Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 Not much going in the workshop at present, just a few battery changes and strap pins!

I am in the process of learning how to Airbrush, so I can airbrush a dial and hands-on at BFG 866 movement watch I am working on.

So I would like to wish all amateur horologist a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Full service on Lincoln 31 day wall clock

Completed a full service on a Lincoln wall that I purchase from eBay really cheap for myself to practice on.

Full photo album Click Here (opens new window) There are some videos and animations in the picture album.

Completely disassemble the movement which is a 31 Day Striking Chefoo (China) movement.

Cleaned the parts which were greasy, but otherwise in good condition.

Reassembled the movement and oiled it.

Attention now was on the case, which I cleaned and removed the scratches, then french polished and then added a coat of Beeswax. Which came up good.

Placed movement back in the case and timed it

Once that was done, replaced face and job completed!

Smiths Floating balance Mantel Clock Repair and Service

SMITHS - Made in Great Britain - Smiths Industries Limited - Two (2) Jewels Unadjusted. Mechanical Mantel Clock with floating balance.

This clock came into the workshop not working, both mainsprings are fully wound up!

Full Photo album click here

Smiths licensed the floating balance from Hettich but by 1960 had developed an improved version capable of easier adjustment using an external calibrated adjustment.

From about 1966 the name "Smiths Industries" appears on some models.

Time to remove the movement from the case!

The Floating Balance

Completely disassembled the movement.

While deconstruction of movement every pinion was stuck in a bush, due to congealed oil! (Not been serviced for a long time).

On the first inspection of the movement it is soon revealed that one of the mainsprings has popped out of the barrel, was the clock dropped?

Deconstruction of the movement

Remove both mainsprings from their barrels.

Old spring which is concerned which caused the barrel lid to co

me off, and the new mainspring

The other (Time) mainspring was "set", so ordered a new one.

Both new mainsprings fitted into barrels

Cleaned all the parts and reassembled the movement and it runs perfectly.

Video of the clock striking 10

Working on BFG 866 Movements

I have been working lately on a bunch of Vintage BFG 866 pin lever movements that I won on eBay, that were not working. Good Practice!

Here are the links to the photo albums on the movements I have worked on so far!  

20th May 2021

Vintage Constructa Watch Ltd watch fitted with a BFG 866 movement with a Date Dial.

20th May 2021

Vintage Chancellor De Luxe watch - BFG 866 Pin Lever Movement

9th May 2021

Vintage Talfalger Sidewinder watch - BFG 866 Pin Lever Movement

5th May 2021

Vintage Ingersoll watch - BFG 866 Pin Lever Movement

Vintage Trafalgar Sidewinder watch with BFG 866 pin lever movement.

Vintage Trafalgar Sidewinder watch with BFG 866 pin lever movement. 

Full photograph Album

Another BFG 866 movement on the bench from the bag of non-working movements won on eBay to practice on.

Non-working and case lugs broken.

Stripped movement completely down, found the pin lever was stuck in movement!

Fully cleaned the parts and reassembled the movement and now is working fine.

Found a gold plated case that fitted the movement that winds at 4o\c position.

Added a gold plated strap and now complete!

Vintage Ingersoll watch with a BFG 866 pin lever movement.

Vintage Ingersoll watch with a BFG 866 pin lever movement.

This watch is from the bag of non-working BFG movements I won on eBay, to use as practice. 

Markings on the dial: Ingersoll, Antimagnetic, Unbreakable Mainspring, Swiss Made.

Winder at 4o/c

The regulator pin is missing, a new part ordered (part no 307) and the Barrel is rubbing on the top plate!

Click spring in the wrong position, touching the crown wheel.

Click here for the full photograph album

Movement dissasembled.

Cleaned parts and I have fitted new regulator, reassemble movement.

Now working fine after service!

Videos of the movement now working fine after service and new regulator, now fitted back in case.
 

Added a gold plated strap and watch completed!