offshore

Mate, I was chasing up some plating last year for someone in the USA, and enquired with the guy I use sometimes here in Oz. His reply- May be worth a follow up as well. Offshore

Has been discussed a few years back...if memory serves, their work was good, but unfortunately so were their quotes! Again.....from memory, quotes from U$90- -150, and that was supplying a fully stripped case, and reassembling yourself. Offshore

Spotted this tonite, not really my cup of tea, but someone may be interested for the novelty of a sweeping quartz, if nothing else. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mens-70s-Vintage-Be...1QQcmdZViewItem Seller is known to me, and shouldn't present a prob. I would be happy to take delivery in Oz, and tranship, if that helped. Offshore

Check if it has a split stem before trying to force the crown. Once you lift the crystal with a lift, see if you can juggle the movement, and sight the stem, (maybe try pulling the stem out) You may see a "key" like join in the stem, which when turned to the right plane, will seperate, allowing the crown and a small section to be removed. Then the movement will just fall out. Offshore

I see 20-30 watches a week, requiring work. Most all are quartz, and when the odd mech is presented, most people, when confronted with a quote of $150-$200 for service, just walk away. It is actually surprising, that many actually hand me the watch, and say, "Well see if you can use it for parts" It really is only the "brand" names, with perceived "value", that even encourage owners to discuss further, whether a service is justified. I will add, that this applies to older watches, which have come thru the various generations, or are laying round in drawers. If someone has a late model watch, whether it is quartz or mech, and they have paid recent money for it....I believe the owner will then pony up the necessaries for repair. (up to 50% of original cost) So this is just another look at the thinking of the masses, in the quartz/mech discussion. Offshore

@zia, Before you go pulling it apart, spend the time, to read thru these guides. http://www.citizen.co.jp/miyota_mvt/downlo..._0S10_30_60.pdf http://www.citizen.co.jp/miyota_mvt/downlo...f/draw_0S10.pdf http://www.citizen.co.jp/miyota_mvt/downlo...-0S1A_multi.pdf In the post above, I gave you the parts list. These are the specs, drawings, and ops manuals. I have done a bit of work on these, and often find it is simply a reset required, or a (major) faulty component. To diagnose the faulty item, you will need a reasonable circuit tester, and some electronics knowledge. And you probably will find that if it is not a major (quartz/coil) failure, that the easy fix, is probably a movement replacement. But don't give up, until you check and recheck, that you have run the reset correctly. And of course checked the basics... battery condition....contacts..... complete circuit. If you come up with an operational circuit, and still no analogue operation, it may be that you have a 'seized' gear train. More often than not, a quick "zap" with a demag, will free up this gear train. But certainly don't just jump straight in to a tear down... this is really a last gasp option.( and will probably be followed by movement replacement anyway) If you finally find you can repair, but need some of the minor parts, let me know, as I have a couple of dead OS series movements laying in my DOA box! Offshore

This may help. http://www.citizen.co.jp/miyota_mvt/downlo...s_0S_SERIES.pdf However you need to circuit test it, to find out the problem. Normally it is easier just to throw in a new one. Offshore

http://www.ofrei.com/page754.html In his kit MSA99.021, the p/n is 56.037. There is also another kit a bit further down which has it. Don't think you will buy it as a single item, but can always ask. Probably worth having the kit anyway. Offshore

Welcome g3! True, very true, and you will find a no nonsense approach, and a group of WIS, with little equal anywhere. Search and read, and all will be revealed....and if for some reason the absolute answer is not evident, just ask, and I'm sure that answer will be forthcoming. Welcome aboard. Offshore

@marangel 16, We are getting seriously pissed at the number of spammers here of late. The next instance, for you or any other miscreant...is Bye Bye! And you will not return....we have our ways! Just a gentle hint. Offshore

To add to the "Swiss Made" discussion- Follows is from Wikpedia.

Ohhh , So you want to get THAT one! Still reckon you would be better with a sniping program! Takes all of the emotion out of it. And you can bid whilst you are away from your 'puter. Offshore

Gee, That flew under the radar! Someone needed a sniping program.... and voila......"We have a winner!" Commiserations my friend. Offshore

See...the 1st answer you got from billkuk was correct! I have a similar problem....easy answer....divorce! Offshore

Well, I've just read, in full, that WUS discussion/review. http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.ph...ear#post1547711 Conclusively, in this instance, the parts are interchangeable (in the main) Hmm the plot thickens Or becomes much clearer Offshore

@bk, Do we know exactly which factory/s are purportedly producing this? There appears to be 2 schools of thought on this, and some are saying not all parts of all models are fully 1:1. To me, that is the BIG question, as reliability (after a decent service) appears OK. And the quality/reliability will only hopefully improve. The only real issue may be parts availability, although as I have said elsewhere, if the movements are selling at under $20, as it appears, you just throw them away and replace. Now that can be said for the Seagulls, and Hangzhous, but these ETACLONE's are a different matter, as there seems to be no supply availability at this time. I also note that the asian movements appear to run some fairly unusual hand sizes, certainly different than what we have been used to. Does anyone have any experience in retrofitting hands on to these things? Or any knowledge of stem availability, or dial feet positions? These are really the bigger questions, when it comes to retro fitting. Offshore EDIT to add- I have just read in full the WUS review. The author clearly states, that with a couple of exceptions, the parts are interchangeable. So you could repair OR replace 'em. Probably cheaper to replace.

