Saving a 1960s Waltham Watch. Is It Even Worth It? American Made-the Swiss Fakes of the 1900s

[@GentlemensWatchServices]

Brilliant, absolutely marvellous in all departments.

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks mate I appreciate that this one drove me up the wall lol

[@YellowJello57]

Wow, a man of many talents. I'm very impressed with your ability to repair watches, make straps, refurbish the machine, understand electronics and do the coding. Bravo, Sir. Also, Safety Sallys, Egyptian Whisky lmao

[@Saving-Time]

You are making me blush! Thank you kindly.

[@slammermx]

OMG, I am definitely impressed.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much! Glad you liked it.

[@techguy9023]

I’ve been to Waltham, Mass. They laughed at my pronunciation. The locals seem to pronounce it more like Wal Thamm. I worked as an electronics tech for years. You did an outstanding job creating the controller and making the board. I remember making my first boards with layout tape and an X-acto knife. Later I photo etched. Arduinos have made circuits much easier. Congratulations on restoring and modernizing the cleaning machine.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, so many places now will make the board for you for very small amounts of money, which is great; however, I still like to make my own; it's fun. Unless you need 50 then it's no fun at all. I appreciate the kind words.

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

That cleaning machine build, wow! You are so talented! I have one of those vintage machines, but man I'd gladly have yours!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, sir. I'll no doubt build several controller boards over the next few months as I update the hardware to include heating and whatnot. If you want one, just shout, and I'd be happy to send one your way.

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

@Saving-Time thank you!

[@nickjames205]

This exact waych had been sitting on my bench for a while waiting for repair.

[@Saving-Time]

It's a nice movement, very easy to work on. I liked it a lot.

[@TheChillieboo]

jesus christ!!! a full tech build was NOT what i was expecting! there are some serious non horology skills hiding behind this channel. Awesome!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Was not sure if people would like this sort of thing or not

[@agistan7764]

Thank you very much and I while having a decent background in both electronics and programming, humbled how simple you made this process of developing a complex machine into easy home made project. Happy to continue to be your YT channel sub, and maybe even buy one of your bespoke straps.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. I look forward to making you a strap if you are ever in need of one.

[@johnhannon]

Very impressive work on your cleaning machine and the Waltham watch! That old machine seems solidly built as a base! I wish I had your electronic controller design years ago when I was searching for a cleaning machine. I am sure this will be useful for others to use as a build. The new machines are too expensive and the old used machines were hard to locate and still somewhat expensive and had to be completely re-wired. I wound up with a 3D printed machine design called the KiwiCleaner. I did have to buy a 3D printer but I have since used it to create many watch repair holders and tools.

[@Saving-Time]

Nice, I forgot to mention the KiwiCleaner in the video. I have no experience with it, but from what I could tell from a quick look, it seemed to be pretty solid as a project. 3D printers are great for watch repair I may do a video on some of the designs I've made and how to use CAD at some point. Thanks for the kind words, sir

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Really awesome work on the cleaning machine controller.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@adamasuta]

Damn, loved the video, truly a man of many talents 👏👏👏👌

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you nice of you to say.

[@pghgb5572]

More on the Walham dial, please!

[@Saving-Time]

I plan to hand engrave this dial; the one in the video is just a rough draft, so it may take me a while, but I'll try. Hope you enjoyed the video

[@markslater5420]

Bloody Hell ! Excellent video David, your a man of great skills and knowledge too, please show the finished watch and cleaning machine, I have a home built cleaning machine but someone from New Zealand did the clever stuff I just put it together! X X X

[@Saving-Time]

The KiwiCleaner, I assume. I should have given that a shoutout in the video. I've never built one, but it looks like a good project from what little I know. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@michaelfonseka7657]

Thankyou for your really amazing skills. I started watching this last night when you only just uploaded it, but had to go to bed, however, i puched it back up...finally, and i am really hapy i cane back to finish watching your fantastic video. I have an old Brenray which i refurbished, and tried to keep as original as possible, but i really love the way you wrapped it all up and moved all the wiring to the top. Id love to get another and "purchase" the electronics for it from you. Oh by the way, the Wal"t"ham came out smick, and i do like the "new" dial you gave it. Thanks again it was a great video.❤😂🎉. Mike.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, The electronics designs are up on Github for free. When I've finished designing a real PCB, I'll probably do an update at some point. Glad you liked it.

[@e.d.moscovitzoptician4068]

wow, I wish I had studied whatever it takes to learn how to do what you do! Great stuff! kudos! I'm a subsbriber, btw

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks for the sub and the kind words!

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

please explain process for your pcb ptint for etching board, what program for creating board ?

[@Saving-Time]

I use KiCad is open source and free. The process I use to make the pcb is the toner transfer method. If you look it up on Google, there are some really great, in-depth instructions out there on how to do it.

[@aaron2709]

These 1960s "Waltham's" still have beautiful, Modern design. Much better than the clunky Walham face.

[@Saving-Time]

It was a joke. The dial would need to be reprinted by a professional dial restorer as the hour markers were in the wrong place.

[@hephaestion12]

I wish you kept the yellow colour! Cheery old soviet union colours 😅

[@Saving-Time]

I almost did keep it yellow; I'm sure it will get resprayed one day. I may just go back to it. I hope you liked the video

[@hephaestion12]

@Saving-Time it was great! Yet more motivation to try and take up watch tinkering as a hobby in the new year :)

[@mullrump2]

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[@mullrump2]

Above was me being speechless! AMAZING!!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very nice of you to say

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

You using python ?

[@Saving-Time]

C++ for the code on the controller software, which can be found here github.com/DavidJ-Saving-Time/watch-cleaner