Amazing 1930s Marvin Watch Restoration!

In this video I take a 1940s Mervin "Tank" watch and see if I can restore the movement to get the watch functioning again. This one gave me so many hurdles to overcome but did I beat the odds and get it running again. Watch to find out!
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[@MyRetroWatches]

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[@robertmacdonald345]

Hello just got done watching your video, and just has to let you know, Don't be too worried about your videos not going as you hope, it is nice to see that things don't always go as planned and aren't perfect, And the little hand you fabricated I think was great, a very nice size, If I was your customer and you did that for my watch and the time you put in on it I wouldn't complain 1 bit. Nice Job, I enjoyed it a lot. And I enjoy your Channel Keep up the good work Stay Healthy Stay Safe - R.M.

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@robertmacdonald345 thank you kindly for this comment!

[@anna-lisagirling7424]

All I could think of as I watched this video was the phrase my Mother often used: "The patience of Job". My spouse is an avid modeler--mostly aircraft--and I've watched her literally stress-sweat over old, discontinued and rare kits. I am way more "macro" in my chosen hobbies of quilting and jewelry making so it's an abiding mystery as to why such finicky twiddling gives you all such joy! Yet, still, when I want to relax and feel good about things, watching watch repair and restoration is really satisfying. I could watch other people doing it for days ; ) Thanks for the opportunity to entertained by another persons frustration and tenacity--better you than me!

[@tonycollard4185]

Hello Mike, Anybody that works on watches will have had similar experiences of a watch's problem escalate during the repair/service process. Credit to you that you made it to the other side with a running watch and credit to you that you kept it on film to show all of us. Not many would. These extras are what adds to our experience to make the next repair better and smoother! Keep up the good work!!.

[@greendomeno6]

I'm not a grave robber Mike but there's a thought.. Fabulous work mate and definitely not a failure if its running. I promise the next one will be a doddle!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Haha, I had hoped you took that comment in the jest it’s meant! So the Omega bumper will be a doddle… let’s hope so!

[@legacywatchguy8333]

Way to go Mike...I applaud your perseverance. This may be exactly the reason I don't want to get a timegrapher...it would tell me the truth! But I've worked on watches like this...Nick is right; running is a win. Nice job.

[@soundmindtv2911]

still entertaining two years later ⚰️ ⌚️ 😂

[@markwoods1504]

In my book a fail is when you don't or you cannot get an old watch back working again , this Mervin watch looks very similar to my 1940's Gruen Veri Thin Tank Watch . Excellent work my friend

[@maxsand1]

Nice to see some real-world work, So many videos where everything goes without even an expletive.

[@MyRetroWatches]

I try! I think I am yet to swear during a video but between takes my mouth can be foul! I tend not to get frustrated any more though as its part of the hobby and frustration just leads to more issues.

[@timholden7031]

Well done Mike. You got there 👏

[@markbyrum4743]

Great Bluegraas music for the cleaning montage. Great rebuild. Sometimes a 1940's watch won't go as good as a 21st century watch. Good vid. Keep at it!

[@fernandoAveledo]

A great class! Not all is about success but perseverance and dedication. It is not a failure as you said. Is another step on the road. Big thanks for letting us watch this video

[@NW-lj6oo]

Nick owes you a number of beers! Great video as always.

[@Sergeant_Fury]

"A+" for effort. Better you than me, my friend. I wondered what had happened to you. Glad to hear that you're back on your feet.

[@theQdomain]

Glad to see you are back. Your videos are great! They actually helped me through a bad patch where I watched a couple of them from a hospital bed. I have adopted a few of your methods and my results are much better. Thanks Mike, and keep up the good work.

[@MyRetroWatches]

I hope you are well now sir. If my videos helped pass the time (no pun intended) then this is fantastic. Good luck with your watchmaking and recovery.

[@briandugan4171]

I am watching your channel for about 4 days, love your videos, thanks for content!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you very much for finding my channel and enjoying the content.

[@ginomattetti9215]

Very good service mister👍🥇

[@zilopipo]

Oh dear, you've been so patient with this one, you deserve its gratitude as well as ours. Great job and video as always, really good to watch you doing your best to keep old runners ticking on👍 have a deep breath and a good beer before you start a new one in need of care!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Beer (or 3 ) have been had! Thank you for you kind words.

