Hey folks, I have 3 watch benches, but this one is my favourite. It may look dirty, but I can assure you the surface is more clean than the clean dishes out of your dishwasher. I am very busy working on watches everyday, so the work mat will show marks which make it looks dirty but it is actually very clean. I do apologize for the music if you cannot withstand it. I am no big KZreadr and can only handle so much on my own using what is available on my video making program. There are limited of music I can choose from as well. Hopefully, as this channel grows and with your support I can slowly upgrade my videos. This watch repair took me a few hours to complete, there are many things that I had to examine off camera.

You have posted the most comprehensive video of a 1520 being serviced I've ever seen. Well done.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Many many thanks. Glad to hear that.

I patiently watched this video because I have the same exact watch that needs to be serviced. Now I know what it will go through. Hope there are no broken parts to be replaced though.

Excellent 👌 job! It's just amazing to see it part by part removed and re-install. A lot of patience, skills and steady hands!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you as always!

Very nice restoration great outcome with zero loss or gain well done

The inside looks super clean.

Great video, wish i could afford even a vintage Rolex one day... That Air King looks awesome 👍

@Twisted_Fate_BE

3 жыл бұрын

Bread and water 3 months and u got it my friend

Great watch! Fantastic work!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear that!

You are the Watch Doc. or after seeing your steady hand the "SURGEON " Fantastic job, the Air King looks like a million bucks. Totally appreciate your time in creating these video's...

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Haha, thank you!

Keep them coming

Thank you for posting. There are no detailed videos of servicing Rolex 15xx on the entire internet until you. Thank you!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Feel free to watch my other restoration videos. :-)

@hothmobile100

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel I will thanks? Any chance you can send me a link to the full unedited video of you servicing this or any 15xx movement?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@hothmobile100 Unfortunately, I do not have the unedited version since I do all the filming and editing on my phone. I am not a professional video maker. My phone can only handle so much. So old videos will all get deleted once I have uploaded them onto the channel.

@hothmobile100

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel okay thanks. If you service another 15xx movement, please post more videos. I will love them.

wow 😍, this is a perfect restoration. 👍👍👍

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Really nice watch. Would love to have it.

Great vid!!! Thanks for sharing... Keep up the good work!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

gorgeous piece. excellent work 👌

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Great job!

Nice work!

Great job! Keep at it!

Great job and a very nice Rolex

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it!

Awesome Job 😷👍

Excelente trabajo . Saludos desde México Merida.

Thanks! 👏👏👏

Thats amazing. Wish i could have one

Graceful watch beautifully restored. Love these videos.

Nice job 👏👏🙏🇵🇹🇵🇹

Nice Video 😊👍

I literally got stuck into this video! So much ability and passion!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Haha, thank you so much!

I just love those tall acrylic crystals!

What a beautiful movement!! Thank you for sharing!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome. Thank you for the comment!

Very nice to see you perform the service. Thank you for the effort!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome and happy 2021!!!

Nice to see that it’s running so accurately. Nice work!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great video really enjoyed. Glad you took the horrible black paint of the seconds hand. Congrats !

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I like to restore a watch correctly and without affecting its value

A handsome watch brought back to life! Great job as always. Have you done a "tour" of your workshop and tools? Always think that's interesting. Thanks for all you do!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

There are too many tools to go through. But I did make a video on the basic essential tools for watch collector. Here is the link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o5dlmMOBYrCogqQ.html

@daveyoder9231

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Thanks! Appreciate you taking the time to answer

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@daveyoder9231 You're very welcome.

Fantastic video! Love every minutes of it!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

many many thanks! Very happy to hear that.

