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10 January 2006, 03:06 AM

After I finished my first watch school course, I decided to take apart an old Bulova that I had kicking around the house (Cal. 10BT handwound with hours and minutes, and sub-seconds at 6 o'clock). It felt fully wound when I tried the crown, but it wasn't ticking. So, I took it out of the case, and proceeded to dig in and take it all apart in the hopes of finding out what was wrong with it. The answer is - a lot! It was quite dirty inside, and after a lot of work cleaning and oiling, I finished putting it back together yesterday and this is the result:

http://media.putfile.com/Bulova-movement

It's a big file, so give it some time to load - I had to wait for it and then hit play over again so the video didn't jump all over.

This was at around 4 in the afternoon yesterday, and it's still running, although the amplitude of the balance is not what it was when this was taken. The pallet stones aren't locking on the escapement teeth properly, and the only way I know of adjusting this is to heat the pallet up to melt the shellac holding the stones in, and then adjust the stones and let it cool - sounds like stuff that is way over my head at this point, but I might give a try just for fun. In addition, even with my 10X loupe I could not properly inspect the pivots on the balance in particular, but also on some other things like the excapement. So, they may be gummed up with old oil that has hardened - I scraped a lot of this kind of gunk off the jewels while doing the cleaning. I now have a 17X loupe on order........

I'll try to add some photos of the movement in various states of dis-assembly later tonight. It was interesting to try this without having any real instruction on how to put it all back together - I only had a few minor glitches, so overall I'm pretty pleased that this old movement has life in it for the first time in 20+ years, even if it is far from perfect.

10 January 2006, 03:21 AM

Nice work Al! Its so cool that you are reaping the benefits of that TZ course. I may decide to take it later this year.

JJ Irani · 10 January 2006, 03:24 AM

Great work, Al. I'll give you one thing...when you take up a hobby, you go all the way and hit the bulls eye every time!!

Uncle-AJ · 10 January 2006, 03:48 AM

Well done Al, it's a great feeling when you achieve something like this.

Rockrolex · 10 January 2006, 04:30 AM

Congratulations, Al. Well done. It's got to feel very satisfying.

10 January 2006, 03:06 AM	#1
---- Guest Posts: n/a	It's alive! After I finished my first watch school course, I decided to take apart an old Bulova that I had kicking around the house (Cal. 10BT handwound with hours and minutes, and sub-seconds at 6 o'clock). It felt fully wound when I tried the crown, but it wasn't ticking. So, I took it out of the case, and proceeded to dig in and take it all apart in the hopes of finding out what was wrong with it. The answer is - a lot! It was quite dirty inside, and after a lot of work cleaning and oiling, I finished putting it back together yesterday and this is the result: http://media.putfile.com/Bulova-movement It's a big file, so give it some time to load - I had to wait for it and then hit play over again so the video didn't jump all over. This was at around 4 in the afternoon yesterday, and it's still running, although the amplitude of the balance is not what it was when this was taken. The pallet stones aren't locking on the escapement teeth properly, and the only way I know of adjusting this is to heat the pallet up to melt the shellac holding the stones in, and then adjust the stones and let it cool - sounds like stuff that is way over my head at this point, but I might give a try just for fun. In addition, even with my 10X loupe I could not properly inspect the pivots on the balance in particular, but also on some other things like the excapement. So, they may be gummed up with old oil that has hardened - I scraped a lot of this kind of gunk off the jewels while doing the cleaning. I now have a 17X loupe on order........ I'll try to add some photos of the movement in various states of dis-assembly later tonight. It was interesting to try this without having any real instruction on how to put it all back together - I only had a few minor glitches, so overall I'm pretty pleased that this old movement has life in it for the first time in 20+ years, even if it is far from perfect.

10 January 2006, 03:24 AM	#3
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,320	Great work, Al. I'll give you one thing...when you take up a hobby, you go all the way and hit the bulls eye every time!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

10 January 2006, 03:48 AM	#4
Uncle-AJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Real Name: Adrian Location: Bolton, UK. Watch: Daytona 116520 Posts: 6,844	Well done Al, it's a great feeling when you achieve something like this. __________________ A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.........Segal's Law Member #10

10 January 2006, 04:30 AM	#5
Rockrolex TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: God Location: Washington, D.C. Watch: What do you think? Posts: 37,501	Congratulations, Al. Well done. It's got to feel very satisfying. __________________ Despite the high cost of living, it's still very popular. *Tosser Cabinet Member* Official Member: 'Perpetual 30' Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

10 January 2006, 03:21 AM	#2
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	Nice work Al! Its so cool that you are reaping the benefits of that TZ course. I may decide to take it later this year.

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