[@chrisorcutt7619]

Hi Mike am a new watcher and enjoying it very much. Will be thinking of you during this struggle you are going through. Keep them coming am about to try my first repair soon.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you Chris.

[@pipodorologio1648]

Good to see you are up and running m8, thanks for your inspiring video.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks and thanks for watching

[@ygrbooks]

As Samuel Beckett once wrote:"Ever tried. Ever failed. Try again. Fail better." Hats off to you for your endurance, Mike. And the video is still great to watch, so that I am very much looking forward to your next one.

[@MyRetroWatches]

It’s how we learn I guess . Just keep on trying! Thanks for the comment .

[@dennisc.1189]

Great job Mike, I'm glad to see that you are feeling better and I hope your family are doing good as well.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. We are all now fully recovered.

[@chrishopkins6298]

What a repair well done 👍

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks

[@walther9161]

Great video mike!!! I think I’ve learned a few things from this exercise and that’s well worth the effort you put into it for your viewers. Well done and appreciated!

[@mlwebb3143]

I'm glad to see you back one thing good about too much oil if it was done a long time ago is it keeps rust down

[@MyRetroWatches]

Certainly does! Thanks

[@metalman4141]

Lovely watch Mike I have one very similar

[@richardmason7107]

Superb. It's great to see real problems with an old watch. I have a Seiko, Orient, and Waltham with this type of problem. Thanks for including the problems in the video.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. For each video I never know what’s in front of me and then my stubbornness to not be beaten kicks in. The viewer gets to see all the highs and lows.

[@petercampbell3828]

I suspect this watch had a life similar to the one in Pulp Fiction! Having it running is an accomplishment. It will have to be wound daily so resetting the time isn't an issue.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Haha, “up his ass”! That’s a good point if you have to wind then you can set the time .

[@WrightsW5]

@@MyRetroWatches The Marvin brand always reminds me of Pulp Fiction, "Oh no! I just shot Marvin in the face".

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@WrightsW5 quality film that!

[@mgp00a]

Well still a great job, great to see you back hope you and family are well.

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Nice work ! and applause for patience!

[@sophiahauser3300]

Wow, what a huge amount of work Mike!

[@phillipmaciver3226]

Nice to see you back and healthy...thanks for the content.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you sir !

[@kswaminathan5439]

Sir, you did a great job. Such old watches require a lot of patience and perseverance to be put in order. Very educational video. Thanks for uploading.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you for this comment. This one was an experience! Thank you for watching this video.

[@michaeldevito5575]

Hello Mike. Mike d stateside. Your method of getting the watch in best is best. My why is to risky the spring would have to come off the staff. Blessings.

[@Watcheyes]

I think tanks getting more popular, very neat and clean watches, will definitely look into buy one.

[@daveroberts8751]

Amazing and fascinating to watch the process, warts and all. Makes you wonder how hard it must have been to design and develop these movements. Thanks

[@georuiz74]

Great content Mike and what a good attitude you have in the face of such a challenging restoration . Onwards and upwards mate ! Well done. 👍

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks George. Anger and frustration usually lead to lost or broken parts and a mood for a few days. I just flipped all that on it’s head, probably as a coping mechanism

[@leemoran1446]

Well done, an interesting and informative video. I've recently started tinkering mainly 70's stuff. So I'll be glued to your work.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. I have plenty of 70s Seikos on the channel for you to enjoy. 70s are the watches I like the most.

[@Andrew-lq4ol]

Great video Mike and so good to see you back at the bench. This video gave me hope as I have put so many hours into similar watches only to see a slight improvement and you begin to doubt your own troubleshooting and techniques! Between yourself and Mark I know I am on the right track - Thank you :)

[@MyRetroWatches]

I am just stubborn I won’t / don’t like to be beaten by a watch so it consumes me until I make progress. Stick at it and your projects will come to life !

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

That was great Mike! The results don't really matter to me, it was just interesting to see the works explained and demonstrations of real-life problems! I get a lot of these c.1930/40 deco watches through my business and I've often wondered how much effort would be required to get them going! Clearly, a lot!! Cheers, Chris

[@MyRetroWatches]

Glad you enjoyed it! what business are you in?

