My Most Challenging Restoration Thus Far - Wakmann Triple Calendar Chronograph
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Kick back and immerse yourself in the restoration journey of a vintage Wakmann Triple Calendar Reverse Panda chronograph! Witness the process as we attempt to breathe new life into this timepiece through extensive work, including a full case strip down and electroplating. Additionally, the Valjoux 723 movement underwent a comprehensive top-to-bottom service. This video may be lengthy, but every moment is packed with dedication and effort. Join us in celebrating the culmination of time and passion, and I hope you'll find the end result as enchanting as I do!
My thanks to VGreen for their generous offer of 15% off any of their excellent hand-made leather watch straps.
Visit their site at - vgreenco.com - and use the code - WeekendWatchRepair - at checkout
You can also go through this link to have the discount automatically applied: vgreenco.com/d...
Behind the scenes of UA-cam content, there's dedication and hard work. If you enjoy the channel, I'd kindly request your consideration in joining this effort on Patreon. Your support keeps the channel going. One hundred precent of all funds received go directly into the channel. With my sincere gratitude, thank you so much for your consideration.
/ weekendwatchrepair
Enjoy the video!
Here are some links to the microscope & camera/ lighting setup pieces I'm using. These are Amazon affiliate links. By using the affiliate link, you will not pay any more but I'll receive a very small commission on any sales.
Microscope Setup
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Cameras & Lighting
► Nikon Z30 - body only - amzn.to/4esxr90
► Nikon Z30 w/Wide Angle Lens - amzn.to/4ekKj0D
► Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 - amzn.to/3Vkv8Md
► Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S - amzn.to/3XpbHo6
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I've also received several requests for a listing of tools, both essential and non-essential for starting out working on watches. While the list isn't 100% comprehensive, it'll get you 95% there! There are far too many items listed, along with notes on several pieces. You can see & download the full list of parts & links (not all affiliate links) here:
Full tools & parts breakdown:
docs.google.co...
If you can take this watch apart and put it back together and it works well, then you are in the major leagues. Fantastic job sir!
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
@@WeekendWatchRepair I am currently on my first " semi restoration" for my nephews Citizen Eco=drive Corso BL8044-59E and your video was inspirational. He received the watch from my deceased father as a birthday gift about 9 years ago when my nephew turned 20 years old. The watch is very well used and sentimental, scratched crystal, broken bracelet link, grungy. I have been searching online but unlike automobile parts I can't find any service information for the specific watch? Would you have a good reference where I could look up/order the replacement parts such as crystal, pins, gaskets, etc? I have no idea what size'specs, part numbers are needed. Thanks for your time and appreciate any guidance. Happy New Year -Glen
I do not know where to find a parts manual for that watch. If I had it on my bench, I'd just have to measure the case, crown, etc. to get dimensions for replacement gaskets. The same goes for the crystal. If there is a Citizen document repository, I am unaware. I'd suggest posting your question in a couple of watchmaking groups and Citizen watch groups on Facebook. Someone there might have the data you need.
@WeekendWatchRepair thanks! I ended up measuring the crystal and purchased a new one, which was 32.8 mm. Hand polished and it looks beautiful. My nephew is thrilled! Great feeling. Keep up the excellent tutorial videos, your work is awesome.
My gosh, what a gorgeous piece of a watch❤
I agree. They really did a great job designing that watch.
What an adventure!
Tell me about it, haha!
Brilliant idea to put the screws back on. The genius behind the design is incredible. Someone's brain works in 3D.
It's actually pretty common practice to put the screws back in. I agree with you on the design.
Wow! 🥰It's gorgeous and you have done a great job with it.
I appreciate it, thank you.
WOW. I absolutely love the outcome. I also enjoy the commentary and the honest description. Keep this going awesome.
Thanks a bunch.
Now that was a long one. Found it very interesting , keep it coming from uk.
Thanks so much. I generally do long videos, but that one was REALLY long. Even still, there was some footage not shown in the video because of a failed memory card (hands and crystal installation). I just didn't see any way of making it shorter without cutting out critical parts of the rebuild. There's a lot going on with this watch. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
That is the most complex watch movement i've ever seen someone work on, you are without a doubt a VERY highly skilled watch repairman
I don't know about that. I am a bit stubborn though and I think that helps, haha!
as a 10 year mechanic whos new to the hobby, watching you put the screws back so they dont get mixed up makes me wonder how long the guys have been doing this who strip em bare !! i can strip an engine and not have a problem as nuts and bolts have a specific "look" for an area but this 🤯 the mind boggles !!
