Dad's watch - a gift for his granddaughter 🤗 

A number of years ago while we were away on a trip, someone broke into my mothers house, and stole a variety of watches I had been stupid enough to not keep in a safe. I lost some watches that were worth a decent amount of cash to 25 year old me, and a very extensive collection of at the time relatively value-less watches from CIS countries from the 50s and 60s that I had painstakingly assembled. But the one that really hurt the most to lose was my grandfathers mid-70s Seiko. I replaced the others over time; that one was irreplaceable. Perhaps it seems materialistic, but for me the possessions of my ancestors provide a connection to them the strongest. It is important that such an item be restored with the greatest of care, for its character is imperative to its identity. You perfectly towed the line between retaining identity and making it nice again. Bravo.

Lovely watch and great job on bringing it back to life. 👍🏻🙂 The waterproof case design by Schmitz & co dates back to 1936. Originally to better seal square tank style cases which were very popular then(and where a screwback wouldn't work), but then chronograph cases. Gallet were the first to use them for their Multichron with "Clamshell" case. The design worked pretty well when new. Gallet did the usual ad campaign and stuck their watch in a fish tank and named the case after a seashell. As Rolex had with their "Oyster" in a fish tank before them and Depollier did long before either of them(they also claimed their case was "gas proof" for the trenches of WW1. A horrible thought). The case design was popular until the fifties, but later designs took over as rubber gaskets got better. One of the last to use the design was Leonidas for their military flyback chronographs of the 50's and early 60's. Heuer bought Leonidas out, specifically for that military chronograph, called it the Heuer 1550(Bund)) and kept the 1930's case design and supplied militaries(pilots,, tankers, artillerymen) like Germany and Sweden with the watches until the very early 80's. I believe they're still used in very small numbers in specialised areas, or were until quite recently. Not bad for a case design unchanged from the 1930's. 🙂

Nice looking watch, looking forward to how it turns out in about half an hours time.

*Everytime I “watch” your videos, I think they cannot get better. Then comes another, such as this Croton chronograph, and it does. GREAT WORK, very enjoyable to observe the beauty and functionality returned to this timepiece.*

I think the screw was sheered off somehow, maybe by over winding, resulting from excess friction from either the lack of service or by someone who ain't really know what they were doing . Then, rather then the screw remnant staying in the thread socket, it worked its way out and will be found somewhere in the movement later on in the video. OR, someone tried to service the watch, sheered the screw head off. Realizing that might need a bit more practice, closed the watch up (may explain why the case wasn't fully seated) and never got around to having it repaired. Here we are. No?

As much as I feel guilty about cheating on you, I watched another RU-vidr's watch repair video and I was shocked. While you tinker away with your screwdrivers and cherished watch cleaning machine, 'Grumpy's Watch Restorations' has an entire arsenal of exotic watch fixy-spinny-bendy thingies. Aren't ashamed? Not that I can prove it, but most bets are on him being more muscular, having tons of long-blond hair, and looking way better than you in a speedo.... Just sayin' :)

I am so sorry, but I have run out of superlatives to describe your work. As always, this is a video that made my day and will be watched several times. Also, Sterling's daughter has not only received a beautiful and rare watch, but a full documentary on it: wish I had this on any of my watches.

