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8 October 2006, 07:52 AM

I am putting together a watch for my nephew for Xmas, and I ran into a few problems - let's just say I needed to order some new parts.

While I'm waiting for my order to arrive, my niece has expressed interest in wearing one of my late mother's old mechanical watches. This watch is nothing special horologically, but it obviously has sentimental value since this niece took the passing of my mother very hard a couple of years ago. So of course I took on the task of bringing her grandmother's watch to life!

It's an old Cadillac manual wind - simple time only functions. This is one of many brands that manufactured everyday watches using readily available movements, and subsequently died when quartz came along.

It's a very small watch to work on, and this presented some challenges along the way. The first step was to remove the ugly gold tone bracelet that came with it and leave the watch head behind:

This case back was a bear to remove. Very gummed up and small to work on - I admit the wrench slipped once so some clean-up will be needed

The back eventually came off and revealed an ETA 2360 movement. 21 jewels, so this is upgraded from the base 2360 that appears to have only 17 jewels from the information I have found. I spent some time looking for an oiling chart on-line, but that was wishful thinking.....if anyone has any ideas where to find one, I would appreciate it! The watch was fully wound, but not running. So once I had the case back off, I wanted to see if the mainspring was broken - thankfully it wasn't! So, I moved the click out of the way and let the spring tension down while holding the crown.

Before I went too far, I wanted to see how free the balance was. Normally I can take my tweezers and gently nudge the balance, and it will swing freely. Not here. The oils are dried (funny how this was discussed in another thread recently) and as you can see from this video file, the balance is quite stiff in it's movements:

http://media.putfile.com/ETA-2360

Then the crown came out, and the movement came out of the case:

Next the hands needed to come off, but I didn't want to damage the dial, so some watch papers work well for this:

The hands came off okay with no damage to the dial:

So now I could look at the dial side of the movement - it's dirty but I don't see any major problems yet:

I guess the most daunting aspect of this movement is the balance spring mounted to the balance cock, rather than a separate stud carrier. I will have to go gingerly with this one!!

Close up (see the red arrow):

So, next time I'll be taking it apart and cleaning it. Need to get moving so I can also have this done for Xmas!!

Thanks for looking.

C.J. · 8 October 2006, 07:57 AM

That's a great thread, Al. Thanks for sharing it

It's going to make a wonderful, meaningful gift

Prince · 8 October 2006, 08:00 AM

Excellent, Al. I have never heard of a Cadillac watch, although I have owned many Cadillac cars. This has been a watershed day for introduction to watches that are new to me.

Just gotta love this place!!!

JJ Irani · 8 October 2006, 04:50 PM

Good post, Al.

I can't for the life of me, see this one ever being hijacked....but with these tossers, you never can tell!!

Earl · 8 October 2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince

Excellent, Al. I have never heard of a Cadillac watch, although I have owned many Cadillac cars. This has been a watershed day for introduction to watches that are new to me.

Just gotta love this place!!!

So, What model of Cadillac's have you owned Prince?

padi56 · 9 October 2006, 12:12 AM

Excellent post Al and in its day looks like the top spec range for that Calibre.Love the dial and should clean up with a bit of gentle cleaning,and a bit of polywatch on crystal.Never heard of the brand but at these time,early 50s there were 100s of quite small makers.Great to see the old timers getting care to spring back into life.

Prince · 9 October 2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl

So, What model of Cadillac's have you owned Prince?

I have had two Eldorados:

A Seville (the Vanden Plas-backed model) EXACTLY like this one:

And my wife had a Cimarron for a few years:

JJ Irani · 9 October 2006, 03:34 AM

I thought this thread was not supposed to get hijacked, you tossers!!

Prince · 9 October 2006, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I thought this thread was not supposed to get hijacked, you tossers!!

There is NO thread that is hijack-proof. You, of all people, should appreciate that fact!!!

Besides, it was a very pleasant diversion, and was sort-of on topic (Cadillac).

mamas · 9 October 2006, 07:17 AM

fantastic post AL! i wish you good luck with this endevour.. i am asur eyour niece will really cherish this gift

Rockrolex · 9 October 2006, 10:00 AM

Wonderful post, Al. Your descriptions are priceless. Please keep us posted as the work progresses. This is absolutely fascinating.

Earl · 9 October 2006, 10:43 PM

I just wanted to see if I could do it :op

fat-sam · 9 October 2006, 10:54 PM

great post, i love older watches and would be facinated to see how you get on, good luck- you have lucky neices and nephews- i got book tokens for xmas

11 October 2006, 08:04 AM

Well, thanks for all the comments guys. I don't even mind the hijack so much since no sheep were involved.

Anyway, I thought I should add something for scale to show how small this movement is......small by my standards anyway!

This is the movement on top of the ETA 2836 that is for the TZ level 2.....

I do hope that I can get this running for my niece. I think she will appreciate having something her grandmother wore daily for many years.

mailman · 11 October 2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince

I have had two Eldorados:

A Seville (the Vanden Plas-backed model) EXACTLY like this one:

Nice cars Prince.

The black and grey go great together

mailman · 11 October 2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

Well, thanks for all the comments guys. I don't even mind the hijack so much since no sheep were involved.

Anyway, I thought I should add something for scale to show how small this movement is......small by my standards anyway!

This is the movement on top of the ETA 2836 that is for the TZ level 2.....

