Renewing a Vintage Visodate in a State of Deep Disrepair

Join us on a restoration journey as we renew a vintage Tissot Visodate Camper facing deep troubles. With multiple flaws, delicate repairs, and a debut in electroplating, witness the meticulous process as we try to revitalize this classic timepiece.
Movement - Tissot 28.5R-621
Behind the scenes of KZbin content, there's dedication and hard work. If you enjoy the channel, I'd kindly request your consideration in joining this effort on Patreon. Your support keeps the channel going. One hundred precent of all funds received go directly into the channel. With my sincere gratitude, thank you so much for your consideration.
/ weekendwatchrepair
Enjoy the video!
Here are some links to the microscope & camera/ lighting setup pieces I'm using. These are Amazon affiliate links. By using the affiliate link, you will not pay any more but I'll receive a very small commission on any sales.
Microscope Setup
► Microscope - amzn.to/4cfg9tX
► Camera - amzn.to/3Riczr1
► 0.5X Barlow Lens - amzn.to/3KGbky9
► Ring Light - amzn.to/3x9TKzs
► Adapter Mount - amzn.to/45lcUiz
► Adapter Shim - amzn.to/4bWz25a
Cameras & Lighting
► Nikon Z30 - body only - amzn.to/4esxr90
► Nikon Z30 w/Wide Angle Lens - amzn.to/4ekKj0D
► Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 - amzn.to/3Vkv8Md
► Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S - amzn.to/3XpbHo6
► Mini LED - amzn.to/3KJm1zL
► Architect Desk Lamp - amzn.to/3KAlMqO
► Desk Mount For Lighting - amzn.to/3Ro1Hbb
► Adjustable Mount For Bench Lighting - amzn.to/4aRrRKc
► Bench Lighting - amzn.to/3x38zns
► Tripod 1 - amzn.to/3Vhfotu
► Tripod 2 - amzn.to/3VhqsqG
► Ball Head Mount - amzn.to/3yVhKXH
I've also received several requests for a listing of tools, both essential and non-essential for starting out working on watches. While the list isn't 100% comprehensive, it'll get you 95% there! There are far too many items listed, along with notes on several pieces. You can see & download the full list of parts & links (not all affiliate links) here:
Full tools & parts breakdown:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[@Al_Prazolam]

Drilled lug holes only on one side actually makes plenty of sense, and is all you would need for easy spring bar removal. I had never seen or heard of this before but I like it.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Good point.

[@PlumGurly]

I've seen that before.

[@jlovelace486]

Love the sound of the cannon pinion going on!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Haha, I did as well. Those and the barrel lids are really satisfying when they 'click' in place.

[@jdebultra]

That is beautiful. Well done from the Tissot watch from hell. Total respect. Nice video quality.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much.

[@anthonycaryl1079]

Easiest way to find a missing part, order another one. Great video

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Very true!

[@rossjackson3670]

Thank you. Well worth the wait! Photography is excellent. I like the fact that you show all aspects of the disassembly and assembly. Screw removal and replacement gives a lot to the explanations. It's not a long video as it is spell binding, addictive. I have adopted a lot of your procedures into my own practice. Commentary gives the icing on the cake.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks Ross.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

You learned things and you’re proud of your accomplishment,it doesn’t get much better than that. Congratulations Adam

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@enrique663]

Absolutely beautiful! So happy you just gave it 80 more years of life

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@chetmyers7041]

Great job!

[@pemhoman1754]

Hi Adam, Nice problems, good to feel the essence of the battle in friction reduction again, thanks! The intermediate Wheel on the dialside should be mounted the other side up imho. With the lightly angled side downwards (better contact with clutch wheel). Greetings from NL, Peter

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks. I thought the same thing, but double checked it during removal to make sure it went back on in the same manner. Both sides of that gear had a very slight radius to the edge the teeth. The top and bottom of that gear were different though, so I just made sure it went back on in the same orientation that it came off. I appreciate your comment.

[@rickseconds7676]

Beautiful!!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@andyoverall1951]

Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@kens2328]

What a beautiful watch. The dial patina is everything.

[@freeweaponsgermany5578]

thank you for this great video! so much fun to watch you doing an awesome job on that nice iconic vintage watch!!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Great Video !!!!!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you Sonny!

[@n8sanders]

Looks great! Good work.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I appreciate it, thank you.

[@bakeapplejam6471]

Great job and great video.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much.

[@gomezjim]

Great video. Keep them coming.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@ruperthartop7202]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks for watching.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Nice looking watch! Thanks.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@walterphoenix8045]

Great job, lovely final finish, thanks!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@42Hertzer]

I hope I can use this as a guide trying to fix my old flea market find Tissot! =)

[@user-ln6go2sk1n]

Love, Love how that one turned out, I'm a sucker for the simple and understated look. The patina beautiful. You do great work.