Circa 30 anni fa lavoravo in Germania a Stoccarda. In un bar del centro vidi una rivista di orologi di cui non ricordo il nome ma molto letta e popolare in Germania. Si parlava di Longines e di un signore che aveva posseduto longines e amava questo brand più di ogni altro. Questo signore si chiamava Albert Einstein. Un suo orologio solo tempo di forma in oro nel 2008 è stato battuto ad un'asta di Antiquorum una cifra record. Oltre mezzo milione di euro. Beh sfogliando la rivista lessi con non poca sorpresa che il grande Albert aveva conosciuto un ingegnere che lavorava nella maison di S.IMIER. Si stava progettando un nuovo calibro cronografico e qualcosa intralciava il cammino per portare alla luce questo nuovo movimento cronografico. La leggenda dice che a quel punto Albert, innamorato del brand longines, si espose senza alcun problema e al suo amico ingegnere che era dipendente della maison longines disse: perché non togli quella ruota e ne metti 2 più piccole in questa posizione. L'ingegnere prese sulla parola ciò che Einstein gli aveva consigliato e il nuovo calibro ebbe vita. Fantastico! Incredibile! Chi mai penserebbe che il mitico scienziato tutto perso nella ricerca della relatività potesse anche avere tempo per risolvere problemi di alta orologeria. Per di più una casa come la longines che ai quei tempi era sulla cresta dell'onda? Eppure vuoi per l'amore che Einstein portava a questo brand vuoi per il suo spirito che era talmente grande da divagare ciò che concerneva il suo lavoro fatto sta che il nuovo calibro ebbe vita. Longines e Einstein sono un binomio che non potrà mai essere separato. Lui stesso ha deciso che deve essere cosi perché per un momento nella sua vita ha deciso do lasciare il suo lavoro e farsi dipendente della maison longines di st.imier. chi può aggiungere qualcosa ad una storia così fantastica. Solo longines ripagando il suo ammiratore e collaboratore con orologi sempre più unici ed inimitabili.

Better than new ❤️

Another fine piece of workmanship, Stian. Your use of the watchmaker's sledgehammer is so effortless that you make it seem to be almost weightless. Do you do regular exercises to maintain your arm strength?

Great job! I've been wearing almost an identical Croton to this one for the last few weeks. Mine has the same case, crown, and dial (with the exception of the red) but mine has a Landeron 148 movement. My crystal was cracked but a friend had one that only needed a little filing down on the outside diameter and then it dropped right in. The lume in the hands and markers has darkened, and I was going to re-lume the hands but my markers are just like yours, and I think it actually looks nicer with the dark lume (also I was afraid to attempt to remove the lume from the markers). I've never taken one of these movements apart, so I just pulled the dial and hands, and one-dipped then oiled the pivots. Been keeping really good time.

I love the thunder in the background, its so soothing to me. Had allot of thunderstorms where I grew up, I absolutely love them. Good video friend! PS I HATE speidel straps lol.

Great work Stian!! - Daughter should really like, beautiful watch and a lovely service to a beauty

Perhaps in the previous service the screw was snapped resulting in replacement of the whole part but without the hold down screw. They then used the snapped off head and a little glue to hold it, until the next person has to work on it. I myself have been that next person many a time in my years as a fixer of many mechanical items.

Ahum, yes- I guess; possibly some one took it apart to get it working, saw the loose screw & ditched it, then realizing the implications- just closed it up & gave it back.

Thanks for the great video. You asked about the ratchet wheel screw, or rather thoughts as to why the screw head was there but not the shaft. I do wonder if the person assembling the watch was disgruntled and had somehow gotten a screw head and placed it there so it looked like a screw was installed, but in fact there was no screw there at all. So a supervisor looking at the watch would think it was correctly assembled, but in fact it wasn't. Looking at that video, it looks as though that particular screw was the only one which might be considered as redundant, because there was something installed above it which prevented it from falling out and into some other part of the watch.

Thank you Stain for another superb video! Really enjoy the restoration and or refurbishment of the vintage watches that you post.

Really enjoying the banter and watching how you bring these older pieces back to life. Thanks for sharing.

I just checked the value on these watches, these are not "inexpensive"😅. Great video!

Indeed it is a beautiful watch & amazing work also . No matter how many chrono's i watch you service i still can't get my head around the workings , but man o' man that bracelet was the original bio hazard, hope the grand daughter appreciates the effort gone into revitalizing this beauty . Always entertaining & educational a top channel Stian .

You mentioned that the case was not secured properly...perhaps someone tried to work on it (who shouldn't have) and damaged the screw, then tried to cover their tracks by just putting it back together...

