So I'm currently playing with ideas for my next build, and I like the look/idea of the Miyota 8285 movement. The problem is, apparently it's not being produced anymore. I'm not particularly worried about new old stock or anything like that as much as I want to ensure I can find the remainder of the parts I'll need. Does anyone know if there are similar movements being produced, that have dials/hands/cases available for them, etc? And/or if there's alternate names I can look for? From what I've found so far, the ST1642 would be similar if not identical, and it's also known as the TY2826 - that kind of information. Thanks in advance for any tips!

Hi, last week I got an st36 (clone) and learned to disassemble and reassemble with a YouTube video. The first time, I could tell something was off, and determined that the pallet fork wasn’t seated correctly into the upper jewel. Last night I took it back apart, and seemingly fixed the issue! Escape wheel spins free, and when winding the watch in the second position, the balance wheel with start to move quite rapidly, but after a few minutes stops. It appears like everything is moving well. I tried winding the watch 20 or thirty times, but the movement doesn’t stay going for any longer. Any idea what the issue could be? I’m only guessing that this is how to wind the watch: Crown into second position, wind clockwise, return crown to inner (first) position

Hi everyone,

I have a vintage Kienzle ladies' watch from the 1950s, and I’m considering having it repaired. However, before investing in the repair, I’d like to know if it would significantly increase its resale value.

Would restoring it make it more attractive to collectors or buyers, or is it better to sell it as-is? Any advice on whether it’s worth the cost would be greatly appreciated!

I’m attaching some photos for reference. Thanks in advance for your insights and I can add information at any time if you want.

every time i set my hands, some residue from the pusher tool manages to get on the hands. i’ve seen people put plastic in between but they again they use trumpets. i’d probably get a new tool but was wondering any tips

Hey guys, I'm sorry if this is a stupid question / I got what I paid for but I'm feeling a bit defeated and need some input and advice.

I got a couple of DG2813 movements to practise putting a watch together, got everything together fine and then got to cutting the stem. Both times I attempted this, upon reinserting the stem the moment stays stuck in the time set position. I can't pull the stem in or out, wind it or change the date.

I can take the stem back out but regardless of what I do now I can't seem to fix it. Should I just cut my losses and buy a better movement? Otherwise any suggestions for fixing it is appreciated.

Apologies again if this is a silly question, I appreciate any assistance, thank you.

Hey just pulled apart a 7006A movement, put the case through the ultrasonic cleaner and it came out well

Opinions on ultrasonic cleaner for movement parts?

Was going to run mostly all the parts through the ultrasonic and do some IPA rinses x 2 or 3 to help dry/ remove any detergent on the way out

The only things I wasn't going to run through the ultrasonic were the balance and mainspring I was going to clean them by hand

Any opinions?

Also does anyone have a cheat sheet for the moebius oils to help me understand what goes where, I have the seiko manual for the watch but the lubricants are different

Thanks in advance!

Looking into watchmaking for fun, not actually doing it just yet just browsing and researching and I’m looking at old watches from anywhere from 1960-1980 on eBay, and I’m seeing lots of stuff like ”for repair”, “for parts” and “broken”. What do they mean by this in your experience? A lot of the actual descriptions don’t really say much other than having one of those in the title. So, how extensive are the repairs needed, why just for parts, how broken is broken?

I'm interested in watch repair and got myself a vintage manual winding watch that was "running great" so I could fiddle around with. When I received the watch I tried winding it every time I do (even if the watch isn't running) I can feel the crown rotate back a bit (feels like it's springing back). I wasn't really sure what the problem was so I stopped winding to prevent any damage (I winded it around 4 turns). Anyone know what might be the issue, and if this might be too much for a complete beginner to handle?

Hello Reddit,

I am interested in CAD and looking for a new project. I would like to model a case around a movement and probably try to build it. My expectations are not high, but I just want to try it and learn something new. I did some research on how watches work and read some beginner guides of how to build watches or mod them. I don't know exactly where to start, since I'm a beginner. I tried to search for a movement I could model around, but there are so many and I don't know which one to select.

I would be very thankful for any advice or ideas on where to start.

Thank you all!

Hello, ive been trying to put the escape wheel in its pivot for the past hour and it wont set. What is the problem?! Im losing my mind here 😅

Hi,

I'm sincerely concerned about starting my career as a watchmaker. It has been almost a year and a half since I decided to pursue this path, conducting practical research (including contacting relevant institutions), studying fundamental watchmaking concepts, and undergoing language training—all for the accomplishment of my ultimate goal.

I live in South Korea, where there are almost no institutions that teach horology or hands-on watchmaking skills. After months of deliberation, I decided to seek opportunities at institutions abroad. And yes, it is quite (or rather, extremely) challenging—many hurdles lie ahead, even before taking the very first step of applying to a suitable institution.

Since most well-known foreign institutions offer programs in English, and English is not my native language, I have been studying it for a year. Fortunately, I still have some time(months, or even a year) to prepare before applying to my chosen institutions. One of the candidates I'm considering is the BSoW. It seems like the best option for me, and right now, I feel like I would move mountains to apply and secure a spot there.

Lately, I’ve been looking for alumni who graduated from BSoW. While I fully agree that going through trial and error is important, I also want to make sure I am not wasting time while striving to be a competitive applicant.

I’ve read in official WOSTEP recruitment guidelines and interviews from other institutions that schools do not prefer applicants with "self-trained knowledge or experience." This contradicts my initial assumption that self-training—such as assembling and disassembling watches, servicing, and gaining experience with watchmaking tools—would make me a stronger candidate.

Given this, what would be the best way to prepare myself before applying? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I would really appreciate it if BSoW alumni could leave a comment or reach out to me. I wish I had a chance to talk with alumni in person, but unfortunately, I can’t even find such an opportunity in my country.

Hello. I’m a complete beginner with watches but I’m making a wooden case/band and putting a quartz movement into it. I ordered 2 Miyota 2035 movements but when I put the stem into them I don’t hear any ticking and the hands don’t move. Are they just busted or am I doing something wrong?

Watchmaking jobs with tattoos?

Hey everybody, I’m sorta soul searching right now to be honest and I’m feeling a bit trapped.

Context. I’m 25 just got out the U.S. military doing aviation maintenance and squandered the time to do college while in.

I really want to make Living in Japan work but I have no formal education and I have two full sleeve tattoos. I’m currently applying the Dallas Rolex school and the Seattle school for watchmaking.

Is it possible that a 3rd party service center would hire and sponsor my visa? I can’t imagine an official boutique would hire me. Does anybody have experience in this? Has anybody moved out of their home country by watchmaking?

Any advice would be appreciated. Is this a pipe dream?

Looking for 29mm titanium dial blanks for a project. Where could I find them? Tried searching for 26 gauge titanium discs but can’t find any on eBay, Etsy, AliExpress etc.

i came across this little factoid (encyclopaedia brittannica): "The clock atop Bolivia’s congressional building turns to the left. The country’s foreign minister reasoned that clocks that turn to the right are products of sundials in the Northern Hemisphere, whose shadows move to the right. Since Bolivia is in the Southern Hemisphere, he concluded its clock should move the other way."

got me thinking... are there any watch movements that do this ? is there something like a counter-rotating clock? to adjust the dial should be easy enough, but the actual movement?