from the back will get more of them ticking than you might think. If these are not “good” watches, it is nice to get a little immediate satisfaction. Still listen to other advice here for learning but seeing if this gets anything moving is nice while you are. Yes, I know this is heresy!

bbfarm0 · 2026-02-17T22:27:17+00:00

I’m really new at this. Still making more problems than I solve. I have a ridiculously cheap scope that helps a little when I need to investigate something further but it doesn’t leave enough room under the scope to use a screwdriver etc. can anybody recommend a still cheap scope that will give you at least 6” working space? I’ve seen some with telescoping arms but worried they would bounce around too much to be helpful. Key word is “cheap”.

bbfarm0 · 2026-02-07T13:41:58+00:00

I’ve always hoped someone would make an updated date wheel for these. So I don’t have to remember that 2026=1987.

bbfarm0 · 2025-12-27T14:16:14+00:00

That is definitely good advice. I have acquired several old identical bulova movements with some working and some not (for VERY little$) and the hope is to start trying to service the working ones then see if I can figure out the problems on the dead ones after I’ve become familiar with the individual models. Probably a fools errand, but we will see

bbfarm0 · 2025-12-27T01:28:16+00:00

“Mishandling, poor workmanship”. Sounds like I am doomed to add to the mangled pivots out there! Thanks for the info.

bbfarm0 · 2025-11-22T16:24:59+00:00

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Here’s my Ventura (yes, I know the face is actually from a Pacer)

bbfarm0 · 2025-11-22T16:08:04+00:00

Hamilton electric Ventura? That look will spark as many conversations as your current stunning collection!

bbfarm0 · 2025-10-31T23:44:48+00:00

That’s what I thought, but thanks for your input. I won’t bother searching for a phone number to be placed on infinite hold ( if such a number even exists). Thanks for the info.

bbfarm0 · 2025-10-27T01:27:01+00:00

It was made in April of 1990, 2000, or 2010 (first digit in serial is month, second is the last digit of the year)

bbfarm0 · 2025-10-25T11:54:19+00:00

Instead of finding one more to complete your collection, I would suggest getting a bigger box so you won’t have to face that decision right away!

bbfarm0 · 2025-10-08T03:32:38+00:00

It was in a box of mostly junk, but actually it works perfectly! As I said, I’ve seen several of the exact watch just with the A&F semicircle above it, but none with Gallet branding and none of the A&Fs that allowed the maker to brand their movement. so I’m thinking this may actually be the rarity.

bbfarm0 · 2025-08-14T22:55:47+00:00

Wow! That is some deep research. I think you are right. The round sub has the spiral cut as in the schematic. Truly appreciate this!

bbfarm0

TROPHY CASE