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

@@MyRetroWatches I have a secondhand/antique shop in a small country town in Australia. I've featured my shop recently on my channel - I don't think I showed any watches though! I do have some Seikos stashed aside somewhere! 😉

[@keveh6093]

One thing for sure Mike, those vintage watches never stop surprising. I think I might be in for the same kind of experience as a friend of mine has asked me to get her ETA 761 going. This video will definitely help!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Good luck. ETA movements are generally lovely things

[@avianfish8732]

Spring setting is due to Hooks Law. Metal looses its flex after it is repeatedly activated over time because the act of stressing the metal causes its crystaline structure to change. When a spring is under tension in a barrel even the changes in temperature from day to day will eventually cause this, but mostly it is everyday use. Often springs on broken watches sit 'overwound too' which doesnt help. Set springs are on the way to break but not necessarily quickly.

[@andrewk.3902]

What a pain you had with this watch, I hope Nate really enjoyed the watch

[@Michel-7.7.7]

33:33 a couple days ago, i had exactly the same problem for more than 2 hours. Then the spring went flying and i went crawling with a magnet, couldn't find it. Now i have a gorgeous Fama, 25 jewels, not working automatic, calender watch, with a damned rare caliber, without clickspring.

[@stevezozuk9622]

Wow what a bugger that was. Congrats on keeping calm Mike it's gotta be the hardest thing in this business. Great results as far as i can say. I would imagine the look on your face when it didn't wind in the end. Very frustrating back and forth assembly disassembly Maddening but remarkably fun because It worked , Not great but it worked and that's where it counts. Cool stuff mike. See you on the next one. Cheers

[@tkm3rd]

Thanks!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Welcome! hope the video helps.

[@dsb1763]

Great job, video and the recovery news on your health. You are so right to laugh off the challenges. Never take things too seriously, they will only stress you out and into an early grave.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you on both counts. Still don’t know what was worse, Covid or this watch😂

[@stayingsane5213]

Love your videos. A pleasure to watch. I'm an amateur and have fixed a few watches (I broken a few). Keep up the great work

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. I will! Good luck with your projects and thanks for watching

[@johnsrabe]

In the Patrick O’Brian stories, when Maturin goes into the briney with his Breguet, he dunks it in sweet oil and this works … in the books. Who knows, maybe this did work with a 1790 watch.

[@Peppermint1]

New for new, I wonder how accurate a watch from the 30s would be compared to a later watch from the 70s. While craftmanship was much higher in the early century, tooling was much improved in the last decades - much more precision tooling and accuracy. If you could compare a new luxury watch from the 30s-40s with a new luxury watch from the 70s-80s, which one would be more accurate ?

[@jeff1176]

Glad you are past the virus. Way to persevere thru to the end. Congrats on getting it running again. A win is a win.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you Jeff appreciate that. Back to 100% again now fortunately.

[@RocketSailing]

Welcome back! Cheers to the new video!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you.

[@azzsimps2881]

Great work mate 👍

[@adrianbirkett594]

Ah well done Mike, nightmare watch for sure!. You did your best. Adrian

[@rbmwiv]

My grandfathers Rolex has radium on the dial, it still glows.

[@philliplopez8745]

Best advice I have ever recieved " never become emotionally involved with inanimate objects "

[@MyRetroWatches]

Wish I could follow that!

[@spidiq8]

This one's making me crave a Mediterranean salad. Nice to see you back to full health and posting again.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks Che! It’s good to be back again although returning to this watch was not an easy start.

[@spidiq8]

@@MyRetroWatches I'll bet it wasn't but I think all things considered you did a great job. He certainly challenges you with these watches.

[@alanmckinnon6791]

Well Mike, at least you got the bloody thing running eventually!

[@dodgydruid]

I've just upped a video showing some really cool watches on my channel, Seiko's 7019 and 6309, a correct bracelet for my 6349 plus an exceptionally rare Pulsar Kinetic designed by the chap who voices Puss in Boots in the Shrek film, an astonishing gold Avia Olympic... Also got a Citizen radio controlled titanium eco-drive the seller said was dead and yes it was but following Citizen's advice of putting it for a night under a bright light source... it sprang into life and its like a new watch. Tomorrow I am putting a new lithium cell upgrade into the Antonio (that sounds a bit weird...) to replace the weak capacitor cell it has, the watch is amazing being a see thru baby blue acrylic and the dial is skeletonised as well as the bottom case section has an exhibition caseback to show off the rotor. Glad to see you are out and about on the videos again.