[@francispalmer9737]

What a superb job, the watch looked stunning in the end. Cheers Weekend

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you .

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

A really cool video. You did a great job on it. Turned out amazing. I like the long videos and look forward to them. Thank you Adam

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks so much!

[@nowar9220]

Love these vids! Can't wait to start my own watchmaking journey! Well, continue.. lol almost completed the basic geartrain including the mainspring barrel & ratchet! The escape wheel & pinion, cannon pinion, etc etc.. But I was spending too much money and needed to pay the bills so had to pause.. I should of just purchased the entire gear train, barrel and ratchet, all the jewels, a large kit of screws with corresponding taps and that's pretty much it! From there design my own plates and bridges/cocks, skeletonize some parts to make appealing, incorporate a complex tourbillon (maybe not in the first projects 😂) finish all the parts with polishing and conventional pattern finish techniques.. Make custom dials and cases, and that is much more realistic! Spent over 12 months making bunch of the standard watch making speciality tools and trying to make the entire wheel train of my first watch lol It would be fine if I had the funding and tooling but just me, no funding, just a little lathe and totally limited funds.. Wake up crying sometimes because j had to stop.. it truly is my dream to make a living making watches.. 😔

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

That's quite a project. Don't give up on it. Keep at it and make progress as you can.

[@Guitar9235]

Great job on the case work and addressing the obstacles! I enjoy watching you progress through your watch repair journey.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnpinner1]

That was great outstanding work in the case

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@martincharman9759]

Your best video yet Adam and what a beautiful result! By coincidence, I'm working on an Omega 552 movement with the same barrel issue as you had on the Tissot! Not sure what to do about it yet as even a used replacement is very expensive and may not be an improvement. I'm getting around 225 degrees of amplitude and the watch is keeping good time but my own OCD won't let me case it up and give it back to my Son yet 😞 Thanks for the video and keep 'em coming.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks a bunch. I understand what you are saying. Anything with the Omega name attached to it has a higher price tag.

[@JDurkin2811]

Absolutely love this era of Tissot, I've got 4 different models from in and around the 40s to 60s. This was ana amazing video to watch.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Really impressive work and restoration. Beautiful watch. Thanks.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much!

[@dariankhamisani]

fantastic restoration.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much.

[@sectortwelve12]

Good job!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks!

[@bradlarkin412]

Very nice job. What a beautiful watch! Truly a great effort all around. I really appreciate your video production detail also. Thank you.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much.

[@GentlemensWatchServices]

Brilliant work, that watch really liked you working on it, didn’t want to get fixed in a hurry.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Haha!

[@fatratmatt]

Nice job dude

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@geraldboucher831]

So nice.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@Looey]

You did a real good job on the case ! And the whole watch looked like it stepped out of the time machine. BRAVO

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@jcmusco]

Great job

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you very much.

[@briankostyniuk8469]

Great looking watch. My first automatic was a Tissot powermatic 80.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Good choice!

[@WatchWithMike]

Magnificent watch AND restoration! Your video made me feel like I did the watchmaking and learned along with you. 😁

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks Mike.

[@ForestWoodworks]

Adam you are rocking out great content! Look how quickly you're jumping to almost 10k subs as of today. I know you've said subs aren't your goal, but you are deserving every one of them. Great job man!!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I appreciate that, thank you.

[@phillipdridge9775]

Absolutely beautiful work Adam ❤❤❤

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you so much.

[@phillipdridge9775]

That case work, really looks brand new again 😍

[@adfpv1153]

The amount of times I’ve order parts only to find them days later after it’s been hiding in plain sight 🤣🤣 brilliant video dude looking forward to the next.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@jacobthomas9617]

Love the show. I am myself learning on pocket watches atm. Slow going process for me, but definitely worth my time to learn. It calms and intrigues me at the same time.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@menw7470]

Lovely

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@MichaelB-qx1eh]

I'm impressed you kept persisting with replacement parts instead of cutting corners and giving in to a couple of hacks instead. I could not have made it through such a money pit of a project without cheaping out on some parts.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@osirisstacks6509]

Hello, Adam! I'm a big fan of your videos, I suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety disorder and your videos pacify all that. I literally play them constantly (much to the dismay of my wife most days😂) But I just wanted to say thank you for helping me. Also, i own a Waltham Railroad watch, I was wondering if you would possibly service my great grandpa's pocket watch? It's a really gorgeous watch, I just can't find anyone to service it in my area! It's running, it just doesn't like to stay running for me. I wear it often, so I'd love for it to tell time lol. I hope to hear from you!🙂 - Steven

[@SVEIVO]

Nice watch ;) Reminds me of my Longines Flagship. Especially the dial. But mine is a 30L handwinding movement.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Very nice!

