SHOULD I SEND IT BACK?? Attempting to restore an ABUSED vintage chronograph

[@k-ozdragon]

We polish screws at my work. To do so, just feed the threaded end into your collet on the lathe and tighten it down. Our mini lathes have a chuck that we close onto the threads, as the chuck is more adjustable for various parts. Then just turn it on, and polish the end of the screw. You can use leather or rubber as a backing piece, and press against the head of the screw with the tail stock piece. You just put your polishing medium over the leather ubber piece, and then push it onto the head of the screw as it turns. The flex in the leather ubber ensures solid contact, and also that you don't damage the part if it's off center or has any wobble. You can use 600 grit wet\dry for a nice satin, or leather coated in polishing paste for a fine finish. Many places use this method to polish fine screws and parts.

[@nathanzimmerman5846]

This is one of my favorite videos so far. The song interlude was awesome. I loved it!

[@Goopie-gz4tc]

I spent 45 great minutes relaxing and watching your work and precision - stunning restauration and nice watch! Thank you for such content

[@TJ-wp4yz]

You are in the right profession, such dedication and finesse is to be admired by everyone needing your expertise. Job well done!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, TJ!

[@heiner71]

He is in the right profession and should definitely not quit it to become a musician 🙂

[@stevenstewart3414]

I'm missing a part. What'll I do? A-Ha! I'll make one from an E string! Ingenious! I loved your musical interlude!

[@waerokinghuang8603]

A beautiful and historical chronograph can come to life again because of You

[@samnova450]

Great work on the balance wheel. I picked up a couple beginner books that you suggested for watch hobbyists. George Daniels & Henry B Fried

[@jmobley6]

Such a beautiful watch! I’m not usually a fan of chronographs but this one looks so elegant.

[@fredschroyer584]

Great little song! You might title it: "Improv on an E string"! You have multifaceted talent.

[@soundmindtv2911]

I particularly enjoyed this one! Every step along the way. Thanks for sharing! And great production, too. The voiceover ane music were very nicely done. Now I want one of these chronos! 😂

[@AstroGuy99]

Some amazing precession engineering. Wonderful to watch. Thanks for the video.

[@billyleblanc5930]

After having watched many watch videos on tube,I have found the best thank you.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Chris that was absolutely enthralling! My daughter watched it with me and loved it and was singing along happily to your take on Ah Ha take on me. She never watches any of my videos (shes just 10 years old) but somehow you have captivated her. You can all yourself a watchmaker, your ability to make screws and now springs whilst happily dealing with the classic " C S Spinner staff changes" just made for a complete video that had it all. Also liked how we saw you too to add the human behind the camera. Superb.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Mike! I’m glad you and your daughter enjoyed it 😀. Thanks for the kind words. - Chris

[@slammermx]

running very good!🤘

[@kenwheeler4816]

So impressive - thanks for demonstrating how tiny screws can be made.

[@markehuss]

Nicely done. Love the guitar string spring. I am perpetually in awe of your extensive collection of antique (and still completely functional) tools.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Mark!

[@henryszubielski8601]

Great job on a beautiful watch.

[@garryrindfuss5349]

Another great video, Chris. You might try rotoscoping the picture during the A-Ha musical interlude. Just a thought. (Boy am I showing my age...)

[@willmoore7582]

What a beautifully made watch..Gorgeous work and final product 😏

[@peter84624]

Came here for the watch, stayed for the singing! The first ever watch-making musical with tunes from A-Ha

[@rustythecat2163]

Well done! Restoring a case as close to its original condition is important and what most watchmakers ignore beyond cleaning and buffing. The nicks and scratches are always obvious. Cheers!

[@durchwelday]

Mine gussl The new watch is great! I've praised its realism many times. I really recommend checking out their selection.

[@dsell993]

I've got a Landeron 48 project on deck, so this video will come in very handy! Thanks for going the extra mile to document everything so thoroughly!

[@csspinner]

Keep me updated and let me know how it goes! Happy to answer any questions.

