How could I make it any worse? Repairing a Ball Trainmaster on death's doorstep
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- In this video, I'm going to fix a vintage Ball Trainmaster wristwatch.
After a horrific train crash in 1891, the Lakeshore and Michigan Southern Railway began working with Webster C. Ball to improve their railway’s timekeeping equipment. Ball eventually developed the standards that came to be adopted widely amongst other rail companies as well. Watches that met its requirements became known as railroad-approved. Webb Ball produced the first pocket watches specifically designed and approved for railway personnel use. By the 1950s wrist watches were beginning to achieve the average level of accuracy required by the railroads, and many were approved for railroad use. It was during this time period that the Ball Trainmaster wristwatch was developed and released.
The watch featured in this video is owned by Natasha Romanoff, who sent me this watch along with a couple others to repair for her. Interested in all things mechanical, she has a deep appreciation for these types of timepieces. Even moreso, her true love is in motorsports, which started early on in life. I quickly learned that Natasha's the type of person who had a crystal clear idea of what her dream job would be. And she stayed laser-focused in life to achieve her goal of owning her own garage and building amazing vehicles. I encourage you to check out her website to read her story and see all the projects she's worked on.
www.romanoffsgarage.com/
#restoration
#watchrepair
#wristwatch
#vintagewatch
#railway
Contact info: cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Disassembly
8:09 Cleaning
9:38 Assembly
23:41 Timegrapher
23:54 Crystal
24:20 Wrapping Up
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That’s a really awesome watch. 😊
Thanks for sending it to me to work on! It was a lot of fun getting it running again.
I used to know a guy that had a stainless version of this watch, he needed it for work. He's been retired for a while if I can find his phone # I think I'll try and buy the watch from him. I generaly prefer pocket watches but I'm starting to take an interest in some wristwatches.
I used to listen to podcasts before going to bed, now I watch a guy taking apart old watches 😋 Love it!
I love the simplicity of this watch, and that movement is gorgeous
Beautiful watch, Beautiful video and Beautiful music. Thank you.
What a great video, and what a fantastic watch. I own 2 Ball watches and they are superb.
Very nice watch indeed!
It's a wonderful watch with its contrasty dial. I imagine that older users would appreciate the clarity of the bold markings and the prominent hour and minute hands. Plenty ergonomics , with a bright red second hand to add life to the whole. It's a joyful little instrument.
Thanks for repairing the watch and sharing the process. Regards to Natasha who must be delighted with the result of your work.
Thanks, Ruud. I really appreciate the railroad watches with crystal clear and bold numerals. Though it was a requirement for service use, the design was quite elegant and the esthetics hold up today
Thanks for the great service !
Love the simplicity of the dial. Many thanks as always for another excellent video.
Thank you!
Nice 25 minutes on my favourite subject.
I noticed the hacking lever!! Bit easier movement than the 2832 I did in my Zenith. I did notice no oil on the crown wheel post, a place I’d aways drop a bit of D5.
Other than that really enjoyable. No balance staff required!!
Thank you! Great piece of advice. I’ll remember that oil point for next time. Yes, finally a watch without needing new staff. I don’t get too many of those 😂 - Chris
My 2 fav watch restorer come together 😂
@@csspinner Did you lubricate the reversing wheels? This is done by soaking them momentarily in Lubeta V105. It is also specified for the ball bearing on the rotor.
Your honesty about mistakes is refreshing, great job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks, Alan!
Nice watch. I have 2 21-jewel train masters but the servicing by local guy wasn’t good. One kept gaining time despite “the machine indicating proper timing” and the other broke after a year’s use with the winding stem refusing to turn. It’s good to see that someone can repair them!
Sorry to hear about that issue. It’s possible the gentleman who serviced your watch only tested the time in one position. The poise of the balance greatly impacts timekeeping so if that is even slightly off it could mean minutes of difference when held in one position or another
I love these old railroad watches. I have one almost exactly like this one, but in somewhat better cosmetic condition. It seems to have a problem with its winding works and mainspring so it’ll get serviced soon.
Thank you for making these videos!
Frank, thank you so much for the super thanks!!!
I enjoy watching you use all these specialized tools. They are very interesting. You’re knowledge is superb.
Thank you!
Another very informative and entertaining video. I have many watches having ETA movements like Tissot, Titoni, West End Watch Co, Tugaris, Bulova etc.