Sterling's daughter has good taste, that's a gorgeous watch! A really interesting type of case too. And I had a chuckle at your presumably Sichuan-related culinary adventures... I grew up with friends from many different Asian cultures & learned from a young age to politely ask whoever was cooking (usually my friend's mum) whether a dish was "her kind of spicy" or "my kind of spicy." I've always been a big foodie & enjoy spicy food, but the local Indonesian, Thai, Indian or Chinese definition of "a hot curry/laksa/dish" is something else altogether! 🥵

Good job! About spicy food which I like the most is Indian , Chinese is not even close :D Guy which is preparing food in my favorite Indian restaurant is using gas mask and gloves while preparing my portion :D (even he is Indian)

As for your wife and hot food, I am from Texas, born and raised. Bring on the heat. Helt Texas! 🇺🇸🇸🇯🇺🇸🇸🇯🇺🇸🇸🇯🇺🇸🇸🇯

This looks like it might have radium watch hands?

You handle a hammer called Ragnarok and then wonder why there's thunder and lighting? Put two and two together, my man! I spent a fair amount of time in China and thus know what you mean about lethal spices. As you were telling us about Szechuan pepper and Fixodrop I had this flash about a dinner guest of yours who, in desperation, with a mouthful of chilies, reaches for something to drink... Lovely video, as always. Thank you!

Hello from England, I love this channel. It is my favourite watch restoration channel. Thank you for sharing your extensive skills.

Excellent video and excellent work. "When my Chinese wife says "This is a little bit spicy" that usually means a death sentence. LOL

You were talking about your expensive chemical jar. I worked in a petroleum lab for a while. When I started, they were a well equipped lab with a lot of new equipment. When I left, they had a glassware shortage. I specialize in breaking coated gallon jugs. They were over $100 each. Fortunately, there was never a glassware inventory so no one knew how many I had shattered.

I presume that your wife hails from the Sichuan region of China? Speaking for myself, a deep-core foodie, I'd say you're a lucky man, indeed; the Sichuan style is famous for its savory flavors that can run into the nuclear weapons range of spiced heat (yum yum!) Thai cuisine is similar, only some elements of that tradition can run into the _thermo_ nuclear range. I don't _always_ go for loaded Thai; as you say, it can be quite painful coming and going.

"Severe pain going in, severe pain going out" hahaha, I had the same experience with Indian food. Your post is delicious, as always.

Hello, very nice video. You talked about the cost of a bottle. In addition to containing liquid, what else does it do?. Spicy food is good, I am mexican and know what I am talking about. Thank you very much.

There is a repair philosophy that if you break something, you can fix it by placing a napkin or rug or screw head over the damage and voilà it's fixed. Not implying that it's a French philosophy. 😅

Hello Sir, I noticed you close the hole for.the barrel arbor. Did you close both at the main plate and the top one? And do you often have to close the holes for the great wheel? Sometimes the top hole wears out more and it can cause the hour and minute hand to go up and down as they move around the dial. Inhad this problem on my Omega 30 T2 SC. Anyway, I can tell you are very thorough on your work. Cheers!

Did CROTON become nirvada grenchen, if they did i think they recently re-released this watch or a similar model? Always great to see your work..

Because it's a family thing every dent and scratch was put in by her Grandpa. If it was min other that the Crystal the dents and scratches would remind me how much he liked the watch.Nice job thanks for sharing 👍.

You are a deeply funny humanoid, and a great watchmaker to boot. That's a saying, but it sounds rather aggressive.

Thanks Stian. Always a pleasure to follow your stream. By the way, I am married to a Chinese as well (Thai-Chinese) :)

Question - when did you switch from dunking the pallet fork in the Fixadrop to just dipping the pallet jewels in it and why? :)

Without bracelet isnt this the watch from Dad. Sry but that was no thinking with heart. Just finishing the Video. Other work with heart on watches like this , and try to safe the original bracelet. Because its a Part of Dad. But its only my point of view.

Lovely as ever , I do hope that your wife does not cook the spicy meal the night before you have a full day at the workbench 🥵😳👏🏻👏🏻

Superb again! Been trying to find the pivot cleaning stick you use, I think you say eflex but could be wrong, can you point me in the direction?

