Restoring A Broken Vintage Watch With an Alarm Function!
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- čas přidán 30. 08. 2022
- Marshall restores a vintage Bulova Wrist Alarm he bought as non-working from eBay! These watches are mostly a relic of the past now, but they have a ton of character and as it turns out are quite difficult to work on...
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Who knew I would live to see a "rare earth magnets on a ruler" tool. I am now the proud owner of a 1920/30s watch cleaning machine, rescued from a skip after the guy - a very storied watchmaker - died and his daughter was going to throw it out. It is one of the first, if not the very first, ever imported to New Zealand and is a real piece of folk art - only the metal parts were imported, the base looks like a converted antique wood phone laid flat and the "dryer" is a light bulb in a short piece of cast iron pipe. The ( often exposed) wiring is a dogs breakfast and it is missing it's basket but the motor still works and it has it's original, glass and bakerlite containers. It's my restoration project for the (southern) summer. Anyway, thought I would share.
Gee, I hope you video some of it for us!
See if you can videotape it!
Very cool nerd stuff. It’s sometimes the small things that make us so happy.
Very much in the spirit of watch restoration.
That is an awesome find!.
Hi Marshall.. I'm going through a bit of a rough time mentally right now and watching you bring these old wonderful miniature machines back to life Is strangely calming. Thank you!
try to remember: all things come to pass
Hang in there, we've all been there, it's totally understandable, just keep going
Keep cool, MrBanzoid. The words of the following song might help to strengthen you. czcams.com/video/ck2dE-k3qlU/video.html
Peace, brother.
You’re not alone, me too - Remember the physical controls the mental, so go to the gym or paint or garden OR try to fix a watch …. That’s the key 🔑 getting out of your own head (you know what I mean) 👍
I used to service watches and clocks. That was when i was younger and had much better eye seight than I now have. To classical music. It was a seriously calming not to say rewarding pastime. I like rock, sole and electronic music amongst many others. Never played them though.. Take care and be aware of yourself. I am going through the same. Bw Mike.
I love his "Maybe I'll replace this crystal, maybe not, who knows?"
I've only seen him NOT replace the crystal once so far and that crystal was a custom job built into the case itself.
there was also one that was square and curved in an odd way that he said he'd have a hard time finding a replacement for.
This watch obviously has many more moving parts than most watches. How he remembers or knows to put all the parts back where they belong is truly amazing.
He records the whole process which he can refer back to.
I was under the impression that the alarms in these types of watches were designed primarily as a physical stimulation to the wearer, rather than an auditory one.
Patek Philippe have a great video about their alarm watches, they actually tune the sound and the owner of PP inspects every single one himself. It's incredible
It seems like it's akin to those handshake buzzers that "shock" whoever you shake hands with as a gag. But it doesn't zap you with electricity, it actually vibrates really fast because it's releasing a spring rapidly. It's basically just a large watch mainspring.
Probably. Much like smart watches. The vibration is quite effective, and less irritating than noise.
No, they are meant for both. Remember you have to pull out the stem to arm the alarm, if you were sleeping it would be too easy to push that back in which disables the alarm.
Its no PS1 rumble pack, but I guess it works :>
I was just thinking to myself, "why am I up at 1:30am?" Oh new wristwatch revival video that's why.!!!!
Thank you Marshal for allowing me to escape the reality of my life for 47 minutes! I am in awe of your ability to re-assemble something you’ve never seen before.
Stay STRONG brother 💪
Sorry to hear that you’re not doing so great, Brian. Honestly hope you get better, we’re all in this together. Good luck to you.
It seems to me that you do have to make sure the hour hand and the alarm setting hand are lined up so that the alarm goes off at its apparent set time. Near the end when you demonstrated the alarm, it looked like it was set to go off at 4:00, but the time read about 1:20.
To do this I think you would have to fit the alarm hand, then adjust the time until the alarm goes off, and position the hour hand to match the alarm hand.
OCD here thought the same...
Exactly right. Sync the hour hand to the complication just like a watch with a date.
