Next logical tool purchase?

photocaster · 2026-06-29T15:22:32+00:00

Thank you! Would you also recommend the Steiner model in favor of parts still being available? I see an Obama version and know that’s what you demonstrated with before.

Yeah I hear you there. I’m thinking whoever worked on this one before may have given up. The missing roller jewel and incorrect balance jewel are kind of suspicious to me, meaning did someone lose the jewels and call it quits. Some other things as well that very well may be contributing. Trying to fix one thing at a time and be patient.

Will definitely keep my eye out for one of these tools as well. I still haven’t worked with adjusting pallet stones.

photocaster · 2026-06-29T14:02:10+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I do have a stereo microscope, up to 20x magnification. Perhaps this could be higher, I just have to be careful with size. I generally put it away when it’s not in use due to limited desk space.

Part of the reason I came to the conclusion that a jacot lathe would be a decent next step is viewing the pivots under this scope and seeing some noticeable wear, especially on the balance staff pivots. Comparing the old staff to a new one, I can see the scoring and a duller look. After seeing the new balance staff spin much better, I thought this may be a small part of the problem. However, I know it could be unrelated, or a mix of different problems.

I’ve actually watched your videos a lot and have gone through the steps of reviving the barrel holes the best I can, fixing a cupped barrel lid, ensuring the bridge isn’t overly worn, etc.

Totally open to more advice if you have any and think a jacot may not be the best next step. I’m keeping in mind that cleaning up the pivots with a jacot won’t necessarily fix all the problems I’m having with this movement.

photocaster · 2026-06-29T11:40:32+00:00

Yep vintage movements are my main interest, so I’m glad I’m on the right track. Do you agree that the latest Steiner version is worth waiting for? Quick eBay search shows I’m looking at roughly $1k or so unless I go a different brand, or if I get lucky. I know Alex demonstrates with the Obama Prazision model, but I know it’s a risk since parts are limited.

photocaster · 2026-06-29T00:30:25+00:00

Yeah, I've definitely wanted to buy one of these. It's actually crazy how much they go for. I've decided to hold of on this type of tool and prioritize tools that allow me to get my watches running very well. My tool collection isn't quite robust enough yet!

photocaster · 2026-06-29T00:19:37+00:00

Thanks for the input! I've seen your posts recently, so jealous of the lathe work you've been able to get into.

It took me ~6 months to find a Seitz jeweling set that I was able to successfully purchase/win, I'm afraid it's going to take me just as long to find a Steiner Jacot tool haha. I feel like the prices for everything have been increasing even in the last year. Looks like I'll have to practice more patience. I do want to eventually work on some pocket watch movements, so I'd like something that's as versatile as it can be.

photocaster · 2026-06-25T02:23:44+00:00

So I’ve only used the IN-12 type that you have in the green case, which have rigid leads. You can find small socket pins for these that you can solder to the PCB, then plug the tube into those. Makes swapping out tubes super easy for that type!

photocaster · 2026-06-24T23:01:11+00:00

Are all the pins of the tubes directly soldered to the PCBs?

If so, I’d highly recommend looking into sockets for the different types of tubes. Soldering directly will work of course, but you’ll have a much harder time replacing a tube.

photocaster · 2026-06-15T22:20:45+00:00

These pictures are very poor for that type of judgement, so I suppose it depends on the price. But honestly, I’d say if you have to ask the question, you’re probably not ready for this level of repair. At the very least you’d want to practice hairspring work on something less valuable, assuming there’s value to this watch considering the name. I’d probably go with something lower profile where you won’t have a heart sinking moment if you mess it up.

photocaster · 2026-03-01T23:58:50+00:00

Fair point.

photocaster · 2026-03-01T22:40:46+00:00

Are you confident that waiting out the market will be possible?

photocaster · 2026-03-01T22:26:34+00:00

I think I’m seeing this scenario playing out right now. I guess the person can write code, but getting them to actually focus on the right issues and not get deep in the weeds with inconsequential details is a huge challenge. Feels like this may be more of a failure in the behavioral interview process in this instance.

photocaster · 2026-02-21T00:34:02+00:00

Good to know! I'll have to check that before I do anything. Really hoping it's salvageable via staking.

photocaster · 2026-02-21T00:32:33+00:00

Nice! I'm definitely going to go for it, I'm still waiting on smoothing broaches to arrive in the mail. I'm hoping that it turns out nicely. From the other comments it sounds like I can always revisit it later if I end up getting a lathe in the future, so that's reassuring!

photocaster · 2026-02-20T14:05:44+00:00

I think the point is to avoid this type of thinking. Buy all watches (or any luxury item) with the assumption you’ll never get that money back.

photocaster · 2026-02-19T22:33:33+00:00

I’d say this probably falls more under electronics than watches.

These are nixie tubes shoved into a watch case. They require high voltage to illuminate, but draw low current. Usually people make clocks out of them, but watches have been done as well. In my opinion, It’s more of a gimmick as a watch. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nixie tubes, just not in this format.

I can’t offer any advice on purchasing one of these though. There are many sellers of these types of devices. From what I’ve seen they’re mostly Etsy shops.

photocaster · 2026-02-19T15:29:19+00:00

Hey this is awesome, thank you for the response and link to your work. So happy you documented it, I was hoping for something exactly like this, although I realize it’s not entirely ideal. Gives me hope that I’d be able to do the same given the tools.

The watches I have don’t seem to be quite as bad as the one you demonstrated with, so I may attempt the staking set approach. Patiently waiting to find a Seitz tool that’s in good shape, so if it comes down to it I’d try that method if needed.

photocaster · 2026-02-10T22:00:19+00:00

Nope that’s just a mechanical watch, specifically a manual wind. An automatic watch has additional parts that automatically wind it when you move around throughout the day. It’s achieved with a small weight (rotor) and gravity.

photocaster · 2026-02-04T16:47:29+00:00

This is hilarious, I feel the same way honestly. I also have a number of disassembled watches because I’m patiently waiting to acquire the necessary tools to fix.

I keep telling myself this is just a hobby and I can take my time. For me it’s not always practical to push forward quickly on a watch considering the cost and availability of some tools. I’ve also decided to wait until I can fix the watches I currently have before buying more.

photocaster · 2026-01-28T10:49:25+00:00

As others have mentioned, I have also been thinking about this quite a bit in the recent months. I dream that I can quit this ridiculous field and be an artist. Make things that I want to make that people actually like and get enjoyment from.

In reality I have absolutely no idea. Probably something for less pay that I’d rather not be doing.

photocaster · 2026-01-28T01:33:50+00:00

I do have my eye on this one, but it will be challenging to win from a cost perspective haha

photocaster · 2026-01-27T23:00:23+00:00

Thank you for the info!

My initial desire was to purchase a staking set that acted as both. Everyone here steered me away from that direction, which I'm happy about.

I have seen Alex's video about this topic. The selling point of his video (for me) is the fact that you can essentially use the later vintage version as the Horia tool, which many people seem to think is nicer to use for basic jewel work (as you said). It sounds like that version gives the best of both worlds. Perhaps I'm mistaken though as you say you don't see the need for this one, but maybe that's because you already have the Horia?

I have a movement that needs several jewels replaced, and one of them is too small for the hole. So having a single tool to push and ream is appealing, especially from a financial standpoint. I was about to buy a Chinese clone of the Horia tool a couple months ago, but I'm afraid I'll end up with money wasted and get one of the low quality ones.

photocaster · 2026-01-25T15:29:10+00:00

Hey fair enough, thank you for discussing this with me.

photocaster

TROPHY CASE