Nice job. Came out really nice. 😁👍

Wonderful video, any chance you come across a Landeron 51 watch case? I have an old MEPA chronograph movement that needs a new home!

very old vintage watch, tuesday muslim all the world pray aidilfitri viva watch making✌️

When I clean a stretch band I wrap it around a plastic and pin it at each end to keep it stretched out which exposes the insides where the grime gathers. Also...what is that "flex stick" you cleaning the pivots of the train wheels?

I like a lot your watch repair videos. Its nice when you tell about movement history. Keep up the good work!

How in the world is the balance wheel dynamically balanced with all those little weights (which increase the moment of inertia of the wheel)? Inquiring minds want to know.

What you call mosgreen, would of course be named Englisch racing green in the well suited marketing dep. 🤣

Great story to accompany a terrific watch repair process. Loving these videos!! Thank you ! 😊

Excellent as always. It is a treat to see that this old timepiece will be loved by a whole new generation, and that is what these sorts of timepieces were meant to be. When you said the Epilame bottle was the most expensive in the world I was thinking that perhaps the contents of some bottles, e.g. single malt scotches, could be much more expensive, but that's a whole other topic.

ach a bit of Sambal Ulek has never killed any one... we dutch eat spicey indonesian food all the time :)

I hope that this gift will be appreciated as much as it should be. I wonder were that broken screw went?

What a genuinely beautiful watch, lucky it found it's way to you rather than the trash heap.

I have a few Seikos with that kind of clamshell design. All held the water out. All down to how often the seals are replaced.

great job, but it’s normal for you! One question, if I can: onto my Seagull 1901, when I stop the chrono near the 55th second, and I restart it, the second arm jump back for 3/4 seconds…why?

Hi. Could you please share where to get invflex pivot cleaner?

Very beautiful watch. You did a good work on it. Bravo.

That wasn't a thunderstorm in the background - that was your tummy rumbling after one of your wife's dishes that was a little bit spicy! But seriously, why are some of the parts tightened down with a reverse threaded screw? Watchmaking videos often remark on the crown wheel for example having a reverse threaded screw, but nobody bothers to explain why! So, why? Thanks for the excellent video by the way. I got a better idea of how the chronograph portion works in this video.

The number of ads has increased noticeably, Buddy.

Marketing said it. Lawyers would have said "water resistant".

I had a guy tell me he uses a brass hammer so he doesn't mushroom his stakes. I don't think he went to Wostep.

When the head is broken off, there's nothing to stop the rest of the screw from unscrewing out the other side.

Nice watch, nice job too, and I like your new tool! Cheers

Interesting clam shell case design - not so common nowadays I assume?

There are much more expensive bottles than that for storing highly reactive chemicals- they are made out of a fluorinated resin known as PFA. I just looked up the cost of that Bobino-type polishing tool- it's almost 1000 Euro. And the vise which goes with it another 200 Euro.

Croton is an unfortunate name

Love the humor! Great videos...thank you.

Moss green , that's a good one !

Super Restauration 🌟

Thumbs up. the slow-mo bits are a nice touch. The effort in photography and editing are appreciated. What buff and polishing compound are you using on the case. My white compound helps sharpen steel knife edges. Also use tripoli sometimes. There is a blue general purpose metal polish for cotton buffs, but what you used looks darker gray.

I have an Eska with the same case design and a very similar base movement… however the one in my watch is an A. Schild 1250 bumper automatic. Are they related? Mine is simply a 3 hander, no chronograph.

Thanks witch liquid you use for rust remover tea one of them! And what brand cleaning machine and how much was?

7:59 I laughed so hard!

And again an interesting watch and movement. How do you know if a screw is clockwise or counterclockwise? Do you have to check technical manuals or is it a matter of trial and error to see which way the screw gives in?

The god of thunder and lightning wielding his hammer ⚡️

I think the screw head was broken and they super glued it to the barrel arbor. I commented before you finished taking it apart.

Awesome. all the gears! I played that part over again.

i wish i woz subscriber hows watch you fixs😔😔😔i send it to you on email like you told me mister theon did you got it?