Yeah, as soon as he put the alarm hand on I was wondering is it one position fit or should he have been searching to see how it has been set. A surprising error given his grasp of what he was doing. I think he would have had to turn alarm until it activates and then fit all hands at midnight hence ensuring alarm and time hands coincide, wouldn't have had to fit the hands either as far as I can figure to achieve that. Great video, enjoyed every bit.
Yup, just like a regular alarm clock... 😀
I was thinking the same thing. I hope he posts an extended version showing how he aligns the alarm to the hour hand. I love this content, Thanks Marshall!
Your video editing and multiple camera position is top notch. Can see clearly you have been studying cinema directing and director of photography at a pretty high level. Very well done.
He's become my favorite for those reasons, and his positive, honest attitude. Plus, he drives a BMW?
As someone who wears a smart watch, I find the vibrating against my wrist to be more effective than noise. Very cool to see its predecessor!
It says a lot about your enthusiasm, technique, narrative, and editing skills that we can watch your episodes time after time with fascination. Well done and thank you.
I love the fact you give history of the Watch Companies as well as how to put the watch back together and the lubricants you are using. I don’t have the dexterity you have to do this but I am very impressed on your work. Keep up the great work Marshal
the rusted part looks like it may have been the "click" spring, the odd gear with the long "tooth" looks to be an alarm limiter, so the alarm can use energy from the main spring but that gear limits the amount that it uses because otherwise it would run the mainspring down.
There's something similar on some alarm clocks with only 1 spring, for the same reason. I think I've seen it on the small travel alarms you used to get back in the day. Bigger alarm clocks that sit by your bed typically have a separate alarm spring. When I saw those 2 crown gears on this watch I wondered for a moment if it somehow had a second spring for the alarm, that really would've been clever :)
@@austinshackles549 I actually have alarmed wristwatch branded Sekonda with two separate mechanisms and two mainsprings etc. They have very small balance and cogs and all other stuff but nevertheless it's rather thick and heavy watch. Unfortunatedly someone cannibalized my watch - took all alrm parts away.
G'day, Chris here, welcome to Clickspring. I love making clock pahts, but it's been a little while since, so I'm a bit rusty..
I'm really glad you're reviving some of these vintage watches. I think they just look so much better than modern-made watches quartz or mechanical. With everyone doing remakes of old stuff, I'm not seeing many remakes of old watches. Only one that really comes to mind is Timex's Marlin, and maybe a couple others.
It's really pleasing to see Marshall diving into the early, mechanical, sonnet movements. They can be very difficult to troubleshoot and time consuming looking for missing/broken components. I specialize in circa 1800's, swiss, repeater movements. When you get them running and functioning right, it's such a gratifying feeling!
What a beautiful old Bulova. You’re right they’re not popular anymore which is a shame. They made some beautiful dress watches back in the day. I’m lucky to have inherited a small collection from my grandfather including a 1947 white gold Beau Brummel model and a 1951 yellow gold Academy Award model X. I have them serviced annually and wear them often. They’re every bit as stylish as a Cartier tank and remind me of my grandfather. Beautiful work Marshall!
Where I live there very much popular especially amongst watch enthusiastic everywhere!
Such a beautiful/interesting piece. I enjoyed watching you work on something you haven’t done before and figuring it out as you went on. I hope your able to get the other one working as well.
Hey Marshall! This one brought tears to my eyes. I have a JLC almost identical to this one. My Dad bought it in Europe on a business trip around 1960. He gave it to me around 1970 when he replaced it with a newer model. I wore it until the mid 70s when it lost a crown and stopped working. I’ve taken it several places to see if it could be repaired and all anyone ever does is hold up the cross and garlic and show me the door. My Dad passed away January of 1983 and it’s the only thing I have of his.
Definitely try to send it to Marshall. I would love to see him work and comment on a watchmaker’s watchmaker piece.
This was a really interesting piece; the added complications from the alarm were interesting to see how they were implemented.
It's a shame you didn't take more of the visible rust off though.
I was thinking the same about the visible surface rust. A very gentle rub with some scotch-brite would have made the world of difference
Yes. What he calls 'patina' is actually unsightly dirt and rust which could easily be removed. Disappointing.
@@yessanknow302 The Patina on the Dial could very easily be removed, but if you listen to what he said, his experience has told him that taking the Patina off the dial will cause more trouble than it worth as i presume it will remove what the patina is attached to also leaving a patchwork looking dial of the original paintwork and whatever it was painted onto. best to leave it as is, or source a new one.