[@tuffymartinez]

Thank You Chris.... I find it a bit infectious watching you work. I especially like when everything is cleaned, lying out and ready for assembly. I am a machinist 50+ years and I happened to find a screw plate like you used in my old Gerstner Toolbox. I have never used it BUT have wondered WHO made it and set the standards (same as when I look at a Fusee Chain!) If you did not locate another screw to determine the thread pattern on that missing screw, I would imagine using something soft and impressionable to measure the thread? Everything you do is so very small and fragile. Great Show. ... TM

[@federicoprice2687]

Absolutely wonderful skill and dedication bringing this beautiful old chronograph back to life! Bravo Chris!! And loved the song as well!! ❤

[@csspinner]

Federico, thank you so much for your kind words. Means a lot to me! - Chris

[@jwall6006]

That was so relaxing, just following along with what was missing due to being raided for parts by others. Loved the song.

[@csspinner]

Thank you, sir! I really appreciate that. - Chris

[@TexanUSMC8089]

LOL Great song. It's funny but true.

[@John_Mack]

I am very impressed with your channel. Keep up the good work. I have several watches of various makes and designs. Mostly quartz movements but some nice mechanicals as well. I also have two old Waltham Pocket watches. One that is gold and was given to my wifes Great Grandfather in 1913 when he retired as a Fire Chief and one that is silver that was her fathers. Both need to be serviced. I also have a very interesting Car Clock that came from a 1940's REO Pick-Up truck made by Elgin. Its a 8 day that winds from the bottom. It actually runs, but stops on occasion. I doubt that it has ever been serviced.

[@joshuakruty6967]

Very enjoyable thanks so much. Keep em' coming. You do some of the most interesting watches on youtube.

[@johnjenin3279]

Thank you for your dedication in making and editing not just rhis vid but others as well. I enjoy them from time to time.

[@csspinner]

Glad you enjoyed them, John. And thanks for the comment. More to come. - Chris

[@mauriziograndi1750]

Superb view of the working process, I have seen something so closely like never before. Very satisfying. Thank you so much.

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Maurizio!!

[@vicrod5]

It is always enjoyable to watch a master craftsman at work ,thanks CJ.

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I really appreciate the comment

[@Adrian2000ization]

You are amazing! Perfect job and very touchable song!

[@csspinner]

I really appreciate that! Thank you. - Chris

[@ericvillari8100]

Outstanding work and free guitar entertainment. It's the complete package...

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Eric 🙏

[@dougabrahamsen2952]

Such a beautiful outcome for such a lovely old timepiece! Well done ❤

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Doug. :)

[@wildernessofzinn17]

Thank you, C. Great episode! I have an Elgin pocket watch I just put a new balance staff in, and the same exact thing happened to me...the collet was too loose. First time I had encountered this. I didn't think about using that recessed punch to fix it. Thanks much. Liked the Requiem for Missing Parts. Making that spring from a guitar string was clever. By the way, that Ofrei site....I have never ordered from them because of their insane greedy prices and nutty shipping costs. Who needs $20 shipping to send a few little microscopic jewels they could stick in an envelope and mail in a first-class envelope?. Is it me or are they really _that_ goofy? You know, C, the only thing keeping your channel from exploding like Marshall's is for the local news to do an expose'. 😊😊🤔🤔 Someone needs to call the local news and get them out there. 🤪🤪

[@csspinner]

Thank you so much!! I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about Ofrei. They have a sweep hand I need but I’m procrastinating buying it because they want to charge me $12 shipping. Marshall’s channel is really fun and I enjoy his storytelling.

[@wildernessofzinn17]

@@csspinner CSP, may I ask something?. I saw you used a recessed punch to fix the loose collet, but what about when they're cockeyed and out of level?. See what I mean?. You look at the hairspring from the side and the collet is tilted. I have had several like that. It causes the spring to lay against the wheel axle if placed on that way. I think it usually happens when prying them off the staff with levers. Do you know of a slick way to flatten them out so they're flat with the spring?.

