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Vintage1982Benz
7977
Jan 16, 2018
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Curious - what took you from watch collector/enthusiast to creating your own pieces and really getting in to mods?
Jan 16, 2018
Asheikm
2537
Jan 16, 2018
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Vintage1982BenzShort answer: Curiosity.
Since I can remember I have been curious as to how things work. This leant itself towards making me an avid DIYer. I am still mostly a collector/enthusiast, but when the opportunity presents itself I try to make stuff myself. A simple question, "if someone else can do it, why can't I?" So I try, and sometimes it turns out well. If it doesn't, I learned a lesson. There is also a weird satisfaction of using something that you put together/customized and is exactly as you want it. I also build speakers and amplifiers as a hobby :-)
Tangentially related is the fact that I admire polymaths like Al-Biruni and Leonardo da Vinci. I want to know more about everything. What better way to learn than do.
Jan 16, 2018
Vintage1982Benz
7977
Jan 17, 2018
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AsheikmAwesome. I've gone as far as opening up case backs and replacing batteries, but have not ventured beyond that. I'd like to try swapping out the crystal on a Seiko or a Vostok or something that wouldn't be a huge hit in terms of cost if it didn't go well.
Jan 17, 2018
Gugliermo
1317
Jan 17, 2018
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Vintage1982BenzI can highly recommend getting an Ace Timer. For around $100 you have a fabulous machine that pre digital age watch repairmen could only dream of. Will show you the rate it is running fast/slow, give you amplitude, beat error and other parameters. If you have multiple automatics/hand winders this is well worth it. Will show you exactly their present health and condition. There are two adjustments prongs under the caseback that adjust the speed and beat error, which will also influence the amplitude. With a little trial and error and a few youtube videos you will be able to adjust your own watches. Saves lots and is quite fun.
Jan 17, 2018
Asheikm
2537
Jan 18, 2018
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GugliermoInterestingly, I found another way. I use a microphone with a free audio software called Audacity.
When regulating movements: I place the microphone near the balance wheel and record the audio for a few seconds in Audacity. In the software I choose to view the spectrogram of the recording. The beats show up as vertical lines distributed in time/ By zooming in on the lines, I can measure the time between the beats. For a 6Hz (21600bph) movement, the time difference should be 1/6 seconds. From the two levers for adjustment, one controls the period of oscillation (this is the one that should be adjusted when regulating) and the other controls the difference in time between swings in each direction (typically called the isochronism lever). By adjusting the levers, recording audio, and checking the timing, I make sure that the swings are the same and the period is correct. Once I am happy with the result, I record the audio for a longer time (20-30seconds) and make sure the beats are aligned. If fast or slow, I adjust the regulating lever (not the isochronism).
It has worked for me so far.
In fact after I finished this watch, I found that it was running about a minute/day fast. I assume that it was because the movement was previously regulated with slightly larger hands. The lighter hands meant that amplitude of the swing had to be adjusted. The watch is running spot on again ;-).
Jan 18, 2018
Asheikm
2537
Mar 19, 2019
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GugliermoHello friend! Haven't seen a wrist check from you in a long time. Hope all is well.
Mar 19, 2019
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