The surface rust that's in the mechanism really should have been removed though.
@@yessanknow302 The dial should be left alone. As he's said, he simply doesn't have the ability to properly restore them and so he leaves the dials as-is, which I think is appropriate as restorations performed by people who don't really know what they're doing will absolutely ruin whatever value the piece has. Better to perform nothing more than a cleaning of the visible dirt and debris.
What I'm referring to is the visible rust on the movement. Marshall stopped very much short of removing all the rust from it when it wouldn't have taken much more effort to do so.
Agreed! Please buy a small bottle of Evapo-rust!
Normally I'm kind of ambivalent about patina, but this is one of those cases - not the first, but a strong one - where I _absolutely_ agree. It just adds an aura to it here that... it kind of takes the alarm from "travelling salesman gimmick" to "this watch has had some adventure in its life, you can tell" and I think that's a big boost in feeling for this particular watch.
Also all the "huh, what this do?" is pretty fun particularly on your channel xD
The fact that you can put these back together AND get them working is just insane. This channel is so addicting!
I love how honest you are when you don’t know how things work or go together! So genuine to hear and watch! Keep it up!
Well said.
I don't know how I missed this one when it first came out. All I can say is wow. I was on the edge of my seat watching you put it back together. Bravo!
In 1976 I was given a Bulova for my 18th birthday, it being the tradition that a Swiss watch was given (and my parents did not know that Bulova was only temporarily in possession of a Swiss factory!) I still have it, but no doubt it needs a service as it doesn't run for long. I also have a ~1965 Wrist Alarm that works perfectly. I use it at night when I need to get up early and don't want my wife to be woken by a loud alarm. Very useful!
I love watching these videos, they are very relaxing before sleep.
I loved this move. It’s fascinating how someone managed to design an alarm system when there were no speakers or integrated circuits. The mechanics involved is great
My dad's got an old Bulova and my wife gave me a Bulova for our 2nd anniversary. I love Bulova watches, so this was a treat to watch. Thanks!
A personal alarm clock or watch was a very handy thing to have. In the 80's & 90's, I did a lot of travelling and even though most hotel/motels had a alarm clock or a wake-up call, the smart traveller did not trust either. I was burned more than once by alarm clocks or wake up calls that did not happen on time! I carried a windup Timex alarm clock that folded into a hard 2" x 2" case and unfolded to sit on the side table with the time displayed. In the 90's I upgraded to a Timex digital alarm clock about the same size. I still have both! I would definitely have worn this Bulova wrist alarm and used the alarm function.
That was so cool!
I love that you don't pretend to be an expert on everything and we get to join you in your discovery. It would be easy to go back and pretend in your voiceover but this is much more enjoyable. 🤘
For it's age that is a serious piece of engineering. Well done Marshall
Just when I think I've found everything that interests me on CZcams I find something like this. Incredible skill and very well made videos. Thanks from Ireland.
You are truly amazing. Having admitted to not ever working on this type of watch before you took it apart,cleaned it,and put it back together and made it work. Bravo! Thank you.
Alarm watches are very interesting. I have several of these timepieces. There’s a pretty strong collector market for these buzzers. Seemed to have had a short interval of popularity.
To give a more detailed explanation of the alarm mechanism (if I understand it correctly):
The double lever construction on the front enables and disables the alarm by blocking the pin on the bell and is activated by the 2nd crown, as explained in the video
The hour wheel has these little ramps on the top (9:38) that can slot into holes the wheel from the alarm, which is held down by that flat round spring. If that happens it allows the hour wheel to be pushed up by that long arm underneath the hourwheel, which consequently also moves up, thus lifting the hook at the end above the pin from the bell and consequently allowing the bell to ring.
As for how the Power works I currently don't know, I'll add it if I find out
Great job marshal, really enjoy your presentations. now getting into this great hobby, keep them coming thanks for your inspiration.Gary.
I remember using those travel alarm clocks! They would fold out of their case and rest as a tripod! Lovely leather case. Now I wish I had one for you to repair! Thanks for the memory!
