repairs or new mechs for old Timex Divers
Discussion
OK, after a serious brainfart , I bought 3 Timex divers .... in the same day ! (1960 Skin Diver,1970 skin Divers , and a new J.Crew one).
The design is quite good, but the mechs are tinplate and watchmakes just smirk when you ask if they're repairable !!!
2 out of 3 are non-functional , and I was wondering if there are any replacement mechs or repairers that can do anything with a Timex, as the designs are quite retro !
The design is quite good, but the mechs are tinplate and watchmakes just smirk when you ask if they're repairable !!!
2 out of 3 are non-functional , and I was wondering if there are any replacement mechs or repairers that can do anything with a Timex, as the designs are quite retro !
The problem with Timex movements is that they were never really designed to be repaired. They're almost unbelievably tough for a mechanical watch but completely un-jewelled so they tend to wear over time.
They can be serviced but - because of wear - tend to take a lot longer to do than better quality ones because you normally find yourself having to re-bush several pivot holes and sharpen the balance pivots.
Time is money, so repairs to them tend to cost more and the watches were cheap to start with. That means you have the problem of explaining to someone why servicing their cheap Timex is going to cost more than servicing their Omega!
That said, if they're NOS ones, or have had little use over the years, then it's usually oil, gummy, oil stopping them and a quick trip through the cleaning machine + a re-oil will usually get them up and running happily.
As for replacements, there's nothing that will go in there properly without a LOT of work. Everything from movement size + shape, through hand sizes, to the way the dial's attached is "odd" with them. The work to produce case rings and fittings, bushing hands to suit, and so on is more than servicing the original!
They can be serviced but - because of wear - tend to take a lot longer to do than better quality ones because you normally find yourself having to re-bush several pivot holes and sharpen the balance pivots.
Time is money, so repairs to them tend to cost more and the watches were cheap to start with. That means you have the problem of explaining to someone why servicing their cheap Timex is going to cost more than servicing their Omega!
That said, if they're NOS ones, or have had little use over the years, then it's usually oil, gummy, oil stopping them and a quick trip through the cleaning machine + a re-oil will usually get them up and running happily.
As for replacements, there's nothing that will go in there properly without a LOT of work. Everything from movement size + shape, through hand sizes, to the way the dial's attached is "odd" with them. The work to produce case rings and fittings, bushing hands to suit, and so on is more than servicing the original!
It is a shame - they did some really iconic 60s & 70s styles.
Like most things, if past owners had followed the maker's service suggestions then most of them would still be running well today but, with servicing ignored, they suffer far more serious wear problems than "better" movements.
And who pays for 50 years of regular servicing on a watch like that?
Like most things, if past owners had followed the maker's service suggestions then most of them would still be running well today but, with servicing ignored, they suffer far more serious wear problems than "better" movements.
And who pays for 50 years of regular servicing on a watch like that?
Yep.Cheers everyone, and thanks especially to Variomatic - I think you hit the nail on the head. I'm actually happy to pay out, it's actually FINDING someone who will do it !!!
Might have another go at de-gunking it with a watchmaker - might even be worth taking to Timpsons (they might actually not just give me that "you paid ........FOR THIS ???? !!! " look ) as it's already non-functional and if it breaks it's not a massive loss.
Their designs are excellent !
Might have another go at de-gunking it with a watchmaker - might even be worth taking to Timpsons (they might actually not just give me that "you paid ........FOR THIS ???? !!! " look ) as it's already non-functional and if it breaks it's not a massive loss.
Their designs are excellent !
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