RWG Technical

It's more of a case of the Asian 7750 parts not being compatible with the ETA anymore... There are numerous versions of the A7750, the 28.8k ones are totally different than the ETA, whereas the 21.6k versions were the same. So with no source of parts to make the ETA into a quazi-7753 model, I can't do the work anymore. I did have spare 21.6k A7750's, but 3 of them were scrapped for this HBB, and the other ones I had, were scrapped for the other HBB...and lets just say the appreciation from the owner for all the work that was done was basically zero (not Kruzer, he always acknowledges the effort I put into his watches). After 10+ hours of my time, a few scrapped movements, and many problems and difficulties to overcome, I emailed a long detailed message of all the work and effort I had put into the watch to make it work.. and the response back was a one liner "...send me a picture of the watch, it's really important..." Hmmm, sure, I'll get right on that, thanks for asking... RG

The only suggestion I have at this point, is that I can send you a asian stem, and you try it out, if it works, great...if not...not much else that can be done. The only possibility of movement replacement is with a Miyota 8215, if it would fit...you can't source these types of movements with the subdials etc... If you want to try the stem, shoot me a PM and your addy, and I'll put on in the mail for you. RG

That looks like an $80 watch, unless the dial and case are super special, seems overpriced to me. Most asian movements use plastic holders, the Miyota also comes with a plastic holder, which in itself is not a problem, or indication of poor quality... The ETA's all have single screws on the rotor, the difference is that the ETA's also have the bearing on the rotor, this asian model has the bearing on the movement. RG

Ah yes, it's all in the viewing angle isn't it... The stem doesn't appear to be the same as the one in a Miyota...finding a replacement can be next to impossible...even the watches with the Venus 175 copy movement, which you would think accept a Venus 175 stem - don't...they are not the same. RG

Well then your only chance of finding a replacement stem for that one, is to try a Miyota 8215 stem, sometimes they are the same... If you can remove the stem, and post a clear picture, I can let you know if it looks like the Miyota stem will fit. RG

Without knowing the caliber number of the movement, no one can help you...there is no such thing as a caliber 0.90mm stem... The 0.90mm only refers to the size of the threads that the crown screws into, it's like saying I need a 14 inch tire for my car...but not knowing the width or aspect ratio. You order stems by identifying the movement, i.e. ETA 2836-2, and the stem is a 401 part number, and then the size of the threads, 0.90mm. Some stems are only available in one size, others in two sizes... RG

@TK471 Looks great, wear it well. RG

Hmmm....I think it's BS. If your using a normal CRT monitor, the amount of power needed to paint a pixel is minimal at best, I don't believe that the monitor circuits will use any more power painting a white screen vs a black one...certainly as part of my electronics training when we did a course and troubleshooting and repair on TV's, never ever was there a load difference in the power supply when I had a white or black screen, the TV (CRT) uses the same power no matter what... And if your using a LCD monitor, that whole theory goes down the trash, a LCD uses so little energy and doesn't have a electron gun shooting out electrons at the screen, my LCD monitor uses a paltry 1.5 amps, for less than 50 watts...at all times...white or black... I think someone is pulling the woll over everyone's eyes, I need to get my clamp on ammeter out and test it on my home monitor. Reminds me of the aluminum can pull tab scam where if you save enough tabs, someone will get a wheelchair...if it's aluminum your after, why not use the whole can, and not only the tab?? RG

That strap really brings out the oldness in the watch... and I am pleased that you like the results. Being hand painted, there is always doubt as the painter as to what I think looks good actually matches what your looking for. In this case, we worked back and forth a few times until I got it looking the way you wanted and I am happy that you like the results in person. I am not sure what I would do with the movement, the reason I say this, is that of all the old pocket watches I have restored, 99% of them had pristine looking movements, eventhough the dial and hands may look old. The movement is brass, or plated brass, so it won't rust, the only parts that rust are the actual pivots (and when they do, it's not a good thing). Since the movement is nickel plated and enclosed, I am not sure how much ageing it would have to have done to it, to make it look right. This is a 114 year old pocket watch movement... for a comparison. This is a 102 year old movement... RG

Your welcome... RG

Looks great, wonderful job and great bit of history I did not know about... Wear it well, RG

PM sent. Feedback on the Cousteau

Beautiful, I really like the old ones... I have never seen a solid gold case, all the ones I have worked on were gold filled. I would be interested to see the hallmarks on the case. Normally the case and movements were not made or sold by the same company. There was a whole industry that made cases, and another that made movements. The job of the jeweller was to marry the two up, depending on the customer request. Thanks for the pics. RG

Have you checked that the tilting pinion is moving over and engaging into the center seconds wheel. Is the 12 hour subdial working when the chrono is turned on, and is the problem only the center seconds not working? Is the tilting lever spring correctly installed in place? There are many parts and pieces that make up the chrono section, without knowing your skills or what you did or did not do, etc, it's almost impossible to tell what the problem is from here... If your capable of installing the parts, you should be also capable of testing each section as you install it, to see if it's working correctly...and fixing the parts that are not working. RG

They all look the same in the dark...but yes, your right, it is kruzer's lume shot, I couldn't be bothered setting up for another lume shot. RG

Damn, foiled again... RG

As much as I would like to take all the credit, as with a lot of the mods or upgrades I try out, it's really the owner of the watch that is the driving force. A lot of these new upgrades are due to kruzer's persistance, and our close working relationship over the past 2 years. He knows I am willing to try anything, but we also have a mutual understanding that there is always a risk in trying this stuff, and we also both know that if it all goes for the [censored] and ends up ruining his watch, we accept that and I try and make the best of it. I would never have tried this, or some of the other mods I have done, without his support and encouragement. If someone I had not worked with had asked me to attempt this, I would have declined, because I don't have the working relationship I do with kruzer. So he gets as much credit as I do, no pressure, understanding that there is always risk but that I will do the best I can, that is how this is possible... RG

Whew, good stuff, I wasn't looking forward to having to take it all apart again... @k2222 Yes it is hard on the eyes, even with 10/20 vision I find it tiring after the first 30 minutes... RG

You don't want to know, lets say there was more than one cup of tea consumed during the two lume applications, and the two varnish applications... very tedioius and hard on the eye (the loupe eye that is...).f @ all Thanks for the kind words, makes the effort worth while, and I am sure the owner will also be pleased with the results... RG

Actually I did swap out the day and date wheels for the ETA ones, the movement is also a ETA 7750. I don't have any other wheels available, and was under the impression that the ETA ones were correct for this watch. Certainly I will never claim to be an expert in this area, and I think I did the exact same on kruzer's Cousteau, that is install the ETA wheels... Can you clairify this point? RG

Your welcome. RG

The jewelling press is used for removal and installation. Jewels can be bought at any supply house, you have to give them the exact dimensions of the jewel and the hole. Maybe ebay would have a used press, beware as "cheap" can mean poor quality, which is not a good idea... RG

Results posted as a stand alone post... RG

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