[@csspinner]

@@wildernessofzinn17 this is caused by a deformed first coil of the hairspring. The part that comes out of the collet. When levering off the collet from the staff, I usually try to stay away from that entry point for that reason. To fix it, reinstall the collet to the staff then try to press on that part of the coil in the direction it needs to go. Be aware the metal is already slightly weakened and there’s a small chance the spring will break at that point, so be gentle

[@Robert32064]

At 14:30, the clean parts are laid out in a sort of Fibonacci spiral. Very pleasing. Nice video.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Robert. Glad you enjoyed it! More to come. - Chris

[@patrickstarnes2355]

A good looking watch 😃 . Thank you! Watching this has brought my blood pressure down to a healthy status . I will push the subscribe button! 🎉

[@jpwillm5252]

Very nice mechanics. Very nice intervention. Very nice video. Very nice background music.🎶 ** Très belle mécanique. Très belle intervention. Très belle vidéo. Très belle musique de fond.🎶

[@pieterjlansbergen6988]

Congrats for the Very skilful restoration as well as your talented video making. One of the videos I enjoyed the most in the last few months. And let’s not forget the live music entertainment. This is what I call a resourceful person! Well done. Really. 😉

[@csspinner]

Pieter, thanks so much for the kind comment. It made my day! I’m glad you enjoyed the watch repair (and the singing!). - Chris

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Hello, that melody it's a must for all watchmakers! Nice solution an video !

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed and thanks for leaving a comment :)

[@balzatulvonlemberg7899]

Перепевка A-ha просто отличная! 😊

[@ygrbooks]

Apart from the background noise (music?) - and I do not mean your soave rendition of "Missing Parts" - this is another brilliant video that will go down very well with the watch-loving community. So hats off to you and thank you very, very much: 👍👌👏!

[@csspinner]

Thank you!!

[@colinbenfield326]

That was great thanks. Learning a lot from your hairspring work. Would love to see beat error adjustment on old movements if possible.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Colin. I’ll try to show that in an upcoming video. But basically the idea is to rotate the collet around the staff using the smallest screwdriver. You want it so the balance impulse jewel is in a perfect line with the pallet pivot when viewed between the banking pins when it’s installed.

[@colinbenfield326]

@@csspinner thanks a lot ! I’ll practice on a junk piece

[@mikebruegger8654]

Kudos on actually using the correct lubrication quantities. Hard to find anyone with correct restraint.... 😊 Great craftsmanship as well....

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Mike! Took me a while to realize I was over oiling everything. Still do if I’m not careful. It becomes apparent when editing a video 😳

[@nukvar23]

Superb work! I do think though that such a beautiful dial deserves replating of the case

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I’ve replated cases before, but they don’t turn out “perfect” yet. So since this was for someone else I figured I’d leave it be until I can get better at that aspect of restoration

[@rowejon]

Very nice work.

[@Optiksnut]

Catching up on all your videos! Enjoyed your innovative approach. Nice to see you found a use for guitar strings as well. I save my offcuts for possible uses also (having 5 guitars means I have a stack of offcuts! All Elixir too!)

[@csspinner]

@@Optiksnut thanks! Be aware at some point you’ll find some really old videos where I wasn’t narrating back then and instead had some regretful music. 🤣

[@Makeit101]

Beautiful repair by a master! But also, it would be interesting and instructive to get some background history information on the watches that are being repaired, especially the older vintage ones, as well as a little information on the amount of case cleanup work that is done (of course I'm referring to more than just the peg-wooding of the lugs), and some reasoning on what is the appropriate amount that should be done depending upon the watch involved.

[@rbsafe]

Great video, Chris. As a guitar player and aspiring watch collector I very much enjoyed this. You recently restored my friend's pocket watch and I see that she entrusted it to expert hands.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Doug! I really appreciate that. I hope your friend is enjoying the watch. Thanks s lot for the comment! More to come

[@simonlunt353]

As always sir l take my hat off to you You are the master l have a few Digital watches and some with the hands watches but they are all battery powered which I like but the more I see you repairing these Beautiful Wind up watches I would love to own one l remember my dad’s wind up watch and I wish I still had it but all l have is my grandfather pocket watch which it to needs repairing but they are not Many people like your self around here in Lincolnshire uk 🇬🇧 love your videos sir and yes I did like your singing not bad 😊take care see you soon 👍👏👏

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Simon! That’s really kind of you to say. I have a lot of respect for the electric watches, includes quartz. But there’s something about the beauty of a pure mechanical that speaks to me

[@lucliebelin7416]

Spare parts for Landeron 48 can easily be found, especially in these days. Gold buyers often receive old watches to dismantle, and most of them have no use of the movements. If asking gently and explaining your goals, they will sell you a lot of movements for a decent price. This is my way of getting movements for spare parts 😎👍

[@roopakvaidya1450]

Very enjoyable. Thank you.