In reviewing the current pricing on Chinese movements, I see Borel have a range, all at under $20. http://www.julesborel.com/images/movements/MC07page75.gif And Frei also have a larger range, and nothing is over $40. So maybe I answer my own question on parts availability....you don't need 'em....just fit a new movement! Which is exactly what happens in most cases in the quartz business. But PAMman is also correct in saying that this sort of mentality in itself creates other problems..... incorrect dial feet positions....different stems and hand sizes, which I guarantee is an absolute PIA when retro fitting quartz movements. The one question I haven't seen really conclusively answered, one way or the other, is are the ETA clones really interchangeable parts wise on a 1:1 basis with ETA.?? Some say Yes, others are saying No. And BTW, does anyone know where these are coming from? Could it be that maybe these are actually downgrade movements from ETA factories??? Gee it's great to be involved in a forum such as this, where we can pose all these mysteries and speculate on the future of the world (as we know it ) Offshore

Robbie, One issue, which i think we have overlooked in this whole debate, is parts availability on the Asians. To my knowledge, there is not a good availability (if any) on parts. Either on the Seagulls, or Hangzhous, and it would appear that the ETA clones aren't 1:1! And I can tell you that I have had discussions with these manufacturers, about having an ability to be a parts supplier, with absolutely no luck. To me, this is one very important plus for true ETA. Albeit ETA seem to almost have a death wish, as they are now forcing their parts prices up as well. The other big question in my mind ( and I wish I had an answer for this one)....is why are Swatch/ETA continuing to push this policy. We know they have a number of manufacturing plants in Asia. Surely they are not going to just give up market share that easily? What is going to happen to their production capacity? Are they just going to close down these plants? This is (was) the biggest manufacturer of movements in the world. Must say I am at a total loss to explain these seeming contradictions. Maybe there is still a sting in the tail, that we haven't seen yet? Or am I missing the bigger picture? Offshore

Great video JR! What track was it, that was as impressive as the video? No 5km/ 1 minute circuit that. Loved all the varying corners. You would need to do more than a few laps there to "learn" that circuit. Offshore

Have a wonderful day my friend! Hope to see you here more, sometime soon. Offshore

@phaedo, Yes! Mine is here as well, must have been on the same bird! Just wonderful, thanks Ken, and everyone who made this possible. Offshore

@TT The Oz supplier is- http://www.hoj.com.au/products.php?k=Screwdriver Whilst their prices aren't cheap. they would be worth getting pricing from, given the A$ vs U$. Also factoring in the freight. I know they still have some tools purchased pre the $ crash, and are holding those prices, so there is a potential 33% discount, against October prices. I actually use AF drivers, fitted with Horotec blades, as I couldn't bring myself to pony up for the Horotec set! Check the USA pricing, and see if HOJ shape up! Offshore

I know we keep on talking about buying quality tools- this just reinforces it. About 6 weeks ago, I "lost" my caseback knife. It was a quality Swiss Army pocket knife style, and has served faithfully, with a couple of resharpens - for years. Have soldiered on with a couple of cheap Chinese knives I had, and they have "done the job" Yesterday, I encountered a quartz, which didn't have a lip or groove to get the knife into. Tried for 30 mins or so, and gave up, as I was going to start seriously scratching the case back. This morning, I decided to make a concerted effort to find my old knife. I suspected it had been put into a pocket of a pair pants, so I went thru all the wardrobe, and finally found it laying in a pocket. The first attempt to snap the caseback was successful, even though the knife probably needs a bit of attention, yet I had tried sharpening the Chinese ones, to no avail. I have recently scrapped all my "no name" screwdriver blades, and purchased some Horotec replacements. The time between the blades requiring attention, is quite amazing. Now I check them weekly, and find about once a month, some minor touch ups are needed on the mainly used ones. Previously I needed to look at the "main 3" each day, and perform a touch up at least weekly. From my experience, there is NO replacement for top quality, especially on those items used regularly..... drivers, caseback tool, bracelet pin pusher, springbar tool. So don't kid yourselves that the cheapies will do. They may be Ok for very infrequent use, but the moment you start to use them regularly, they will let you down, and probably do damage (to your watch or yourself) at the same time. Offshore

I have been following this thread with interest, and just now took the time to reread it. Would like to go a little OT, to make one comment. It is pleasing, and gratifying, to see a discussion/debate, take place, without too much flaming, and personal attacks. The very reason for being for forums such as this, should be to allow informed and open debate. How otherwise can we all become better informed? We must all take what we will from the discussions, and finally reach our own conclusions. Censorship in any open forum, should not be required, and is only undertaken here should discussions become personal and heated. When forums such as the Replicacentre one, remove or do not post articles, which are contrary to their aims, (which is selling product), the basics of open discussion obviously become invalid. Are we seeing similar traits in other fora here? Thank you gentlemen, for having this discussion, without resorting to personal attacks, and allowing it to degenerate into a flame fest. It gives good reason to continue to assist this forum.... to allow any and all to have their say, and view the outcomes. Now back to the discussion-> Offshore

Try- http://www.julesborel.com/ Search-> Horological catalogue->Material Assortments-> MQA-5. Cost $5.95. Offshore