I love that alarm function! These videos have gotten me interested in mechanical watches again. I went to a certain store and was disappointed that everything they had was so cheap. I walked out with a smart watch to tide me over till I can get something nice.
Love your play by play. Makes us all think we can do this!😊
I have become hooked on your videos, Marshall. The joy you get from a successful restoration is infectious. How you keep track of where all those tiny screws belong confounds me!
Apparently it's two main things; experience dealing with similar movements, and the video footage we're watching as you'll see him hold up the screws and such infront of the camera(s)
Same here!
Hello Marshall. I own a similar old Bulova. The alarm is not auditory it is vibratory. While you can hear it, it is designed to vibrate against the back of your wrist to alert you. Back in the mid to late 70's I would crash on the heaters at college, to be awakened by my trusty Bulova vibrating against wrist bones. Then off to the next class. If I can find it, I can send it to you for you to repair it. I had it "cleaned" at a watch repair place. It never worked right after that. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for your content. It made me pick up the hobby. Started restoring old movements a couple of weeks ago. Everything was so familiar. Flying parts are the worst part. Its magic when these old movements come back to life again. This has worked on my patience. It was mainly because of your channel. Thanks Again
I find it truly amazing how much goes into making a watch run. The mechanics are fascinating.
So meticulous work done here Marshall. I salute you Sir. From Canada 🇨🇦
My dad had one for years, but he also was into servicing clocks and watches. He took it apart once and it had two mainspring berols in it. This brought back some cool memories. Thank you
I’m an avid watcher of your videos. I keep hoping for more and more complicated watches either due to their condition or due to their design. This is the most complicated by design that I’ve seen thus far. Great stuff.
I love Bulova watches. I have an Accutron that my grandfather received for 25 years at a company he started. He gave it to me when I turned 18. I think he got it in the late 70's. I use to wear it all the time, but modern batteries make the watch fast in the beginning and they so slow down. Plus I'm in law enforcement now so I don't dare wear that watch at work.
Couldn't it be because of a worn internal component of the watch? Since all the batteries have slight changes of voltage during the use I would think that there is something wrong with the regulation part, if I had to guess I'd say the bigger capacitor, not the ceramic one
I have a vintage Accutron and you should be able to find the proper batteries on eBay that don’t make the watch run fast. Also - service is pretty reasonable for them as well. There’s a few good watchmakers that still work on them in case you want to get it looked at.
You can either get it phased for 1.55V volt 394 battery (most practical way), or use an Accucell 1 adapter to convert 1.55V to 1.35V. However, the second option doesn't always work, as the magnets in the fork cups tend to get weaker with time. Mine 214 was phased to 1.55V , and it's keeping +4sec/day, which is not bad for a 1968 movement. There are a few good watchmakers that specialise on them, so if you need to, I can get you contacts.
@@user-sy1ed9ex5m if you know watchmakers in the USA that can work on it that would be great. It could use a service and cleaning. I contacted bulova a few years ago and was told that they themselves dont work on their own vintage watches.
I've finally plucked up the courage to pick up an old pocket watch and try my hand at restoring it, and I have a question about oils. The oils I am looking at getting are labeled with their viscosity in centistokes rather than their function, so I was hoping you could tell me the specific viscosities of the various oils you use for each part of a watch. Thank you so much, I love your content, and it's part of what has inspired me to actually try my hand at restoring a watch. I'll probably end up putting out a video of it, maybe folks will like it.
One source: Möbius has a couple nice charts. I don’t have a link at my fingertips, but they weren’t too hard to find.
Success!! I was on the edge of my seat (literally) waiting to see if the Balance Wheel would turn. One of my favourite watches ever on your channel. Great video. Thanks Marshall.
It never stops amaze me how they made all this tiny pieces back in the day.
Thanks for the great videos you are doing,it really takes one out of day to day struggle.