I do not have any desire to try and figure out where each screw should go. This watch was worth the extra effort to put them back in their original slots.
It's just like engines. Practice make perfect. Also everything should fit perfect. If you get lost with bolt/screw location. Test it and see if it stick up too far, if it bumps into other parts, if the shoulder doesn't cover, etc. My dad always told me if a bolt sits more than a 1/4-5/16", it's too long. I apply the same logic to watches, just scaled down. Then, with today's tech, use you phone to take pictures as you go for the more complex movements.
A lot of experienced watchmakers who strip time only and time, day date watches completely as you do an engine often replace screws immediately as seen in this video when working on a watch like this.
Another great video, Adam! I just recently bought a beautiful 18K rose gold Sandoz with a Valjoux 72C movement with a shock protected balance and this video is a fantastic reference in the event that I ever work up the courage to clean and lubricate it! Additionally, I've only had mine two weeks and I'm very glad to know that the month display has to be manually advanced! If I hadn't discovered that by watching this video in ten days I would have assumed it was broken and probably risked damaging the watch inspecting it to see if I could fix it! Thanks again for all of your fantastic videos!
Thank you Dayton. I'm glad the timing of the video worked out well for you! I took my lumps and learned my lessons during disassembly. As for the assembly, although a lot of time had passed, I found it to be much less daunting. I know you'll service your Sandoz properly when the time comes. Like me, I'm sure you've had watches you found intimidating when you first got into them, but you got more comfortable as you worked through the project. That 72C will be no different. Just make sure you record and share it! Your videography is always spectacular. I appreciate your thoughtful comment. I enjoy your channel as well!
With all the problems in the real world its great to sit back and enjoy a satisfying repair , with thanks to all that helped in their contribution with replacement parts .
I’m very glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Man thats a nice watch. I got here because watching Wristwatch Revival non-stop. I'm a huge watch nerd and collector and I'm glad youtube directed me here because it knows my watch obsession. I instantly subscribed. 😊
Very glad you found the channel. Thanks for subscribing!
this is an amazing mechanical engineering art you did . very nice .very nice.
Thank you very much.
That's a beautiful watch, and you did a terrific job with it!
Thanks so much.
Kudos on the work done for this watch.
Thank you.
Hi Adam,
Another superb video on the Valjoux Wakman chronograph. Your commentary also very thorough. If it had been me, I'd have had springs all over the shop.😂 you are now my number one channel for watch repair. I'm from the UK, and parts are so hard to source for Swiss movements. Over here the Swatch group dint sell parts to non bonafide watch makers, so if you're not a business jeweller you cannot buy spare parts from them, which covers Omega, to name one, makes it very disheartening trying to bring watches back to life. Something I love doing, and have done for 25yrs. Anyway keep up the great work, 👍 👌
Thank you very much.
Riveting! You walk the walk, talk the talk. Great video content, excellent commentary. I learn something every time from your instruction. Thank you
Hey Ross, thanks so much! I'm really glad you liked it.
I really enjoyed watching that! Thank you for helping me pass a pleasant 1 and 3/4 hours 👍
Thank you. I'm very glad you enjoyed it.
I'm at 1:13:55 ( no special time, that's what it was when I stopped to comment lol) and I like the lighting. If you had said nothing about the lighting, I would not have noticed.
Thanx again
Adam, wow, I am just extremely impressed with both the quality of your watch work and your video production. I have been watching your content from the beginning and you have progressed so far in a short period of time. Just fantastic work and thank you for sharing. Beautiful watch. John S
That means a lot to me. Thank you very much.
Dear Adam ! This mouvement is insane 'cause of it 's plenty different screws, functions and all that stuff 😮 ... Kudos for this magnificent service you did ... 😊
Thanks a bunch.
