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DrLindaPhD · 26 March 2013, 12:32 AM

Thanks to a TRF member I found a local Rolex certified watchmaster who is willing to teach me to service and repair my vintage Rolex mechanical watches. I'm so excited. I'm going to his shop this Thursday.

To start my journey, since I love my newest addition men's Cellini 1600 (rose gold), I purchased a second 1600 movement dirt cheap and in mint condition, running and no issues. I am seeing a lot of these movements for sale, everywhere, because the 18k cases and bracelets are being scrapped for gold (which makes me want to cry).

I am also excited that I found a service and repair manual on ebay for the 1600 which will help support my learning.

The 1600 movement is larger than the typical women's movements so I am learning on something that I will actually be able to see (those ladies 1400 movements are so tiny).

The funny thing is that my newest addition has been at the local watchmaster repair shop twice to fix the same problem with the crown. Now that I have purchased my second movement (with a crown) and it is in mint condition, I might actually be able to swap out the movements myself.

Since all of my watches, except my Tudor Mini Sub are mechanical watches, I am very excited that one day I may be able to service and repair my own watches. This is my goal. I don't expect to set up shop, but I do look forward to tinkering and servicing and repairing anything that breaks. One day I am hoping to travel to Texas to spend a few days with Bob Ridley, learning from the Master ! !

See pics of my movement (rose gold one) and the one I just purchased which actually has a square dial but not an issue when swapping movements. I'm particularly interested in seeing how the two crowns match up. I have a feeling that even though the crown on my prized pink gold Cellini is a Rolex, it is not original to the watch. It seems pretty darn short. We'll see.

My watch repair adventure is now fully underway. I'm so excited.

Olav16710 · 26 March 2013, 12:35 AM

Cool. Have fun learning a new skill!

bridgs · 26 March 2013, 01:07 AM

Such a cool thing to be able to do that with your own watches!

cop414 · 26 March 2013, 02:31 AM

Wow, good for you. I wouldn't hace the patience for it. Keep us posted on your new "education'.

themast · 26 March 2013, 03:03 AM

This is cool! Just recently I was looking into watchmaking schools... but I can't really start a new career.

One day I will get into this though. Please keep us posted on your progress!

mikkibarry · 26 March 2013, 06:30 AM

Congrats! That sounds like great fun. I thought about it, but have no time anymore.

DrLindaPhD · 11 April 2013, 06:20 AM

Had my 5 hour lesson on Friday. It was great. Only one problem, my vision was messed up from working with the loupe for so long. My eye doctor yelled at me and said "why don't you take up fishing instead" and I just smirked at him.

I reassembled a pocket watch. Lots of fun.

FeelingTheBlues · 11 April 2013, 07:37 AM

Way to go Linda, I hope you'll have as much fun as I do at my school! Please post pictures if you can.

Annan · 11 April 2013, 07:43 AM

Wow! Good for you....you are an inspiration for all of us.

RFFG · 11 April 2013, 08:20 AM

That's pretty cool!

DJJon · 11 April 2013, 09:47 AM

Wow I say that is fantastic. I would love to do this too some day. Good luck and may it be rewarding.

JohnBoy · 11 April 2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrLindaPhD

Had my 5 hour lesson on Friday. It was great. Only one problem, my vision was messed up from working with the loupe for so long. My eye doctor yelled at me and said "why don't you take up fishing instead" and I just smirked at him.

I reassembled a pocket watch. Lots of fun.

Congrats on your motivation to learn more and actively participate in your favorite hobby, Linda!

I guess I now have the time to pursue such adventures, but the old eyes just aren't up to the task - perhaps your eye doctor's advice would be best for me! Please keep us posted on how it goes! Good Luck and Enjoy!!

watchwatcher · 11 April 2013, 11:12 AM

Cool...way cool! Keep us posted on this, I am going to live vicariously through your adventures...

hdrazor251 · 11 April 2013, 11:47 AM

Congrats.

I'm completely jealous. Always wanted to learn how to do the basic stuff but between by 50 year old eyes and Starbucks handshakes I feel it would be a disaster.