[@lucliebelin7416]

Nice job on this elegant chronograph. Concerning the servicing of the movement, you should have mentioned that some "screws" might not be touched. I think about the excentric pivets that are meant to adjust the position of some moving bridges of the chronograph part of the movement. Touching the adjustment of these pivets can result in blocking the mechanism and it will be difficult to put them back in the right position.

[@boydsargeant7496]

Great job Chris! I love videos like this, all the issues and all the fixes. I did learn some valuable stuff, thanks so much! Looking forward to the next video.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Boyd! I really appreciate that! More to come. - Chris

[@timothyodonnell8591]

Loved the song and the restoration.

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

Great video. Good idea for the spring. I'll use that in the future. Cool song. I don't think I can use my mandolin strings. Thanks for the video

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Darryll!

[@redbxstr]

Great job Chris. Very impressive.

[@csspinner]

Thank you!

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Absolutely interesting one Chris, I love to see how to reinstall the balance staff It’s will be a real reference, and so happy to know now how to reduce de collet, I recently have the same situation and really don’t know how 🧐. Chronograph reassembling is so interesting and of course the motivate building spring song ! 😂😂😂 Amen you did it !! Finally the complete assembling is Perfect ! Thank you for sharing Chris ! ✨👌

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the comment, Alain! Hope all is well with you

[@ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣΠΟΘΗΤΟΣ]

nice song!!! Great restoration!

[@csspinner]

Thank you!! I really appreciate that. - Chris

[@larrykelly2838]

Nice song and a great restoration.

[@csspinner]

I appreciate that, Larry!

[@thisoldwatch9944]

Ya I learned something lol this dudes the master lol great job!! Looking forward to the next one !

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. More to come :)

[@cristobalosuna3106]

Very nice video, thank you for sharing your work!

[@csspinner]

Thank you for the comment!

[@CarnivoreCurin]

I learned something. Thanks; I'll try that.

[@christy140]

Just Out Standing. You are amazing. A photographer MEMORY. Outstanding

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Christopher!! I really appreciate that and I’m glad you enjoyed the video. More to come. - Chris

[@samharper4289]

Excellent work! Top notch!!!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Sam! - Chris

[@dewaynehowse231]

This guy is a real watchmaker. 😮😮😮

[@EnriqueOchoaMaldonado-uc8kl]

Ese bello reloj se llevó mucho trabajo en su restauración, todo lo haces muy bien, tienes un excelente taller con mucha herramienta, hay herramienta que no había visto, y en tus documentales es dónde la veo.!! Eres un maestro relojero C S Spinner..!! Por cierto tocas muy bien la guitarra, esa rola es de A-Ha, Take on me..!! Excelente video..!! Saludos brother

[@michaelbeijer6288]

Hello ther, I have a question about the set off mainspring winders where did you bay them, ore where dit you vind them I am very interested in them? They are probably vintage ? Very nice set. Hoop that you can help my I don’t like the chinees ones they are bat en weak. The hook for the springs is to weak and breaks to fast. Greets Michael.

[@csspinner]

They are vintage “watch craft”mainspring winders. They pop up on eBay quite often

[@aserta]

You can easily polish that screw head with just sand paper and a piece of wood + polish compound. A softer, but not Balsa soft wood. You need some bamboo sticks to glue small bits of sand paper with various grits (towards fine) and you're set. The only extra thing is, you want to make sure that the slot is clean and no edges are present, that would chew the super fine sand paper instantly. For the final step, with the polishing compound, if you can turn a shape that's the same as that of the screw head - the slot into another piece of metal, that's perfect. You'll need to chuck that into a drill and slowly burn a hole into the wood. About 3mm deep. That pocket then gets filled with compound after you blow away the dust. You use the lathe to power this last bit and push the stick in. If you have some thick leather, that's the final, final step, and you press that by hand. Even the worn leather of an old watch will do. Tho for a watch in a condition as this one's you don't need to go that far, polishing compound is enough.

