Seiko Striking Clock

This Seiko striking clock is in for repairs. It had stopped striking and even the time side stopped when the clock was put on 'strike' mode. I do not usually work on quartz movements but I was intrigued by it's hybrid configuration.  It dates from 1981-82. What makes it interesting is the fact that it is a quartz clock with a motorized-mechanical striking module. Also, It has a smooth sweep seconds hand and the seconds hand resets to 0 (12 o'clock position) when you pull out the setting knob. Quite impressive for 1981 I should think!

In the picture below you can see the movement side of the clock (upside down). The gongs are visible to the left and the hammers can be seen emerging from the lower left corner of the movement. The long black shaft emerging roughly from the top-centre of the movement upwards towards the 6 o'clock position is the setting knob.

Here you can see the strike train with a motor on one end (left) and the hammers on the other (right). This clock has never been serviced. The oil in the striking train pivots had turned to a thick sticky paste. A clean up, fresh oil and a new battery has got the clock striking again. 

However, it misfires between 10 and 3 o'clock. I will have to have a look at the dial side of the movement. If it has the traditional rack and snail mechanism (as seen in mechanical striking clocks) then I assume there is dirt there that is causing the problem. I will post pictures of the dial side when I open it up.

Revised No.3 design, Videos

I have been working on a couple of No.3 commissioned pieces. I took the opportunity to fine tune the design. Compare the picture below with the first picture in this post- 

http://awatchmakersdiary.blogspot.in/2012/08/no3-00-finished.html

It is marginally more open and the lines are cleaner and more elegant ..... or at least I think so :-)

Modified HMT

Hello, I have been busy making a no.2 and several No.3s. Will post about those later. 

Meanwhile have a look at something I put together with parts I had. I originally made these hands for the No.3 skeleton (please see previous post) but I think they work very well on this HMT Kohinoor. The clean, white dial is a perfect backdrop for the heat blued hands. Also, the 'high' crystal allows one to appreciate the thick hands better. What do you think?

No.3, hands

Here is another style of hands I made for the No.3 watch.

No.3-00, Finished

Well here are pictures of No.3-00 with the plates & bridges plated and all etching done.







I also made a leather pouch for the watch.


This watch has been on my wrist for a couple of weeks now and I must say I absolutely love the 36mm size. I have been wearing rather large watches (> 41mm) for the past few years and not a day goes by without me knocking my watch. Not so with this one :-), It is large enough for me to enjoy the workings and yet small enough to be be comfortable and discreet. Quite liberating, in a sense .....

Aditya

No.3 Prototype

Well here are some quick and dirty pictures of the No.3 prototype. Please note that the movement is not plated yet and the etching needs to be done.

Below you can see it with 'Sambhare' hands. I find it unlikely that in the entire history of watchmaking nobody has made this style of hands. Nevertheless I feel today they are sufficiently distinct to be given my name :-)



The direct centre seconds movement is distinct as well. The layout of the train is refreshingly different and there is no second hand slop.

Overall I am very pleased with the results. The case is 36mm without the crown with sapphire crystals front & back. All in all a great size, dare I say with unisex appeal?

I have also made a contrasting pair of 'dagger' hands.




I expect this watch to be my Model-T, What do you think? :-)

No.3 Sneak Preview

Over the years many people have written to me about my skeleton watches. Some have inquired if I have a uniquely Indian watch. Some have mentioned that even 41mm is quite large for their wrists. Many have requested me to make something a little more accessible.

Well, No.3 is an answer to all these requests! It is based on the venerable HMT hand wound 020 movement (which is basically a license built Citizen 0201). One feature of this movement is that it has direct centre seconds. So you get a unique layout of the train and none of the infamous second hand slop. Here are some pictures of the skeletonised movement (minute wheel is yet to be done).



This movement will have blued steel hands and will be housed in a 36mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystals front and back. Stay tuned :-)