6139 Birth year chronograph
May 21, 2015 13:39:22 GMT -8
Groundhog66, lordflagpolecrabtree, and 9 more like this
Post by feca67 on May 21, 2015 13:39:22 GMT -8
I'd been casually keeping an eye out for a birth month and year watch. I'd identified the 6139-601X as a likely target, as early Proof examples often show up without attracting the big bucks that Proof Pogues or 6105 divers go for. I got this blue example for a maiden $100 bid - bargain!
First impressions were it looked very good, all original, good dial, just a stuck pusher. The movement looked really clean, and I hoped it might start up after just freeing the pusher. No such luck.
This one had suffered a knockout blow. I guess the reset button got stuck at some point, and instead of having the watch serviced, somebody has pushed the button with such force that the actuator stub sheared off the fly-back lever and bent the hammer. In addition, despite looking really clean, but probably not serviced more than once or twice in over 40 years, I also had to replace the third wheel, the center wheel and the escape wheel due to corrosion. The end of the third wheel shaft was worst, it completely disintegrated during cleaning.
The day wheel had slipped and was replaced, and I relumed the dial and hands as they were just starting to blacken.
A NOS crystal, a change of gaskets and a new strap and we're done.
I've seen one or two photos of these with Stelux President bracelets, if you've got one available let me know please - thanks.
Sam.
Seller's pic
Movement looks good - don't be fooled!
Good dial and hands, just needs a relume
Broken bridge (left), new bridge (right)
Bent hammer (left)
Corroded center wheel
Corroded third wheel (left)
Freshly assembled movement, quick adjustment, not run in, looks OK
The finished article
First impressions were it looked very good, all original, good dial, just a stuck pusher. The movement looked really clean, and I hoped it might start up after just freeing the pusher. No such luck.
This one had suffered a knockout blow. I guess the reset button got stuck at some point, and instead of having the watch serviced, somebody has pushed the button with such force that the actuator stub sheared off the fly-back lever and bent the hammer. In addition, despite looking really clean, but probably not serviced more than once or twice in over 40 years, I also had to replace the third wheel, the center wheel and the escape wheel due to corrosion. The end of the third wheel shaft was worst, it completely disintegrated during cleaning.
The day wheel had slipped and was replaced, and I relumed the dial and hands as they were just starting to blacken.
A NOS crystal, a change of gaskets and a new strap and we're done.
I've seen one or two photos of these with Stelux President bracelets, if you've got one available let me know please - thanks.
Sam.
Seller's pic
Movement looks good - don't be fooled!
Good dial and hands, just needs a relume
Broken bridge (left), new bridge (right)
Bent hammer (left)
Corroded center wheel
Corroded third wheel (left)
Freshly assembled movement, quick adjustment, not run in, looks OK
The finished article
