The Tank That John Built
1960s Timex Monroe (Tank style)
Well ok, I sort of built it, in the sense that I married a few pieces together.
I went mad and bought a bundle of Timex Tank parts and watches for parts or repairs. Some of which are pictured below.
Why would I do this?.. Well, as a few of you know, I was going on a road trip in my campervan and I thought trying to get something to work out of the bits and pieces would be a fun way to pass the evenings in the van. Yes, I know it's sad.
There were parts from the 50s and parts from the 60s and, although the cases, crystals and dials are not interchangeable, I discovered all the movements were pretty similar.
The movement on the left came out of a watch that was in pretty good shape, considering it's more than 60 years old, except that the balance spring was all mangled. The movement on the right came to me as a bunch of parts but was missing a gear on the top so I used the left hand movement as a donor.
I then gave it a bath.
The case splits into two. This is the movement sitting in the lower part of the case. The crystal just sits in the upper part and then the whole lot pops together.
I used the upper case, crystal, dial, hands, a gear and a spacer from the movement on the left (first picture). And the lower case, movement, and bracelet from the movement on the right.
The crystal, case and bracelet all got a clean and a polish.
Check out the dome on that crystal.
Yonder.. the man who stares at watches. 🥸
Well done John!
Camper van here you go and on Timex time!…..,enjoy your trip 👍🏻
Excellent! We have what I guess you guys call a "caravan," and it's super fun.
That watch though, very cool, and you're right THAT DOMED CRYSTAL! 😎
Looks amazing, John!
Very impressed John! No way I could do that my friend. I love that Timex Scotland is printed on the movement, very cool🎯. The watch is a beauty, and that domed crystal is something special. Do you have another "rebuild" project on the horizon?
Wicked cool, John. You've got some skills.
That crystal is amazing.
A work of genius.
Does it even keep time? Did you re-oil it?
Well done John!
Camper van here you go and on Timex time!…..,enjoy your trip 👍🏻
Thanks, Andy
Excellent! We have what I guess you guys call a "caravan," and it's super fun.
That watch though, very cool, and you're right THAT DOMED CRYSTAL! 😎
Looks amazing, John!
Thanks, Eric. I do love my Campervan, and would stay in it full time. But Mrs Yonder won't let me. Enjoy your caravan, my friend 🤓
Very impressed John! No way I could do that my friend. I love that Timex Scotland is printed on the movement, very cool🎯. The watch is a beauty, and that domed crystal is something special. Do you have another "rebuild" project on the horizon?
Thanks a lot Tony. To be honest, there was no major strip down involved, so it was probably easier than I made it sound.
I think I may have the bug now, and as the movement in my 1957 Viscount seems to have major issue, I have a donor on the way.. I'm hoping to do a movement transplant operation 😂
Here is a pic of my mobile workstation setup
Wicked cool, John. You've got some skills.
That crystal is amazing.
Thanks Mark ,,🤓
A work of genius.
Thanks Greg. It has to be said, that your collection, should take some of the blame for sending me down this new rabbit hole 🤓
Does it even keep time? Did you re-oil it?
You're absolutely right Ben. I did re-oil it. I think vintage Timex fans are well served by websites such as Heritage 1854 and Vintage Timex Watches. Both hold a lot of information for identifying and servicing older models.
This appears to be my watch (in a gold version) but the movement code doesn't match (perhaps a typo)
Going to the Heritage 1854 site, it appears the Monroes have a M22 movement and the only oiling it suggested was applying some under the balance spring slip, which I did. If anyone knows how or where to oil other parts, I'd appreciate the info.
Regarding the Monroes, these things are well named. They really are built like tanks
Does it even keep time? Did you re-oil it?
Sorry Ben, I forgot to add a pic from my timer app on my phone, which I know is quite amateurish. But without any adjustments to the movement, this is what I'm reading.
Sorry Ben, I forgot to add a pic from my timer app on my phone, which I know is quite amateurish. But without any adjustments to the movement, this is what I'm reading.
This would not be that difficult to regulate it to a more acceptable rate of +/-30 per day.
It is impressive that it is picking up the rate at all though.
Thanks Ben. I'm currently searching (possibly in vain) for a NOS crystal. If I can find one, I'll open it up again and have a go at regulating.
Getting back to oiling. I find pulling the crown out to set the time is really tight. Do you know if oiling the stem is a good idea? It doesn't mention this in the repair manual
Excellent work my friend
Excellent work my friend
Again, awesome work John. 👏 That thing earns it name, it must really be built like a tank. An alcohol bath, a little bit of lube, and off she goes. Even if you don't find the crystal you're looking for, it looks amazing. I hope you have some spelunking equipment, because you're descending fast down that rabbit hole. 😂
Again, awesome work John. 👏 That thing earns it name, it must really be built like a tank. An alcohol bath, a little bit of lube, and off she goes. Even if you don't find the crystal you're looking for, it looks amazing. I hope you have some spelunking equipment, because you're descending fast down that rabbit hole. 😂
Spelunking indeed.. you've been talking to the @WabiSabiMaster , haven't you 😂
The Blue Yonder mobile watch repair, full of chemicals' and stuff. It is almost like an episode of Breaking Bad. Great job👍, I have trouble changing a strap.
The Blue Yonder mobile watch repair, full of chemicals' and stuff. It is almost like an episode of Breaking Bad. Great job👍, I have trouble changing a strap.