The Citizen that sounds like a painkiller...
So, it's been quite some time since I posted any refurb work. I've been a bit busy with real life - isn't it annoying when real life gets in the way of more frivolous pursuits?
However, I have managed to rescue a few donkeys over the past few weeks.
This lovely little Citizen 'Adorex' (told you it sounded like a painkiller) came to me via eBay and was in a pretty sorry state when it arrived at the Donkey Sanctuary...
The case looked awful, the faceted crystal looked like it had been chewed by a bulldog...
...and it was running like an arthritic tortoise. It was pretty grubby too...
The first place the case went was into the ultrasonic cleaner and from there the crystal went for a nice hot bath in the kettle to loosen it from its rim...
This softens the adhesive and removing the crystal is easy after that...
With that done the case was prepared for refinishing and I moved onto the movement.
I've hadn't worked on an 'Adorex' previously, so this one was a learning experience. There are actually three movements in the range.
History lesson time...
Introduced in the mid 70s the 8000 was Citizen's first automatic to feature a uni-directional winding rotor. The 'USP' was a mechanism that linked the balance to the crown and allowed regulation of the balance without opening the case. It clearly never caught on as I've never seen it repeated on any other movement and Citizen ditched it on the subsequent 8050.
Like the 8000 the 8050 is a high-beat, running at 28,800bph. It still has a fine adjuster on the balance, but the link to the crown is dropped.
Later in the decade, Citizen moved to the first edition of the 8200 for the Adorex range. This time the high-beat is replaced by a more standard 21,600 bph.
...and there endeth the history lesson.
The movement in this particular watch is the 8050. It has hacking and hand-winding alongside that lovely 28,800 bph. Movement pictured below with the rotor removed...
The movement itself is relatively simple to service. That is of course if you don't over-tighten the screw that holds the setting lever spring in place. Shearing the head off and leaving the body of the screw in the mainplate. Only a moron would do that... so, here's the decapitated screw...
There was, as is often the case with me, much swearing and self-flagellation at this stage. I had to walk away and remind myself of how much fun I was having with my chosen hobby. Yeah... right.
Anyway, once I'd calmed down I managed to get said snapped screw under the microscope and slowly, very carefully unscrew it with tweezers. I was very lucky that there was just enough to get hold of (story of my life) and it eventually came free. It was then off to the spares box to find a suitable replacement screw which, again very luckily, I managed to find. The sigh of relief was palpable.
The rest of the service was straightforward. A few pictures below..
And reassembled/oiled after cleaning...
Once that bit was done it was a refinish of the case and the fitting of a new, double-dome, sapphire crystal...
...and there we have it. A much happier Citizen Adorex 8050. It's now looking for a new home. If you'd be happy to adopt a little Donkey of your very own just DM me. All rescue donkeys are fully house-trained, have all their jabs and are good with children.
I've also had a Seiko Actus SS and a Seiko 5606 spend some time in the Sanctuary. I'll spare you the gory details but here are all three on their passing out parade...
I think that's more than enough from me for now. Until next time you lovely people ❤
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
Great work and a fun read, cheers 🍻
Wow, what a transformation and what a cool looking watch. Well done, sir.
Enjoyed the read and the watch looks fantastic!
Excellent job! Looks phenomenal
Well done as always. Your rescue service is inspiring.
Great work! Always a delight to see an Adorex service, still fascinating to see an actual balance 'bridge' on that movement.
I haven't fully serviced mine yet. Managed to snag the rare Cal. 8000 movement and playing around with the fine adjuster via the crown was a nifty little feature:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJms19ronns
This is why I stop myself from getting more tools, stories like yours remind me exactly that i do not have the temperament.
Great work! Always a delight to see an Adorex service, still fascinating to see an actual balance 'bridge' on that movement.
I haven't fully serviced mine yet. Managed to snag the rare Cal. 8000 movement and playing around with the fine adjuster via the crown was a nifty little feature:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJms19ronns
It's a great little movement. I really enjoyed working on it. I'd love to get hold of an 8000 but they're soooo rare.
Fantastic work as ever my friend and a very interesting history lesson. As we have frequently spoken of, you have far more patience and skill than me, despite the swearing.
That blue actus SS has been reserved, so is for display purposes only, just to make clear!!
Fantastic work as ever my friend and a very interesting history lesson. As we have frequently spoken of, you have far more patience and skill than me, despite the swearing.
That blue actus SS has been reserved, so is for display purposes only, just to make clear!!
Cheers my friend. The swearing helps me focus. 😏
... and yes the blue Actus has your name on it. Ha ha.
The trials and tribulations of the donkey rescuer, great read, thankyou.
Thank you for sharing Gareth! Very fine looking Citizen👌 A bit puzzled of the color. In the last picture it looks more blue.
Thanks Per. It's a pale green sunburst that looks more green in most lights and more blue/green in others. Here it is before I fitted the crystal... I did contemplate a flat crystal too but decided to go with double dome
Wow, that is awesome! Beautiful watch, love that dial 😍
Fantastic looking watch and outstanding work 😎.
Great job. I am envious of you skill. I liked the story and enjoy the humor,although i had to look up the meaning of a few words. Duane...... Black Diamond,WA. 98010 U.S.A.
Great job! Love that dial