This is the equivalent of getting a black belt in Martial arts when you can say you restored a Walkman 7750, it’s big gun territory in the watch fettering world. 🤣😎👏👏 well done mate you surpassed yourself on this old girl.
Thank you very much.
Reminds me of my Breitling Monbrilliant Datora! Love it.
And still people buy Rolex and Breitling when they could have something like this, restored and still have money in their pocket and have people want to talk about their watch, rather than ignore them with their garish, tedious watches.
Excellent restoration. I'm almost inspired to do my Sicura chrono now.....just need to summon up the courage.
Thanks so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
I agree. You can get a lot more watch for your money if you steer clear of brands like Rolex, too.
In case you didn’t know, Wakmann and Breitling’s history are very much intertwined.
To avoid the tariffs imposed upon completed Swiss watches, Breitling movements were imported instead, to be cased and timed in America and sold under the Wakmann brand.
A lot of Wakmann watches are actually rebadged Breitlings.
Great video, with honesty! You are one of my favourite YT channels, right up there with Marshall on Wristwatch Revival. Keep them coming!!
That's quite a compliment. Thank you very much.
If no one else let you know, the song is titled "Entry of the Gladiators" Thank you for all your videos, I am getting into the hobby because of you :)
I apologize in advance for the amount of money that watchmaking tools can cost! There links to some recommended cheaper version on the spreadsheet that is linked in the video description (please don't feel obligated to use the affiliate links). You may find the info helpful when getting started out. Thanks for the song title!
Yet again an exceptional video. I really look forward to these and your camera work is superb. Thank you for the time and effort you put into these.
I appreciate that a lot, thank you.
I have two hobbies. First is my love of guitars for the last 21 years. Second is more recently watches and servicing. Never thought I see an Ernie ball string reference in a watch services video haha! Great fast thinking.
Same hobbies here as well.
Wow, amazing work, Adam! If I attempted this, I'd have springs flying everywhere and need a dozen extra of each! 🤪 Absolutely beautiful watch. Love that strap, too!
Thank you very much. I am really glad I found VGreen straps. They do great work.
Gorgeous movement on that watch. Thanks for the video. I’m wearing my Seiko 6139 Pogue today. It’s running great. 😊
That's awesome! Those will always be one of my absolute favorites.
A fabulous complex restoration, I can see why you’ve always wanted one. Stunning watch and great end product, keep the great content coming and stays safe 😊
Thank you.
Just bought this watch. Watching you work on it was amazing and inspiring. Hats off to you. Geez, all I want to do is remove the movement from the case. But too scared I’d ruin something. Then I watched you re-do the whole watch including re-plating. Incredible.
Real nice work, fantastic 😊😊
Thank you.
Great work on very cool watch - thank you for sharing this: 👍👌👏!
Thanks for watching.
freakin beautiful!!!!! thanks for the discount code
Thanks so much for watching, and thanks to VGreen for agreeing to do a discount code! You'll like the strap. They do great work.
Beautiful watch!!!
I think so too.
Was wondering when your video was coming, but after seeing this, realize why it took so long. An epic restoration Adam. Love the re=plating. Have always wanted to try my hand at it, but need a few more tools first. And you are NOT a hack! Bravo.
Thanks so much.
Extraordinary Video, liked it very much. Detailed shots and informative voice over. Thanks !
Many thanks!
I felt that spring go ping and that screw vanished into the ether.
So did I.
@@WeekendWatchRepair glad you managed to find the screw. And then the spring reappearing magically. Sometimes the underpants gnomes are kind
@@FennecTECH Sometimes they are indeed.
Congratulations Adam, that came out fantastic! (Both the watch and the video...) There are so many great moments in this project. I have to try spinning the case on the buffer wheel now! Well done, I know you will wear it proudly.😁
Thanks Mike. I'm wearing it right now!
Looks great! If all the channels of watch repair I have seen, I like yours the best! Keep up the good work!
I really appreciate the compliment. Thank you very much.
@@WeekendWatchRepair sure thing
I think showing what not to do is a great help, thanx for the mistakes too,great work Adam👍🏻
Thanks 👍
Great channel man, I like that you don't try to hide your mistakes. One that I would suggest checking with a vape shop for wire to make springs out of. Although I love the use of guitar strings, there are all kinds of different size and shape wire people use to make their own coils. You more than likely could find the perfect size flat wire to make springs out of when you inadvertently send then to the abyss of the carpet. O ya, great job on the watch. I would almost sware it is a different one.