[@brucebarlow6604]

Great work Chris and making that screw and spring just topped it off. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Bruce! Many thanks from South Carolina. - Chris

[@marionchase-kleeves8311]

Those springs, hammers and odd metal bits have shapes like birda and fish. On the SEIKO 7009 there was one that looked like the state of Texas!

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Very well done Chris. Chronos by themselves are complicated enough. You made it look easy, arm cheese(i call it toe jam but whatever works ya know)and all. Aha! Nice tune for making your part.😉 Hey ever use a fret(luthier)file on watch work? I have.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Mike! Plenty of arm “jam” to go around in our world ;)

[@pipodorologio1648]

thanks for sharing. Amazing job....

[@csspinner]

Thank you for the comment, Pipo. More to come

[@frankcabrera734]

awesome videos i have learned a lot . can you share your work station and how you made your desk? keep them coming.

[@Yonghori364]

I appreciate your passion and effort. You are gorgeous.

[@rustywrench2119]

This is great. I just got done with my Landeron 51. I was one of the suckers to purchase the springs from Greece. Wish I had thought of the guitar strings!!😂

[@csspinner]

I did the same! I think I know the seller too. Could’ve been Italy, actually . But 5 weeks in shipment got me thinking “never again” 😂

[@richardhuxford1147]

Awesome video!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Richard :)

[@gioviredigonda2887]

Fine Watchmaking Craftsmanship !

[@rossjackson3670]

I really enjoyed watching and learning. However I wonder if you would take the time to answer. The mainspring in the barrel disassembly at 9:54 is wound a '9'. On reassembly at 16:01 you insert it as '6'. did you change it later, or was it incorrect to begin with.. Thank you for allowing me to ask.

[@csspinner]

Hi Ross, The tail of the mainspring has the typical "swiss hook" end. It butts up against a notch carved into the wall of the barrel. The only thing that matters is the orientation of the spring (in this case, counter clockwise). Hope I understood your question.

[@rossjackson3670]

@@csspinner Thank you for such a prompt reply. I'm new to this level. I understand about the hook, but I'm still at a loss regarding the orientation. It appeared to be opposite on disassembly. I need more practice to understand the priciple. Sorry for the intrusion.

[@chadpyett6441]

Very good video obviously not your rodeo great job

[@mauriceclemens3286]

That’s an attractive watch. I wouldn’t mind owning one.

[@ehun]

You put so much effort into that new screw! Could you have reinstalled the screw into your lathe to chamfer the shoulder and clean up the head to make it match and look as nice as the others?

[@csspinner]

Good suggestion. I’ll try to work a bit harder on the appearance next time

[@kthwkr]

That looked a lot like an HD28. My personal favorite. The scalloped bracing gives it a strong low end.

[@csspinner]

It is the D-28. I love it! It was my father’s

[@ruud9767]

I liked the song. Next time will you do an expressive dance for us? Oh, and thanks for repairing the watch - that was nice too.

[@csspinner]

😂 maybe one video I’ll reenact the yoga poses I do when I’m on the floor looking for the part that fell

[@terrybradley8297]

Nice guitar d28 or d35? Great job with the restoration. Keep working on that finger pickin’ 👍

[@csspinner]

D28 :)

[@terrybradley8297]

@@csspinner I just got a d28 in November after 46 years of playing all kinds of stuff and I have to say that it is the best guitar I ever played so… enjoy it. They are great. 😀

[@mikedandurand3548]

As a minstrel you're a heck of a watchmaker.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Mike!

