Watch Repair

Submitted by Jim Townsend on October 25, 2011 - 6:15am

Looking for a good reliable watch  repair person. Have a 14k ladies 1924 watch that needs repair. Has a 6 AF Movement 17 jewel.

scoble831
Posted September 3, 2020 - 7:03pm

My husband and I are looking for someone to repair a 1974 Watchman. Any suggestions?

JEV1A
Posted September 7, 2020 - 2:24pm

Time & Again (specializing in Bulova Accutron restoration and repair)

I specialize is Accutron restoration and repair cheapest and best you find in the World... John V. 

Time & Again

ldhunter1959
Posted September 28, 2020 - 11:28am

Going to be looking for a repair guy for an old bulova found in my father's collection. Someone scribbled 1921 in the inside of the back case. It's a mechanical watch. The hands are there, but one is floating in the crystal. It's a 15 jewel movement, long rectangular design. The numbers 10AN are prominent on the movement.

bmarkeson
Posted September 29, 2020 - 2:38pm

Hi,  I am looking for recommendations for repair of a 1931 'Fortuna' watch. It currently does not run. I am not looking for cosmetic restoration. 

Thanks,  Bjorn

JEV1A
Posted October 26, 2020 - 2:33pm

Hey all, its John V. "Time & Again" for all: My basic service including Accutron Battery replacement, any Bulova watch movement adjustments, oiling - cleaning (ultrasonic) crystal polishing, bezel and case polishing, bracelet and band adjustments etc. is a flat $79.99  if parts are to be ordered the estimate will change but client will be notified of all changes first before repairs continue. My instructions are: First send a clear pic of front and back of watch to my e-mail: [email protected]  Give me a description of what is wrong etc. I will send you back a free estimate and instructions of how to send watch to be serviced. I work on and specialize on Bulova timepieces. 

Thank so much

John V. 

brooksy46
Posted December 29, 2020 - 11:43am

Hello everyone, I am a new member to the forum, and thank you for creating such an informative space. I have a 1972 Oceanographer B that is in need of a full service due to the movement stopping and starting. Can anyone recommend a watchmaker in the San Francisco Bay Area? Thanks for any and all help!! -Andrew

Geoff Baker
Posted December 29, 2020 - 9:27pm

In reply to by brooksy46

Hello Andrew - while we don't know of someone in SF you could research the local NAWCC Business Directory. If you're willing to mail it away the fellow in the post above this one can service it.

dvuksicharris
Posted January 5, 2021 - 10:00am

Hello

does anybody have a recommendation for Charlotte North Carolina?  The two “new”watches I purchased will need servicing. 

LisaD
Posted March 6, 2021 - 10:47am

Need advice on how to open the ladys watch with a metal stretch band with attachment to case that has 2 claws overlapping through the round case end. How do you open the claw? I tried to do one and the end of one claw broke, the metal is fragile after all these years. 

KeithVig
Posted April 21, 2021 - 9:47pm

Looking for a crown for a Wittnauer QWR BL9634 9565; does anyone know the specs: crown diameter mm, tube diameter mm, thickness mm, stem diameter mm and tap number? Thank you.

Wittnauer QWR BL9634 9565

 

zaleskb1
Posted May 11, 2021 - 7:40pm

All, I inherited a sentimental watch from my grandfather. Its a Bulova Accutron from 1973. Movement is 2241. When first put battery in second hand was moving continuous. But the minute and hour hands werent as much.... I have left it at 3 different watch repair shops now and neither could fix.  Now I have to tap it or shake for second hand to move...but stops frequently. Now theres zero movement from minute n hour hands from ticking. I can pull crown and set time.  ANY help or suggestions would be enormously appreciated.

Geoff Baker
Posted May 11, 2021 - 9:20pm

In reply to by zaleskb1

I suggest a watchmaker who specializes Accutron. Where do you live?

Geoff Baker
Posted May 12, 2021 - 9:43pm

In reply to by zaleskb1

Private Message sent - check your email?

mybulova_admin
Posted May 11, 2021 - 10:04pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Agreed. You don't want to mess with these things, even those trained in general watch repair would have a hard time. You need to send to someone who specialises in Accutron watches....see above. 

What Does Your…
Posted July 10, 2021 - 9:18am

I picked up a Bulova 23 jewel selfwiding watch from 1955.  The crystal was all wrong.  I'm trying to figure out which crystal it uses from the G&S catalogue but I'm not certain which one is correct.  The measurement I get is 26.5mm.

bulova23jewels

 

Badmoon66
Posted July 15, 2021 - 5:13pm

In reply to by What Does Your…

Is it a domed mineral (plastic) crystal? If so and the measurement is 26.5, you should be safe with a 26.6 replacement. 