Thanks for the tips!
I thoroughly enjoyed that and I am so impressed by your skill. You have clearly been learning and doing for a long time. Thanks for sharing this journey.
Thanks for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
A very impressive service, Adam.
I enjoyed watching it. Thank you
Thanks a bunch.
Fantastic work. Beautiful watch. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
This is the second time a watch this MESMERIZING VIDEO!!! Your Patience, technique and narrative are second to none!! This overhaul makes me remember when I did the same movement back in 1997 or '98. That watch was a Gold-plated Wakmann casing a movement that had some broken parts, mostly those springs coz apparently it was badly manipulated previously, and worn push buttons and crown so I had to purchase them, and luckily, all the parts I needed, including the crystal, push buttons and the crown were supplied by Otto Frei in California. The watch was left beautiful after the overhaul and repair. Lamentably, the owner lost it a couple of years later. Hope you continue doing these magnificent videos for the enjoyment of others!!!
All videos I've been watching share something in common, you all make it look easy. Till I had to change my late father Kinetic accumulator because the dealer said it needed major repair costing the price of a new watch, which seemed pretty straight forward and it turned out to be a sweaty task. It's satisfying to see a watch being repaired, and the expertise behind it. Thank you.
Great job. I like the beat upness of the watch. Shows it’s had a good life and someone wore it everyday. Life isn't perfect anyway🙂
This is my new favorite channel. Great job. 🔥
Wow, thanks!
Outstanding work. A real beauty.
I appreciate it, thank you.
Such a great job! Thanks again for sharing with us!
Thanks so much.
Thank you for another great video. Thanks for the in-depth on how you do these chronographs. As far as the photos, very nice with one exception. The hands weren’t set at 10:10! You know if you know
Nobody is perfect, lol.
@johnvaluk1401 10:10 covered up too much of the Wakmann logo, so I opted for 4:35 for some of the shots. Less coverage of the logo and subregisters that way. It was a fully wound movement at the time, so I decided to just take the shots and let the hand placement be damned. 😂
@@coolhandluke8247 nothing bad meant. Just a little fun. It drives me crazy when they are all set to 10:10!
I have to rewind several times before getting to the end, as I find it so relaxing, I fall asleep. Thank you. 👍
Thanks specifically for the slo-mo of the pallet stones in action. 1:06:52
I just love watches! I've never repaired one myself. But i know the feeling of getting the work done
Great work Adam, regards from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Thank you very much.
Very pleased you did the case so well. That was very fine work.
Thank you.
Moebius 9415 was initially recommended for use on high best movements, because 941 didn’t stay in place well on faster moving escapements.
9415 is now preferred if you have it for both slow and fast beat movements. It will not rob you of any amplitude and will remain where it’s needed better than 941, especially if you aren’t using epilame.
Moebius 9415 is a thixotropic grease. It’s grease like at rest but liquifies when the parts slide across eachother, so it has the properties of a thin oil when it matters but doesn’t spread or get displaced when its ‘at rest’.
9415 even works very well on cylinder escapements.
All of my watches receive treatment of epilame. It’s just not shown on the video. I am aware of the characteristics of 9415 and 941. I just wanted to give it a try.
Beautiful, great content and lovely watch,love from across the pond.
This is a fun video !!!!!!
just awesome! well done!
Thanks a lot.
Great job. I noticed the new lighting. It looks good.
Thanks!
Awesome video bro. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it!!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great work, this is a huge step up from servicing time only or time/date manual and automatic movements and you did a great job.
It’s common practice to set the timing of the day, date and month on these triple calendars to happen in a staggered sequence.
Loading the spring to flip these over robs power and amplitude.
If you’re loading them all simultaneously you it can cause the watch to lose so much amplitude it runs badly around changeover time, or sometimes it will even stop the watch completely.
Set the movement so that you’re loading these mechanisms and look at it on the timegrapher, and you can see how much this impacts this specific watch.
I set everything back to factory specs. It stages over about 20 minutes.