When I'm really wind up and can't sleep, this is the best sleeping pill, your voice are so soft and calming so I'm fast to sleep 💤😴
Finally! My brand!! Well, not literally of course, but I have been collecting Swiss (automatic) Bulovas for a while now and I just love the design of this brand, of particular eras in their existence. I own a Bulova alarm watch, a beautiful thing, although it has, as I have been led to believe, the first generation AS movements, second gen tend to be more sturdy, I understood. But they made gorgeous watches. Now being part of Citizen I haven't felt the urge to buy one, but who cares, we deal in revivals here ;-)
3-11 Revisiting this great restoration, I totally agree with you on the patina of the dial. But I would either replace or restore the hands to even more highlight the patina but moreover to underscore the second life of this beauty. Other than that, amazing work, as always!!
Great video Marshall, I loved the unique alarm. I am not a patina person and am always (in a friendly way) muttering to your videos about your love of patina which looks like mold to me! Each to their own! Love the videos as always.
I respect it!
Your videos are therapy for me Marshall. I watch them at x1.75 and find it that I still can follow all the action and your commentaries. Thank you for sharing your joy for watch repairing with us!
Thanks for watching :)
That watch on the BMW wheel spoke was a pretty cool shot. I could imagine that being used in a commercial for either brand with some strong orchestral music in background, and a deep voiced narrator dramatically describing product features.
That got me really excited, I believe that is a style 65, which came exclusively on the e39 M5, which now that I think of, is not only a perfect car, but exactly what I would imagine a watchmaking master like yourself would drive. That or an aircooled 911 :)) I would love to watch some car videos like restoration of the dead pixels in the cluster done by yourself. Perhaps one day on a second channel... You have an amazing presentation style that just grips you and keeps you in front of the screen for hours, really helps me decompress.
Marshall, I just want to preface this with as a fellow watchmaker I'm a huge fan of your work and I love watching your videos. However, today I'm going to be a critic. I was watching the video and I just wanted to offer my advice on something that really should have been addressed when servicing that watch. That being how you dealt with the rust in the movement. It was good that you started to clean the rust on the bridges with peg wood, but when you were reassembling the movement it really bothered me to see all the rust that was still present. You saw the watch when you got it. That rust ate up the bridge screws, click spring, etc. If you don't clean up all of the rust that movement will end up in the same state again. It's important to realize that the cleaning machine isn't meant to clean corrosion off of parts. It will help, but it's real job is just to remove oil, grease, and grime from parts and that's all. When I'm dealing with rust in a movement I like to use a fiberglass scratch brush for the steel parts (like the wheel pressed on top of the barrel and the stems), and a piece of peg wood to clean pivot holes with surface rust (like the inside of the barrel arbor holes). For the nickeled bridges I also start peg wood, but for more stubborn rust like in your situation, I make a paste from cream of tartar and a little water and use a paint brush or peg wood to remove the remaining rust and staining from the bridges. After doing all that you may need to polish some screw heads or use a ruby stone to get the shine back on some of the pieces, but in the grand scheme of things it is always better to have poorer looking, clean parts in good shape than slightly better looking parts with rust on them. Because eventually that rust will spread and do more damage to the movement and case. I hope I don't come off as rude or that I know everything, because I don't. I just want to pass along some knowledge that I have learned from my firsthand experience as a watchmaker. I see the work that you do and how committed you are to the craft, and I want to see you succeed and not make avoidable mistakes. Hopefully you find this helpful and you can use it to continue your journey as a watchmaker. We can never stop learning because there is always something new to tackle. So keep up the great work!
Marshall for the win again!
Sharp Bulova.
I have always loved their aesthetic.
Whenever I'm watching Marshall reassemble all I hear is Schism running through my head. "...I know the pieces fit..." - Keep up the good work!
Not only does it make a sound, but it's the vibration against your arm that wakes you up. That's why it hits the inside plate. Very smart and great design.. it looks beautiful.
Looks absolutely stunning inside and out once finished... absolutely awesome! ☺️👍
Love your videos! I was never into watches but your channel has changed me, and I just recently got a vintage Seiko 5 and I love it lots, even if its nothing special
Same. I was never really a “watch guy” until I started watching this channel. Now I’m seriously considering getting a nice mechanical watch. Marshal has kind of got me leaning towards something vintage. These videos really make you appreciate the incredible and intricate engineering that goes into these things.
