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Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 5th, 2026, 10:37 am
by bluesunblazing
Here's a small look at some of the projects I've got on the backburner, I'm planning to refurbish and service these watches to the best of my ability at my current skill level. Feel free to ask away, I'll answer questions about them because I forgot to add alt text on the images and I'm just sending it.

Re: Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 5th, 2026, 2:00 pm
by pheelthemoment
oooh that's a cool project!

Re: Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 5th, 2026, 2:08 pm
by bluesunblazing
Im So Pumped Im So Pumped Im So Pumped I just need to get some solvents (naptha and 99% isopropyl alcohol) then I can start cleaning things up. Besides cleaners, I've got tools and oils and a general understanding of how to proceed :))) There will be a swarm of updates here soon enough

Re: Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 5th, 2026, 8:33 pm
by Neververy4
I've seen a few watch repairs on YouTube, it looks painfully tedious, but in a rewarding way
(I can't say much, I enjoy servicing touch-based electronics)
bluesunblazing wrote: January 5th, 2026, 2:08 pmThere will be a swarm of updates here soon enough
I am excited to see these updates :eyes: keep us posted please

Westclox Pocket Ben? Scotty? Who knows

Posted: January 6th, 2026, 9:03 am
by bluesunblazing
Heres a lil pocket watch that I serviced, the movement within isnt made to be taken apart so I could really only dab the spindles clean before oiling, but it definitely loved that oil because its running FAST and I'm still working on timing it by eye. Ive been timing it for 36 hours........I need a timegrapher.

I've included something fun, too: My craftsperson scribe. I transcribed it from 10x magnification after leaving my service mark, the tallest lettering is probably only 2mm tall. Its just my initial and a basic date code, but I've decided I'll do my mark fancy like the ones I've seen in other watches.

FUCK MAGNETS

Posted: January 7th, 2026, 9:46 am
by bluesunblazing
I NEED A DEGAUSSER BECAUSE EVERYTHING IVE TAKEN APART WAS MAGNETIZED BY MY STAND-IN TOOLS AND I HAVE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT THIS MAKES TINY SCREWS VERY HARD TO MANIPULATE

Re: Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 8th, 2026, 9:22 am
by bluesunblazing
This one isnt a project, but I wanted to show it off. A soviet era Molnija, it was the cleanest one I found for sale AND the only in in the US. Its definitely been serviced, it's keeping time super well and only needs to be reset every 3ish days.
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Re: Wristwatch tinkerings

Posted: January 8th, 2026, 1:11 pm
by CactusFantastico
Coooooool!

I Hate Magnets So Much

Posted: January 9th, 2026, 8:49 am
by bluesunblazing
I had to buy a demagnetizer. I lost it last night and learned just how badly magnetic parts can affect assembly/motion. Literal Hell On Earth. Hopefully I didnt break my practice movement but Im not counting on it being fine.

Aughf

Posted: January 12th, 2026, 8:40 am
by bluesunblazing
This is 98% done, everything is running and oiled and I just need to replace the winding stem to complete it