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Porter · 12 February 2016, 08:28 AM

Hi all,
I recently bought two beautiful movements, 1520 and 3000. I bought them not only because are amazing machines the truth is I bought them because are nearly dead!!
I'll try to restore them and afterwards try to find a new case to pass the following years!!
The 1520 will be the first to try to restore! Here is the pic just after opening the box from the seller:
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Is seriously damaged! More than expected!! First eyeshot goes to the balance wheel. Rust eat the spring!! So... Will need new spring! Before getting mad I take the movement to the ultrasonic machine and introduced in different cleaning liquids! Here is the result: Name: uploadfromtaptalk1455228941162.jpg
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Now is a bit better...
Tomorrow I'll check all screws and start trying to unscrew them. I want to save them as much as possible but probably will brake a lot...
To be continued...
NOTE: Sorry if I cannot explain in correct words but I'm not costumed to explain my work to anyone in any language!. All corrections are welcome!!

rod727 · 12 February 2016, 10:43 AM

Looking forward to seeing additional posts......

Amme · 12 February 2016, 07:34 PM

wow what a great challenge :)
Good luck!

Porter · 13 February 2016, 07:27 AM

Well...
1 hour...3 screws...
After 30 minutes fighting with half screw I decided to leave it for another day...
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ilovewatchestoo · 13 February 2016, 01:47 PM

Yes this is awesome. Thanks for sharing and please continue.

SearChart · 13 February 2016, 05:22 PM

Oh dear, that doesn't look good.

Hope I'll never get this on my workbench..

Porter · 13 February 2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Oh dear, that doesn't look good.

Hope I'll never get this on my workbench..

Haha! Yes! Doesn't look good! After fighting with the screws for nearly 2 hours I was really sad thinking there's nothing to do!....but!...later walking along the port my mind started again trying to find the way to solve the problem and my energies came up again!!
Not sure if my methods will work but if not...new methods must find!!!
I agree with you! Not nice to see a beautiful 1520 in such horrible condition!

SearChart · 15 February 2016, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

Haha! Yes! Doesn't look good! After fighting with the screws for nearly 2 hours I was really sad thinking there's nothing to do!....but!...later walking along the port my mind started again trying to find the way to solve the problem and my energies came up again!!
Not sure if my methods will work but if not...new methods must find!!!
I agree with you! Not nice to see a beautiful 1520 in such horrible condition!

I wish you good luck with this project, would love to see some updates along the way.

Porter · 15 February 2016, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

I wish you good luck with this project, would love to see some updates along the way.

Really thanks! I will need it!! And some new parts too!! Hahaha

Scot_3 · 15 February 2016, 07:33 AM

Wow this is exciting please keep us posted on your progress

lew07 · 16 February 2016, 11:26 PM

Cool thread. I love to see people bringing back some thing from dead lol. As others say keep us informed.

Porter · 17 February 2016, 01:31 AM

Hi all,
Thanks for your support! This will be a very hard mission!!! Haha yesterday I sank the movement in a special rust free oil to try screws get free of some. I want to leave it 48 hours minimum so tomorrow will try again.
The other day trying to unscrew one of them I broke half head. Mr. drill will appear sooner than wanted...sh**!! Hope no!
Next step:
Take the movement out from oil and take some off to work safely. Try to unscrew, if works then try to finish taking them out and clean with ultrasonic cleaner. If doesn't work, hammering a bit and try again.
Hope will work...
Bye!

SearChart · 17 February 2016, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

Hi all,
Thanks for your support! This will be a very hard mission!!! Haha yesterday I sank the movement in a special rust free oil to try screws get free of some. I want to leave it 48 hours minimum so tomorrow will try again.
The other day trying to unscrew one of them I broke half head. Mr. drill will appear sooner than wanted...sh**!! Hope no!
Next step:
Take the movement out from oil and take some off to work safely. Try to unscrew, if works then try to finish taking them out and clean with ultrasonic cleaner. If doesn't work, hammering a bit and try again.
Hope will work...
Bye!