It’s a wonderful historic timepiece, great to see it spring back to life, great job
Here's the one thing about that CZcams algorithm when it actually works for you. I'm so glad I found a gem of a modest channel, with a fantastic, enthousiastic and if not, very knowledgeable host. It's that alone that makes me just get interested and enjoy these video's after a hard days work (and I run 48 to 56 hours a week :P), so thank you!!
Thank you for watching, I'm glad you found me!
Thank you Marshall for your wonderful work on a truly spectacular watch.
I wonder about how 3D printing could benefit this hobby. A mostly 3D printed wristwatch would be cool and an amazing learning experience for those interested in the hobby.
There are 3D printed watch tools out there; a crystal press, small parts trays, even a mainspring winder. Some Microbrands are prototyping their case designs with SLA printing as well.
@@deekman78 Where did you see the 3D printed mainspring winder?
I have my doubts that affordable 3D printers could make durable parts that are that small. But they could make something bigger that assembles the same way. That might be a lot of fun for someone who is learning about watchmaking, or likes printing/assembly challenges.
@@timstoffel4799 They don't have to be durable at all to be a demonstration piece.
I think SLS, true SLA and MSLA kind of fail on the bloom, and there's a new affordable DLP printer just coming out in a few weeks, but it completely fails on resolution. I dont think any technology at hand can currently produce a wearable mechanism where gear the teeth engage to begin with, one capable of running for even a few seconds. True SLA probably comes closest, while being not quite affordable.
I think some of these are just precise enough to produce a geartrain seen in the cheap $3 quartz alarm clock, and have it run.
It would be interesting to see a wrist watch mechanism at the size of 18cm to be FDM printed, and i think it might just engage even if perhaps not quite run due to forces and friction involved. I'm not convinced that i want to CAD it myself.
@@timstoffel4799 Who knows, perhaps you could use a router to cut out parts off an existing plate of the proper thickness to make watch parts. For metal printers it seems like it would depend on how precise the nozzle and motors are.
I have really enjoyed watching your repairs over the last few months. Not sure why I find it so fascinating. I especially enjoy unique watches like this one.
Doing micro soldering repair work on a daily basis often listening and glimpsing at your video's in the background. Very relaxing and enjoyable I have to say. I totally understand the feeling when something works (again) when you finished working on it. Regrettably I can't wear a wristwatch myself due to damaged nerves in both my wrists, I wish I could! Keep up sharing this beautiful hobby Marshall.
Just about to get on to do something productive... oh, well that can wait 😉
These wrist alarms are so cool. I wish more manufacturers would put this features on their mechanical watches. Have to admit, I was a little proud at the 2:50 mark when I was able to guess the post on the case was the 'bell' the hammer struck for the alarm. 😁
Not been here in a good while, but I came across your videos again and I always get sucked in! I'm a sucker for mechanical stuff. I can't say I'm a watch guy, but you do such a good job explaining the parts and what you're doing, making me have a bigger appreciation for what you do : )
Your camera angles, video editing and narration make what most people would find boring, just interesting as it can be. Amazing. You should teach a course at any college with a media department. Not sure how you developed it but wow. Just absolutely amazing...and that's on top of your time piece repairing/servicing/building skill.
You are SO Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
Great work. I’m so conflicted about the dial issue and in this case the hands too. I think I would take some DI water on a swab and clean it and clean the hands. Not to make it look new just not dirty, like it looks to me.
In this genre I can’t imagine a more mesmerizing channel on CZcams.
I stumbled across your page about a month ago. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with watches. I’m working my way through all your videos.
Love the way you explain as you go. Wish you all the best Marshall.
Shouldn't the hour hand be synced with the alarm hand when it goes off? It looked like the minute hand was over the alarm hand which would only give you an hour at most to set the alarm.
Yes, it should
Yes, I went back and figured out how to do that after
Fascinated with your videos. Suggestion: With the potential for small parts to go flying away from the bench (in another video you concluded one had gone out an open window), you ought to consider surrounding your immediate workspace with mosquito netting or something similar, to limit the area in which an errant part could land. You might devise a frame similar to what's used to safeguard observers from a shot-putter, but with 360 degree coverage.
Thankfully it doesn't happen too often these days
Then, you’d have to find where the object is caught in the net ;). More seriously, I’ve considered doing this. My current solution is to use a very large, plastic/rubber/silicone work surface. Knock on wood, it has worked well so far.