[@clydedenby1436]

Some watches just seem to beg to be stripped for parts. Good on you for pushing through the aggravation.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@kingsford73]

It's not far off, if you can get that beat error down the time keeping might possably settle, good job with what you've done because it wasn't going to run in it's oil bath.

[@mickeyx6746]

Stout fellow! You bore that well, and I admire you for revealing your adversities as well as your triumphs. I do believe that because of the fixed lugs and the dial face that the watch may be from the 1920s or perhaps the early 1930s so I think it’s even older than you guess. Also, it was probably also an economy type watch to begin with, so you are not really working with a watch that had a descent build quality and that would make it all the more difficult to restore 90 to 100 years later. Again I’m not an expert but just offering my insights for your consideration. Thank you! I’ve enjoyed your video! I have bought you 3 beers as per the above link! Cheers Mate!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Hi Micky, firstly thank you very much for your donation I really appreciate that immensely. You might be right about the age of this watch as I do have a feeling its older but I could not really find info on the movement which I normally can online. If you get a date for the movement it gives you an idea of the watch. The thing with Marvin is that they appear to have made their own movements and as such seem to be quite collectable from what I can gather. Thank you so much for watching. cheers!

[@michaeldevito5575]

Hello Mike. Mike d. Here stateside. My tip for hairspring d is this. I have had luck simply while the hairspring is on the balance turn the balance upside down holding down the bridge grab the balance wheel with tweezers keeping the balance wheel straight up lift the balance until 3 quarters of the coils are seperate move the balance wheel north about 5 to 10 mm then south then east then west. I have found many times this will help remove any natural defects in the spring from wear while working in the watch. But first I clean the spring as you did. Blessings to all. Oh Mike that collet would be moved to the left to out that dot at 3 o clock. Twist the fine screwdriver to your right just 1 mm. Mike d Stateside.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Interesting tip i may try this next time, thanks

[@michaeldevito5575]

@@MyRetroWatches Hello Mike. Mike d here. Stateside. I just adjusted the beat on my 40 Ingersoll watch and it did no good on getting a reading on my time o grapher. Here's how I adjusted the best on my 40s Ingersoll. Remove the balance from the watch. Lay the balance on the table a pad or what ever you have. With the balance cock down and the balance wheel and hairspring up look at the dot on the spoke of the balance wheel this dot should be absolutely 3 o click and when installed in the watch it will be 9bo clock and nearly perfect line with the pallet fork. Most of the time you'll see this dot at 2 9 clock I find the watch still ticks nice and keeps time pretty good. 8f you do want this for at the 3 o clock simply turn the balance upside down. Oh. This dot is right wear the line up jewel is the jewel 8s on the upside of the balance assembly With the balance bridge or cock up and the hairspring and balance wheel down gently pull the balance wheel toward you you'll see the coils sperate enough to get a fine blade screwdriver into the notch on the collet. Remember if the jewel needs to turned to the left the collet must be turned to the right and visa versa. For this adjustment place a fine too screwdriver into the slit and turn the Collette to the right just bout 1 mm. Now pick up the entire balance so the hairspring steps in it's new spot. Then check that dot and it should be at 3 o clock. If not turn the Collette the other direction jusT 1 MM. Hooe this helps Mike. Blessings. From Stateside.

[@CrazyMan_Engineer]

That much of oil turns to a glue like consistency over time. Well done with getting it working.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you.

[@CrazyMan_Engineer]

@@MyRetroWatches Your Welcome

[@darrencheshire8546]

Glade your back on the air, and feeling better! Great restoration as alway, stay safe buddy

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks. Back to 100% health now so all is good. For a few weeks I had zero interest in watches at all. Even I was shocked at the time. Thanks for watching this one.

[@darrencheshire8546]

@@MyRetroWatches I have watched them all and would not miss one! Great work.

[@robertfishback4196]

I have a Hamilton watch that my Grandfather got from Western Union for 50 years of service. It needs a cleaning and someone wound it completely and it does not run. Paying you is no problem I just want it done by someone who knows what he is doing and enjoys his work. It is a 1950 era with a 770 model and 22 jewels. Just let me know. Thank you, either way, in advance--Bob PS It looks just like the one you are doing on August 27,2021

[@felixangellopezalonso3993]

Finally I completed to see the video. I can't avoid hear Marvin and remember to Marvin the Martian

[@MyRetroWatches]

Haha! Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.