I have a 1965 Oyster Perpetual - case 1003, movement 1570. It is probably very similar to the Rolex in your video. There is no service bulletin that shows how to disassemble, lubricate and reassemble the movement. I also have a generic military style watch with a Seiko NH38A movement. There is a service manual that goes into exacting detail on how to completely overhaul the movement, including what type of lubricant to use where. Thing is I can regulate my $70 Seiko movement to run about +- 3 seconds a day which is just as good as most Rolex watches.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, I cannot stress myself enough. You do not need to buy a high end watch for best performance. To me, the overall condition of the watch is most important. Whether you own a $50 watch or $50,000 watch, if the condition is excellent the accuracy will be just as great.

nice!!!

Great job! Love it!

I already have a seamaster 30 but really wish to have another with black dial.

ÓTIMO TRABALHO PROFISSIONAL, BRASIL OK

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

muito bom video amigo ! continue parabens.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

bravissimo

I am bidding on a watch identical too this. I really hope I get it

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

Good luck!

Another great and entertaining video. Love to watch you at work :-)

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Will try and make more of these kind of videos. :-)

Just saw your insta post on this from yesterday. Glad I didn't have to wait to watch it ha

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Haha, hope it was great to watch!

Awesome vid! What tools did you need to disassemble/assemble the watch? Thanks so much!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

2 жыл бұрын

You can watch a video I made on essential tools. :-)

Great video! That strap looks great with the watch. What brand and size is it? Thanks!

I see somewhere in it's history someone incorrectly installed the incorrect movement retaining clamps\screws. The genuine ones are one piece screw washer and is designed so that when you unscrew them (counter clockwise), it tightens the dial and movement to the case.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Look like someone did some research. Good job on that. However, on certain rolex models such as these airking and others which take the caliber 1520 originally came with a separate case clamp and screw. Similar to the manual wind Oysterdate as well. DateJust on the other hand will take the one piece screw with broad shoulder replacing the case clamp. Which is why on the inside of a DateJust case it has a gap on the opposite side of the crown. When you unscrew the case clamp screws, you can slide around so that one screw is on the crown side while the other is on the opposite side. Flip it over and the movement will falls out. 😄

🤩

Thanks for the video. It's always very impressive for me to see the mystery located inside a watch (I'm talking of a watch, not an electric motor). I don't understand how it works but I'm admirative to know how accurate it is: 5s a day is 5s over 86400s, it's less than 6e-5!!!). I own the same model but I bought it in 1983, I still love it and wouldn't buy a more expensive one (I'm more rich than I was at that tome). Mine has a blue dial and is 34mm (the one you repaired seems bigger). A question: Do I have the same caliber inside ? A remark:the original glass was not exactly the same, it was more round on the edge. I noticed it when mine broke and when Rolex changed it and said to me that the ancient shape was not available any longer.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and for your comment. The caliber that was used in my AirKing was used until the late 1980s if I am correct. I think very positive the caliber in your watch will be the same as in this Air King as well. That's correct, the original exact crystal on this watch should be more round on the edge.

Can you explain your cleaning process? What kind of solution do you use? What kind of rinse afterwards?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

I believe on my later restoration videos, I mention what kind of solution I use in the description box. I use L&R cleaning and Rinsing Ultrasonic solution.

Great work and a great KZread channel ! Will you be selling the air king now that you restore it ? Or it for your collection ? Keep up the good work good ! Alex NYC

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciated. I am not keeping this piece. Will probably list it on the site or offer it on my Instagram account.

I started out speechless and ended up subscribed✌✌✌

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Haha. Many thanks!

I have the exact same watch and it needs a new crystal. Wondering what's the crystal model you used on this one and was it sapphire crystal or plastic? Also I didn't see you use a gasket or maybe you did but didn't capture it on camera. Thanks for the amazing video and I was mesmerized and glued to this video from the get go. Thanks for sharing!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your interest and questions. This model is from 1968, and it never came with sapphire crystal. I believe Rolex started using Sapphire in the 1990s or late 1980s. However, I know there are generic sapphire crystals made for models throughout the 1980s that carry a 3XXX series calibre. That said, maybe with today's technology, someone may have created a sapphire crystal that can fit on this Air King's case as well. If you prefer to install the original or one made like the original, here is a link to one: watchparts24.com/Acrylic-crystal-compatible-with-Rolex-Tropic-12-without-lens

@dianaj289

Жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Thank you very much!

would be fun to see what you doing at 19:09

How to fix the glass back into the case, is it by pressure or apply adhesive?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Need to use a crystal press. No Adhesive.