What amazes me is not only that you got this complicated movement back together but the fact that with some cleaning and tender loving care this 60 to 70 year old watch operates perfectly and keeps good time. These old timepieces are well worth restoring and will live another lifetime on a lucky mans wrist. Thank you again Marshall for sharing this journey.
The narration and the thinking out loud makes this episode so accessible and fun to watch (no pun intended). Thanks for teaching me a bunch of new stuff.
Great vid! One question, did you have to sync the alarm hand? Or does it only fit in one position?
I question whether the alarm hand was in sync? That post on the back of the watch is for sound, but I never heard it!
@@johntwemlow6089 It's the buzzing sound when he's testing it. It's most likely meant to transfer vibration into the wearer's wrist rather than emit a loud tone.
you have to sync the alarm hand with the hour hand, what he did in the video was incorrect
Yes, but I didn't know how. I did figure it out though
@@WristwatchRevival Appreciate what you do Marshall, not wanting to be critical. I did the trade in the '60s and '70s so just love watching the restoration that you're doing here. Recognise many of the models you're working on.
Alarm hand should aligh with hour-hand when alarm sounds, not with minute-hand.
I said the same thing.
Sets alarm for 4 o'clock, goes off 20 minutes after one o'clock. Strange.
I went back and sorted that out
This watch appears to be more complicated than watches of past. The new crystal brings out the patina. Outstanding work. Thanks for the video!
Great job. I must admit, I had about 13 panic attacks because I couldn’t remember where the pieces went as you were reassembling the movement. Keep up the good work.
Incredible job! And props to your friend for finding that part! In ten minutes even! Isn't that just how it goes? 😅
Thanks for sharing this with us. 😊
It's always a good day when a WWR video drops, thank you Marshall :)
Hello 👋.
I haven't seen all your videos, Marshall. So I may have missed a more complex watch you repaired. But this is the most complex one I've seen. It looked like you had about twice the number of usual parts to put back together, just to make that alarm mechanism work. And I like the alarm sound after it finally worked properly--sounds like an enraged cricket. It's a super cool watch. Thank you for another great video.
I think you're right, this is the one of the most complicated watches I've done
That's entertainment, thanks Marshall, you are one of a kind.
Was about to go to bed. Oh look a new video. Never mind
Holy crap, wasn't expecting that: another upload!
I will assume this is a nod to the $1k worth of tools I just purchased to follow in Marshall's steps 🤣😁.
Marshall, I loved this rebuild. My mother actually gave my father an alarm watch similar to this in 1964 as a wedding gift. It is a Girard-Perregaux and that sound is so distinct. Also, it vibrates the watch as an additional method of alert. I'm really getting into restorations and practicing on cheap 'non-workers' from ebay. Thanks for all the skills.
Hello Marshall, congratulations for your excellent work with this Vintage Bulova alarm watch. Very interesting watch and how it operates driven by a single mainspring. If you allow me a comment, I noticed is that the alarm is not in synch with the watch hands, particularly in the video, the alarm was set at 04:00 while the watch started to ring at the 01:20. My suggestion would be to bring the alarm back in synch with the hands using the following steps:
1 Remove the hands;
2. Operate the hand setting crown observing the hand pipe moving clockwise until the alarm starts to ring. Immediately stop moving the crown at that moment.
3 Reinstall the watch hands at the 12:00 position. Just like you would do when fitting the hands on a watch with the date complication.
4 Verify the watch alarm is then operating normally at the time that was set.
5. Would be nice to show us on your channel if this procedure was successful.
All the best, looking for your next project, Dan
For the algorithm
I don't want to spoil the party here, I know this a very good video for viewers but as a professional watchmaker, this is kinda hard to watch. This is common mistake I see again and again on many videos.
There are couple mistakes when you made installing the parts order, however you really need to use brass tweezers and also thin blade when prying lifting up movement bridge.
main subject I want to discuss is Timegrapher results.
In real watchmaking world, timegarpher results is fairly poor in this video, for older watches, amplitude should be at 290 or 300 degrees at the max. Higher amplitude means the healthy watch that runs. showing smooth power transition. it's showing at 254 degrees amplitude, that's sign this watch needs a good overhaul service. Have you checked all the gears pivot surface? Balance staff pivot and mainspring condition? It requires burnish and polish or parts replace, Theses are the things you haven't checked.