[@anair70]

on these older watches as long as it runs well in all positions then its fixed.

[@hectormonclova7563]

Nick doesn’t love you... 😂 You have displayed the patience of a saint, for I would be in the same situation cursing like a sailor. Of course, you had your time off camera... 😉

[@MyRetroWatches]

Exactly!!

[@hectormonclova7563]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AaronS11979]

With all other factors ignored, a watch that runs too slow that has the regulator pinned far to the (+) means the hairspring is too long. I watched a fantastic representation of this by some youtube teacher (can't remember which) who held a vertical pendulum. As it swung, the distance it swung left to right (amplitude) didn't change the time it took to swing. But shortening the string (or lengthening it) changed it dramatically. The shorter the string, the faster it ran. The longer the string, the slower it ran. This in essence is what the regulator does. It shortens or lengthens the "string", or hairspring. So if your regulator is pegged, and you know everything else is right, I'd have to assume the overall hairspring is too long. Maybe you were sent the wrong one?

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I don't think it's all that lethal - Famous last words there mate haha

[@MyRetroWatches]

I just glow in the dark now, strangely.

[@michaeldevito5575]

Mistakes. Thats just like the rest of us Mike. Your doing great.

[@MyRetroWatches]

thanks

[@michaeldevito5575]

@@MyRetroWatches your very welcome Mike. Keep up the great work. Blessings. From Stateside

[@wp9409]

Interesting swiss movement. Figured there would be issues with that hairspring. I respect the fact that you know your limitations and stop rather than risking damage. Also, looks like you're using a better camera, video looked crisp and sharp.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks. Hairspring drove me mad hence the replacement. As for camera it’s the same I use an iPhone 12 Pro as it’s excellent. Problem I’ve always had is focal distance and lightning. I had bought a new tripod to get the camera closer to the action. Pleased to see it’s been noticed.

[@simonosborne3047]

Hi Mike. Firstly, good to see you better after the 'Rona. Secondly, when I get frustrated like that I go off & do something unrelated to settle my head, then come back to it fresh. Good vid, you did your best there. Oh yeah, that wasn't the crown, it was a sump drain plug :-D

[@MyRetroWatches]

Sump plug haha! Could have done with a bucket to catch it. Thanks for watching and I’m glad you liked it.

[@paulhelmuth6012]

That’s hilarious 😂 filling up with oil. I haven’t seen that. But I can see where people might try that

[@MyRetroWatches]

I’ve had so many oil watches including a beautiful Longines that’s on my website blog. I find them rewarding to work on!

[@michaeldevito5575]

This watch looks like a 39s or 40s. I work on the Ingersoll 40s watches and only get a series of dots for one quarter of the screen on my time o graphed no matter what I do I can't get any reading at all. I some time the watch manually with another watches second hand and it comes out well.

[@100amps]

Loved it! Like all great stories, there has to be some conflict and tension, otherwise it's just boring and predictable. Now go find yourself a boring and predictable watch to fix so you can recover from the madness.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Trust me I am working on 2 Seikos now to get over it! Thanks for watching.

[@davelowey3074]

Great video Mike, what an oil filled mess, brought back to working order it's definitely not a loss, thanks lad, i myself just fixed and seviced a Raketa 2609 ha in a Seconda 36mm gold plated case, i was impressed with the 2nd wheel which the cannon pinion goes on, it was jeweld for the seconds i like that alot, not seen on others eta or Seiko, impressive, enjoyed you video cheers Mike, glad you and your family are ok mate, thank you. 👍 P.S i have a dedicated pair of tweezers extremely sharp just for hair springs, they are challenging for sure.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks for your comment, glad you liked this one. Well done on your Russian one too. I need to revisit some Russian stuff. I have a Sekonda super delux which has an amazing movement that I’ve serviced before so maybe that will come to the channel. Hairspring is thin tweezers x2 and a bucket of patience.

[@eduardopadilla201]

Thanks Mike for such an educational and funny (oily) video!. I have a small army of radioactive old watches and what do you think, is safe to use it? is safe to work on it, restoring it? After I tested with the Geiger counter, I isolated all of them that shown above 1 mR/hr... I do not feel comfortable working with them... but all are really beautiful watches. Your advice is to keep them or discard them? Thanks and a hug from Saudi Arabia!!!