Brian

What Does Your…
Posted July 15, 2021 - 5:41pm

In reply to by Badmoon66

Thanks Brian for your reply.  It is a domed acrylic so I went with a G&S 26.7mm and a 26.9mm just in  case the .7 is too loose.  I asked about this on the NAWCC forum as well and I was worried the 26.6mm were just fit but not have enough pressure inside the bezel.  I'll post an update when the crystals arrive.

--Paul

Badmoon66
Posted July 16, 2021 - 5:07am

In reply to by What Does Your…

Paul, good call. Ideally, if you are able to order 26.6, 26.7, and 26.8-9 you have your bases covered. One is sure to be the "best" fit.

Good luck

What Does Your…
Posted July 16, 2021 - 6:41am

In reply to by Badmoon66

I had planned to order all three sizes but then I got cheap and only ordered two.  Hope that wasn't a mistake.  We'll see soon enough!

What Does Your…
Posted July 20, 2021 - 1:24pm

In reply to by What Does Your…

The crystals arrived today and I installed the 26.7mm. Turns out the 26.6 would have been the right size.  The .7 went in very tight which is nice and secure, but I ended up scaring the crystal with my claw tool from squeezing it tight enough to be able to press it into place. It looks good but all I can see are those tool marks. I could only afford to buy two crystals, I should have gone with the 26.6 and 26.7.  Now I'll know in the future which one to order. Here's a couple of pics. 

DSCN7050

DSCN7052

mybulova_admin
Posted July 20, 2021 - 8:42pm

In reply to by What Does Your…

It never ceases to amaze me how much difference to a watch a new crystal can make.

Nice job.

What Does Your…
Posted July 21, 2021 - 3:53pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Agreed!  I usually feel that a good polish is good enough but a new clear crystal really does bring out a dial as pretty as this one. 

Badmoon66
Posted July 20, 2021 - 9:38pm

Looks great man. Nice job! If the tool marks bug you, maybe you could try taping off the case and try a little light sanding with high grit (1000-1200) and then some polywatch or maybe just the polywatch. Just a thought. Great looking Bulova. Brian

What Does Your…
Posted July 21, 2021 - 3:51pm

In reply to by Badmoon66

Thanks Brian.  The polishing was suggested on the NAWCC thread as well.  I actually ended up selling this to a friend who collects the Bulova 23 jewel watches.  His collection is extensive.  I think next time I should listen to people who have more knowledge than me.  You were right about the 26.6mm being the correct crystal.  Now I know and won't second guess experience.

bobpiker
Posted July 22, 2021 - 1:55pm

Hello, my name is Bob Piker and I'm an Accutron repair person. I'd be happy to help if you are looking for someone to make a repair for your cherished Accutron. Forums are moderately new to me since I spend the majority of my time sitting at a bench, so I hope it's alright that I am posting this, but be assured, if you are looking for someone to make a repair for you, Accutrons are my world and I'll certainly do all that is possible to make yours right again in a very reasonable time and at a more than reasonable cost.

MEC1954
Posted July 28, 2021 - 12:00pm

Hello, I have been researching on this and other Accutron related websites for some months now. A few weeks ago I joined MyBulova but have only just uploaded the details and photos of my watch only yesterday. My reason for posting relates to the service of my 1967 18K #218 calendar watch. In December 2020 I sent my watch to a person advertising and purporting to be an expert in repair and service of Accutrons. I requested and paid not a small amount of money, for service of the movement and a complete case restoration. After enduring a seven-month odyssey of excuses, delays, forgetfulness, poor communication, and a mile-long string of emails I finally received my watch back. The result? My watch doesn’t keep time and barely operates. The minute hand will only move for a couple of minutes before it stops and absolutely no case finish restore work was done at all. Essentially, I paid, waited for over half a year, and got nothing. At this point I refuse to have anything more to do with this person and will not torture myself further trying to get him to right his wrongs. I consider it a hard learned lesson. At this juncture I’m researching where and to whom I might send my #218 for reliable repair of the movement and a real case restoration. The various reviews and commentary of peoples experiences I’ve read online of many of the US Accutron watch repair people seem to vary widely, from the sublime to the horrid. I happened to make a big mistake in who I chose to work on mine. I welcome any feedback, guidance, or recommendations I can get from members of MyBulova on this matter. For the record I’m not opposed to sending my watch out of the country if some of you feel strongly that that might be my best option for good and reliable service.  Thanks to you all.

