This Watch was a Wreck! 1950s Benrus DN2A Wristwatch Repair

Service nightmare... but we DID IT!!! This 1958-ish Benrus 'Citation' men's wristwatch had a hole worn into the case from winding it... And years of weather got in and RUSTED IT! 😥
In this video, the complete teardown, rust remediation, rebuilding and refinishing.
Ultrasonic Cleaning video: • Ultrasonic Watch Clean...
Watch Repair for Beginners Playlist: • Watch Repair for Begin...
Check out my website: www.watchwithmike.com/
Watchmaking tool recommendations on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/mikefyxdt
#watchrepair #diy #watchwithmike

[@IShootWatches]

That's fantastic Mike! I had to watch it 20 times to get the full 12 hour immersive experience that I prefer but I must say it held up very well over repeat viewings! 😂😂😂

[@WatchWithMike]

If you had more hands/fingers, you could simultaneously hit play on multiple devices, stimulating your cerebral cortex to achieve the same depth of learning, but also so I can get more viewing hours.

[@wildernessofzinn17]

Enjoy your videos, Mike!. You're transparent and put on no airs about how watchmaking can be, esp. when you're learning and growing in skill. Wow!. One had better make sure they're prepared and have patients before considering this hobby!. It is maddening and fulfilling at the same time. Anyway, a small consideration. Bergeon irks me with their obscene pricing. One Dip is a classic example. It's essentially hexane with some other ingredients. Something I use instead is _CRC QR Electronics Cleaner_ in a red and white 11 oz. can. Like One Dip, it's pretty much hexane only in a pressurized spray can, which makes it even better in my book. Just be careful if spraying delicate parts like hairsprings. In my area, it is ~$11 a can in the automotive supply section at WalMart. Works great and may be something to consider for those who would like a less expensive alternative than Bergeon's greed.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks for the nice comments! You are spot on about watchmaking being fulfilling AND maddening. It's often the resolution of the maddening bits that leads to the deepest learning and sense of accomplishment! That's a great tip about using electronics cleaner as a replacement for One Dip, which is completely overpriced. I remember as a kid being able to buy "dry cleaning fluid", which was the same solvent as one dip is today, for less than five dollars a bottle. Unfortunately the solvent was labeled as an environmental risk and a health concern, and it disappeared from shelves. I should mention that, if others are reading this tip, some electronics cleaners contain a lubricant, which intuition tells me should be avoided. Then again, maybe it would help!? Thanks for joining the conversation and I appreciate you following the channel 😁

[@GWServices]

Great video. The microscope was a game changer for me, so much more comfortable for extended periods.

[@WatchWithMike]

Yes, great point! It is comfortable to use for extended periods, and it gives me a chance to straighten out my back and sit upright for a bit after leaning over a watch. BTW, I checked out your channel… Good stuff! I've subbed. 😁

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Great job. Beautiful watch and excellent results. The quality of the ETA movement is amazing and is now performing again. Cool.

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Sky Blue! It was really rewarding when this fired back up. I almost gave up, but I'm glad I didn't!

[@angelramos-2005]

Good to see you again,Mike.This was an amazing job.I need to do some more work in my Micro.Happy Holidays.Thank you.

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Angel, Happy Holidays to you, too! Glad you stopped by! 😁

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Hey Mike! Good to see you back man! I have never seen anyone winding the case into oblivion... You are right. This guy must have loved this piece! For a watch that has a literal hole in it that movement and case is in a really good condition. Bit grimey at the hole but that is to be expected! You have become quite adept at this my friend. Hopefully your wife tells Santa about those brass tweezers. Those curved hands that matched the curved dial is pretty interesting. You dont see that often. The read on the timegrapher is phenominal for an old watch... Heck for any watch! Well done! The screw that stood out was a pretty clever find with the polished and unpolished versions. Take care brother! Have a great weekend!