[@dbzamora]

Great video as usual. Bringing a dead watch back to life is always a win inspite of the obvious hurdles and obstacles. With regard to the timegrapher readings, have you tried other lift angles? Thanks again for a very informative and educational video. Stay safe!

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks as always Dennis. I found all Marvin that I could find including a 600 which I would think is just a variation of the same calibre to have L/A of 52 hence using it.

[@red75v67]

Well done for your perseverance on this one Mike. A great video. My first Swiss watch was a Marvin: my Grandad's. It's completely different to this one, with a more traditional round gold case from the late 50s or 60s. As far as I know they made their own movements but I couldn't see your one on the lift angle table. The other 500 and 600 series movements were all 52⁰, however.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks. Yes I found out though searching online and when buying the mainspring that Marvin made their own movements. Makes it a bit more special.

[@red75v67]

@@MyRetroWatches It's a long shot but would you be interested in featuring this watch? It's a beautiful piece that hasn't been serviced for at least 50 years , though with less than 1ms beat error, -30s/day and about 160⁰ amplitude, possibly isn't in too bad shape. What do you think Mike?

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@red75v67 sorry but I have so much watch work to do I am not taking any more on.

[@red75v67]

@@MyRetroWatches no problem. Keep up the good work.

[@carlrees5574]

Fair play Mike i would have launched it out the window, we have all been there with these restorations, simple movements that are nothing but grief. I have an old Certina thats next up on the bench and i think this is going to be similar to yours. Great effort though!!!!!

[@MyRetroWatches]

It’s stubbornness that keeps me going rather than patience on watches like this. Good luck with the certina

[@kaiamos3195]

Great entertaining video as always. I feel your pain. Try a ORIS 471, Very similar to your Marvin. Its being on the headache shelf of my bench from the beginning of my adventures in watchmaking. The original was as full of oil, as yours, I can get the arm flicking smoothly between the posts, have a new mainspring and two balance cocks and springs with wheels. Can i get it ticking,,,,,,NO. I just cant see in it to line it up all up. When i feel particularly sadistic I have another go. I will get it going but look at it like this: A VW polo will wear out before a VW passat or combi van because everything is smaller. If the wheel is smaller it still needs to go around either the same or more times to go the same distance. The metal is the same. The bearings are also smaller so will wear more. I am no expert but damn these things hurt my eyes. :)

[@martinsmolarik3143]

like for your passion

[@vesselingenadiev2526]

Can you please share what is the level of magnification for example in 10:40 minute of the video?

[@stevewilliams5428]

Did you check the hairspring was being gripped properly by the pins in the regulator?

[@MyRetroWatches]

Yes its what gave me so much trouble one of the pins was bent so I had to re-shape. I really have a lot to learn on hairspring work.

[@tommiller1315]

Well Mike, I got a bag of watches for about a tenner. Just one looked interesting but a non runner, the winder had been replaced with what I discern as from a Fossil watch. Nothing to lose, I did the oil trick and a wash with IPO and dry. Oil is a very thin one, not 3in1. You did have me laughing with all the oil in yours by the way, looked like it had fallen into an engine! The face looked like it had been wire brushed which had sadly removed the plating but apart from that, it cleaned up and now runs within a minute a day. Hunting on Google, I discover it is a 1932 watch, Swiss made 15 jewels, small ladies, imported to New York and the jewellers name "Newsol" engraved on the main plate. Only thing I am uncertain of is whether the 14K inside the back is a model number, or indicates the white metal is 14K gold. As you can tell, I enjoy my experiments but am not a repairer in the true sense. I do have a quartz watch filled with baby oil, and running well for some months! Thank you for your KZbin channel which inspires me to go on and maybe attempt a strip down one day.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thanks for your comment. Can’t help on the gold watch but there is plenty about, guess with no hallmarks you can only tell by weight .

[@watchmedraw4340]

I think it's awesome. I have an idea. Maybe the oil on a few of the pivots became laminated. You never know how long ago the oil was put in the watch and the oil mixed with the dirt to almost make it like malasis in February. We all know I'm no expert here at all but it's a thought.

[@MyRetroWatches]

The second service seemed to help considerably so I’m guessing 80 years of use meant a good clean was needed. Has been serviced quite a few times in its life which is good to see.

