A Watch To Destroy

[vmena]

I've just decided to start opening a watch and unassembling the movement. Any idea where to get an cheap watch (or some of them) to begin testing?

[ubiquitous]

Are you looking for a complete watch, or movement only to get started?

[lancelot]

Yeah what you need (The whole watch or just the movement)

[shimside11]

A few ideas:

Look for automatic or mechanical movements in a lot on ebay. Sometimes they are old ones that don't work, that they sell for parts to other watch makers. If you just want to see how they work and familiarize yourself, this would probably be the most productive.

Alpha watches (ebay again) are usually pretty cheap. They are basically reps without the trademark infringement. This would be a safer bet than getting cheap silix reps through customs. This is good for experience w/ cases, dials, hands, etc.

Also, if you have a local watch repair place nearby that has been in business for sometime, they may be good for a few old pin lever movements, old timex, bulova, croton, etc. I've cleaned out a couple of local guys of all their old rubbish, which they gave me at no charge, and they applauded my new-found interest. (Keep in mind that pin levers were not designed to be serviced, so alot of them won't go back together.)

Pocket watch movements are bigger and easier to manipulate, if you can score some of them.

Lastly, for what it's worth, the book "Practical Watch Repairing" by Donald de Carle, might help with the learning curve. It's rather dated, but a great resource.

Good luck. Keep us posted with stories and pics.

[shimside11]

...been waiting for that...you can't have a post with this title and not have this response.

it's one of the classic posts of all time. Is it archived on this forum?

[JKTOWN]

Crown guards look good but date magnification looks a little off. Is it waterproof?

It probably looks better with a nice SS bracelot.

[chris5264]

I've just decided to start opening a watch and unassembling the movement. Any idea where to get an cheap watch (or some of them) to begin testing?

Have you looked at the timezone online watch school? I did the first class and thought it was a really good way to get started. I have a few cheap movements I bought but never did much with them. Drop me a PM and I'll send you one.

[chilidog]

you can find inexpensive ETAs and seikos on ebay, and some forums, try this one http://www.network54.com/Forum/170229/ for used, sometimes trashed asian watches.... ive seen em' under $20, and for that matter you can buy a new gray market citizen for about \$30..... also post a WTB on a forum like this... http://www.pmwf.com/cgi-bin/Forum/webbbs_config.cgi HTH... chili