77T · 11 April 2013, 11:54 AM

You may want to get one of those magnifying hoods to avoid "loupey eye"

allen993 · 11 April 2013, 02:25 PM

very cool...many years ago I worked for a major manufacturer of bank vaults/doors. I used to service the time clocks in the vault doors. They were triple redundant (3 seperate clocks) and you only worked on one clock per visit...just in case it didn't get put back together correctly, either of the other two could allow the door to open. Watchworking would make a cool hobby. Steady hands and good eyesite is essential.

George Ab · 11 April 2013, 02:37 PM

Wonderful learning adventure you are undertaking. I have lunch with my watchmaker weekly and have developed a strong friendship. I have learned much from him.

crowncollection · 11 April 2013, 02:45 PM

Great stuff, good luck

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Psmith · 11 April 2013, 07:17 PM

Great - have fun!

TempoKing · 11 April 2013, 08:08 PM

Indeed a great adventure Linda..Bravo

dogguru · 12 April 2013, 02:46 AM

I had a great time too !! I hope the eye doctor clears you for your next lesson . Maybe we can come up with an alternative magnification device. You are a very fast learner and a pleasure to teach .

DrLindaPhD · 19 April 2013, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogguru

I had a great time too !! I hope the eye doctor clears you for your next lesson . Maybe we can come up with an alternative magnification device. You are a very fast learner and a pleasure to teach .

Thanks Jesse - you are a genius when it comes to these watches. So happy you are in the neighborhood !

I am currently reviewing the watch book by Biden that you suggested. Very interesting.

bscepter · 19 April 2013, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olav16710

Have fun learning a new skill!

very cool. i'd love to learn how to do that!

Frosty · 19 April 2013, 04:15 AM

Hairdude1 · 19 April 2013, 01:37 PM

Very cool you can learn so much! Enjoy!

rolex75216 · 19 April 2013, 02:06 PM

Sounds like a great experience. Congrats! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

SALTY · 21 April 2013, 08:57 AM

Good for you; enjoy.

Remember this: if you can't fix it with a hammer - you probably have an electrical problem.

26 March 2013, 12:32 AM	#1
DrLindaPhD "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Linda Location: New York State Watch: Boys Tudor Sub Posts: 1,131	My adventure in Rolex Servicing and Repair Begins Thanks to a TRF member I found a local Rolex certified watchmaster who is willing to teach me to service and repair my vintage Rolex mechanical watches. I'm so excited. I'm going to his shop this Thursday. To start my journey, since I love my newest addition men's Cellini 1600 (rose gold), I purchased a second 1600 movement dirt cheap and in mint condition, running and no issues. I am seeing a lot of these movements for sale, everywhere, because the 18k cases and bracelets are being scrapped for gold (which makes me want to cry). I am also excited that I found a service and repair manual on ebay for the 1600 which will help support my learning. The 1600 movement is larger than the typical women's movements so I am learning on something that I will actually be able to see (those ladies 1400 movements are so tiny). The funny thing is that my newest addition has been at the local watchmaster repair shop twice to fix the same problem with the crown. Now that I have purchased my second movement (with a crown) and it is in mint condition, I might actually be able to swap out the movements myself. Since all of my watches, except my Tudor Mini Sub are mechanical watches, I am very excited that one day I may be able to service and repair my own watches. This is my goal. I don't expect to set up shop, but I do look forward to tinkering and servicing and repairing anything that breaks. One day I am hoping to travel to Texas to spend a few days with Bob Ridley, learning from the Master ! ! See pics of my movement (rose gold one) and the one I just purchased which actually has a square dial but not an issue when swapping movements. I'm particularly interested in seeing how the two crowns match up. I have a feeling that even though the crown on my prized pink gold Cellini is a Rolex, it is not original to the watch. It seems pretty darn short. We'll see. My watch repair adventure is now fully underway. I'm so excited. Attached Images

26 March 2013, 12:35 AM	#2
Olav16710 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Olav Location: Carmel, CA Watch: 16710 Posts: 286	Cool. Have fun learning a new skill! __________________ Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge. 116400

26 March 2013, 02:31 AM	#4
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,826	Wow, good for you. I wouldn't hace the patience for it. Keep us posted on your new "education'. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Night Club Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

26 March 2013, 06:30 AM	#6
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	Congrats! That sounds like great fun. I thought about it, but have no time anymore. __________________ No Matter Where You Go - There You Are (and so's your Rolex) Card Carrying Chinese Crested Owner

11 April 2013, 07:37 AM	#8
FeelingTheBlues "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Carl Location: Always moving Watch: If you wish... Posts: 22,039	Way to go Linda, I hope you'll have as much fun as I do at my school! Please post pictures if you can. __________________ Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin

26 March 2013, 01:07 AM	#3
bridgs "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Real Name: Shane Location: Minnesota Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 1,125	Such a cool thing to be able to do that with your own watches!