Nice work, how long has it been unattended after getting in contact with salt water? The longer it has been the deeper the rust goes.

Also, are you going to replace the whole balance or are you going to keep the wheel and just replace the staff and hairspring?

Porter · 17 February 2016, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Nice work, how long has it been unattended after getting in contact with salt water? The longer it has been the deeper the rust goes.

Also, are you going to replace the whole balance or are you going to keep the wheel and just replace the staff and hairspring?

Thanks!
The problem is the person who sold me the movements had no idea about them.
The real damage is at the side of the stem. Right now I'm bit lost because the part of the balance is full of rust and I cannot see under the rotor bridge. That's why I'm trying to take out the screws and make up my mind once I see what's waiting for me "downstairs".
The balance spring is dead nearly sure but no idea yet! The reversing wheels are loosing the red coating and the seller thought the stem was broken and a part is inside the movement!
I bought a new stem but need to take all pieces out and let's see what I find.
Sorry if don't explain well because I'm not costumed to speak about technical parts in English.

Porter · 17 February 2016, 06:06 AM

The 1520 stem... Name: uploadfromtaptalk1455653202736.jpg
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SearChart · 17 February 2016, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

Thanks!
The problem is the person who sold me the movements had no idea about them.
The real damage is at the side of the stem. Right now I'm bit lost because the part of the balance is full of rust and I cannot see under the rotor bridge. That's why I'm trying to take out the screws and make up my mind once I see what's waiting for me "downstairs".
The balance spring is dead nearly sure but no idea yet! The reversing wheels are loosing the red coating and the seller thought the stem was broken and a part is inside the movement!
I bought a new stem but need to take all pieces out and let's see what I find.
Sorry if don't explain well because I'm not costumed to speak about technical parts in English.

Sounds like it's in pretty bad shape, hope you can save most of the parts as they are bloody expensive.
A friend of mine recently had to replace a cannon pinion and center wheel on an older Rolex movement, cost him a little over €100... For just two little parts. I don't even want to know what a complete balance system would have to cost.

Porter · 17 February 2016, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Sounds like it's in pretty bad shape, hope you can save most of the parts as they are bloody expensive.
A friend of mine recently had to replace a cannon pinion and center wheel on an older Rolex movement, cost him a little over €100... For just two little parts. I don't even want to know what a complete balance system would have to cost.

Hahaha! Yessss! Really bad!
For prices I can reply! ...that's the only easy thing in this project!!
The complete balance: 380$
The bridge: 130$
Reversing wheels: 60$ each
Complete rotor: 240$
The main spring: 40$
.... Crazy!!!
Yes! Hope not to buy many parts!!

SearChart · 17 February 2016, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porter

Hahaha! Yessss! Really bad!
For prices I can reply! ...that's the only easy thing in this project!!
The complete balance: 380$
The bridge: 130$
Reversing wheels: 60$ each
Complete rotor: 240$
The main spring: 40$
.... Crazy!!!
Yes! Hope not to buy many parts!!

Fingers crossed!

Porter · 17 February 2016, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Fingers crossed!

Thanks!! I need them!

Porter · 17 February 2016, 11:29 PM

Well... 20% probability to survive adding a lot of new pieces...
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Later I'll explain the pics! Don't worry...looks worse than the real thing...
Nearly all axels are totally eaten by rust. Need to do new emplacements for new screws, new wheels, new rotor (someone forced in the past)....
To be continued...

DCgator · 18 February 2016, 12:54 AM

Wishing you the best, Carlos.

Porter · 18 February 2016, 01:16 AM

As you can see at the pics 1 & 2 the hair spring is totally destroyed. Rust everywhere specially at the holding of the hair spring. I can keep the ruby and the bridge. So need new balance wheel and bridge.
Pic 3: anchor and holder is OK. Need to check axels strength but I think is OK.

