Posted: 5/26/2025 6:18:07 PM EDT
[Last Edit: R2point0][Edited]
|
UPDATE POSTED I grabbed this from a "Free" table at the Swap and Shop at Camp. It's a Waltham Oltrashock with a one piece expandable metal band. Aside from the very scratched up crystal, it won't let me set the time. It will let me set the date, and the movement started working when I gave it some motion. The band, case, and back are in pretty good shape. Is this worth fixing? Is the band original? I prefer NATO straps, but if it's an original band would that increase the value? What are the odds it's a simple fix for setting the time? Attached File |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Just messed with it a bit more, and the crown will set the time, but the first stop when pulling it out is really vague. I'm guessing it needs a good cleaning. I also figured out it takes a 19mm band. So that will be fun to find. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Originally Posted By G_S: My guess is it needs a service. And will cost $275 - $550 Depending on what watch makers get in your area It is neat And if you will wear it go for it. But it is not worth much Thanks for the heads up. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
| If I'm not mistaken that watch has the Fontainemelon (FHF) 90 movement in it or one of the variants of that movement. It can be manually wound with the crown pushed all the way in. One click out is time setting . Two clicks out should be the quickset for the date but the majority of these that I work on are missing the gear that engages that function. It's an odd setup where that gear is "loose" once you pull the stem to remove the movement from the case and they fall out and get lost I guess. I've never found a supply of them and Font went out of business in the 1980s and were absorbed by ETA. If you really want it fixed PM me and we can talk about it. |
|
Originally Posted By unreformed66: If I'm not mistaken that watch has the Fontainemelon (FHF) 90 movement in it or one of the variants of that movement. It can be manually wound with the crown pushed all the way in. One click out is time setting . Two clicks out should be the quickset for the date but the majority of these that I work on are missing the gear that engages that function. It's an odd setup where that gear is "loose" once you pull the stem to remove the movement from the case and they fall out and get lost I guess. I've never found a supply of them and Font went out of business in the 1980s and were absorbed by ETA. If you really want it fixed PM me and we can talk about it. What threw me off was that, when I pull out the crown, there is no "first" click. If I pull it out about half way it will set the time, but there doesn't seem to be a positive stop at that position. So I'm thinking old, gummed up lubricant. PM incoming. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Originally Posted By Jack19: I suspect those are not the original hands or they've been modified. Both are substantially shorter than originals and lack the somewhat pointed ends. The second hand is also missing its red tip. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Originally Posted By R2point0: I bet those are impossible to source. Originally Posted By R2point0: Originally Posted By Jack19: I suspect those are not the original hands or they've been modified. Both are substantially shorter than originals and lack the somewhat pointed ends. The second hand is also missing its red tip. I bet they're not impossible to source... 
|
|
I wanted to update the thread. I sent the watch to unreformed66 who did a fantastic job. Replaced the crystal and the hands, and also serviced it. Lots of good communication and in progress pics. Here is the end result. Attached File Compared to when I sent it to him: Attached File Can't say enough good things about his work. Thanks again! |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Now, that being said, I'm not sure about the band I bought. It's a NATO style, but the material is thicker than my other one. So it sits farther off my wrist. And I'm not sure about the color. Thoughts? Daylight: Attached File Attached File Indoors: Attached File |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Originally Posted By Pair0dimes: That looks super nice. I think the NATO band is a good choice. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
|
Originally Posted By R2point0: I wanted to update the thread. I sent the watch to unreformed66 who did a fantastic job. Replaced the crystal and the hands, and also serviced it. Lots of good communication and in progress pics. Here is the end result. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173228/1000012983_jpg-3577396.JPG Compared to when I sent it to him: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173228/IMG20250524130006_jpg-3577399.JPG Can't say enough good things about his work. Thanks again! That's impressive. Nice Work unreformed66! |
