Learning about watch mechanism and servicing them
Hi to all WC members! I have one question regarding movement suitability for my future learning curve and kindly asking WC community for assitance.
I bought basic watch repair kit as I want to take an automatic movement apart and learn more in flesh about how these work and later maybe doing some regulating and/or servicing.
My question for you all is what automatic movement would you recommend to me that:
a.) is easy to understand, disasemble and assemble
b.) doesn't cost a fortune and can find spare parts ( I will certainly destroy some of it at the beginning )
I was also considering hand wound movements to begin with but would prefer automatic.
Thanks
16 comments
Sort by
Mare
No snobbery, respect for all watches and watch collectors
Slovenia
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
7.68” / 19.50 cm
I'm not an expert at all on the subject. Anyway, from what I heard, starting from a hand wound movement would probably be better.
I think I heard that many beginners start with the ETA-Unitas 6497. It is a large movement that started its life as a movement for pocket watches, but is still used today on some larger wristwatches (42-45mm diameter). This is an advantage since presumably at the beginning you won't be super good at handling very small parts. But any knowledge you learn from it should transfer on smaller watches.
The Seagull ST36 is a chinese movement based on the Unitas. It's built on the same specifics, since patents have long expired. It is of course cheaper and easier to source. So, it may be a good option.
Hope this helps!
I'm not an expert at all on the subject. Anyway, from what I heard, starting from a hand wound movement would probably be better.
I think I heard that many beginners start with the ETA-Unitas 6497. It is a large movement that started its life as a movement for pocket watches, but is still used today on some larger wristwatches (42-45mm diameter). This is an advantage since presumably at the beginning you won't be super good at handling very small parts. But any knowledge you learn from it should transfer on smaller watches.
The Seagull ST36 is a chinese movement based on the Unitas. It's built on the same specifics, since patents have long expired. It is of course cheaper and easier to source. So, it may be a good option.
Hope this helps!
Yup, that's what was in the Rotate Edison kit I had. I barely did much with the actual movement, but it was plenty challenging for me. It's basically a pocket watch movement.
Hi Mare!
I'll go with @andrea81 Unitas 6497/6498 and ST36 are both greate movement for starters.
I made/built my first watch using a generic ETA-Unitas 6498 and I'm going to replace that first movement by a new ST36 that I bought recently. Below some pictures I took that time...
When I started tinkering with watches I first tried to take apart old pocket-watch movements. When I understood how these worked and could functionally reassemble them I switched to simple three handed hand winding movements. Repeated that step until I was quite confident working on these. After that I tried to upgrade difficulty with small steps (for example: handwinding three handed date -> same but with quick set date -> automatics without date -> and so forth. I ruined some watches that were way too difficult in the beginning so after realizing that I tried it with slow smaller steps and that did it for me. Especially as you get to higher difficulties you also need different oils and tools.. I’d recommend to take it slow 😅
If you really want an auto movement I’d suggest some old Seiko 5 as these are relatively simple, there at plenty of replacement parts available and also lots of servicing videos and instructions online :)
I started with an NH35, simply because I ran into a malfunction. I was able to take it apart and put it back together, but there are many ways to get it wrong. Then I did it one more time for good measure and damaged the balance spring.
It might get back into it, but currently none of my watches need service.
When I started tinkering with watches I first tried to take apart old pocket-watch movements. When I understood how these worked and could functionally reassemble them I switched to simple three handed hand winding movements. Repeated that step until I was quite confident working on these. After that I tried to upgrade difficulty with small steps (for example: handwinding three handed date -> same but with quick set date -> automatics without date -> and so forth. I ruined some watches that were way too difficult in the beginning so after realizing that I tried it with slow smaller steps and that did it for me. Especially as you get to higher difficulties you also need different oils and tools.. I’d recommend to take it slow 😅
If you really want an auto movement I’d suggest some old Seiko 5 as these are relatively simple, there at plenty of replacement parts available and also lots of servicing videos and instructions online :)
Yes I tought also to start with pocket watches as they are simpler and larger but if I destroy some component(s) I am out of spare parts. Above proposal for Unitas is a good and obvious choice
Thank you all for your advice, knew I can count on WC community💪🙏🏼
I have the same project 😊 I can recommend this blog : http://www.bobinchak.com/watchmaking/. This is not a "service guide" at all but I find it rather interesting to understand the basics before starting to work on a movement yourself!
Like others said a 6497 seems to be a good start : http://www.bobinchak.com/watchmaking/2016/9/28/meet-the-movement
Good luck!
I have the same project 😊 I can recommend this blog : http://www.bobinchak.com/watchmaking/. This is not a "service guide" at all but I find it rather interesting to understand the basics before starting to work on a movement yourself!
Like others said a 6497 seems to be a good start : http://www.bobinchak.com/watchmaking/2016/9/28/meet-the-movement
Good luck!
Thanks, much appreciated
Hi Mare!
I'll go with @andrea81 Unitas 6497/6498 and ST36 are both greate movement for starters.
I made/built my first watch using a generic ETA-Unitas 6498 and I'm going to replace that first movement by a new ST36 that I bought recently. Below some pictures I took that time...
Where did you buy your parts and tools? Did you use a company like DIY Watch club or Rotate as mentioned by @OscarKlosoffWatch ?
Any recommendation would be much appreciated 😁
I’ve been building watch mods but I haven’t found the courage to take apart a movement yet. I think I’m gonna buy a hand wind Chinese ST36 to get started. No way to learn unless you dive in right?
Where did you buy your parts and tools? Did you use a company like DIY Watch club or Rotate as mentioned by @OscarKlosoffWatch ?
Any recommendation would be much appreciated 😁
Hi Thierry! Sorry for delay on answer.
The main focus of DIY and Rotate, in my opinion, is on modding with combinations of cases, dials and hands, and not so much on the movement itself.
I usually buy parts and tools from 'fornitures' here in Brazil and, of course, eBay and AlliExpress when I can't find some part or tool locally or at a good price.
Hi Thierry! Sorry for delay on answer.
The main focus of DIY and Rotate, in my opinion, is on modding with combinations of cases, dials and hands, and not so much on the movement itself.
I usually buy parts and tools from 'fornitures' here in Brazil and, of course, eBay and AlliExpress when I can't find some part or tool locally or at a good price.
Thank you for your answer, much appreciated 👍
Thank you for your answer, much appreciated 👍
Hey Thierry! Now I noticed that last replie was for you and not @Mare0104!! Edited/fixed message. Sorry for my mistake! 😮
Hey Thierry! Now I noticed that last replie was for you and not @Mare0104!! Edited/fixed message. Sorry for my mistake! 😮
Haha no problem Diniz 😉