Porter · 18 February 2016, 01:25 AM

Pics 4,5 & 6: after cracking the screws I took out the rotor and the wheel set. You can see the big amount of rust and SAND inside and between both reversing wheels. This is why the rotor's axle is blocked. Nearly sure cannot rescue more than the main bridge.

Porter · 18 February 2016, 01:27 AM

Pic 7: just touched the balance wheel the hair spring died! Part is stuck and eaten.

Porter · 18 February 2016, 01:41 AM

Pics 8 & 9: after ultrasonic cleaner looks better. Is a beautiful movement even with such rust and dust! Seconds wheel is dead and stuck. Escape wheel is OK needs checking. Transmission wheels are dead. Hour wheel is OK but stuck.
Minutes wheel no idea yet!

Porter · 18 February 2016, 01:52 AM

Not seen at the pics: I took off the barrel bridge with the barrel and transmission wheel screwed. Was a very delicate operation because is not really "well done" to do this but needed to see more. Barrel's screw is impossible to move right now. I will let the barrel in oil several days trying to rescue the main spring axle. If not possible to move it I will brake the head of the screw to open the barrel and see inside. Nearly sure can keep the barrel and will need new axle and spring.
Will post more pics next week.

Porter · 18 February 2016, 02:01 AM

Till next day main plate and complete barrel will be sunk in oil.
Any comments, recommendations or whatever are highly appreciated!!
Thanks, bye!

Easy Rhino · 19 February 2016, 12:16 AM

Very courageous of you to take this project on. I'm enjoying watching your work. Curious as to why you would take this on. Is this a special watch, or is this an experiment for learning, or is there another reason?

Please don't apologize about your English - it is fine, and much better than any of my foreign languages.

I look forward to following this work.

lew07 · 19 February 2016, 04:31 AM

Il be interested to see inside the barrel. I think Im right in saying the main spring is made from stainless steel.Possibly it will still look like new?

robertdodd · 19 February 2016, 05:25 AM

wow what a task you have ahead of you! What do you do when screws are so small and either they rounded or stuck??

12 February 2016, 08:28 AM	#1
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	When the sea visit your watch... Hi all, I recently bought two beautiful movements, 1520 and 3000. I bought them not only because are amazing machines the truth is I bought them because are nearly dead!! I'll try to restore them and afterwards try to find a new case to pass the following years!! The 1520 will be the first to try to restore! Here is the pic just after opening the box from the seller: Is seriously damaged! More than expected!! First eyeshot goes to the balance wheel. Rust eat the spring!! So... Will need new spring! Before getting mad I take the movement to the ultrasonic machine and introduced in different cleaning liquids! Here is the result: Now is a bit better... Tomorrow I'll check all screws and start trying to unscrew them. I want to save them as much as possible but probably will brake a lot... To be continued... NOTE: Sorry if I cannot explain in correct words but I'm not costumed to explain my work to anyone in any language!. All corrections are welcome!!

15 February 2016, 07:33 AM	#10
Scot_3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Real Name: Scot Location: USA Watch: 1966 boyscout Posts: 914	Wow this is exciting please keep us posted on your progress __________________ Thanks Scot

17 February 2016, 11:29 PM	#20
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Well... 20% probability to survive adding a lot of new pieces... Later I'll explain the pics! Don't worry...looks worse than the real thing... Nearly all axels are totally eaten by rust. Need to do new emplacements for new screws, new wheels, new rotor (someone forced in the past).... To be continued...

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12 February 2016, 10:43 AM	#2
rod727 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: U.S Watch: Submariner 116610 Posts: 659	Looking forward to seeing additional posts......

12 February 2016, 07:34 PM	#3
Amme Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 119	wow what a great challenge :) Good luck!

13 February 2016, 07:27 AM	#4
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Well... 1 hour...3 screws... After 30 minutes fighting with half screw I decided to leave it for another day... No one said would be easy. Hahaha.

