Can a cheap off-centre AliExpress watch be saved? Is it even worth the time?
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- My workshop can be found here: atelierdjames.com/product/bes...
Normally, I'm a 100% vintage watch guy, but I do love an off-centre hour and minute hand. The problem is, I'm not a member of the landed gentry or a trust fund baby, so I can't afford one. I've decided to see if a cheap watch from AliExpress can actually be turned into something I'd be happy to strap onto my wrist. Can it even be serviced, and why does it have two second hands? Let's find out.
Join me as we explore the history of Chinese watchmaking and see if this junk can be turned into something worth owning.
The custom movement holder for this watch movement can be found here: atelierdjames.com/wp-content/...
Sarauer Horology - not sponsored. If you want to have a look at a good off-centre watch, go take a look.
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Custom case and dial video would be awesome. Thanks for the service on this movement!
I would like to see you continue this project to see where it might lead. Nice video and history.
Thanks for letting me know I appreciate you letting me know
At age 84, in the past, I only used watches to tell time.
Videos like yours make me appreciate the history and all that goes into a watch.
I've started a small collection and enjoy it very much.
I'm looking forward to a continued update on this project. Thank you.
Yes, please more of this project. Would love to see your choices in the design process.
Thanks for letting me know
"nickle plated cheetos" HAH thats hilarious.
That would be too expensive for those kinds of watches.
Excellent work as always. I’d absolutely love to see this movement hand-finished and cased to an absurd degree. A real rags-to-riches deal I’m sure.
Watchmaking school is proceeding rather well. Currently on encasing and regulating. I’m not exactly Breguet, but I believe myself and the rest of my classmates are coming along rather well.
One point of correction, I must add however. You stated that Sea-Gull has a problem with “borrowing” ETA designs. In the vast majority of cases, this is perfectly legal for Sea-Gull to do, as the patent surrounding the original ETA design has long since expired. The ETA 2428/Sea-Gull ST2130 as well as the Unitas 4697/Sea-Gull ST36 are the two most famous examples of this. I believe Sea-Gull had actually purchased a license from ETA to produce their not currently out of patent protection 2892.
I’d love to see what you end up doing with this movement so please keep us updated! And thank you for the history lesson in Chinese horology
Very nice improvement on the watch. Thanks for posting. Good luck with the watch strap website. I love those straps you make by hand.
Great video. I'd love to see the conversion to manual as well as fitting this in a dial sized for humans.
“Let me know if you want to see ….” Blanket YES.
Thanks for the vote of confidence
Love your videos! They are a constant source of learning and entertainment. It constantly amazes me how often I have to rewind your videos. I keep missing parts because I am too busy laughing at your perfectly timed quips. Keep it up, its been a blast learning from you and I love the watches you select.
These are perfect watches for the learning new watchmakers. Nice video.👍
Excellent my friend, really interesting history and I’d defo like to hear more😁 brilliant news on the new store too 👍👍👍
Thank you, sir That's very nice of you to say :)
More of this project! I own some Forsining watches for a few years now and never had an issue with them.
It would be nice seeing more of this project - new custom dial and hands perhaps. I own ST1908/1904 watch and wondering what you think of it. Thanks a lot for your videos! I enjoy them very much!
I've never taken apart an ST1908 from what i see, it looks like a solid movement, and sea-gull make some pretty good stuff
I definitely want to see the rest of the journey!
I also would love to see you do the conversion to manual wind and develop a custom case and dial.
The Chinese movements I have worked on (ST36) were all void of any lubricant and had lots of hairs/debris. Once cleaned and oiled properly, they ran fairly well.
I just love listening to you talking about anything that you are passionate about. If you are up to modifying the watch to your liking, I'm certain that it would make a great story. I'm bookmarking your webpage and hope I'll be able to order when I can decide on what style that i really want
I have one automatic watch bought on AliExpress. It is very fast (+1 minute per day), it has 39 days in the date (including 00) but it has a nice design and I like wearing it very much.
For the price of 40 euros (Including postage) I really can't complain :)
yes, conversion series FTW!!!
It would be really interesting to see the conversion process from automatic to hand winding😊
Deeper Chinese Horology would be very interesting, you did a very interesting one yet more would be greatly appreciated! 👌❤️👍
Would be really interested in watching the conversion. Terrific result. Thanks as always.
Thanks for letting me know
Great video, I really enjoyed it!
If you were referring to the Seitz pivot straightening tool when you mentioned expensive tools for this task, please know that it’s a waste of money if you intend upon using it for its stated purpose.
The instructors at WOSTEP call it the pivot breaker.
The one redeeming feature of this tool are the jewels set in it.
They’re actually graduated in half sizes, so it’s great for accurately measuring the diameter of pivots by test fitting them in the jewel holes.
The Seitz pivot gauge that has the jewels set in a metal plate lacks the half sizes.
If you see a pivot breaker for a bargain price, they’re worth it for measuring pivots.
Thanks for the information I was referring to the Seitz tool, I never thought to use it for pivot sizing Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate you taking the time
Captivating content, skill, and opinion. Thanks to your wife for the research. I would like to learn more about all presented!
