Beginners Guide to Working On Automatic Watch Systems

[@normanrehme3836]

Your bonus tip was fantastic. Buying these costly once-a-year products is expensive. Thanks for your video series. You are a very good teacher.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hope to see you here again Norman

[@paulschumacker9901]

There’s important content in this that I’ve never seen in many excellent videos on other channels. I especially value the timing - I’ve serviced about 25 mechanical wind watch movements- some multiple times- and have just acquired a vintage automatic Seiko watch to service. The details you provided here will be really helpful as I graduate into automatic movements. Your teaching style is excellent and very much appreciated! Bravo!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I am humbled. Thanks Paul

[@csspinner]

Thank you immensely for sharing your knowledge and tips.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate you brother. Thank you

[@whatsstefon]

As usual, great content that isn’t covered by many others.

[@fishandreptileinfo]

This is the most interesting video for me. I love automatic watches and most of my collection are indeed automatic. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you Alex. (UK)

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I have both automatic and manual wind in my collection. I may be one of the few people who don't mind winding a watch in the morning

[@tomholloway7566]

Absolutely the best explanation of how and why ETA reverser wheels are lubricated the way they are. Thank you.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks Tom

[@miroslavkovacevic9639]

Just watching your videos has a healing rherapeutic influence.on my mind. Maybe I love watch movements too much

[@watchrepairtutorials]

They are a thing of engineering beauty aren’t they.

[@escapetherace1943]

@@watchrepairtutorials how much should I pay to have something like a seiko sarb033 serviced? I've had mine ~8 years and it's losing significant time now

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@escapetherace1943 that part of the country, but I would expect 3 to 400

[@escapetherace1943]

@@watchrepairtutorials 3 to 400 dollars to service a 300 dollar watch? what

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@escapetherace1943 service cost for a watchmaker is not based on the watches value, it’s based on the time it takes them to do the work. This is an important consideration when buying a watch right? This is one of the main reasons people are motivated to learn how to service their own watches.

[@chrisvincent6138]

Thank you for your no-nonsense approach, I started on this journey at the age of 70 and I wish your tutorials were around then they are so very helpful. Thanks again.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Alright Chris. Glad to have you here.

[@itzhaccroitoru4082]

Fine thanks

[@HaraldLavooij]

As a hobby watch maker, I've seen many videos on KZbin to learn about (dis)assembly, cleaning, lubrication and regulation. Your videos are WAY BETTER than the video I've seen elsewhere. Very entertaining and educating with excellent explanations and 'in depth' information. Again, in my opinion, much better than the other channels with - in some cases - hundreds of thousands subscribers. How come you "only" have 30K subscribers? Thanks for your channel and please keep ut the good work and footage, there's so much to learn for me! Regards from The Netherlands

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Why? Because I am not an entertainment channel but a learning channel. My content is the type of content that is meant to help new watchmakers learn. I don't make videos for views. Thank you my friend

[@So.Stephen]

Happy days. I was jonesing for your next video to drop. Thanks to you, I have been stripping the pallet fork, cleaning it, trying to lube the exit stone, f**k up, repeat and repeat until I have something close to what you instructed. The only thing I have not been able to do yet is see the backlash when testing the power train. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work my man.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hey Stephen, This one took a lot more time than I thought it would. Don’t worry, practicing the right technique, will result in a superior e d result.

[@tropicalspeed22]

As do I

[@timothybruno4457]

I've enjoyed watches for several years, never very expensive ones, but automatics really have my heart. I've been steadily viewing your tutorials, working toward getting the tools and the courage to begin taking apart a movement. I recently purchased three vintage automatic Seikos that will likely be the first candidates and this video is timely. Keep up the good work, we appreciate it.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Try picking up some Chinese clones to start on. They are inexpensive and great for learning on.

[@jjudelson]

Very helpful and an indispensable introductory video to better help understand automatic movements for us amateurs. Nobody does it better.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

"Thank you so much! I'm really glad you found the video helpful. Automatic movements can seem tricky at first, but with practice, they start to make more sense. Keep up the great work, and if you ever have questions or need more guidance, feel free to reach out. Appreciate your support!"

[@tropicalspeed22]

Another excellent training video. Thank you very much. My knowledge of watch repair has increased exponentially since watching your videos. I watch them more than once in order to have all that info sink in. Hope to see you again next week. I really do look forward to them.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate you watching. There’s a long way to go

[@rossjackson3670]

Thank you so much for such an inspirational series. Your way of explaining is basic yet in depth. Caught the very first one a few hours after commencement. I look forward to each new section. Love the bonus tips. However each is video is a full bonus. Regards to you. Keep well. Keep safe.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks so much Ross. Glad to have you here.