Great work however I would've changed the crown and light polished the Case

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

If you are going to restore a vintage watch correctly, you first need to try and save what you can. I did not need to replace the entire crown since the crown post was the issue. It has a crack, so instead I just replaced the post and kept the remaining of the crown as you can see in the video. And a proper restoration to keep the watch originality is to avoid any sort of case polishing. I can polish a case like brand new, but that is not a proper job when working on a vintage watch.

Fantastic video! I have a very similar Air King 5500 also from 1968, also with the Cal 1520 and it was great seeing this video. I have a question about the crystal though: it looks very boxy on this watch, while mine is kinda rounded. I assume that the crystal has been replaced on mine but I might want to restore it to the original design. Is this boxy crystal the kind of crystal it came with originally? Thanks!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, thank you for your comment. That's correct, the original "correct" crystal should be a regular dome. But for some odd reason, I like the one in this video as it gives a better visual of the dial.

@jakobmaulat

2 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel I'm confused. Which shape is the historically correct one? Rounded or boxy?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

2 жыл бұрын

@@jakobmaulat rounded

I have the same watch and movement recently serviced, they did replace the jewels and axle...but every time I shake the watch (dial facing up and down), I can still feel a faint bounce inside...as if something is wobbling inside. Thoughts on this? Appreciate your time and content!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Hmmm. that's odd. By replacing all three parts should do the job. Maybe they missed one of the jewel? Tough to say until you can open it up and check it with your tweezer.

I been to your website but don’t see the air-king for sale . Is it available ??

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I am much too busy at the moment to update the Rolex portion of the site. But will eventually offer it for sale. Maybe on my Instagram account first.

That was a great Job! you didn’t renove the balance assembly, do you always try to avoid it?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I am not avoiding. I enjoy working on damage hairspring, so removing a balance wheel is easy pezy. haha. The reason why I do not remove it during cleaning is because I use a four station spinning cleaning machine. If I use the ultrasonic version then I would need to remove it as the vibration can break the tip of the balance staff.

@juanmanuelflorezviol

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel thank for your response and content.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@juanmanuelflorezviol anytime!

@daviskaya100

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Yes cleaning with the balance fitted is much safer, but the pallets too, have you never had a roller jewel snap while in the cleaning machine?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@daviskaya100 Let's just say I've been working on watches for the past 2 decades. Never have I had a roller or pallet jewels broken. I have had watches that came to me with missing pallet/roller stone which I will need to fit new one on. 2 decades of watches are a lot of watches. The cleaning solution is very thick, so when the balance wheel enters it cannot spin like it does once clean dry out of the solution. One recommendation though is to never be cheap with the cleaning solution. Always replace with fresh solution often.

Good job again ... do u sell this watch too .

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I am, can direct message me on my website.

Just got recommended your channel. It's a sub from me. Could I suggest though that you set your camera white balance and turn off the auto white balance. It was a little distracting that the tone keeps changing from blue to sepia throughout.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the recommendation. KZread is not full time for me. But once or twice a week I will try to take some time off to produce these educational videos. Hopefully one day they will become helpful to many people. Maybe when the channel grows bigger and with more support I'll be able to upgrade a few things. Sorry about the tone changing. I may need to replace my work bench mat as I find this teal tone even affect my photo shooting.

