This one makes me really happy...

[Deleted]

Today, I rebuilt a 6309 movement. 
This one was a rusted basket case and many parts had to be thrown out due to rust having eaten away too much for them to be used at all...


Every now and then, a movement gives you back more than you put into it. This is one of them.
I did all the checks along the reassembly path and each stage made me feel even more confident that this one was going to be good.\When i finally dropped the balance in place; it began to oscillate even before I got the bridge screwed down. The amazing part is that I had not put any more turns on the mainspring after testing it with the escape wheel not yet installed, So whatever tension was left in the mainspring was enough for this balance to jump to life!

I did go through all the parts and check them for wear. Many were replaced with good looking ones. The mainspring was completely disassembled as it was all gooey...eyyk!

Anyway, this movement is ready to go and I'm thinking of putting it into a 6309-7290 diver, for which I have a case.
Since I have run out of 6309 4 o'clock day/date wheels and diver crown/stems, I'll have to stop here and wait for the opportunity for those parts to present itself.

Now that I can do these things almost blind folded; I have three or four more that I intend to resuscitate.
The amazing thing about these 1980s movements is that unless they have rusted, nearly all of the parts an be cleaned and are as good as new.

I can't say the same about later calibre movements. When the newer movements stop working; it's often just as likely that the parts have worn as the lube has dried out.

Makes you wonder if maybe if those old fashioned mineral lubricants weren't as bad as they are reputed to be.
Think about it; old lubes harden and stop the watch and then they can be cleaned and work fine again without too many worn parts.
The newer calibres lubricated with the synthetics, dry out but continue to run until the parts wear is so bad that they stop working. Then they need many more parts replaced to make them capable of keeping time again.

It definitely makes one step back and think about quality in terms of yesterday and today.

I know where my heart lies and what motors I want in my time keepers :-)

[serdal22]

You brought this gorgeous movement back into action, and gave it a life it deserves! I can not think anything else can give a watchlover more satisfaction than this, indeed.

Thank you very much for sharing, my friend . . .

Capt. Serdal

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2013 20:33:04 GMT -8 serdal22 said:

You brought this gorgeous movement back into action, and gave it a life it deserves! I can not think anything else can give a watchlover more satisfaction than this, indeed.

Thank you very much for sharing, my friend . . .

Capt. Serdal

Captain Serdal,

I know you appreciate the hearts of our mechanical wonders.

That I was able to revive one more of these noble movements makes me a little proud; and your acknowledgement means a lot to me  yes1.gif

[dad-the-diver]

Pete,

very cool indeed my mate. Great picture too of my favourite Auto, though the love has been waning a little lately. Maybe you've just switched it back on a little?

Cheers for posting.

[69ChevelleSS]

Congrats . . . I give you a lot of credit for even attempting this.  My fingers are too fat and my eyes too weak.

Great result!

[SpinDoctor]

Interesting point about the unintended consequences of old school lubricants.  I've had a similar idea bouncing in my head about finding old quartz watches in perfect condition.  The battery dies and the owner tosses it in a drawer.  Leaking battery is another issue, but I think you get the idea.

Unfortunately I doubt the current economy mechanical calibers will be considered serviceable until there are no more new ones to replace them with completely.  

[cartshed]

That's a lovely looking little engine you've got there. Let's hope that my project 6309 movement ends up looking & running at least half as well as that, otherwise, the 6309 discussion thread will end up as long as War & Peace with all my questions. 

[buddy123]

Looks good and it's great to read of your success :-)

I have yet to attempt a 6309 rebuild, but have one ready and waiting.  That's a very good point about lubes.

[seikoholic]

It's great when an old warrior comes back like that.

As for old lubricants, that's an interesting point, I wonder.  Wouldn't the old mineral lubricants cause wear as they stiffened up?  

[Deleted]

Oct 12, 2013 12:37:21 GMT -8 seikoholic said:

It's great when an old warrior comes back like that.

As for old lubricants, that's an interesting point, I wonder.  Wouldn't the old mineral lubricants cause wear as they stiffened up?  

My thinking is that as the old lubricants thickened up; the watch got faster then stopped. That would likely happen long before the lubricants hardened to the point where metal would wear.

With synthetics, the viscosity remains the same for eons. That just leaves dirt and metal filings to run around in the lube like a slurry of grinding paste.

I don't know any of this for a fact but it seems reasonable enough to me.

[cannop]

The worst thing about rusty movements is if the screws are too far gone. Once the head breaks apart when trying to undo it it curtains for me as I don't have the precision equipment to be able to remove the rusted remains. The last rusty movement I tackled was a few weeks ago, an old 6105a. Five screws were left behind in the mainplate and half the keyless works were rusted too thin to be of any use.



I still got it looking like this and running beautifully though, however it did need the mainplate, a couple of wheels and most of the keyless works replacing.

[martog]

I take my hat off to all of you that can do this, I think my fear is screwing it up completely and I think for me to have a serious go at this level of work I would need guidance one on one.

Wonderful work

Mark

[serdal22]

+1 for Mark.

I have been thinking of getting my hands on the Seiko movements for I love them very much, but as Mark says I am too much afraid of starting some serious works.

I love to be able to remove the movement, crystal, insert, and then do some servicing + repairs + replacements etc . . .

Could you recommend any book and video which will teach / show us clearly and in a very user friendly way how to start watchmaking?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

And thank you all again for bringing these dead beauties into life, and giving them life! I salute you . . .

Capt. Serdal

[cobrajet25]

Awesome work, guys.  These are the best threads here or anywhere...the "back from the dead" threads.

Anyone can buy a pretty vintage watch.  It takes a real WIS to conjure one from a horological corpse.

[Deleted]

Oct 12, 2013 22:00:24 GMT -8 cannop said:

The worst thing about rusty movements is if the screws are too far gone. Once the head breaks apart when trying to undo it it curtains for me as I don't have the precision equipment to be able to remove the rusted remains. The last rusty movement I tackled was a few weeks ago, an old 6105a. Five screws were left behind in the mainplate and half the keyless works were rusted too thin to be of any use.



I still got it looking like this and running beautifully though, however it did need the mainplate, a couple of wheels and most of the keyless works replacing.

Nice save!
I know what you mean about the rusted screws. I had one come off and left it's rusty remains in the hole.
Not wanting to admit defeat; I tried digging it out with my finest screw driver...it moved! Then I was able to spin it out.
The remaining screw shaft was perfectly clean as well as the hole. The watch gods were looking out for me on that one.