[@chriskennard5920]

Great job done, even with all the setbacks - and so nice to see a predominantly left-handed watch maker - watching you is like watching me! haha

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Haha, awesome!

[@CHWatches]

Oh man, I love that watch! I’m one of the people who really enjoy dial patina but I also want to learn re-plating because I dont like case wear.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I'm glad you like it. Good luck with the channel by the way. I just subbed.

[@CHWatches]

@@WeekendWatchRepair thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@jonrutherford6852]

Very enjoyable, thanks. To judge from comments I've read on many similar sites, and also from my own perspective, I don't think you need worry at all about video length and level of detail getting out of hand. I'd rather watch an hour-long presentation than a sub-half-hour one. Though I'll happily watch short ones when there's not a full-length version available. I like your down-to-earth friendly manner and good photography!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks so much.

[@user-gl8yv5uj7r]

شكرا لك

[@fulvioplatania3091]

great watchmaker: one of the few put the lubricant also onto the crown of the bridge under the wheels…

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks

[@hockeyrd99]

I had the arbor for my Railmaster take off on me.. it seemed to land in a drawer of watch crystals. I took all the crystals out of every slot, and it was in the last one!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

It's always in the last one!

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Reminds me of my dad's old watch, love that style of watch. Thanks 🙂

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks for watching.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

New sub, old watch guy. For the 2 vids I have watched you have called the crown wheel the ratchet. You do a fine job, just an observation. Watch on...

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I've noticed that too. Just a little bit of dyslexia or something, haha!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

No worries brother. I am about 41 min into your Tissot vid. I am highly entertained.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

@@NitroModelsAndComicsI appreciate it very much!

[@sea-watches]

nice

[@lizardkeeper100]

It makes sense that the thickness of the plating is a function of current because current is electron flow and voltage is electron potential but until you mentioned it I wouldn't have thought about it.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Exactly. I wouldn't have thought of it either, but that person was kind enough to give me a few pointers. Just passing it along!

[@RestorationWatch]

The expression is - “throw everything at it, but the kitchen sink".

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Haha! It's always been used the other way around here. We 'throw the kitchen sink' at it, lol. I've never heard it used that way before. It does make sense though!

[@RestorationWatch]

@@WeekendWatchRepair “Everything but the kitchen sink” The idiom was born around WWII when as many household items as possible were contributed to the war effort-including all metal, to be used for the U.S. arsenal.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

@@RestorationWatch Ah, makes sense.

[@G-regular503]

There's so many that came from wwII, learn all sorts of things here 😆

[@MultiSezi]

That Dial is tanned like a camper.

[@jamespelletier7813]

Nice plating job and video! Around 32:00 minutes in you mentioned the forum from the classes you took when you started out. Could you please give the name of the course you took. It seems like a solid resource. Thank you, and again nice videos!

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

What a stunning transformation! You gave one of the most thorough walkthroughs of the re-plating process I've seen. It's much more work than I imagined. Bravo Adam.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thanks a bunch.

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

@@WeekendWatchRepair and the footage was great!

[@HorologyHubub]

Very informative but more importantly very entertaining 😁 wonderful to watch. I do have a question? What’s the electro cleaning solution called. Thank you for you’re mammoth effort my friend 👍👍👍

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you. It’s called Electro - Cleaner Solution, lol. as listed on Amazon.

[@johnmonachelli5256]

Love vintage tissot also a couple new models featured the 2824 and 2892 i try to stay away from the powermatic 80 models

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I gravitate towards the vintage models as well.

[@PpaStrmpf]

Recently I've lost a reset lever spring screw. We were looking all over the apartment, never to be found. So I gave up and found a seller with those screws and I ordered them. Few days ago after 3rd time vacuuming I got on knees and saw a small thingy looking like a dead ant in the corner of the room. Bam. I found my screw. So I know that feel when it goes airoborn, even before the part has landed on the ground your thoughts are already like:" where the f**k I'm gonna find replacement for this?"

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

That's exactly my thoughts! I feel your pain.

[@mercoid]

I know what you’re saying about judging each project individually for restoration. I restore antiques from time to time, mostly vintage lamps. It’s a very subjective decision though some would argue otherwise. I often find myself doing a “sympathetic restoration”…, leaving the character while cleaning up and smoothing out the most offending ravages of time. How far one takes it… is a personal decision.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I completely agree.

