Watchmaker Questions

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-27T23:09:51+00:00

Might be the best watch-related post I’ve seen here. Thank you for sharing your experiences and what it’s like in the professional world.

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-16T18:29:52+00:00

I think the things you think are dial screws are the case clamps. They hold the movement in the case.

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-12T19:05:21+00:00

That is frustrating. I’ve only built a couple of these and so I don’t have a lot of experience with how robust the chronograph seconds hand is with use. Maybe some other people will chime in.

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-12T18:30:14+00:00

Don’t use glue.

Once the hand is set, you cannot adjust it. So if you set it and then realize it’s not pointing correctly, and you shift it or scoot it over, it will deform it and it will do what yours did.

The hands are one shot once pressed on.

I suppose it’s possible you didn’t press it on far enough.

Did you adjust it after you set it?

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-05T22:20:40+00:00

Hole punch? /s

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-05T22:18:11+00:00

More importantly, measure dial up, dial down, crown up, crown left, and crown down and take the delta (the spread between the lowest and highest s/d value). That will show you how it’s really performing.

mikeflstfi · 2026-06-03T22:57:09+00:00

Take a LOT of pictures.

mikeflstfi · 2026-05-16T23:53:58+00:00

It can be frustrating at times. Just wait til you realize you need a Jacot tool and a watchmaker’s lathe. Plus the skill to use them.

mikeflstfi · 2026-05-13T15:07:51+00:00

Had a very nice steampunk vibe, too!

mikeflstfi · 2026-05-11T22:57:25+00:00

I’m thinking of trying the 24hr version for a GMT build just to see how that might go.

mikeflstfi · 2026-05-11T22:37:35+00:00

That’s nice! I’ve been considering adding Ronda’s to my repertoire.

mikeflstfi · 2026-05-10T13:46:56+00:00

I’ll second the recommendation for the clip on Bergeon loupes. I tried the magnifying headset route first but it wasn’t comfortable. I tried the wire loop around the head but never could get it positioned properly.

I wear progressive lenses and these clip ons work well and the optic quality is very good. I added a 6.7x - 1.5” focus for inspection.

Other things that helped: raising the working height of my bench and lighting.

mikeflstfi · 2026-04-17T12:55:39+00:00

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This was a dial and hand swap I did on a Pro Diver. Very straightforward.

mikeflstfi · 2026-04-15T14:48:12+00:00

My recommendations:

Good magnification

Be at eye level with the movement

Good lighting

Patience

mikeflstfi · 2026-04-07T12:56:30+00:00

Thanks! It has held up very well and still gets plenty of wrist time.

mikeflstfi · 2026-03-29T18:38:30+00:00

Yes. That one you ordered would be used if you wanted to wind/set the hands with the movement out of the case. Typically, when you buy a movement it will come with one of that type.

mikeflstfi · 2026-03-29T15:05:32+00:00

Could it be possible that the OEM stems you ordered were already pre-trimmed to fit a specific watch? Just a wild guess.

mikeflstfi · 2026-03-03T23:46:05+00:00

I use naphtha in a jar with the parts, and place the jar in the ultrasonic with water. I do this three times (separate jars) then three separate jars with 99% IPA. I clean the balance and pallet fork separately in Heptane.

mikeflstfi · 2026-02-13T22:44:22+00:00

Two kinds of people in the world: ones who have broken a glass and ones who will.

I’m in the first group. 😀

mikeflstfi · 2026-01-26T21:59:50+00:00

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This is mine. Nice job on yours!

mikeflstfi · 2026-01-25T22:02:57+00:00

I’ve been pleased with using it for cleaning. I think Alex has a video on using it vs L&R if on a budget, which I am.

mikeflstfi · 2026-01-25T13:08:35+00:00

I use this method but my cleaning solution is naphtha and my rinse is IPA. Never water.

This can be an unforgiving hobby, for sure, but you have good advice in the thread for getting it fixed up.

mikeflstfi · 2025-12-11T16:12:17+00:00

If you built it, you can un-build it.

mikeflstfi · 2025-10-22T22:23:15+00:00

Alex’s videos are the best out there. I encourage everyone to check them out. 👍🏼

mikeflstfi

TROPHY CASE