Found myself worried when the drum started running again and you were installing screws still. One drop of a screw and it could jam up the mainspring!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Don't need to sweat watching me at work. :-)

You are clearly very skilled but man your work bench is like a watchmakers dirty underpants!!! 😂

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

lol, not sure have you been to a busy watch maker shop? I have three benches in the shop. Two are for watch repairing while the other is for strap making. This is my favourite bench where I do most of my repairs on. It looks very dirty, but it is actually old marks on the mat. If you get to see it in person and wipe your hand over, it is cleaner than a clean underpants that's for sure. :-P Meanwhile my other watch bench which I rarely work on looks crystal clean on camera but every now and then I will need to wipe the dust off the surface.

@carlrees5574

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel haha I’m sure it is I was only joking. You ability is amazing. I’m fiddling around cleaning the balance cap jewels and refitting them and they fly everywhere 😩 you have my total respect!!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I know your frustration. I was in the same shoe once. My recommendation is to use a brand new or good condition tweezers. 😊

Witch site ? Will you be posting in ? We’re are you located ?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I may post this for sale on my Instagram account. Both Instagram and website links are in the description box.

Great video and restoration. Anything more you could do to get ride of the somehow disgraceful spots on the dial ?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, these spots are part of the dial. You would not be able to remove them. Personal preference as some people do not mind to have age spots on the dial.

@SC-lo5ez

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannelI don’t really get this envy to restore a watch by leaving spots on the dial. It would be like keeping the bumps and scratches on a car shell after an accident. You would.not want it. Furthermore it would be a nice challenge to restore a dial. A very different know-how compared to watch’s movement restoration. The question is: are you able to do it ? I leave it up to you.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@SC-lo5ez This explain a lot about you. I do not think that you understand what a proper restoration is when it comes to a vintage watch. The proper method to restore a watch is to avoid a case polish and to not restore the dial like new. Yes, there are plenty of dial restorers out there who can restore a dial to like new. But why would you want to do that? If you're planning to turn an old watch to look something completely different (a redial will NEVER look the same as the original, trust me), I recommend that you go and buy a brand new watch instead. Secondly, the moment you restore the dial or polish the case, you are literally taking away a lot of the watch's value. Unless, value is not a concern to you or you are planning to keep the watch for this lifetime, by all mean restore how you like to "your" watch. It's the same as restoring a gun, try polishing it and show it to an antique gun dealer. Ask him what he thinks and wait for his answer. Vintage car on the other hand is a different story. You are allow to restore pretty much anything as long as you leave the design of the car alone. I'm here to show how a proper watch restoration should be done.

@SC-lo5ez

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel don’t get me wrong: I do understand that a restoration means keeping as much as the original DNA as possible, would it be a car or a watch . I find also hard polishing annoying but mild polishing is also a middle way acceptable situation when it comes to watch restoration. Now I have noticed you have spent a relative long time to wash the hands compared to the dial. But as you said the spots are now part of the watch meaning that they have chemically attack the original surface leaving permanent marks to the watch. So be it indeed I do agree. You can now call it Constellation Air King Rolex ;)

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@SC-lo5ez As I stated on my previous reply. It is totally up to you to polish (strong or lightly) the case on the machine or refinish the dial. As long as it makes you happy and satisfied. But, when it comes to my watches, I avoid all of that. I only clean the case in the ultrasonic and maybe hand polish it with a cloth afterward. That's about it. Dial I do not touch. When I clean the hands I can use a cloth or other hands cleaning tool. But I cannot use a cloth over the dial and clean. Discuss with a vintage watch enthusiast that truly respect and understand this hobby well enough. Hear what he thinks about restoring a dial or mild case polishing (assuming on the machine).

What would a watch like this cost? And like the other ones I fall in love with probably not for sale, huhu.. I love the simpleness! Good job.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

depending on what has been done to the watch and the over all condition the price will vary. You can visit my site later as I will be listing a few pieces on the site. Prices will become available then. Subscribe to my site or follow me on Instagram for latest site update announcement.