Great video and history lesson, I would love to see you convert it into a manual 😀
I'm very interested in watching you build your custom watch.
I shall continue this shortly
I love the historical parts of your videos!
Thank you
Prior to the early 2000's most lower end watches were chrome or gold over brass.
Awesome stuff. Props to Mrs ST for the history in particular. Very interesting stuff. I think anyone working on watches secretly (or not) would love to create their own (yes, I have designs), so more on taking this project forward, please.
Cheers mate i\m probably going to do the conversion :)
I look forward to seeing it progress.
It seems to be common that many cheaper Chinese watches have very well made parts but the assembly is sloppy. And your video once again proved that point. Also, if you remove the auto winding function I think you would be better to leave the original spring. This way you will not ever have to worry about overwinding it. For many years it has been my position that all manual watches should be equipped with the spring and barrel used in automatic watches.
The video is very good and I like it very much
I once got one of these chinesium movements with the jewels in the train bridge installed UPSIDE DOWN, with the oil cups facing the wheels. looks like yours might be the same!
Congrats on the new store; I wish you success. One question about the movement, are the jewels made out of plastic? Did they pass a scratch test? Thanks for the video. :-)
Surprising, but they are real!
@@Saving-Time Good to hear. It's a very interesting movement. It's amazing that such an old design has proven to be this versatile. Thanks for letting me know.
I'd really like to see a video of you refining this movement. I find the biggest shortcoming of these watches is usually the case. Thanks for showing the details of Chinese Movements. Good Fortunes and Great Successes 🫡🍻
Thank you
What is this thing about cheap Chinese movements not being properly lubricated? Even Seiko could and should improve in that area. I wonder if the oiling process can be automated as, I assume, assembling, or part of it, is. As usual my congrats for your videos as well as the entertaining commentary you supply with them. Got up early this morning and spent my time watching the story unfolding while sipping my cup of tea at 6,30 iAM. What a nice way to start my day!
I hope you will give it a follow up with the planned modifications. Keep up the good work and greetings from Italy. P
try the dulunive watch i have one and its working
I'd love to see the conversation. ❤
Here's a challenge: I'd love to see you design and make your own watch. In July I turn 84.so (intentional pun) the clock is ticking. I'll post a reminder every July until my demise or your realisation of your ambition. 😁
so no pressure, then, lol I'll give it my best shot, sir. Greetings from Prague
@@Saving-TimeHi from rural South Australia. Been watching cycling in Tuscany, motor racing from Austria, and watchmaking from Prague. It's a (vicariously) busy life.
Nice, but, those wheels, look like they were stamped... Who does that?
I bought an Amazon special, just to take a look. $17.98 free shipping . I was surprised to find a good accurate movement. The watch case is of poor quality, basically a dust cover. Now you tell me that the Chinese do not have super microscale robots that make these. Actual skilled people put this together. Now I feel kinda guilty.
Thanks this was very interesting 🤔
Seeing the video, I'd like to know if those large grooves are only in the plating, or if the base metal is also affected.
It's in the base metal for sure
As the movement will be modified anyway, this could be a good opportunity to try hand finish on some parts. It hardly can make the movement uglier.
its a alilange and sohne nice and clean my master always says if you can make a shity watch run good thats watchmaking !
Could you share the company information of your Dial Repair Lady friend my dear Sir? Thank you much!
you can find Lindsay here: arcstampfli.com/
What model number is the watch please?
MG8201GP - I have got one of those. It's not quite as big as was said, more like 42mm case (not 45).
it was 42 i misspoke in the video somewhere around 15mm thick
Dude, yes, I'm from a part of the world where there are surfers, we ARE all nuts, but it has nothing to do with staring down a microscope. We were nuts when we started this thing called watchmaking, or perhaps more accurately, we were nuts before that, and we just chose to express that insanity through watchmaking....
I'd love to see what you intend to do with your lump of purified Chinesium. No, that's not meant to pejorative, just a lame attempt at humor.
That chunky back plate is likely that way because it was simply easier to do it that way, without respect to elegance or fineness. It was just easy. Again, that is without judgement, just honesty. All of the fine touches of "haut horology" are luxuries indulged in by those who are confident in their skills and have the time to show off, for money. That the thing spun up the way it did, without a jewel in the balance, says more about it's quality than any amount finishing some Swiss master watchmaker can grace it with.
Bin material that pal
Movement was interesting enough to play around with.
I think you mean $3/day
as much as i like some of chinese product but their watches are dirty made a lot of debris flying inside😢😮
That's not worth a carrot mate
Half a carrot maybe.
So, typical Chinese quality then
Chinese faking their own watches is the most Chinese thing ever.
Nice to watch but you talk to much
Instead of being rude why don’t you turn the volume down?
you type to much
Is it rude with constructive honesty?
Everything in life isnt roses, i get happy when someone give me a hint, not offended.
@@user-tm7lt2lz7x here’s a hint. No one is fooled when you are rude and then try to say “I’m just being honest “. Good passive aggressive attempt though!
@@BlackCat-tc2tv Young generation? Offended of everything? Life aint gonna go easy