Finishing my nephew's watch

So, yesterday I finally had time to wrap up the building of the watch I'm giving to my nephew for Xmas. I had spent many weeks regulating the movement by trial and error to get it running right. It went from about +60 seconds a day to +2 seconds a day now (after going very slow at one point and then very fast again - it was hard to regulate without a timing machine ).

So, all that was left was to swap hands, dial, and strap. Here is what it looked like when I started yesterday:



First step is to remove the strap:



Then into the case holder and remove the screw down back:



Pull the stem so I can remove the movement from the case:





Get out the watch papers to protect the dial, and the hand remover to remove the hands:





Next remove the dial - loosen the dial foot clamp (2 in total):



Dial and hands are now off:



Ready for the new dial:



New hands as well:



Dial is on and hour hand is placed after finding the point where the date flips over:



Need to mount the minute hand so it lines up perfectly with the hour hand and the 12 hour marker - the hour hand is under the minute hand - lines up pretty well :



Back in the case with the stem inserted:



All cased up and ready to go :



Now to put the strap on he wanted:



And the final result - looks pretty good!



So hopefully he will like the end result and it will run well for him. Thanks for looking!

[alpet]

Great job Al!!

I wish I had the Patience to do the same..

[astcell]

Make sure he sees this link!

Awesome work my friend. Not sure about the final dail/hand combo, but whatever floats his young boat.

I agree with above... you should send him the links to your watch project threads to give him an idea of how hard it is to do, what you did.

[padi56]

Fantastic job Al its great after you have assembled a watch given it I wind and it starts to tick.Then think to yourself well I done that,looks great myself love the blued hands gives it that retro look well done that man.

[Lt. Dan]

Wow, very nice! What kind of watch is that and what would that cost?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Wow, very nice! What kind of watch is that and what would that cost?

It's a rare, hand-made Avalon, built by an up-and-coming artisan watchmaker from the heartland of Canada. This beautifully hand-crafted stainless steel cased watch can be yours for the modest sum of US$3,500. Add another US$200 for a strap/buckle and the final is US$3,700.

[mrbieler]

Nicely done.

[Rodentman]

Very nice work!

Originally Posted by Atomic

It's a rare, hand-made Avalon, built by an up-and-coming artisan watchmaker from the heartland of Canada. This beautifully hand-crafted stainless steel cased watch can be yours for the modest sum of US$3,500. Add another US$200 for a strap/buckle and the final is US$3,700.

As a special bonus to TRF members who order one of these rare timepieces, I'll throw in my unique "JJ Irani" inspired protective system known as the CMA System (stands for Character My Ass!).

This system ensures that your Avalon watch will not get any "character" marks during normal use. The system is shown here:



Note this is normally a $49.95 value. As seen on TV.

Originally Posted by Avalon

As a special bonus to TRF members who order one of these rare timepieces, I'll throw in my unique "JJ Irani" inspired protective system known as the CMA System (stands for Character My Ass!).

This system ensures that your Avalon watch will not get any "character" marks during normal use. The system is shown here:



Note this is normally a $49.95 value. As seen on TV.

Ahhhh so his secret is out of the bag!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Ahhhh so his secrete is out of the bag!

Actually, I would say it's under wraps.

BTW, Al, great job and thanks for the blow by blow. The end result looks wonderful. Hope your nephew appreciates the personalized effort that went into his gift.

[JJ Irani]

Excellent work, Al....lots of patience and skill required there!!

[mikey]

You are a true artisan

[fat-sam]

fantastic job, and a lovely thoughtful gift

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Atomic

It's a rare, hand-made Avalon, built by an up-and-coming artisan watchmaker from the heartland of Canada. This beautifully hand-crafted stainless steel cased watch can be yours for the modest sum of US$3,500. Add another US$200 for a strap/buckle and the final is US$3,700.

Would you be that up and coming watch maker?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Would you be that up and coming watch maker?

No, but I am the VP of Marketing for Avalon Timepieces.

[Otis]

Originally Posted by Atomic

No, but I am the VP of Marketing for Avalon Timepieces.

"Hello Avalon Timepieces... Junior Vice President Atomic speaking!"

Great attention to detail Al, it's a very thoughful gift, and I'm sure he'll be most impressed.... I am, it's a great looking watch

[roadcarver]

Great job Al. It's one of those rare gifts that you see now a days where sweat and tears are shed when making (not buying) a gift for somebody.

That watch will have a place in his memories!

Thanks everyone.......it feels good to give my nephew something that I put some time and effort into, and not simply a gift I bought. I hope he enjoys it!

And Dan - I can make you one as long as the transaction doesn't involve Paypal.....

[mailman]

Nice job Al. I hope your nephew appreciates all you have put into it.

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Thanks everyone.......it feels good to give my nephew something that I put some time and effort into, and not simply a gift I bought. I hope he enjoys it!

And Dan - I can make you one as long as the transaction doesn't involve Paypal.....

So what's the deal, its this really one of your watches? Or did you just modify one that you bought?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

So what's the deal, its this really one of your watches? Or did you just modify one that you bought?

It's a project watch from the TimeZone watch school courses. It's the level 2 watch and as you learn to work on movements you end up with a working watch at the end of the courses. I selected the dial, hands and bought all the parts, and then assemble after doing a service on the movement.

I didn't actually "make" the parts but assembled everything.

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Avalon

It's a project watch from the TimeZone watch school courses. It's the level 2 watch and as you learn to work on movements you end up with a working watch at the end of the courses. I selected the dial, hands and bought all the parts, and then assemble after doing a service on the movement.

I didn't actually "make" the parts but assembled everything.

I see. So how much did it really cost?

[amanda]

Lt Dan, you can see the price structure on TZ in the WatchMaking School.... have to say I was fascinated by it when I found the school and wondered if I'd be able to do it. But I dunno, all those tiny pieces and you need patience too boot... not something I have usually!!!

Avalon - thats an awesome gift, I am sure your nephew will be wrapped. You should print off the pics and story above and include that in the present for him so he can see you didnt just go buy a watch - you put it together!

[Lt. Dan]

Originally Posted by amanda

Lt Dan, you can see the price structure on TZ in the WatchMaking School.... have to say I was fascinated by it when I found the school and wondered if I'd be able to do it. But I dunno, all those tiny pieces and you need patience too boot... not something I have usually!!!

Avalon - thats an awesome gift, I am sure your nephew will be wrapped. You should print off the pics and story above and include that in the present for him so he can see you didnt just go buy a watch - you put it together!

Got a link? I've never heard of this.

[Lt. Dan]

Nevermind, found the link.

Hey Avalon, you interested in making one for me?

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Nevermind, found the link.

Hey Avalon, you interested in making one for me?

Well, I'll think about it but right now I am working on restoring a vintage watch for my niece, so that is my priority at the moment as I need to get that done before Xmas (I hope!).

So far it has been a frustrating exercise........

[Lt. Dan]

No rush. When you have the time or inclination, shoot me a PM.