[@timothybruno4457]

The bonus tips are not only great info, they're great marketing. I feel like I'm getting a secret deal every time.

[@MichaelHeinrich1]

I'm not a watchmaker but i enjoy your videos a lot. They are very interesting and educating. 😁

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I’m just gonna warn you now. Do you watch too many of them and the next thing you know you’re gonna be buying a watch to fix😜

[@wildernessofzinn17]

Invaluable info I have seen from no other watch repair channel. Thanks, Alex. Something I tried for cleaning parts is _CRC QD Electronic Cleaner_ in the red spray can. I think QD stands for Quick Dry, which it certainly does. It's rather common, so they have it at Wal-Mart and many other stores. It's quick drying and when you look at the ingredients it is essentially HEXANE. Am I effing up for some counterintuitive reason?. It sure seems like a cool option. It sprays hard so, of course, don't use it directly on balance wheels and so on. It works well, goes a long way, and doesn't cost much by comparison. The last I got at Wal-Mart was around $8 a can. Like everything else, it has gone up recently.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

As far as the parts go, as long as there is no residue you should be good. The fact that’s it’s for electronics leads me to believe that it does not. I ordered a can from Amazon to try out. And you gave me an idea for a video. Thanks

[@daveypotful]

Thanks for a great tutorial.Its truly inspired me!👍

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad to hear that!

[@walther9161]

Awesome video!!! Thank you for posting and the great tips!!

[@watchtock8818]

Another awesome video.

[@willyforbin58]

Alex you got me vacuumed in every videos you make, and it is of such help and very well explained.. Imagine as a frenchy I prefer to watch your videos than those in my mother language! Thanks again Alex, keep them coming as inspirational as they are.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Merci mon ami. Faites-moi savoir si je peux faire quelque chose pour faciliter la traduction.

[@willyforbin58]

@@watchrepairtutorials it’s all good, I understand perfectly, my English is pretty good thanks to my job, thank you again, I am heading to lesson #13..and on!👍🏽👌🏼

[@e.p.2925]

Excellent tip❤ love your videos. Stay healthy my friend

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate that, thanks for watching!

[@bolgerguide]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I made my first trip to a watch tools supply store. I now have rodico instead of silly putty lol.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That’s awesome. Thanks for following along.😀

[@cristianbalate]

Nice work, impressive knowledge. It is so nice to follow your content. Thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I'm glad you're enjoying it, sir. If you ever have a question, don't hesitate to ask ask

[@cristianbalate]

@@watchrepairtutorials to be fair, I have lots of questions and I would love to spend days watching your manoeuvres and your skill fixing the watches. Is just unfortunate, you are so far away.:)

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@cristianbalate that does not prevent you from asking questions now does it? If you have something complex, you can always email me.

[@cristianbalate]

@@watchrepairtutorials thank you again mate. It is just the fact that I have this passion, but I’m quite at the beginning on the process of fixing watches, and I would love to have an apprenticeship here in England, or some kind of constant education To improve my knowledge. It is crazy, how things are; I graduated from a photography University 20 years ago, and I’ve done another one in film practice in England graduated, just two years ago. As the industry is very busy, and it’s not easy to find a good place related to my qualification I was thinking to embrace something else related to my passion for watches. I tried to put some thoughts into a couple of sentences, so you know where I am :)

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@cristianbalate it's all good mate. You ever need anything don't hesitate to reach out.

[@walterzwart1598]

Thank You for the information, it makes my hobby more fun!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad you enjoy it Walter

[@vesselingenadiev2526]

Thanks for the bonus tip - this is really useful. One question - this homemade "Lubeta" which is 33 drops of IPA + 1 drop of 9010, can we use it also where one would use Lubeta V106?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I would just stick with 9010

[@contrast1908]

Thanks for the great great videos and sharing the knowledge. I stumbled upon a video that indicates apparently seiko advices a certain position for the rotor when one is trying to install it back. Apparently the hole on the first reduction wheel must line up with the balance cock peg and the hole on the right wing of the rotor in order to have the pawls at their lowest point around the ratcheting wheel in order for the pawls to have the most travel hence better efficiency of winding I am guessing . The demonstration which was performed rotor-less while rotating the first reduction wheel manually showed it takes four to five revolutions of the first reduction wheel to advance the ratchet wheel by one tooth if the rotor is installed the way Seiko suggests. But it takes seven to eight revolutions of the first reduction wheel to advance the ratchet wheel by one tooth if the rotor is installed the complete opposite side, it all happens due to positioning of pawls.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

This is true.Thanks for sharing.

