Hello Bulova Experts! This watch belonged to my Grandmother whom I believe purchased it new in Australia which by the case back date would be some time after 1968. I am unable to determine it's model name, and the case number of 575 hasn't turned up in the reference materials here on this fantastic website. I've been through all the advertising data for the M8 model year but I still don't see anything quite like it. I would like to identify it properly so I can obtain the correct case back gasket as the one in it now has hardened and cracked on removal. It appears to be 30.5mm inside diameter, 32.5mm outside diameter, and square in cross section. The cross section is currently 1.0mm x 0.88mm but I suppose it was once 1.0mm x 1.0mm. I see a lot of accutron case gaskets for sale about, would one of them suit? I'm also interested in identifying a replacement crystal and tension ring (if I can't move the original over to the replacement) and I also need to reseal the crown. If anyone has ideas on what dimension o-ring I can try and stuff back into the crown after I pull the stem and clean out the old remnants that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks for your help! Inboost
Wow neetstuf-4-u, that was fast and spot on! Can you give me an idea on where I might find the casing parts I need to put this one back together?
I'm also wondering of anyone can advise on a service question? How does the drive for the second sweep hand break down off the train wheel bridge? Is this staked and best left alone? Any ideas how to best lubricate it after cleaning if it's not to be torn down?
In reply to Wow neetstuf-4-u, that was… by inboost
That seconds hand wheel can be removed with the proper tool. I've seen a few ways to remove it, but I use the Presto #3 for 5-spoke with a thin plastic (like a dial protector) under the wheel to reduce scratching the bridge. Often, it is hard to get the feet of the tool under the wheel if the wheel is pressed down close to the bridge. Just be careful to not bend the wheel when removing, as it will have issues later engaging with the seconds hand gear, being high or low in spots.
-Ken
In reply to That seconds hand wheel can… by Andersok
In reply to Ahh, got it! Thanks Ken!… by inboost
And it's away! I did cheat though, used some exact-o blades acting on the inner hub against some pegwood as a fulcrum outside of the gear perimeter. This watch has a lot of dirt, grime, slipped screwdriver marks, and general service sloppiness inside as evidence of heavy handed work in it's past (marked so three times internally), so the scratching and scars are a contributed work I'm afraid, but not mine!
In reply to And it's away! I did cheat… by inboost
I missed the fact that Ken already mentioned this, but:
Bergeon makes specific gear pullers just for this purpose. They look like a hand puller but have special jaws. When replacing the wheel, it is best to use a small press with delrin tips, and Bergeon makes these as well.... of course they do.
Needless to say, it is a finely made part and easy to damage. There is a specific amount of tension on the spring over top the sweep pinion, and when re-installing the hands, you have to support the pinion so the downward pressure doesn't distort the tensioner spring or push the pinion downwards in any way.
The puller is the number three, and looks like this:
https://www.bergeon.swiss/outil-presto-pour-enlever-les-roues-sur-petit…
You can order the tool from Material Supply Houses like Borel in the US.
In reply to Bergeon makes specific gear… by Reverend Rob
Reverend Rob,
Thank you for the detailed council on the setup of this work! I've only just begun my journey in horology this year, so valuable insights like this are very much appreciated. I have a hand setting rig that has a support stud for the sweep pinion for Seiko chronograph movements which are also sensitive to this issue. I'll need to see if I can use that here. Otherwise I'll make one as they are easy enough to do in the lathe with some delrin round stock. The Bergeon gear puller is on my list per Ken your recommendation, those guys certainly have a tool for just about everything!
Inboost
In reply to Another interesting bit -… by inboost
Jean Singer & Cie SA was a Swiss watch dial Company and was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1919. The company operated through the 1970s. They also did dials for Rolex. This plays into the International tag, as does the lack of a 3 letter import code on the movement. Watch was produced/assembled likely in Switzerland (face, case and movement all marked as such) for distribution outside the US.