My Retro Watches

My Retro Watches

Hello and thank you for viewing my channel. This channel is all about watch repair tutorials and reviews. I am completely self taught and have had no professional training. The aim of my channel is to help and inspire more of you watch enthusiasts wherever you are in the world to picking up some tools and having a go. Watchmaking / repairing is a wonderful hobby and very therapeutic and rewarding. To take a watch that is broken and make it run again by your own hands is a great feeling.
I want to demystify some of the general perception around watchmaking and that anyone who has the desire and patience can try this hobby successfully. There is so much help available to you via my Facebook group and in my videos so come on and give it a go, I promise you will like it.

My videos will be on these subjects:
Disassembly
Assembly
Cleaning
Tools & equipment
Watch polishing & applying brushed finishes
Watch Reviews
Digital watch repairs & restorations.

Пікірлер

  • @Edward1312
    @Edward131210 сағат бұрын

    Seiko UK repair in Maidenhead are not interested in providing maintenance support to watches no longer in production. I've attempted a number of times to get them to work on Seiko watches that needed repair from the 80's and early 90's and they said they no longer hold any parts for those models.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches3 сағат бұрын

    This is no surprise. I know people who have sent Pogues to Seiko to have something else come back. For old Seiko you’re better off finding a decent hobbyist that knows the brand . There are a few of us out there who occasionally take on the work.

  • @ElderPinto254
    @ElderPinto25412 сағат бұрын

    never seen this one before crazy all the ways they went wauw

  • @michaelbeijer6288
    @michaelbeijer628813 сағат бұрын

    Hello Mike, can you tell my what brand your microscoop and where you bout it from. Ik like your videos a lot and I”m trying to make watches to as a hobby. I just started doing it. It is real fun and can by stressful with springs haha. Greeting’s Michael from Holland.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches6 сағат бұрын

    My scopes are all in my tool page on my site. Link in the description. It was an AMscope stereoscope but I can’t remember the model

  • @oengelen3720
    @oengelen3720Күн бұрын

    An epic battle with a watch … but you won, and the watch did too! Great job, great video!

  • @iggysfriend4431
    @iggysfriend4431Күн бұрын

    That's a weird movement a battery and a balance wheel, it's like they couldn't make up their minds on this one.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatchesКүн бұрын

    It’s was just as quartz was being developed . Swiss brands did the same along with Seiko. I have a Seiko Elnix video on the channel and that is another mad movement

  • @mack460
    @mack460Күн бұрын

    I was rooting for you with that second hand placement!😂😂😂❤ great job!

  • @JoeDezibel74
    @JoeDezibel74Күн бұрын

    DIY Watchclub is way to expensive!

  • @nomadhawg
    @nomadhawgКүн бұрын

    That crystal would drive me insane. The rest of the watch is gorgeous

  • @iyi553
    @iyi553Күн бұрын

    Great Collection!

  • @bensourbutts4996
    @bensourbutts4996Күн бұрын

    Really enjoyed this one Mike and appreciate you showing the whole process with mistakes - which we all make of course. I actually found the workings to be quite intuitive, and the chunky plates and pivots could make it a good movement to work on for some of us more clumsy guys!

  • @felixangellopezalonso3993
    @felixangellopezalonso39932 күн бұрын

    Pues ya he aprendido algo más de mi X8 aunque no es exactamente el mismo movimiento.

  • @keithshergold9257
    @keithshergold92572 күн бұрын

    But what makes it go? I see the balance is powered by the coil, but there’s no escape wheel or pallet fork. How is the motion of the balance transferred to the train of wheels without an escape wheel?

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    The whole thing like the Seiko Elnix runs backwards. The battery pluses the coil which in turn reacts to the magnet on the balance wheel. This swings and has an impulse jewel on it like a normal balance that moves the star shaped wheel that I at first fitted upside down. That wheel moves (also a magnet on the main plate I believe. This then moves the first brass wheel which in turn powers the main train on the top layer.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    The star wheel is essentially the fork and escape

  • @VARIOeveryday
    @VARIOeveryday2 күн бұрын

    Another watch saved

  • @screaminugly3296
    @screaminugly32963 күн бұрын

    See now something as simple as improvising a C clip shows Mike is a far better watchmaker than he proffesses to be. A part failed and he made a replacement out of something else. In the old days, garages had mechanics and panel beaters that made things work from whatever was available. These days, we just have fitters...! Good stuff buddy. Much love from Wales.