[@MrRoundel]

That was really a handy tutorial, thanks. I have a few GP Gyromatics that use the ETA movement that I have been loathe to work on, partially due to not having the Lubeta to lubricate it with. This will really help. Oh, and your explanation of how the different types of auto-wind mechanisms work was great. Many thanks. I'm really enjoying your videos. Cheers.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Yes sir, thank you much.

[@MrRoundel]

Something popped into my head about the home-made reverser-wheel lube. Being that the cost of 9010 is quite high, does it really make much difference if I use a perhaps lesser quality watch oil to mix with the solvent? I have some Nye synthetic watch oil that I could mix and feel better about it, considering the cost of 9010, and the fact that I only have a 2ml vial of 9010 to work from. Cheers. @@watchrepairtutorials

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@MrRoundel perhaps if it was the same viscosity. If it’s not the reverser wheels won’t work, right.

[@MrRoundel]

Thanks again. I'll see what I can find out about the Nye specifications. Cheers. @@watchrepairtutorials

[@mycaI_]

Great tip there at the end. Thanks alot!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That tip is straight out of the Omega playbook. There are certain countries that Lubeta is not available, so this is an alternative used by those watchmakers.

[@ΓιώργοςΚουτσαντώνης-χ3ο]

Αs always my friend thank you for the really instructional video. Greetings from the hot (42°C) Athens

[@johnvaluk1401]

Great video with very useful information that I will be using very shortly. Thank you!

[@a.aguilar]

Great tutorial. I've done many seikos but no ETA nor bumpers so far. It's great to know how they work too. I'll keep this video with my favourites collection to review it when needed. Thanks.

[@Epaminondas371]

Such clear and excellent explanations.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad you liked it

[@badarox]

Your videos are very instructional and you have a great way of teaching. I kinda want to get on this hobby, and your content has been invaluable. Thank you very much, and keep up the great work!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

What are you waiting for? Start slow and build up your skills and knowledge and anyone can do this.

[@DJCatscratch]

Damn, really solid video. Only one I've found that gives a full explanation of all three types. Really enjoy your work, keep it up. If I made more money I'd be buying all those burgeon screwdrivers instead of my 40$ set lol.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hi Maxwell, Remember that it is more important to keep your screwdrivers properly fitted to the screws you are working on than having an expensive set.

[@ravindrajahagirdar2701]

lovely,

[@carlosgomis9033]

Great videos, i am used to them already. Thanks for the tips

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad you like them!

[@husamnafta4126]

Great video with very useful information. Thank you!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Husam, Thanks for checking in. I believe you are a first time commentator. I hope you stick around.

[@mkahky]

Love the video and the $ saving bonus tip. Question: the Seiko rotor had a split screw. What type of screwdriver do you use on it?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

just normal screwdrivers, my friend. 🤘

[@GDLOTKIDOG]

Was Gruen the original “bump wind” system? Thank You for all this knowledge. Really appreciate you! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Happy new year!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No, the first watches that had them were Harwoods. John Harwood patented the bumper in 1923 and they were sold by the Harwood Self Winding Watch Company

[@GDLOTKIDOG]

Do you know the name of the cream that I see the Oshow guy using with a brush to clean his rusted parts? Sometime he uses benzine or a clear solvent. On heavier rusted parts it’s a cream. You know what that stuff is? Thanks

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@GDLOTKIDOG I don't know who that is

[@ulisesgrandeyepez3192]

Master, how can I prepare the v106? Since it is very difficult to find these lubricants here in Mexico, thank you very much for your help.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I do not know of any other recipe or alternative.

[@fabriziobuffoni4862]

Many thanks for the extremely useful video. I appreciated a lot and learnt a lot. If I do no ask much, do you have any tip on how to have an alternative to the V106? I actally have the V105and not the V106, so now I do not know how to lubricate the bearing of the rotor...Many thanks in advance. Fabrizio

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Not that I know of. You can always use the standard 9010

[@Supercruze]

Another great video. Enjoying your channel. It is interesting to note the differences in automatic works between the Seiko Daini based movements and the Suwa based movements. I actually prefer the Suwa pawl system to the Daini. Also, what is your opinion of dipping the reverser gears in Epilame first before using the Lubeta V105? I hear this is a common practice for these reverser gear setups. John S

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I can’t say that would be recommended by ETA. Seems counter productive you know. You want lubrication on the pawls in the reverser.