[@frazercrump430]

Really enjoy your videos, it is interesting to see the renovation 'warts and all'! Just a thought, did you clean the lower balance cap jewel? I didn't see anything in the video about it.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Thank you. Yes all the jewels were cleaned multiple times plus the watch being through the cleaner twice in the end.

[@menashewalsh5128]

What do you use for first and second rinses?

[@dodgydruid]

Gonna grab one of them t shirts when me disability hits the bank this month... oh yes I have done that on me hands and knees lol

[@lesliesmart651]

The best way to stop that is to refit the balance wheel then wash

[@ElderPinto254]

nick is your secret teacher haha

[@AstonColey]

Hi Mike This is a great video and your efforts to get this sucker up and running are marathon. I noticed that the original hairspring has 11 coils and the new one has 13. Can you not shorten the hairspring by one coil which will increase the speed an decrease the amplitude?

[@MyRetroWatches]

This much I dont know. The old spring was most likely from the 30s or 40s. The springs are now made of better material. Also for manual winds they have a "hook" so they can tuck into the barrel so you could not shorten them unless you then remade the hook.

[@AstonColey]

@@MyRetroWatches HI Mike I was referring to shortening the hair spring not the main spring. In your build up you could not increase the speed of the oscillations of the pallet hence shortening the hairspring will make for more oscillations and less amplitude.

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@AstonColey My mistake sorry. I didnt notice this and I must say that despite ordering onliine the replacement for this movement I do not think that I received the right one. A spring could be shortened but its nota job I would take on. I need to master hairpsprings as its my biggest weak point.

[@jonabitstream]

How did you know which replacement hairspring would fit?

[@MyRetroWatches]

When I realised Marvin made their own watch movements it was then simple as I just needed to search online for Marvin 610 balance complete .

[@darcybrawataakaontariostac6835]

So thats where all the oil from the EXXON VALDIZ spill went. LOL!!!!!!

[@bfx8185]

This is proper watchmaking , not maintenance. You should go for such challenges. That will move your skills forward. Don't leave it as is go for better performance. I think bottom jewel is cracked.

[@MyRetroWatches]

I don’t mind pushing myself on my own stuff but not others as it ends up costing. The balance wheel screws don’t have slots so guess what… need a special and expensive tool.. typical. Many I see have slots but not this one. Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.

[@dodgydruid]

Looking at the timegrapher 52 mins in, the balance wheel seems very much more in harmony with that nice close tracking so thats a plus. Thing is, in the 30's what you have there is just about what you got back then, super precision didn't really come in until WW2 where great advances in engineering and machining allowed watches with amazing precision, my 1947 Avia is the most accurate of all my mechanicals, puts the Seiko's and others to absolute shame how good it is. Saying that, my recent 7019 acquisition has knocked my Poljot Schturmanskie Gagarin from second spot to third as that is a very good movement in the 7019 but not quite where the '47 is hehe I suspect your other issues are simply pivot and gear wear being a 90 year ish old watch and likely all original I suspect if you refreshed the train, the escapement etc, replace the ankh and def look at the jewel settings on the balance staff you might see a nice improvement but that suggests many hours and finding almost impossible to find parts if they are unique to the works unless you can make new ones on a microlathe. Def have a look at the jewels themselves as I thought a couple looked a bit enlarged to my eye but I am no expert and compared to you mate I am like stone age in comparison. One of my subscribers is sending me from America a USB stick stuffed full of Seiko technicians manuals covering just about every Seiko movement going, I am also investing in a 20 diopter large lens on a lamp arm, going to cost a lot but a 20X large lit lens is what I need to do real precision work.

[@SergiRuiz_RelojeroTorpe]

Hi Mike. How are you doing with yours? I've seen salads with less oil than that watch.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Hello. All good here. Yes serious over oil. If it was 9010 it would have been $100 worth!

[@user-dm4nk6gh3b]

Просто Super!

[@paradacostamiguel]

I bought 2 watches like this from ebay and I went crazy with them. Full of problems, and none of them work. They drove me insane. The moral of the story is that tank watches are cool to see in instagram, but I don't want to work with them ever again.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Haha. Don’t be put off. I am just to stubborn to be defeated by a watch. I like the look of tank watches but they are small and on my wrist I just did not like the look of this one.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Just use a bit of oil if it doesn't want to come out :)

[@boydsargeant7496]

Good try Michael! What movement is it?

[@MyRetroWatches]

Marvin made their own, calibre 610