  • @ridingwithralseek1224
    @ridingwithralseek12243 күн бұрын

    I wanna get into watch restoration. Would any of you know a decent place to start, some kind of kit, an easy watch?

  • @rickplum858
    @rickplum8583 күн бұрын

    Does anyone measured the width of intermediate link?

  • @321-Gone
    @321-Gone3 күн бұрын

    should go over the Help option on the phone app. Once dialed in IIt can be impressive.

  • @gcarlson622
    @gcarlson6223 күн бұрын

    Don’t worry, you have indeed taken me down the rabbit hole of watch’s….. my wife is about ready to kill me. 😂

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    It’s better than drink. Tell her that!

  • @gcarlson622
    @gcarlson62216 сағат бұрын

    @@MyRetroWatches she would promptly inform me that drink would be a whole lot cheaper 😅

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches14 сағат бұрын

    @@gcarlson622 but once drank you can’t sell it. Watches usually hold value . That’s how I try to justify my collection

  • @michaelbell9811
    @michaelbell98113 күн бұрын

    Great job on an interesting and, I think, good looking watch.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    Thank you kindly

  • @WristwatchWorkshop
    @WristwatchWorkshop3 күн бұрын

    What an interesting little hybrid. So cool to see the mid point of the evolution between mechanical and full quartz.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    Thanks pal

  • @stephaneedy8255
    @stephaneedy82553 күн бұрын

    Hi Mike, I have missed something when looking your videos so a question : why don’t you oil the pallet fork jewels ? Also how do you put the stem back in place ? I’m currently trying my best on a Cupillard 233 which is indeed very similar and I’m puzzled with the how to put the stem back in place after casing ? Thank you for your time and constant generosity…

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches3 күн бұрын

    I usually fixadrop the stones and oil off camera. I’ve filmed them enough times and it’s almost impossible to film and to correctly. To be honest it makes no difference to the running and if you over do it or get oil on the top of a stone you will see a very poor trace on the TG. Oiling pallets will only extend a service life rather than give you better amplitude. They are so easy to make a mess of as you are supposed to oil in situ through the viewing holes in the main plate provided. As for a stem I can’t remember on this one but if they don’t push all the way in then you need to push in and hold the stem release to then push home . Your basically lifting up the setting lever so the stem can locate properly

  • @SailingCailin
    @SailingCailin4 күн бұрын

    As soon as you showed the day date setting, I went and found one. It's already in the mail. 😁 And now I have an amazing video with all the gotchas! 👍

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    Perfect! You will enjoy it I’m sure

  • @carloscarvalhido2424
    @carloscarvalhido24244 күн бұрын

    Excellent video. Besides plain mechanical and early quartz, I also like very much these kind of movements. You can do more on the channel if you want. Why not a soviet Luch with a 3055 movement ? ;)

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    In the future maybe, I have so many projects to get through first! I a overrun with them.

  • @johnsrabe
    @johnsrabe4 күн бұрын

    Thanks for this. I’ve always wondered how these work. I have an Elnix. It’s fun but uses batteries fast.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Thanks, Did you see my Elnix video a few episodes back?

  • @johnsrabe
    @johnsrabe3 күн бұрын

    @@MyRetroWatches I don’t think so. I will take a look. Thank you.

  • @Dx7m
    @Dx7m4 күн бұрын

    . . . for me an eternal beginner on this hobby seeing you do the things what you do is always interesting educative an fun at once. You are realistically honest too!. Could you please give me some insights into this 'special' balance wheel jule lubrication??? Im currently dealing with Miyota 82s7 movement w/ same mechanism. BR, -MM

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    By the same what do you mean exactly, they have the same type of cap jewel but I didn’t think the Miyota have that jewel on the steel washer thingy

  • @Dx7m
    @Dx7m4 күн бұрын

    . . thanks for your attention. Yes correct --this Miyota has the exact same cap jewel w/ the spring/washer/thingy thing. Following your video I have removed them using an oiler and Rodico --question now is what to lubricate, how to lubricate. BR, -MM

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    @@Dx7m the pivot does not appear to Protrude from the jewel and as such I just put a very tiny drop on the jewel the pivot is sitting on and nothing on the cap jewel.