I do hope that I can get this running for my niece. I think she will appreciate having something her grandmother wore daily for many years.

I'm sure she will Al. It's something she'll treasure for many years to come

11 October 2006, 10:48 PM

Man-o-man that's one small movement. Al, are the cufflink movements bigger than that one?

Pretty cool gift for your neice. Now if you can get your nephew to make up his mind you'd be set.

8 October 2006, 07:52 AM	#1
---- Guest Posts: n/a	Latest Project - Vintage I am putting together a watch for my nephew for Xmas, and I ran into a few problems - let's just say I needed to order some new parts. While I'm waiting for my order to arrive, my niece has expressed interest in wearing one of my late mother's old mechanical watches. This watch is nothing special horologically, but it obviously has sentimental value since this niece took the passing of my mother very hard a couple of years ago. So of course I took on the task of bringing her grandmother's watch to life! It's an old Cadillac manual wind - simple time only functions. This is one of many brands that manufactured everyday watches using readily available movements, and subsequently died when quartz came along. It's a very small watch to work on, and this presented some challenges along the way. The first step was to remove the ugly gold tone bracelet that came with it and leave the watch head behind: This case back was a bear to remove. Very gummed up and small to work on - I admit the wrench slipped once so some clean-up will be needed The back eventually came off and revealed an ETA 2360 movement. 21 jewels, so this is upgraded from the base 2360 that appears to have only 17 jewels from the information I have found. I spent some time looking for an oiling chart on-line, but that was wishful thinking.....if anyone has any ideas where to find one, I would appreciate it! The watch was fully wound, but not running. So once I had the case back off, I wanted to see if the mainspring was broken - thankfully it wasn't! So, I moved the click out of the way and let the spring tension down while holding the crown. Before I went too far, I wanted to see how free the balance was. Normally I can take my tweezers and gently nudge the balance, and it will swing freely. Not here. The oils are dried (funny how this was discussed in another thread recently) and as you can see from this video file, the balance is quite stiff in it's movements: http://media.putfile.com/ETA-2360 Then the crown came out, and the movement came out of the case: Next the hands needed to come off, but I didn't want to damage the dial, so some watch papers work well for this: The hands came off okay with no damage to the dial: So now I could look at the dial side of the movement - it's dirty but I don't see any major problems yet: I guess the most daunting aspect of this movement is the balance spring mounted to the balance cock, rather than a separate stud carrier. I will have to go gingerly with this one!! Close up (see the red arrow): So, next time I'll be taking it apart and cleaning it. Need to get moving so I can also have this done for Xmas!! Thanks for looking.

8 October 2006, 07:57 AM	#2
C.J. "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: * Posts: 10,196	That's a great thread, Al. Thanks for sharing it It's going to make a wonderful, meaningful gift __________________ Me? I'm still looking for Kokomo. I just hope that damn golfer isn't there

8 October 2006, 08:00 AM	#3
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Excellent, Al. I have never heard of a Cadillac watch, although I have owned many Cadillac cars. This has been a watershed day for introduction to watches that are new to me. Just gotta love this place!!! __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

8 October 2006, 04:50 PM	#4
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Good post, Al. I can't for the life of me, see this one ever being hijacked....but with these tossers, you never can tell!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

9 October 2006, 12:12 AM	#6
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,062	Excellent post Al and in its day looks like the top spec range for that Calibre.Love the dial and should clean up with a bit of gentle cleaning,and a bit of polywatch on crystal.Never heard of the brand but at these time,early 50s there were 100s of quite small makers.Great to see the old timers getting care to spring back into life. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

9 October 2006, 03:34 AM	#8
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	I thought this thread was not supposed to get hijacked, you tossers!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

9 October 2006, 07:17 AM	#10
mamas "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 792	fantastic post AL! i wish you good luck with this endevour.. i am asur eyour niece will really cherish this gift

9 October 2006, 10:00 AM	#11
Rockrolex TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: God Location: Washington, D.C. Watch: What do you think? Posts: 37,967	Wonderful post, Al. Your descriptions are priceless. Please keep us posted as the work progresses. This is absolutely fascinating. __________________ Despite the high cost of living, it's still very popular. *Tosser Cabinet Member* Official Member: 'Perpetual 30' Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

9 October 2006, 10:43 PM	#12
Earl "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Who Me? Location: Northern Virginia Watch: out Posts: 4,616	I just wanted to see if I could do it :op

9 October 2006, 10:54 PM	#13
fat-sam "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Real Name: Manuel_Winde Location: London N1- UK Watch: Reverso Duoface Posts: 578	great post, i love older watches and would be facinated to see how you get on, good luck- you have lucky neices and nephews- i got book tokens for xmas __________________ This confession has meant nothing

11 October 2006, 08:04 AM	#14
---- Guest Posts: n/a	Well, thanks for all the comments guys. I don't even mind the hijack so much since no sheep were involved. Anyway, I thought I should add something for scale to show how small this movement is......small by my standards anyway! This is the movement on top of the ETA 2836 that is for the TZ level 2..... I do hope that I can get this running for my niece. I think she will appreciate having something her grandmother wore daily for many years.

11 October 2006, 10:48 PM	#17
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	Man-o-man that's one small movement. Al, are the cufflink movements bigger than that one? Pretty cool gift for your neice. Now if you can get your nephew to make up his mind you'd be set.

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