I understand that many people say and on google search that mention vintage watches should be around at 230 to 250 degrees and modern watches is at 300 degrees amplitude. Realistically, this a incorrect facts, Old and new watches should should be around at 300 degrees amplitude. 250 degrees is consider as a fail test
Sorry I came across as blunt, I just want viewers to be aware of it. I hope this helps.
mate, he not a real watchmaker, he just a youtuber watch hobbyist. he makes so much mistake.
However you are right though about results timer.
We all look forward to seeing your youtube videos where you get beat up watches from the 50s to 300 degrees of amplitude, 0 seconds a day, and 0.0 beat error :)
@@WristwatchRevival
Since you have asked for it, so I have just upload a small clip for you to see what I meant. I will do full video so in the future. This early 1950 Omega 344, very worn down and damaged.
Here the clip
czcams.com/video/8xymSwZ-HeU/video.html
I have full details in the description
I just want to clarified that this isn't a competition to see who got the best timegraper results. I'm showing this because this is how it should be done for vintage watches. High amplitude is very important for vintage watches. This is my job as a watchmaker specialist, doing it for 12 years, no matter how old or beat up vintage watches including 1920's, you can get it up to 300 degrees amplitude with 0.0 beat error if you do know how to do overhaul service correctly. Most people don't realise this but majority of vintage watches needs overhaul anyway.
I have one video 1960's Breitling Top timer that's has 300 degrees. that's a standard service.
I'm making a new video for 1940's or 1950's Omega 344. That was very damaged, very worn out. This is overhaul service, not a standard service.
I hope this gives you a better insight of understanding
Kind regards
Mat
Trying to restrain myself … don't know anything about your credentials but you are certainly Not a graybeard. More knowledge is useful but like most in life, the delivery of knowledge is important too. Suggest you either don't sound so much like a troll by more enlightened comments which comes across as pretentious or just send him a DM with more details.
I have seen top watchmakers can do this, so i agree with you. I saw your video link that you posted. Amazing results! but again you are professional watchmaker and you know what to do.
While I was still working as a manufacturing jeweller, I restored quite a few silver & gold watch-cases along with the occasional simple rolled-gold case-repair. Usually the movements would be sent off to an experienced watchmaker we regularly used.
However, I did purchase a number of old watches myself & restored, with some doing the whole lot myself, but one sterling silver cased pocket-watch with a cylinder-escapement proved more than it was worth when all the slightly rusted spring-metal parts for the case & movement simply snapped under any tension, especially those being refitted to the case for holding the covers open & the release-button in the crown!
Your voice and cadence are so peaceful. Really enjoy watching you work and bringing these puzzles (watches) back to life. Thank you.
*- MARSHALL, your triumphs are so healing for everyone out in the illusion now dealing with everthing becoming discombubulated. Thank you for your striving and successes...and thank you to your friend's "Is this it?" triumph, too ! ! ! All of it has a whole lot of Mirthful Irreverence in it...*
*- Mirthful Irreverence is such a good thing. A balm, a salve, a healing thing...*
*- A WhatIsNeeded thing.*
This is the best restore so far. It was really interesting. Good job
I was surprised at how many little parts were in that watch. You did a wonderful job in bringing it back to life. Now someone can put it on their wrist and the magic continues ticking on and the memories will begin again for the new owner. Wristwatch Revival is so much more than I can put into words. Thank you for what you do. Your hobby is my hobby watching you Marshal.
Marshall, your commentary in these videos is seriously well done man and the skill you put on display fixing these watches is simply amazing man. Thank you for this high quality content sir.
What a beautiful watch, I love it when they have a little quirk like this, I especially loved the parking meter one! This was one of your best videos, thank you for so expertly documenting the process
This is the ninth video I have watched, and having no prior training, I knew at the beginning the problem was either the main spring or the click spring. Thank you Marshall for helping me build my memory back.
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only guy who spends time looking for parts! Great video !!
This was very daunting ...and it wasn't even me doing the work ! Thank you for my regular therapy Marshall.