cstrom2021
Posted August 24, 2021 - 4:12pm

Hi, I am a new member here. I need some help, I need watch hands for a 1971 Bulova Oceanographer 333, it has the black dial and gold hands. I have included a picture here of the dial and hands. Does anyone know the Bulova part# I need to replace the hands. Thanks in advance for any answers. Bulova watch dial and hands.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 24, 2021 - 8:06pm

Bulova parts are usually referenced off either the case model (a stamp inside the back) or the movement model. Camn you please advise the movement model.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 25, 2021 - 6:22pm

There is a pair on eBay at the moment: SFERE-HANDS()- BULOVA 11ANACB, although they look used and not NOS.

I'm still looking for a reference to the model number.

cstrom2021
Posted August 27, 2021 - 11:51am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thanks, took a look and those look pretty beat up, the watch I am fixing is pretty nice. The case is good condition and I found a NOS crystal for it and a NOS speidel gold band. I also bought a watch that had a good donor movement and let it run for a week, it kept right up with my quartz watch. The minute hand is loose on the new movement as well. I was reading about how you can use a "staking punch"? to tighten the minute hand. Is it worth attempting this? I can get a staking set for $15, probably not best quality. Just wondering if that is worth a go of it. Thanks. 

cstrom2021
Posted August 28, 2021 - 9:31am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I was able to find this watch dial and hands on ebay. The hands look similar to the oceanographer, thinking they should fit since the dial and hands are for a Sea King for about the same timeframe. Attached picture of the dial and hands I bought. Thanks for all the help, will let you know if these work. /sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user19412/s-l1600.jpg

cstrom2021
Posted September 6, 2021 - 4:24pm

The hands from that dial worked great on the watch. Thanks for the help. 

urbanraven
Posted November 12, 2021 - 6:15pm

Hiya, new here and this particular forum seems to be laid out different then the others, so hope I'm posting this in the right spot. Just wondering if there is a service manual, repair guide or simple how-to on servicing a Bulova 7BPP movement anywhere out there.

Thanks!

[email protected]

C.T.
Posted December 4, 2021 - 12:34pm

Hi, i'm taking estimates on fixing my  1940 Lone Eagle in the" recent comments" section...Needs  a crown,second hand re attached  or  a full restoration...It  runs, loses a minute about every 24 hrs...any help is appreciated...

TroyUT
Posted February 13, 2022 - 4:41pm

I recently acquired my grandfathers retirement watch. It says Bulova Accutron and Quartz on the dial. I changed the battery but it looks one of the gears is just moving back and forth ever so slightly. The second hand is also moving just barely back and forth. Does anyone know of anyone who could fix this? I live in Utah but would be willing to mail it anywhere.

thomasrodco
Posted February 17, 2022 - 10:15pm

Hello, looking for a repair person in/near Maine to repair my uncle's WWII Army issue Bulova Ord Dept watch. Not currently running, and needs a new bezel. thank you, Steve

RPH52
Posted May 30, 2022 - 4:54pm

I want to replace my Bulova Oceanographer C 1970 original crystal. Is it press fit? Is it acrylic? I have an affordable crystal watch press. Will that work? I've also seen the claw, but I don't have one. I've used the press a few times, mostly for closing a stubborn case. Thanks.

cstrom2021
Posted May 30, 2022 - 7:27pm

In reply to by RPH52

See my comment posted. Don't know if I replied directly to your message, did it from my phone.

cstrom2021
Posted May 30, 2022 - 7:21pm

Yes it is press fit. You must first remove the bezel from around the crystal and press the old crystal out, then press the new one in. Original is an acrylic crystal. You can remove the bezel by working around it with a razor blade and slightly lifting.

RPH52
Posted May 30, 2022 - 7:38pm

Excellent. It sure seemed like acrylic. I did that and now I have a bezel and a crystal. How do I reassemble into the other case? Do I put in the bezel first and then the crystal, then use the press? Or do I press the bezel into the crystal first?

cstrom2021
Posted May 30, 2022 - 8:16pm

In reply to by RPH52

The way I did it was first press the crystal into the case, then I pressed the bezel around the crystal until it fit into the case. I used a hard plastic washer same size as the bezel to put on top of it to get better pressure so bezel would press into the case.

RPH52
Posted May 30, 2022 - 8:31pm

My bezel for the Cartographer is smaller than the crystal. It has to go in first. I'm just not sure if I press fit by hand into the crystal first before using the press. Bezel and Crystal