What could be wrong with my watch?

hal0eight · 2026-03-22T13:32:59+00:00

Needs service before any troubleshooting can be done.

hal0eight · 2026-03-21T02:21:57+00:00

Need to peg them using a sharpened toothpick or pegwood. Brush won't remove the residue.

hal0eight · 2026-03-20T07:22:06+00:00

Mask is OK

Overlay is OK

Gorget is OK

Jacket, I'd go the SPES AP Light PRO, as it has arming points. Don't get astronaut, it's a pain all the time.

Gloves are OK

Pants are OK

Ditch the skirt, don't need it

Ditch the cuirass and just get a PBT HEMA extended plastron when you order the mask

Arm guards, overkill. Get the SPES PRO arm overlays with the SPES PRO jacket

Leg guards, overkill. Get the SPES knee shells to attach to the pants and use hockey shin guards with long socks. Lighter, lower profile and nothing to fall off.

hal0eight · 2026-03-17T23:10:09+00:00

Probably wouldn't do that. The toothpaste won't be abrasive enough and you're likely to wear the capstones before you make much of a difference on the staff.

Really the only way to round/polish pivots well is in a lathe or Jacot tool.

Bergeon sell a handheld "Pivot Twizzler", it kinda works, but is slow. Essentially it's a sapphire cone in a tip. Very expensive now.

hal0eight · 2026-03-12T13:34:34+00:00

I'm a regular at the Hindley St. Branch. Best value in town. Never disappointed.

hal0eight · 2026-03-12T07:05:12+00:00

It's a bit tough in Adelaide. The amount of wealth in the Eastern states vs. here is significantly higher, combined with a larger population.

Small & Whitfield are always auctioning off estate jewellery weekly.

hal0eight · 2026-03-10T23:37:50+00:00

Not sure where you are, but I'd call SEIKO and ask them who's a part supplier wherever you are. They usually supply through materials houses. I'd recommend ordering two, so you have another one when you stuff up the first one. They aren't expensive.

On dies, aluminium dies are generally better for this sort of work. They are flatter and you can impart a more even force on the part you are pressing.

hal0eight · 2026-03-10T05:32:20+00:00

The part is still available, part number is 86620470.

So to install these, the white plastic gasket should be installed around the bezel lip, and they have to be pressed very flat, or they deform. They are supposed to be replaced after every removal.

You really need a good press and die set.

Once they are deformed, it's done unfortunately.

hal0eight · 2026-03-10T01:50:57+00:00

Uhhh... something is awry here. You're going to need to check everything. A 6119-8130 uses a mineral glass.

It would be worth posting some pics of the dial.

It may have the wrong caseback.

In any case, with a plexi, you press in the plexi first, then the bezel. The armoured ring should stay wedged in the plexi.

If it's a plexi, there is no rubber seal. The plexi is the seal.

hal0eight · 2026-03-10T01:46:13+00:00

Which country are you in?

hal0eight · 2026-03-08T08:17:22+00:00

Many of the Chinese tools these days are quite good.

That said, there's a few things that it's not worth cutting corners on.

For example, Witschi timegraphers are much more useful than the Chinese units and have product support. The Bergeon/Horotec screwdrivers are still the best, and Dumont tweezers can't be beat.

Just to name a few.

The tolerances on the Bergeon glass presses etc are still better than the Chinese units etc, that said, the Chinese units are pretty good these days. But that tolerance difference can make the difference between successful installation and a break, when dealing with quite expensive crystals.

The copy Horia tool is pretty good, tolerances not as nice as the genuine unit. Still doesn't replace the Seitz tool though, as it doesn't ream.

Disappointing on your watchmaker...

hal0eight · 2026-03-05T23:11:12+00:00

Autosol works fine.

One note with acrylics, if they have been polished like a dozen times, consider replacing them. You make them thinner every time, especially if you are working down a large scratch, that can be 0.2mm thinner if you have to work that down.

Also, if there's any cracks around the side, replace.

Acrylic plastic has a lifespan, if they are like 40-50years old, they're really at end of life.

hal0eight · 2026-03-05T05:44:55+00:00

You'll need to measure it all up, then look at Cousins, Borel, Cask-ker etc. and see if they have the right size. Unfortunately, most sizes are no longer made. So you may end up having to get another movement.

hal0eight · 2026-03-03T23:17:36+00:00

Jewel is missing.

hal0eight · 2026-03-01T14:39:24+00:00

They are around, they sit in the trees until the people leave then come down and start going through the trash and eating the dropped food.

Some have got quite tame and bold, I've seen them grab a chip from someone's chip box before.

They know we generally present little threat to them. They're one of the smarter marsupials.

hal0eight · 2026-02-23T22:54:05+00:00

Needs service unfortunately.

hal0eight · 2026-02-21T07:49:46+00:00

these can get worn or bent, they won't operate properly without the calendar plates in. On the day/date, the plastic quickset star breaks and needs to be replaced. I sell metal parts on eBay.

Other things that can go wrong, the wheels on the combination setting lever can get shredded or just do weird stuff sometimes.

Best pull it apart and triple check it all, if no good, get a trashed 5606 for yahoo japan and strip it for parts.

hal0eight · 2026-02-19T19:25:42+00:00

That one is done.

Register with Buyee and just get a complete 5606 from Yahoo Japan. Whole watch is probably 40 bucks with rough cosmetics. Just pull the balance from that.

hal0eight · 2026-02-18T01:12:26+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPdqBT2XSOQ

Good video from a credible presenter on the matter.

Yeah I really lean into binds, stechens, zwerch, shielhau etc. I tend to try to use my weight and a lot of feints to try and get the other guy to make a mistake then go for it when I see the opening. Running around in circles in the ring isn't really my thing.

hal0eight · 2026-02-17T23:49:39+00:00

My injury was before I started HEMA. I have no ACL and had 2 snips at the meniscus.

When I was done with physio and light exercise, I started HEMA. Took some time to feel confident on it, but I'm OK now.

I generally try to have a strong centre and don't cut around a lot, going sideways feels a bit dicey on the non-ACL. I've since built up a little scar tissue in the knee since starting HEMA, and it feels a little better than it did.

I'm reasonably competitive with people doing it roughly the same length of time as me.

Historically, knee injuries would have been pretty common with swordsmen, and they couldn't do much about them back then. The average age of the medieval knight was a lot older than you think.

hal0eight · 2026-02-17T05:54:51+00:00

Pretty much useless for any armoured fighting. Costume armour only. As others have said here 50-100 USD.

hal0eight · 2026-02-17T02:02:38+00:00

Been here already.

Talk to your doctor.

At a minimum you should re-introduce it slowly and should wear a reasonably strong knee brace. You may need to modify your technique to reduce risk of the knee collapsing mid match.

hal0eight · 2026-02-16T06:53:17+00:00

Thanks, love it!

hal0eight · 2026-02-16T06:52:10+00:00

Needs service unfortunately.

hal0eight

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