[@leechjim8023]

At 37: WEIRDING OUT😂😂😂

[@thegoodlookinorange1986]

You got Rexrolled. Yes I’m gonna pop you out. I’m never gonna break you now and lose amplitude. Hahahaha. 😊

[@csspinner]

🤣

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Another impressive project and video. Do you have a favorite chronograph movement manufacturer? Have you also worked on a Valjoux? Thanks as always. (Well played with Missing Parts.)

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I particularly like the valjoux 7750. Extremely well-designed and was used in the navitimers until breitling began producing their in house B01 movements

[@ThePillenwerfer]

I liked the song. Maybe "Pinged Across the Room Blues" next?

[@csspinner]

Great idea!

[@michaelk4741]

Nice work! I got a watch from my father, a Astron, i think its a cheapy watch, rather new, but it will not run. Are you interestet for a repair ?

[@upinmyglider]

There's a fair amount of lint & hair within the camera frame (5:30, 7:06, 17:20), how do you keep it out of the works?

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the comment. Fortunately in the earlier time stamps I’m still disassembling and the movement will be fully cleaned anyway. For the 17:20, the hair is attached to the rodico. But of course I never noticed this until editing when reviewing the high def footage. It’s really hard to keep the space completely clean.

[@richardspacetimeuhrensamml4236]

Spitze Instandsetzung 🌟

[@zerocontent3171]

To polish the screw head, chuck the screw back in the lathe and using progressively finer sanding films polish to a mirror shine easily.

[@csspinner]

Not sure why I didn’t consider that. Thanks so much for the suggestion!!!

[@harrygoldin1725]

I am in the process of restoring a nearly identical watch. Do you happen to have a link to the watch crystal you bought? Do you need the crystal lift, or do you think you could have just pushed it in?

[@csspinner]

I don’t remember the size. I usually buy a few around the size I think I need, just in case. Crystal lift isn’t required, if you have a crystal press tool. However, it’s not something you can press in with your fingers

[@alexanderkamerbeek9693]

Overall nice restoration, making new screws is hard and takes practice however I saw one detail where you could have done better (maybe you fixed off camera). The oiling of the pallet fork stones looked like some oil was on the side and not on the face which could draw the oil away.

[@csspinner]

Thank you for pointing that out. Oiling those stones is really finicky. I was trying to do it under the microscope for video recording. But I’m most comfortable using the loupe.

[@alexanderkamerbeek9693]

@@csspinner what I do and what works for me is I will put a small but bright flashlight next to the movement holder underneath the microscope I will make sure everything is in place except the balance and then from the top give the stone some oil, flick the pallet 3 times and do it again until all teeth are lubricated. The light helps me a lot with the depth perception.

[@paulsteele6120]

Could the balance assembly be replaced by a more modern shock resistant movement?

[@csspinner]

The other side (main plate) would need to be shock resistant as well. The landeron plate was redesigned to accept the chaton and Incabloc spring. Same for the balance cock. The staff used for this variety is different than on the fixed jewel movements. So, long story short: no this movement cannot be upgraded as it would’ve needed to accommodate shock protection by design

[@harllenbrasil6383]

HELLO. I'M FROM BRAZIL, AND I WATCH ALL YOUR VIDEOS, I HAVE A WATCH SHOP HERE IN BRAZIL, AND I'M ENJOYED WITH YOUR VIDEOS, NOT TO MENTION THAT I LEARN A LOT, WHERE YOU USE THE TOOLS IN DETAIL, THEN I LEARN HOW YOU USE EACH ONE. COULD YOU TELL ME IF THERE IS ANY PRODUCT THAT CLEANS RUST FROM THE WATCH MACHINERY WHEN IT IS RUSTY, IF THERE IS ANY PRODUCT TO REMOVE RUST FROM THE DISPLAY? CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VIDEOS. I CONSIDER YOU A TEACHER TO ME.

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I use a product called “Evaporust” to dissolve rust from steel. It does have the side effect of turning the part black though, so it would need to be repolished. However, the rust will be gone.

[@markgiles8527]

I’d like to learn about watch servicing. Can you recommend a book, or two to begin with, please? 😊

[@csspinner]

Check out “The Watch Repairer’s Manual” by Henry Fried