Orient Ray Restoration.
A couple (literally 🤣) of people have asked for photos of a restoration process. Although pictures tell a limited story I'll try and provide some insight. I'm currently working on an Orient Ray which is quite sick. Timegrapher output looks more like snow than a nice, single straight line...
I've stripped down the movement and although it's generally OK the balance spring is knackered. I think it's been damaged by a previous intruder.
Doesn't really show here but it's badly bent in more than one place and beyond my skills to repair. I've ordered a replacement balance spring and in the meantime I'm restoring the case and strap. I'm going to replace the rather badly scratched bezel insert with an orange one and repaint the second hand as its faded. Here are some photos of the strap going through the stages of applying polished and brushed finishes. Done with a Dremel, various compounds and polishing wheels (can give more details on these if anyone is remotely interested), brushes, etc.
I'll post more pictures (case, etc) as I make progress... if anyone remains interested of course
A self-confessed Seikophile who spends far too much time looking at bits of watches under a microscope. Probably the finest restorer of vintage Seikos in my house. https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/gasworks
Interesting. I'm getting ready to make a frankenwatch from a bunch of parts I have accumulated. I have watched a bunch of Youtubes of watch repairs. It's soothing to watch and to do. Keep us apprised, please.
Interesting. I'm getting ready to make a frankenwatch from a bunch of parts I have accumulated. I have watched a bunch of Youtubes of watch repairs. It's soothing to watch and to do. Keep us apprised, please.
Go for it. It's very rewarding
Oh this is cool. I just bought a timegrapher myself and I enjoy tinkering a bit with these things.
This is something I'm planning to do as I'm getting bored with basic Watch Mods. Lately been chain watching Wrist Watch Revival and My Retro Watches on YouTube.
Plan to start with a couple Pocket Watches one from eBay and the Pocket Watch my Brother got after our Dad passed away. Then I have a couple vintage Orients (hoping to parts share between the two) and just won a bid on a Seiko Mini Monaco that I want to restore.
Keep posting as I'm absorbing as much information as I can on the topic :)
This is awesome! More please.
Wish I had something encouraging to say to myself so I could try. 😠
This is something I'm planning to do as I'm getting bored with basic Watch Mods. Lately been chain watching Wrist Watch Revival and My Retro Watches on YouTube.
Plan to start with a couple Pocket Watches one from eBay and the Pocket Watch my Brother got after our Dad passed away. Then I have a couple vintage Orients (hoping to parts share between the two) and just won a bid on a Seiko Mini Monaco that I want to restore.
Keep posting as I'm absorbing as much information as I can on the topic :)
Same spot I’m in. Mods just aren’t rewarding anymore. Looking to take the next step. Love watching Wristwatch Revival. It’s like having Seth Rogan walk me through a movement.
Thank you for sharing! From the comments seems like folks would love to see more.
This is awesome! More please.
Wish I had something encouraging to say to myself so I could try. 😠
Just go for it. There are plenty of YT channels for inspiration/information. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect... you will make mistakes but that's half the fun. Be prepared to cock things up and accept that as a learning experience.
Just go for it. There are plenty of YT channels for inspiration/information. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect... you will make mistakes but that's half the fun. Be prepared to cock things up and accept that as a learning experience.
Yeah, there will be plenty of mistakes. Things are pretty easy, until you start on the movement itself. The damaged balance spring might be the result of somebody trying to regulate the watch. Even though it is boring, I would recommend some practice with a throw-away movement first.
Just go for it. There are plenty of YT channels for inspiration/information. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect... you will make mistakes but that's half the fun. Be prepared to cock things up and accept that as a learning experience.
yeah, unfortunately i am way too neurotic to accept such a mindset. i crash hard at failures on personal endeavors, especially if i have any money in it. It’s pathetic, but it’s my lifelong struggle i have to bare.
Yeah, there will be plenty of mistakes. Things are pretty easy, until you start on the movement itself. The damaged balance spring might be the result of somebody trying to regulate the watch. Even though it is boring, I would recommend some practice with a throw-away movement first.
sometimes, i want to get a timegrapher and regulate all my watches. Maybe add some lume to my G-Shock, but that’s about it, not looking to strip down a movement and restore completely.
yeah, unfortunately i am way too neurotic to accept such a mindset. i crash hard at failures on personal endeavors, especially if i have any money in it. It’s pathetic, but it’s my lifelong struggle i have to bare.
It's not pathetic. I sympathise as I have a similar mindset. I had to work very hard, particularly early on, to accept I wasn't going to be brilliant (I'm still far from that). That process was actually quite cathartic ... I threw a watch across the room in frustration on one occasion much to the bemusement of my wife. I'd worked on it all day; got it working only to find, on later inspection, that it had stopped. I contemplated chucking it all in. But after calming down (and an encouraging chat with my wife) I made a pledge not to give myself such a hard time and accept I might have more failure than success to begin with. I'm so glad I stuck with it now. Yes... there are moments when I could gleefully chuck a movement at the wall.. but those are the ones it's most satisfying to conquer.
Same spot I’m in. Mods just aren’t rewarding anymore. Looking to take the next step. Love watching Wristwatch Revival. It’s like having Seth Rogan walk me through a movement.
That guy has the best YouTube Voice he must work in Broadcasting somewhere lol.
sometimes, i want to get a timegrapher and regulate all my watches. Maybe add some lume to my G-Shock, but that’s about it, not looking to strip down a movement and restore completely.
Well, that is a slippery slope. I'm sure the previous owner of gasworks' watch also just wanted to regulate it. Dials can also be deceivingly sensitive, especially matte or textured ones. (Don't ask me how I know.)
Then the pride kicks in: "Oh, I can surely fix this..."
sometimes, i want to get a timegrapher and regulate all my watches. Maybe add some lume to my G-Shock, but that’s about it, not looking to strip down a movement and restore completely.
I have a YN55 in SM flieger that was 8 seconds slow/day which bugged me. Having no timegrapher and not really caring if it's accurate in the box I just nudged the +- adjustment tiny increments then wear the watch for a day and see how it did. After a few fine tunings I have it to +5 sec/week while I'm wearing it. Not sure how it does lying still but I really only care how it does on wrist. I love this watch so I haven't taken it off in weeks. Someday I'll get a timegrapher but until then I've found a way to get accuracy at least.
Well, that is a slippery slope. I'm sure the previous owner of gasworks' watch also just wanted to regulate it. Dials can also be deceivingly sensitive, especially matte or textured ones. (Don't ask me how I know.)
Then the pride kicks in: "Oh, I can surely fix this..."
Dials can be very sensitive. I know from bitter experience
I have a YN55 in SM flieger that was 8 seconds slow/day which bugged me. Having no timegrapher and not really caring if it's accurate in the box I just nudged the +- adjustment tiny increments then wear the watch for a day and see how it did. After a few fine tunings I have it to +5 sec/week while I'm wearing it. Not sure how it does lying still but I really only care how it does on wrist. I love this watch so I haven't taken it off in weeks. Someday I'll get a timegrapher but until then I've found a way to get accuracy at least.
There are apps for your phone that mimic a timegrapher. Might be worth a look
Wow. You've done a really good job. Very impressive.