So, I got this old Heuer chronograph pocket watch, a real beauty, but it was busted. Time to get my hands dirty, right? I needed the right parts, and let me tell you, finding a reliable list wasn’t a walk in the park.
First, I hit up the usual spots online, you know, the big-name marketplaces, but no luck. Just a bunch of random bits and pieces, nothing specific to my Heuer. Then I started digging deeper, checking out some watch forums and collector groups. These guys are serious about their timepieces! I stumbled upon a few threads where folks were talking about similar watches, and some even mentioned where they sourced their parts. It was like a treasure hunt!
Finding and getting the parts
After hours of scrolling and reading, I managed to piece together a decent parts list. I figured I needed these parts:
- Mainspring – The old one was totally shot.
- Balance wheel – This part was bent out of shape, no way it would run right.
- Pallet fork – Tiny but super important, and mine was chipped.
- A bunch of screws – Because I always lose these tiny buggers.
- New crystal – The old one was scratched to hell.
With my list in hand, I started contacting a few specialty watch part suppliers that were recommended in the forums. Some were out of stock, others had crazy prices, but finally, I found one that had almost everything I needed, and they weren’t trying to rob me blind.
I placed my order, paid through their secure system. It took a couple of weeks for the parts to arrive, but when they did, it was like Christmas morning. I carefully unpacked everything, laid it all out on my workbench, and got to work.
Disassembling and cleaning the watch
First things first, I had to take the watch apart. I’ve done this a few times before, so I know the drill. Unscrew the back, carefully remove the movement, and then it’s a delicate dance of taking apart all the tiny gears and levers. I made sure to take a lot of photos along the way so I could remember how it all went back together. Trust me, you don’t want to mess this part up.
Once I had it all apart, it was time for a good cleaning. I use this special watch cleaning solution and an ultrasonic cleaner. You wouldn’t believe the gunk that comes out of these old watches. After a few cycles in the cleaner, all the parts were sparkling clean and ready for inspection.
Replacing parts and Reassembling
I carefully examined each part under a magnifying glass. I replaced the mainspring, which was a bit tricky, but I managed to get it in without bending it. Then I swapped out the balance wheel and pallet fork. The screws were a pain, as always, but I got them all in eventually. Finally, I replaced the old crystal with a brand new one, and it made a world of difference. It was satisfying to see all the new parts in place.
With the new parts installed, it was time to put the whole thing back together. This is where those photos came in handy. I carefully reassembled the movement, making sure each gear was properly aligned and lubricated. Finally, I put the movement back in the case, screwed on the back, and wound it up.
I held my breath as I listened for the telltale ticking. And there it was! A steady, even tick-tock, like music to my ears. I let it run for a while, checking the time against another watch, and it kept perfect time. Success! I gotta say, there’s nothing quite like bringing an old timepiece back to life. It’s a lot of work, but the feeling you get when it’s all done and ticking away is totally worth it.
This old Heuer is now one of my prized possessions, and it’s running like a dream. Now, onto the next project!