Really nice watch and nicely done video too. Thank you to the viewer who sent it in, enjoy in good health.
Thank you, sir. I really appreciate the comment- Chris
Thank you for this most beautiful video on a very cool watch. 👏👍👌 I am looking very much forward to your next video.
Thanks for visiting! More to come. The next one will be a gorgeous BW Raymond with lots of fun issues to uncover.
Bit late to the party with watching this video but I own an Eterna Matic 3003 with an Eterna 1500k movement inside. Which is the predecessor to the ETA 2892. An ETA before ETA if you like. Its so reliable, smooth and runs like a dream.
Wearing my Trainmaster today great time keeper
Awesome! They’re an elegant design too.
Great job. Very interesting and satisfying to watch.
Wow, look at that time graph! Great job!
Thanks, Mike! Not all of them come out looking that good!
Thanks!
ETA 2550 inside 70s benrus. Pretty clean movement.
Thank you for sharing!
The work is always amazing and very enjoyable. Thanks for your time and skills.
I appreciate that, John! Glad you enjoyed it - Chris
I've got a Ball Trainmaster similar to this one that needs repaired. Now that you've got some experience with these...
I now need one of those watches. Great job!!!!
Thanks, George! These Trainmasters are really special.
Yes, I assembled a watch incorporating an eta 2824-2 clone movement.
Thanks for sharing!
@@csspinner it’s ok
Great job. Love antiquities. You don’t often have a chance to use the front crystal grabber tool.
Thanks, JD. I don’t yet own a good press so that is a nice effective alternative
@@csspinner More Tools!
Wonderful thank you
A few days ago I commented on a video you asked for opinions on narration and music... I think in this video you have the music just right. It's enough to remove the silence in the background but isn't intrusive. You obviously like classical but a lot of people don't (I'm on the fence). Repair wise you seem very good - I'm only an amateur and new to this (4 years) and you're better than me! Like to see some more complicated repairs - lots of cleaning-a-watch videos already out there...
Thank you. It helps to have the kind of feedback you gave me. And for the watches- I try to select ones to film that need more than just a “rinse”. This one turned out to be ok. I was expecting to find other gremlins. The next video (BW Raymond) will be quite the repair though. Lots of issues with that one. Stay tuned.
@@csspinnerwhen i'm working on pocketwatches, it's usually Scott Joplin and his Ragtime music or something like that lol old-timey stuff.
Thank you for your video l am amused how you keep your hands so still l would be shaking like mad 😂love the watch! I still like a good old watch you wined up would like to get my granddad pocket watch fixed and use it take care 😊
Thanks, Simon! Not something I can do after morning coffee. That’s when I get the shakes! 😂
Your cat is walking on the piano :)
😮
Very nice watch.
Thanks Jason!!
Thanks. Good job.
nice job, thank you for sharing the content
Thanks for the comment!
I hv ay Mido ocean star commander 1992 with aye eta 2836-2 movement this watch is most loved by me keeping excellent time
Those movements are quite the reliable workhorses. Thanks for sharing
Nice video. Thnx. If you leave the balance on the mainplate, you can remove both shock settings for better cleaning.This is safe for the small pivots. They won't be touching anything but the fluids. The jewels will need seperate cleaning anyway.
Great idea! Thanks
Hack level 😱. At what point did you go “oh Pooh, now I have to start all over again”?
I was so mad at myself! Had to led down the mainspring again, disassemble the barrel bridge again. Reseat the pivots, again, etc. 😂
I've never seen a swing out dial release lever in any of the watches I have owned
I’ve got an ETA in my Steinhart Vintage Military!
I love those watches. Thanks for sharing!
I do, since I own several watches manufactured by the Swatch Group.
Was it the Hacking lever? Thanks for sharing and helping to educate me 😊
Good eye!
I have two questions for you. Kindly help me by answering them.
1. In manual winding watches, the ratchet wheel is fixed to the arbor in the mainspring barrel. There is a click that prevents it from unwinding. However, in the ETA movement, the click is positioned near the crown wheel, and so the crown wheel is also doing the job of a ratchet wheel. So, the wheel that is fixed to the arbor should not be called ratchet wheel. Am I right?