[@tylers5539]

What’s the best way to remove the C-clip from the first reduction wheel?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Use a small screwdriver head and twist

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Thanks

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No problem

[@zendoc62]

Great demonstration of all 3 systems Alex, thanks. Is there an alternative to the V106 for lubricating the sealed ball bearing unit on the rotor? I guess if it’s open, you’d just use a drop of 9010 on the ball bearings. But if it’s sealed, what would you use if you didn’t have V106?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Like on which movement for example?

[@zendoc62]

@@watchrepairtutorials Hi Alex - thanks for the reply. Well, like the 3rd movement you’re working on in the video, where the rotor bearing unit is sealed and you use the V106 as a dipping lubricant to penetrate and lubricate the bearings. I’m just wondering what the alternative might be if you don’t have V106?

[@drevyek1785]

I have a 50’s automatic Bulova with separated reversing wheels. Do I also use Lubeta, or just the smallest amount of 9010? Or maybe 9415?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Lubeta would be the best

[@Donnybrook10]

in the absence of Hexane, can the same 33:1 9010 mixture work with lighter fluid?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No, use 99 % IPA. Lighter fluid unless it’s a pure form it’s gonna have impurities in it that might leave a residue. This is not something that you want inside your reverser wheels

[@matthewf6631]

So will the V105 work on the ball bearings lieu of V106 and if not is the V106 also makeable like the V105?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No, You would not want to substitute them for one another. I have never heard of a formula to make it.

[@BokiPetrovic88]

In this video you are recommending Moebius 9504 for oiling the wall of automatic watch barrel but I also saw that you are using Kluber P125. What is the difference? Thanks

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No. 9504 is not a braking grease. I do use Kluber but 8213 is also a good one to use.

[@BokiPetrovic88]

@@watchrepairtutorials thanks for advice, my bad for 9504, didn't see correctly.

[@bangy55]

Extremely appreciated tip at the end. I wonder if there is a V-106 alternative for rotors.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I don’t see why you couldn’t do the same if you are dealing with a sealed one. I haven’t looked at the difference in v105 and v106. I have not seen any factory recommendations for v106 alternatives

[@17crescent]

V105 for reversing wheels; V106 for ball brearings

[@bangy55]

@@watchrepairtutorials Thank you Mr Effing Time for taking the time to answer and for the great tips. The Hexane tip gave me gooseflesh. I bet I've spent many hours scouring the internet for a recipe for One Dip. I always suspected it was just some solvent unknown to me.

[@tropicalspeed22]

Mixing a solvent with 9010 is a real money saver for lubricating the reverse wheels. What about the dip lubricant for the oscillating-weight bearing? Can we mix one for those as well? Thanks.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Someone else asked me the same thing. I’m not sure about the ratio, but that’s a great idea. The other consideration is the amount needed to actually submerge the rotor, so if there was a higher concentration of 9010 and more volume, you would have to weigh the cost savings vs just using V106.

[@tropicalspeed22]

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks. I already have a bottle of V105, so then some V106 is on the want list.

[@bogdananatolievich9146]

hello can anyone help me to find schematic on seiko 8j56 movement? or video taking a part

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I don't believe I've ever seen one in the wind. it's gonna be tough to find.

[@AWDTurboPOWAH]

Whoa, what an awesome tip at the end, with the homemade Lubeta V105 from 9010 -- I've never heard about that! Just another example of the secret knowledge you can only find on this channel 😁. Only have one quick question for on this one Alex, and kinda dumb but I am just curious: what's the metal disk you're putting the lubricated parts on, before they go under the dust cover? Is that just to keep the Lubeta from soaking onto the watchmakers paper?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

LOL, man that’s a great question. It’s actually a mirrored glass disk. I use them for all kinds of stuff, but in this case it is just a good clean surface, that wouldn’t react negatively with the solvent as it finishes drying.

[@AWDTurboPOWAH]

@@watchrepairtutorials Great idea. I'll have to look around and see if I can find something similar for that. Thanks!

