My Air-King

[drifter01]

This is dirty...send the kids from the room, don't read at work. I decided to check my recently purchased 47yo 5500 this morning (would have done it sooner but had to wait on a replacement cleaning machine). The balance was very sluggish and the watch ran erratically. My initial thinking was a broken balance pivot, but they seem fine. I pulled the rotor mechanism and when I went to release mainspring tension I actually had to manually turn the crown to let it down! The barrel must be gummed up badly. I looked at one of the holes for the reverser wheel and it was gummy around it as well. Now I know why it ran so badly. I will have to do a complete teardown and cleaning this weekend. Once done, it should be fine.


Dave

[kanikune]

Are we going to see some pics of the process? (Please! )

[drifter01]

I'll try and get some as I go along

Dave

[jatco]

Sounds like you have discovered the problem. How long have you had it..?? Was it running when you got it..or hardly serviced. Any markings on the case back from previous servicing?? I gather you're familiar with all this..??
Curious to see pics when you get there..!!

[drifter01]

Originally Posted by jatco

Sounds like you have discovered the problem. How long have you had it..?? Was it running when you got it..or hardly serviced. Any markings on the case back from previous servicing?? I gather you're familiar with all this..??
Curious to see pics when you get there..!!

I bought it last month and it was running bad then. I knew it could use a service when I bought it, but didn't think it was this bad. I mean...when the mainspring won't even unwind after backing off the click...that's dirty!
Yeah. I had my own repair shop for 12 years, until the quartz fad kicked my butt. Worked on everything from Rolex to Timex. Now I just work on a few for me and my friends.
I would have serviced this one sooner, but had to pick up a replacement cleaning machine. All 3 of the ones I have need com,plete rewiring, and I got this one cheaper than I could rebuild the others.
So...this weekend it's down to work.

Dave

[jatco]

..Interesting.. - Good to hear you're on the 'tools' - Sorry about the quartz fad for you, but you're apparently keeping at it... Kudos...!
Look forward to any updates...