26 March 2013, 03:03 AM	#5
themast "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: US Posts: 2,707	This is cool! Just recently I was looking into watchmaking schools... but I can't really start a new career. One day I will get into this though. Please keep us posted on your progress!

11 April 2013, 06:20 AM	#7
DrLindaPhD "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Linda Location: New York State Watch: Boys Tudor Sub Posts: 1,131	Had my 5 hour lesson on Friday. It was great. Only one problem, my vision was messed up from working with the loupe for so long. My eye doctor yelled at me and said "why don't you take up fishing instead" and I just smirked at him. I reassembled a pocket watch. Lots of fun.

11 April 2013, 07:43 AM	#9
Annan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Ron Location: Arizona, USA Watch: 116233 Posts: 3,180	Wow! Good for you....you are an inspiration for all of us. __________________ *so many Rolexes.....so little time*

11 April 2013, 08:20 AM	#10
RFFG "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Miami Posts: 197	That's pretty cool! __________________ Omega 311.12.42.30.01.001 - 311.10.39.30.01.001 - 3559.32.00 - 311.30.44.50.01.002 - 2503.50.00 Rolex Datejust 1601 (ca.'69) TT/Jubilee Tudor Black Bay GMT M79830RB-0001 Seiko SRPA21 - SKZ253K1 - SNZH53K1 Citizen Ecozilla BJ8050

11 April 2013, 09:47 AM	#11
DJJon "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Jon Location: USA Watch: DJ - Need Sub Bad Posts: 1,889	Wow I say that is fantastic. I would love to do this too some day. Good luck and may it be rewarding.

11 April 2013, 11:12 AM	#13
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,202	Cool...way cool! Keep us posted on this, I am going to live vicariously through your adventures...

11 April 2013, 11:47 AM	#14
hdrazor251 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Jeff Location: Arizona Watch: is recovered!! Posts: 4,255	Congrats. I'm completely jealous. Always wanted to learn how to do the basic stuff but between by 50 year old eyes and Starbucks handshakes I feel it would be a disaster. __________________ 16753 GMT Master, 16613 Bluesy, 16710 GMT Master II, 16570 Polar Explorer II-Stolen & Recovered!! Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

11 April 2013, 11:54 AM	#15
77T 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,512	You may want to get one of those magnifying hoods to avoid "loupey eye" __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

11 April 2013, 02:25 PM	#16
allen993 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 174	very cool...many years ago I worked for a major manufacturer of bank vaults/doors. I used to service the time clocks in the vault doors. They were triple redundant (3 seperate clocks) and you only worked on one clock per visit...just in case it didn't get put back together correctly, either of the other two could allow the door to open. Watchworking would make a cool hobby. Steady hands and good eyesite is essential.

11 April 2013, 02:37 PM	#17
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Wonderful learning adventure you are undertaking. I have lunch with my watchmaker weekly and have developed a strong friendship. I have learned much from him. __________________

11 April 2013, 02:45 PM	#18
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,247	Great stuff, good luck Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ watches many

11 April 2013, 07:17 PM	#19
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Great - have fun! __________________

11 April 2013, 08:08 PM	#20
TempoKing Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Anastasios Location: Athens Greece Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 8,496	Indeed a great adventure Linda..Bravo

12 April 2013, 02:46 AM	#21
dogguru Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY Watch: Rolex ref#4313 Posts: 27	I had a great time too !! I hope the eye doctor clears you for your next lesson . Maybe we can come up with an alternative magnification device. You are a very fast learner and a pleasure to teach .

19 April 2013, 04:15 AM	#24
Frosty 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: So Cal Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 5,089

19 April 2013, 01:37 PM	#25
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Very cool you can learn so much! Enjoy!

19 April 2013, 02:06 PM	#26
rolex75216 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 2,015	Sounds like a great experience. Congrats! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

21 April 2013, 08:57 AM	#27
SALTY "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,500	Good for you; enjoy. Remember this: if you can't fix it with a hammer - you probably have an electrical problem. __________________ Time and tide wait for no man.

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