[@ayeda69]

Great repair! You mentioned that you took courses for watch repair - could you share with us who that was?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you. I took Mark Lovic's courses: www.watchfix.com/

[@ayeda69]

@@WeekendWatchRepair thanks so much! It seems that he has many students on KZbin :)

[@digitaltree515]

Would you please share your resources of where you determined the calculations for plating thickness?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I just did it manually by measuring outside diameter, inside diameter, case thickness, and lugs (l/h/w) X cm2. It's not completely exact, but it gets me fairly close. Well within the specs I need to calculate plating thickness.

[@digitaltree515]

@@WeekendWatchRepair got it. Thanks. I misunderstood you in the video, then. It sounded like you found a different resource.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

@@digitaltree515 I had people give me advice on a forum and point me towards some literature online that helped me in my preparation process. I still had to take all of the measurements manually, but the information and advice they provided was very helpful.

[@mrbr4587]

I have one.

[@nedflanders3769]

Great video and beautiful watch. Do you ever plan on selling any of the watches you work on? 😊

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Possibly. I've sold a couple at a local watch collectors meet-up. It's just to help fund future projects. I don't rebuild them strictly to sell them, but since this channel is funded out of my own pocket, it requires me to sell one from time to time. I haven't posted any for sale online though.

[@nedflanders3769]

@@WeekendWatchRepair totally understandable. Doing this channel is not free, it costs money. I'd love to be able to buy a vintage watch you've serviced.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I really appreciate that. I’ve always been hesitant on posting them for sale online and referencing the channel. I did not want people to think that the channel was solely there to promote watch sales. That wasn’t the intention, and I prefer to keep the two separate if I do sell any of them.

[@nedflanders3769]

@@WeekendWatchRepair how can I find your online shop? I googled your channel name but didn't find the shop. Thanks.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

@@nedflanders3769 I do not have an online shop. If I post any of them, it would likely be on eBay, but as of yet I haven't put any watches featured on the channel on there.

[@Ontheroadbrogymgo]

Would love to see what it would look like if the case was rose gold.

[@superdznuts99]

Would you consider looking at a 70s Timex for a cleaning and check up?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I've never done a Timex. I appreciate the offer but I'll have to decline. Thank you though.

[@francisatta5590]

PLEASE ANSWER ME, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A WATCH TO RECOVER ITSELF? I HAVE A WATCH WHICH IS ALWAYS BEHIND TIME NO MATTER HOW I SET IT, I MONITORED IT SOMETIME AND I REALISED THE SECOND HAND SOMETIMES STOPS FOR LIKE 2 SECONDS AND CONTINUES. SHOCKINGLY FOR NOW THE TIME IS ACCURATE AND DOESN'T STOP ANYMORE...

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

Adam - is your Feintaster brand new or used? What did you use prior to getting one?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

It is new. I used a handheld digital micrometer before getting this one. That still works for a lot of things, but I wanted something more precise and repeatable when measuring pivots and jewels.

[@VincenzoBacci-vc8nr]

O.k. Italy....,👍

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@olafpayne]

05:05 Missed the oppertunity to say "it's on a case by case basis."

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

That says "Automatic Camping" 🏕 down there at the 6 o'clock position. Is this a camping watch? Your friend, Jeff.

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I went into some detail during the video about what a 'Camper' model was. It has to to due with how Tissot described it's 'ruggedness' and it's level of water resistance.

[@leewmlee]

When u say your "room temperature" how many degrees C is that please?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

About 21

[@huckleberry12]

I may have missed your explanation, if so I apologize, but why completely refinish the case but not touch the dial or hands?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

There isn't really anything that could be done with the dial outside of completely stripping and repainting it (which I don't do). The hands could've been refreshed, but I just liked the look of a restored case with the aged dial and hands. It was really only done this way because I thought it looked interesting.

[@huckleberry12]

@@WeekendWatchRepair I see. Thank you for the clarification. It does look really good btw, I was just curious.

[@losoj30]

Do they still make this movement

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

No, they do not.

[@steveblake8766]

Thumbs uP

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

Thank you.

[@s80heb]

Keep thinking your scot ritter

[@slammermx]

19,800 beats per hour, or 5.5 clicks per second?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

That’s correct.

[@garyquartley1084]

Just thinkng at 30.00 minutes do you not have a Dremel? Hours and hours turned into minutes!!

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

I do, but I wanted to go slowly and try my best to preserve as much of the original case lines as I could. I wasn't 100% successful, but doing it by hand really helped on some of the more complex curves of the case.

[@garyquartley1084]

I understand!@@WeekendWatchRepair

[@aguslanza4859]

Aren’t you the same voice as the Wristwatch Revival?

[@WeekendWatchRepair]

No, but I'm told our voices sound similar.