@andersfriisjensen967

3 жыл бұрын

Omega Enthusiast thank you. Still scouting for right item. Love your work😊

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hey, could you tell me what the gasket of the lid is called or what the dimensions are? (30.80mm * 0.85mm?)

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, for Rolex gasket of any kind, it is best to try and order them from their case model number. I'm sure a lot of online website will sell them. For example, this airking is case model 1005 which takes a 29-292-76 Rolex gasket number.

@xQuiZ

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel thank you :)

Hi, do all rolex watches have serial numbers even that old? There's one for sale,he wants 2000.00 it's a stainless with a gold bezel 1520 caliber 34 mm Also what's the value on these beautiful time pieces?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, my bubble back from the 1940s also has the serial number to date the watch.

Nice work. I like Omega best too, but that's a nice Rolex. Wow, those heavy rotors cause lots of wear generally in automatic watches.

Dibs

i'have Rolex where to sale?

Very skilled work, but your fingers hide your work. Maybe you could reposition the camera so we could see your work

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the comment. Not really making video to teach. But I understand your comment. Will see what I can do to improve in future restoration video. Maybe when the channel grow to a point that I can hire someone to help me film. :-D

can i ask how much did the watch cost you on ebay?

@robertbrandywine

4 ай бұрын

In that condition, perhaps $2000.

Super low Amplitude. As a watchmaker how can you pass that?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

I won't bother to explain anymore. Everyone that have complaint about this video are no watch maker. So much hate.

Why didn’t you remove the crown?

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

What do you mean? I did removed the crown when assembling the movement since the crown pipe is broken and I couldn't wind it. Closer to the end you will also notice that I replaced the old crown pipe on the crown. Now everything is working fine.

@watchchat

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel oh sorry, I must have missed it. I saw the part when you were putting the movement semi-dismantled into the cleaner with the crown and stem still attached. I probably missed a few steps as I was multitasking. Great vid btw!

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

@@watchchat haha, it's all good. It is quite a long video after all.

work bench got a little dirty,

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Too clean usually mean the watch maker has no repair jobs to work on. Haha. I’ve three workbenches in the shop. This is my favourite, but it’s a very old one.

Great content, but that mindless music has to go...

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

HAha. KZread is still a side thing. And too much copy right with KZread restrictions. But will important. Thank you for the feedback.

Screws put to the cleaning solution? You must be kidding.

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

That's right. And that's how my colleagues from Omega, Rolex and Bulova would do too. You don't?

could have been polished

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

Then it wouldn’t have been a proper vintage watch restoration :(

@DavidK465

3 жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel then it was necessary to leave the frayed glass and the torn belt :) light polishing is possible without fanaticism

@TimelessHistoryChannel

3 жыл бұрын

You still have a lot to learn about restoring a vintage watch young grasshopper 😉

I never understand why you’d clean/service the movement, replace the crystal, fit a new strap, but not polish the case. 🤦🏻‍♂️

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

When you're in the vintage watch market long enough, you'll understand that the moment you polish the case, it will devalue your watch by as much as 50%, redial, and you will devalue your watch by as much as 90%, and when you relume can devalue between 20-90%. This is why I do not polish the case.

@Jones607

Жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Okay I see. My apologies.🤝 Just out of interest. If that was my watch you were servicing, and I asked you to polish the case, would you tell me to take it to someone else?😆

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

@@Jones607 No need to apologize; questions are welcome. I have stopped repairing watches for clients since 2015. But when I used to collect repair jobs, I would refuse to polish the watch even if the client asked to. I feel that the moment you polish the case or refinish the dial, you have altered the original finish of the watch. I would explain the situation and let them decide from there. To polish the case, I can make a lot more money on the repair, but the guilt will be forever in my mind.

@Jones607

Жыл бұрын

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Thank you for replying. You’re a gentleman.🫡

@TimelessHistoryChannel

Жыл бұрын

@@Jones607 You're very welcome. That's what this channel is about, is to educate people about vintage watches.