13 February 2016, 01:47 PM	#5
ilovewatchestoo "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Real Name: Eric Location: California Watch: 114060 Posts: 425	Yes this is awesome. Thanks for sharing and please continue.

16 February 2016, 11:26 PM	#11
lew07 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: UK Posts: 133	Cool thread. I love to see people bringing back some thing from dead lol. As others say keep us informed.

17 February 2016, 01:31 AM	#12
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Hi all, Thanks for your support! This will be a very hard mission!!! Haha yesterday I sank the movement in a special rust free oil to try screws get free of some. I want to leave it 48 hours minimum so tomorrow will try again. The other day trying to unscrew one of them I broke half head. Mr. drill will appear sooner than wanted...sh**!! Hope no! Next step: Take the movement out from oil and take some off to work safely. Try to unscrew, if works then try to finish taking them out and clean with ultrasonic cleaner. If doesn't work, hammering a bit and try again. Hope will work... Bye!

17 February 2016, 06:06 AM	#15
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	The 1520 stem...

18 February 2016, 12:54 AM	#21
DCgator "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PNW Watch: DS,BLNR,SubLV,DJ2 Posts: 8,123	Wishing you the best, Carlos.

18 February 2016, 01:16 AM	#22
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	As you can see at the pics 1 & 2 the hair spring is totally destroyed. Rust everywhere specially at the holding of the hair spring. I can keep the ruby and the bridge. So need new balance wheel and bridge. Pic 3: anchor and holder is OK. Need to check axels strength but I think is OK.

18 February 2016, 01:25 AM	#23
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Pics 4,5 & 6: after cracking the screws I took out the rotor and the wheel set. You can see the big amount of rust and SAND inside and between both reversing wheels. This is why the rotor's axle is blocked. Nearly sure cannot rescue more than the main bridge.

18 February 2016, 01:27 AM	#24
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Pic 7: just touched the balance wheel the hair spring died! Part is stuck and eaten.

18 February 2016, 01:41 AM	#25
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Pics 8 & 9: after ultrasonic cleaner looks better. Is a beautiful movement even with such rust and dust! Seconds wheel is dead and stuck. Escape wheel is OK needs checking. Transmission wheels are dead. Hour wheel is OK but stuck. Minutes wheel no idea yet!

18 February 2016, 01:52 AM	#26
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Not seen at the pics: I took off the barrel bridge with the barrel and transmission wheel screwed. Was a very delicate operation because is not really "well done" to do this but needed to see more. Barrel's screw is impossible to move right now. I will let the barrel in oil several days trying to rescue the main spring axle. If not possible to move it I will brake the head of the screw to open the barrel and see inside. Nearly sure can keep the barrel and will need new axle and spring. Will post more pics next week.

18 February 2016, 02:01 AM	#27
Porter "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Carlos Location: Eivissa Watch: Rolex, Tudor.... Posts: 1,635	Till next day main plate and complete barrel will be sunk in oil. Any comments, recommendations or whatever are highly appreciated!! Thanks, bye!

19 February 2016, 12:16 AM	#28
Easy Rhino "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Kevin Location: Now Tennessee Watch: 2-Line Sub & DJ41 Posts: 413	Very courageous of you to take this project on. I'm enjoying watching your work. Curious as to why you would take this on. Is this a special watch, or is this an experiment for learning, or is there another reason? Please don't apologize about your English - it is fine, and much better than any of my foreign languages. I look forward to following this work.

19 February 2016, 04:31 AM	#29
lew07 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: UK Posts: 133	Il be interested to see inside the barrel. I think Im right in saying the main spring is made from stainless steel.Possibly it will still look like new?

19 February 2016, 05:25 AM	#30
robertdodd "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: London Posts: 35	wow what a task you have ahead of you! What do you do when screws are so small and either they rounded or stuck??

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