2. In manual winding watches, it is very easy to find which side of the mainspring has to go in, because at the end of the mainspring, a small hook juts out, which gets locked with a groove on the inside of the barrel.
In an automatic movement, the spring rotates inside. So, how do we know which side has to go in? The anti-clockwise coil or the clockwise coil. Hope you have understood my questions. Thank you.
great job…one question: why do not use some brass tweezers and a plastic devices to take out the bridges?
Thanks. I guess I could. I use them for hands and such. Never thought to use them anywhere else. I haven’t scratched a bridge but I guess there’s the potential to
Thanks for another great vid. I've really come to look forward to your repairs and restorations.
Question: that block holding your screwdriver, tweezers and other tools. How do you like it? Make it yourself or is there a good source you'd recommend? My tools get spread around the workbench and I've been thinking I need something just like what you have to keep them organized and within reach.
Thanks again!
Thank you! I made it myself out of two pieces of poplar stacked together. Made it “fancy” with a little edge bead using the router and some stain.
@@csspinner awesome. If you ever decide to make a few and sell 'em, let me know :)
Nice job Chris. I love the look of this watch, great shape and size. Pretty easy service for you. I like your watch stand at the end frame, can you remember what it’s called, maybe I’ll get myself one.
Oh, Happy new year and thanks for the great content from 2023!
Happy new year!
It looks like a stand I've seen for medallions.
I own 3 watches with ETA movements. The first is a Dumai (no name brand) with an ETA 2879. The second is a Birks (Canadian Jewellery chain) with an ETA 2789 (and no, that is not a typo, those really are the movement numbers), and a ZentRa (spelled exactly like that on the dial face) with a 17 jewel ETA 2824.
Thanks for sharing! The ZentRa’s are quite elegant
@@csspinner Yes, this one is. I didn't think they were well known.
I don’t own an ETA movement watch but am trying to put together one. But failing…. Please advise, how to install hands that has a high dial ? Like an Omega dial that is raised at the centre and it’s like a domed shape. I need to install the date wheel spacer ring, if not the dial won’t sit flat with the movement. Then it becomes too high and the hands are too loose. 😢
I have another ETA video with day/date complication you may find helpful: Hidden issues! Repairing a used and abused Tissot Seastar - ETA 2846
ua-cam.com/video/4dGAzbs5CW4/v-deo.html
@@csspinner thanks, mate. shall watch the video.
Did you lubricate the reverser wheels themselves (not just the pivots) as well? If so, what did you use?
Just a dab of 9010 on the tiny jewels embedded on the reverser wheels. Not sure if that’s the best, but everything seems to run smoothly.
Eta has a dip-lubricant for those (Lubeta v105), but I have seen people making their own (5% 9010 in EPA).
@@ceesd good to know!
I have been told by my watch repairnan that I should not turn my watch back wards. Will that damage the watch?
Assuming you’re referring to a mechanical watch like this one -- do you mean not to wind it backwards? Or set the time backwards? Either way is safe and you won’t damage anything. Basically, in winding mode, the winding pinion slips against the sliding clutch so nothing happens except you hear light clicking and this is by design. For setting mode, since you’re only turning the minute wheel, canon pinion and hour wheel independently from the train of wheels (assuming the friction of the canon pinion on the center wheel arbor is not excessive) you will not affect it in either direction
Two ETA's for me.
unless done off camera, what you forgot to do was oil the jewels and high friction surfaces?
Just curious what do you use to record? Cheers
It’s a canon EOS rebel DSLR with macro lens attachment
Dont you hate it when you find extra parts?
😂
Is "Trainmaster" a model name, or a watch that meets railroad specifications/regulations?
If the latter, did you install the correct dial face? The federal/railroad adopted standards created by Mr. Ball specify all the minutes be numbered, with those at the 5 minute marks numbered in Red.
Mr. Ball's standards/regulations also required the watch to be stem wind, and LEVER set, to prrevent accidentally changing the time, should the stem be unintentionally raised.
Since this watch is stem wind AND set, "Trainmaster" must be a model name or series.
I sent you an e-mail about these watches.
Hacking lever
Good eye
too much oil...you don't need that much
Great video very informative and interesting very enjoyable
Thank you!
You give too much away in the intro, keep us guessing...
thanks for the feedback. I was trying to balance "look at these interesting things you'll get to see" versus "here are the cliff notes"
Very cool!
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