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Johan! You always have a great way of highlighting things in my video that stand out. Such enthusiastic comments… I should have you do my publicity! Thanks again for watching, my friend. I hope Santa brings you what you want, too. 😁

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@WatchWithMike Thank you for the compliment my friend! Merry Christmas to you and yours and may this festive season bring you happiness and joy!

[@29ibrahimsayed95]

You are great Mike 👍

[@WatchWithMike]

You are too kind! 😄

[@arsinoeivlostprincess4228]

There is an android phone app I think through Google play that when your put your watch near or on top of your phone the phone will measure the loss or gain in seconds. So you can adjust if need be. These videos are very well done and extremely informative. Apparently the mic on the phone can hear the back and forth of the balance wheel.

[@WatchWithMike]

At 29:37 I put the watch on a timegrapher, which does the same thing. I am aware of the smart phone apps for timing to watch, but I have never tried them. Thanks for the suggestion! 😁

[@MrKanjidude]

Very stylish watch, especially on that leather strap you showed us at the end. I have a lot of respect for watchmakers - I would love to be able to be one, but if I attempted it, I would probably be flinging parts across the room in no time.

[@WatchWithMike]

Lol, find yourself some well-made inexpensive watches to work on, and then have at it... let those parts fly! To understand your limitations sometimes you have to exceed your limits. 😁

[@ygrbooks]

Nice work and great explanations: 👏👌👍!

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks! This was a fun one! 😁

[@mokumholland5640]

Finally, I was wondering what happened to you…! 😅 It turned out really good!

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Tom, thank you! I took this watch apart in June, assembled it in November and finally got the video edited in December. Lots of good stuff coming for 2024… Hopefully at a much faster pace. 😁

[@mokumholland5640]

No worries my friend. I was just giving you a hard time.... ;) @@WatchWithMike

[@WatchWithMike]

@@mokumholland5640 Yes, I hear you! I need a good poke now and again to keep me motivated. 😂

[@mokumholland5640]

@@WatchWithMike 😂

[@csspinner]

With the exception of part of the keyless, that was an incredibly clean movement considering the gaping HOLE in the side of the case! Super impressive microscope setup. And great outcome with the movement and the case polishing.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Chris! This project was an emotional roller coaster. Excited when I bought it, sad when I realized how jammed it was. Excited when the movement was exposed! (Sad when I saw the rust and the hole in the case… Etc. etc.) I love the drama! Especially when it has a happy ending. 😁

[@kevinkant6817]

Do you ever rip farts while you’re working?

[@WatchWithMike]

Lol, rip… Never! 😂

[@IShootWatches]

Having spent time with him personally I can vouch for Mike. He's actually notorious for SBD farts, which incidentally is part of the training as they are less likely to result in a scratched movement or dial.

[@csspinner]

Who doesn’t!!?

[@WatchWithMike]

@@pbreeden1 Hi Paul! We never grow up, do we? 😇 Hey, did you see your credit in the intro?

[@coyotecarguy2076]

First!

[@WatchWithMike]

Wassup Al! 😁😁😁

[@coyotecarguy2076]

@@WatchWithMike same ol same ol

[@ElderPinto254]

nice watch benrus i like it !! its a very clean wreck righty loosie lefty tighty magical god wd40 haha... those springs are sometimes a pain in the ...but you got it !! it runs strong !

[@WatchWithMike]

Yeah, you've picked some good highlights! I wonder how many people cringed when I reached for the WD40?

[@ElderPinto254]

next time just bring the w d40 in a nice botlle and give a fancy name like boley rust killer or bergeon rust be gone 9666 @@WatchWithMike

[@WatchWithMike]

@@ElderPinto254 Did you catch that the can label said Crap-B-Gone?

[@ElderPinto254]

i need Crab B Gone (CBG) that will clean up half of my mess@@WatchWithMike

[@ElderPinto254]

sry i see it now hahahaha i needed to check the video again thats awesome the CBG on the bottle you got me there lol@@WatchWithMike