What time is it? Watches and horology

I know Watchfinder got teh flamez of hate due to those piss-poor TDF ads lately, but I've recently been working through their videos on Youtube, many of which are excellent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT9rvtlk_yc

Yeah, watched them all. Excellent vids.

Is it a rabbit hole?

Very much so. I usually watch car, bike or watch videos in the evening while cooking, washing up or hanging out washing, but yesterday I had to just stop everything and go and sit somewhere quiet for this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfNOgWGME_c

Yeah videos are really very good. Great one on sub vs Tudor black bay.

In the blurb, it's intended use is Air-Sea Rescue (obvs).

The orange gear is for dangling out of a helicopter while pulling someone out of the sea (and simultaneously giving them an accurate time-check).

I'm with you on that!

Ha! Well it's quite nice either way.

For the record, I'm sitting at a desk wearing an ISO rated dive watch. Just in case.

^^^ Look at his horrible finger nails.

My grandfather gave this pocket watch to me over Christmas saying that it runs, but only for ~24h. I have no idea how long this would be expected to run on one wind, but I'm pretty certain the first thing it needs is a clean and lube given its age and how fast it is set. Anyone got a suggestion for where I can get this looked at?

1879 according to this page - http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/illinois.html

Thanks. This website has some info on the movement too
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/2843207
I'm mostly interested in what is involved in getting it running properly and suggestions on who could do the work. It's not massively valuable (in the scheme of pocket watches that is) so I don't really want to spend too much by, metaphorically, sending my fiesta to a ferrari dealer!

Gah! I don't doubt that he knows what he is doing but he's working on a ticking movement!

Must have released the main spring tension later on.

Forgot all about the tiny diver. Wound it and it no longer beats five hours fast - probably was magnetised. Instead now the hands don't move, then swing loose a by five minutes when tapped. After that it almost keeps time.

Would be eternally grateful once back in the UK if a resident expert put it on the pile to pull apart and put back together some time.

Hairsping and balance wheel is not damaged by visual inspection, probably as previously suggested that something is loose inside.

I don’t know enough as to exactly why that looked very wrong, but look wrong it did!

New strap day today. Doesn’t show in the pic but the reverse is red. Looks great. Watch Gecko delivers once again.

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That's lovely 😍

He shouldn't be touching any part of the movement with his fingers, use a plastic stick, or finger cots if you really need to handle something. Also shouldn't be dismantling or assembling the auto mech without the support jig, or using steel tweezers on the bridges.

Not completely dismantling the winding mech and removing the stem before putting movement in the cleaning is machine is also lame.

And why are the components just lying around on the bench after they've been cleaned, keep them in the cleaning basket and use a dust cover.

The more you watch etc.

I just watched their Omega Speedmaster vs Patek Philippe 5170p. Had to turn it off at 3.40 when he says that "PP aren't proud of the column wheel because the have covered it with a polished cap".

That polished cap is one of the 6 new patents that PP hold over any other other manufacturer for a "simple" chronograph.

The cap is on an eccentric bearing, by turning the screw head, the cap will move backwards or forwards allowing incredibly small adjustments to made for the depth of lock by the clutch lever without having to remove material from it during a service.

Watchfinder are fucking morons.

Perfect example of why they lost their Rolex accreditation.

Popcorngif

I'm enjoying one of the most legible, comfortable and value for money watches in my collection today. The quality of the bracelet is right up there with some of my watches at ten times the price.

All hail the Monster!

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I think lightning might work better. 😎

Anyone had experience buying off Rakuten global market?
Looking at a G Shock that is not available over here.
Wondering if a) it's legit (or a hive of counterfeit goods) and b) whether I will be hit with import charges.

I’ve bougt a seiko there once. Was fine. Paid vat when it came.
Take a look at japanese amazon as well. I was very impressed with that. You pay vat up front and save a big fee.

Good shout on Amazon jp looks like it comes in cheaper there

Fromjapan.com might be worth a look too, you can normally ask them to mark down the value (although this obviously affects shipping insurance).