[@renebollengier1111]

I’m getting ready to service my father in laws seiko from the 70s. What grease do I use on the barrel walls?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

8213

[@renebollengier1111]

Thanks, looking forward to this one

[@RadioWhisperer]

I love that technique for putting the circlip back on the automatic works, i'll have to master that. How do you remove it without causing huge scratches? I use brass tweezers and try to push from both legs, but it can still scratch or cause the part to join the Air Force lol

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I use a small screw driver, insert it and twist it enough to loosen then grab it with the tweezers.

[@RadioWhisperer]

@@watchrepairtutorials That's a great idea, i didn't think about prying it that way. Thanks!

[@jergarmar]

Oh dang, at the end of the video I was thinking, "now wait a minute, I understand how certain lubricants have a solvent that evaporates away, surely there's a way--" but you explained how to do it before I could even finish the thought! Nice! Though it kind of begs the question, why are there two different dip lubricants? Does that mean the dip solution should be more or less diluted? Or mixed up from a different base oil?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

These parts have different lubrication requirements. It would be nice if there was one lubricant for everything, but unfortunately, it doesn't work like that.

[@jergarmar]

@@watchrepairtutorials Sorry, I wasn't entirely clear. If you're mixing your own, like you show in the video with hexane and 9010, are you mixing it two different ways, for the parts that normally require two different dip lubricant formulations?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@jergarmar That formula only works for reverser wheels as opposed to buying the dip or using 9010 and trying to lubricate them by hand.

[@jergarmar]

@@watchrepairtutorials Reverser wheels, got it, thank you. I actually have an Eterna-matic 3000 (my favorite watch so far) that I'm planning on cracking open and servicing, so I'll need it!

[@cryptophiliac4533]

Is there any advice you can give me on identifying a movement with no visible markings? I have a new automatic I took out of the cheapest mechanical watch I could find and would like some kind of reference to go off of before disassembly. I tried doing a visual comparison to Chinese movements online with no luck. Is there maybe somewhere I’m not seeing that might have a model number on it?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Send me a picture

[@cryptophiliac4533]

@@watchrepairtutorials I’m not sure if I can send pics on KZbin. Do you know of a way? If not do you have IG, Facebook, telegram, business email? Thank you in advance. Your time is much appreciated

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@cryptophiliac4533 my email is on the about page

[@alvaronoel5081]

Do you do service my longines pocket watch needs service.. where I can found you or make Contact with you !! Thanks

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You can contact me at [e-mail]

[@0_Ka-Bar_0]

Which one is denser? Hp1300 or 9010?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

HP 1300 is a thicker oil

[@0_Ka-Bar_0]

@@watchrepairtutorials thank you Sensei😁

[@watchrepairtutorials]

✨✨ Get Your Copy of my eBook, The Secrets for Adjusting Watch Rates ✨✨ ➡➡PDF DOWNLOAD watchrepairtutorials.com/ebook/ ⬅⬅ ➡➡Available on Kindle & Soft Cover @ geni.us/4x8C (Amazon) ✨✨Watchmaking Courses and Training ✨✨ ➡➡ watchrepairtutorials.com/watchmaker-course/ ⬅⬅

[@tmmkk1]

Could I ask you what is your choice for breaking grease in autos with brass barrels. Seems like opinions are all over the map

[@watchrepairtutorials]

8213 is kind of the standard for brass. Some people will use 8217 which works in all barrels. I use Kluber p125 buts it’s 4 times as much as 8213. 8213 is fine.

[@pitchelcabigan6230]

May i request a topic? I have a feeling that you are the right person to tag along.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Sure, Let’s hear it.

[@pitchelcabigan6230]

@@watchrepairtutorials dynamic poising in full details. I know this gonna be very interesting again just like your other vids. Thanks in advance, man.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@pitchelcabigan6230 it’s one of my favorite subjects and will be part of the regulation series.

[@pitchelcabigan6230]

@@watchrepairtutorials wow that's awesome!

[@pitchelcabigan6230]

@@watchrepairtutorials ...and thank you for your generosity ❤.

[@2manysigns]

Cool

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Beans

[@geoffreysun8284]

❤

[@contrast1908]

Here’s the video I was talking about kzbin.info/www/bejne/raTPfWaelq9rhpo

[@rosomak8244]

The SEIKO self winding system is not invented by them. It was first invented at IWC.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I’m sorry, did I say Seiko invented the pawl system for automatic movements. If anything many would agree that they took IWC’s Pellaton pawl system and improved it.

[@geoffreysun8284]

❤