  • @gcarlson622
    @gcarlson6224 күн бұрын

    It looks like the lower pivot on the pallet jewel might have been bent, when it was under the microscope, it seemed a little off-center

  • @kevinstenner8836
    @kevinstenner88364 күн бұрын

    Great video Michael i''m learning so much of you, keep up the good work.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Thanks

  • @maksymzapara5082
    @maksymzapara50824 күн бұрын

    Great video, thank you! Then there was a whole era of transition from mechanics to the quartz that we use now. And it was these beautiful electromechanical movements. Not only Citizen and Seiko made these, Swiss also created their own. It would be interesting to see a review of the Swiss ESA 9154 Dynotron movement, which was used in many electromechanical watches of that era.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    I have filmed the Seiko Elnix a few episodes ago. I also have the earlier EL330 movement which are equally as bonkers. Swiss ones for sure in time when I find a project worthy.

  • @Pehr81
    @Pehr814 күн бұрын

    I wonder if it is the crystal that caused the damage on the dial? Kind of like a magnifying glass.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Its unlikely its acting like prism.

  • @Pehr81
    @Pehr813 күн бұрын

    @@MyRetroWatches ok

  • @fredflintstone8048
    @fredflintstone80484 күн бұрын

    I agree, the metal band looks a little nicer with the watch.

  • @ronl7131
    @ronl71314 күн бұрын

    Hybrid watches fun. Have several. Can keep great time.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Sadly this one is not but I have been told I have regulated it incorrectly and need two lines rather than the one.

  • @thomasgabriel2213
    @thomasgabriel22134 күн бұрын

    Good to have you back in action doing video's again. Hopefully life is slowly starting to return to normal for you. Love the watch, and the fact that the band matches the face so closely is amazing. As for what I personally would like to see next....whatever you have on the bench or inline is perfect. I enjoy watching all of the video's you put out. Keep up the great work! Also...I would love to see a video on your faceted crystal watches on the other channel. Great idea!

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    Thank you. Life goes on which has been a motto I’ve had since my cancer. Still true today despite my rotten start to 2024. Back at the bench and enjoying every minute. I have more projects than sense and so many video ideas. Stay tuned

  • @ChrisBrown-me5xe
    @ChrisBrown-me5xe4 күн бұрын

    First of your vidéos I've seen. Many thanks, exactly what a newby like me needs.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Glad to help, plenty more videos in the back catalog on the channel

  • @CyberRabid.
    @CyberRabid.4 күн бұрын

    Just broke a stem in a Pan style crown. Will definitely try this. Thanx.

  • @Ranaldi0227
    @Ranaldi02274 күн бұрын

    I don't suppose you have the spare circuit board from your donor watch? I have had my cosmotron for 6 months now and all I need is a new circuit which are very hard to find. I Love the design and would like to get it on the wrist 😊

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    Sadly not the donor parts I didn’t use go back to my friend who commented that it was the board was faulty. It didn’t matter to me. Japan yahoo auctions are awash with Cosmotron

  • @oz4acl
    @oz4acl4 күн бұрын

    My deepest condolences! 😢❤ Thank You very much, for Your great channel. I really look forward, to every video from Your hand..! ❤

  • @josemanuelcastillo7460
    @josemanuelcastillo74605 күн бұрын

    Excelente restauración de la máquina maravilloso. El reloj quedó como nuevo.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches2 күн бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @bfair6284
    @bfair62845 күн бұрын

    One observation, despite the high beat of 36000 per hour, the second hand only ticks 6 times per second. I have counted it. I guess the high beat doesn't always translate into how smooth the sweeping action is. If someone has more info on this, I would love to hear.

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches4 күн бұрын

    That’s correct on this one. The Seiko elnix look smoother. I was a little disappointed with the high beat movement and less than smooth tick

  • @bfair6284
    @bfair62844 күн бұрын

    @@MyRetroWatches Thanks for confirming my observation. Great video you made! ❤

  • @pmallgood
    @pmallgood5 күн бұрын

    Interesting. Many people consider 42 or even 40 mm diameter to be big. I have an average wrist, and 45mm is my minimum. Anything less looks feminine on me. My perfect size is 47mm. Although, I do know it's all subjective.

  • @1rightrev
    @1rightrev5 күн бұрын

    I am looking forward to viewing this! The sound is great to me and the video is superior.

  • @LCMNUNES1962
    @LCMNUNES19625 күн бұрын

    EXCELENTE SERVIÇO 👍👍 🇧🇷

  • @johnsrabe
    @johnsrabe5 күн бұрын

    6:15 it makes sense that that is part of the quickset. If it were oiled, it wouldn’t drop freely when turned upside down.

  • @benerabilis
    @benerabilis5 күн бұрын

    Put your light not under a pot!