YOU sir are awesome!!! I recently had my dad's 1958 era Wittnauer watch repaired in that it ran well, but the watch case was rotted to the point that the caseback could not be closed anymore and the watch pin holder part was VERY worn. I sent it to a vintage watch repairer in our country (Canada), and he found a new case and thoroughly cleaned & serviced my dad's watch and did such an outstanding job, that I just had to comment that what you just did for your client (and his daughter), is worth SO MUCH MORE than anything money can buy. I am so very thankful to my watchmaker Darryl, and I am so thrilled to give my dad's watch a chance at another 64 years of life once it's inherited by one of my children, so I know that your client's daughter will be so very thankful for YOU to give her that same opportunity. As a novice watch repairer, I long to do my 1st watch service hopefully in the near future.

A fine looking, lovely watch and you did a great job in bringing it back to life as you often do. Enjoy your commentary along the way as usual. I'm sure it'll be much loved by Sterling's daughter. Kudos to you...!

Something is wrong with me. I do not regularly work on chronographs, and when I do it's either 7750 or Omega's Lemania thingie. I said "it's a Venus" as soon as I saw the case open. Yes I am aware Valjoux bought Venus, but somehow I just knew before you said it. Speaking of, the top half of the chronograph works is so 7730. Just wow.

Clearly, you angered Thor by mentioning a hammer and Ragnarok in the same breath, so he started tossing Mjolnir around. Gotta watch those ancestral Norwegian gods. Thank you for the outline of chronograph parts. To me it's far more of a puzzle than the main works. So you have frequent access to great authentic Chinese food -- at least on special occasions; I don't expect you'd get a four-dish meal every day, but at least when you have guests over, right? It's easy to find Chinese restaurants, but at least in America the menu is heavily Westernized and what you get isn't what a Chinese family will actually eat. In neighborhoods where lots of ethnic Chinese live the restaurants will actually have 2 menus, one for Chinese and one for everyone else, but if you want the one with authentic food on it you have to be able to read Chinese. Ironically, a Chinese friend of mine whose family moved to Toronto complains that his mother's cooking was very bland, and that even Westernized Chinese food is better. They must have been from a different part of China. I wasn't going to remark on this since I don't know how comfortable you might be talking about your family on RU-vid: When your son has come into the room you'd speak with him in English, which I thought was unusual for a Norwegian living in Switzerland. But I guess English is the language everyone in your house has in common? Lucky kid, with the opportunity to grow up trilingual.

someone has been a naughty watchmaker. LOL

Great job on a great watch. Never eared of this company before. I love these vintage chrono, large, thick, heavy. Thanks a lot from France !

How do you spell your name? Is it Theron?

Why is it I never see watchmakers making watches?

What a great video & a lovely watch. It was obviously enhanced with some professional hammer action along the way. Good luck with the spicy food young man. Take care & stay safe 🆒️🇬🇧🍀

I love Sunday’s, I always get a nice video, thanks Stian! Lovely watch. We saw you doing some polishing! I can’t think what happened with the ratchet wheel screw? What liquid did you mention for rust removal?

You made me want to buy from you a vintage seamaster. Great watchmaking, great care, great videos. I’ll buy when my pocket will be puffer!

Thank sir. Very informative

As an engineer, this is the smallest wrench I’ve ever seen (5:13) 😉 Nice work and fine watch, thank you 🙏 Bonjour de France.

another fine vintage chrono....the movement and mainplate look really nice, no scratches of previous tinkerers..this is probably the reason why it is so dry...I am amazed every time you turn the balancewheel in with such ease....pretty impressive. Thanks for sharing your work

Severe pain going in, and severe pain coming out 😆

Thanks again for an excellent video. This time round I have taken a first micro-step into understanding how a chronograph complication works. I now get the feeling the word ‘cam’ is in my future

The Speidel 'twist'. CSI techs love them for the DNA they preserve! Another great video and beautiful watch!

This chanel has everything, watch restoration, history, cooking and even chilli effect on ring muscle..... Brilliant!

Nice restoration on what looked like a pretty ugly mess to start, now a family heirloom. One question for you: What is the "Detect" setting on your demagnetizing machine? When do you need to use it? Thanks, Stian!

What type of escapement is in this video?

I hate all them extra screws when your done.