Really a great channel. I loved that. Beautiful watch. Straps are very subjective and even though that one was made so well, I'd ask V Green for a different style...
Thanks for watching. You are right, straps (and watches in general) are subjective. I personally am a fan of that style strap. VGreen does offer a variety though.
wow that really turned out amazing! Nickel plating FTW!
Glad you liked it!
Great job as always! I try wearing my fathers old Seiko but it runs way too fast so I really just wear ir for show. Back when I could afford to fix it I couldn't find anyone to work on it. All I ever heard was that it's not worth fixing. I guess personal value really doesn't count. It goes to my daughter next so maybe she'll get it squared away. Thank you for making these videos, I truly enjoy every one of them.
Thanks so much.
Stunning watch. Well done.
Thank you.
Great job
Thanks a bunch.
Fantastic work (as always) Adam. I could tell this was a keeper from the way you talked about it. Such a lovely piece.
Also: thank you! I was thinking the same about grease on the pallet stones.
Thanks a bunch. I'm thinking I'll use the 9415 for everything 28,000 bph and above, and the 941 for everything below. It seems to be working well thus far.
@@WeekendWatchRepair sounds like a plan :)
Hey there Adam. A great video and a fantastic result. 👍🏻
Thanks
Great video production 👍
Thank you.
I had a Wakmann triple date ss case and in running condition. I’d received it for my 16th bday and kept it until recently.
Very excellent journey! Many thanks. A thought about the case plating with nickel - many people develop skin allergies to nickel that could make it difficult to wear the watch. Chrome plating isn’t something you can do in your kitchen, so that’s a problem. Gold plating on top of nickel isn’t a problem, except that the original wasn’t gold and the pushers are now stainless. I wonder if it could be sent out for chrome plating by a commercial firm? Not cheap, but fierce the repairs to the movement this has become a valuable watch!
Thank you. I am aware that some people do have an allergy to nickel. I do not, and did not have any plans on selling this watch when I got it. With that in mind, I didn't get the case chrome plated. I applied a thick coat of bright nickel, which works well for me.
Adam, first off another great video. I feel I learn more from your videos than every other watch repair channel out there. Your content is always informative and interesting.
Secondly, is there any chance you could post the gentleman in Argentina’s eBay store address. I actually gave my son this exact Walkman in the late 90’s when I first got into collecting and tinkering on watches (back then you could get watches like this for Pennie’s compared to today) anyway, his now just sits in the top drawer because it needs some serious work on it, and I’d love to have the ability to get some NOS parts to help repair it. I know that Walkman watches were very popular in Argentina as I actually purchased the one I gave my son from a gentleman from there.
Anyway, another great video, thanks.
I initially found him through a Facebook group (although I don't remember which one). Here is his eBay store:
www.ebay.com/usr/wattches.ar
A lot of his stuff is not posted. I'd suggest contacting him and seeing if he has what parts you are looking for. If he does, he will create an eBay listing that you can then purchase. His name is Guillermo, and he was a very nice guy. The parts I received were exactly as advertised. I hope this helps.
That style of Wakmann was my dad's daily wear watch. Sold it partially running a couple years ago.
This is the project that prompted me to support you through Patreon. You mentioned how many different screws. I'm wondering, how many springs are there?
Thank you so much! I counted 12 total springs.
Awesome watch
Thanks
Great job, which would scare me taking that apart and making sure I know where it all went back.
When you use a cotton mop like that for the first time, there’s a tool that looks like a hairbrush with very stout bristles called a buffing wheel rake that you use to strip the loose fibres out of the wheel. There videos showing how to do this here on UA-cam.
Props👏
Thanks.
I do enjoy your videos and now I am taking up the hobby as well. How long was it into your own experience before you could put a watch back together with no problem.
Congrats on getting into the hobby. You will enjoy it. I probably worked on three or four movements before I ever got one to work, and I don’t think it even worked all that well! It took some time, but the more experience I gained the better my results became. Start out with simple movements.
What an amazing restoration! The watch turned out incredible! Thank you for sharing such a valuable information with us. I fix watches myself, and I sure value people like you who take the time to share their knowledge!
Just a quick question: what brand plating machine do you have. I am trying to buy one, but I am not sure which would be a good affordable one. Thank you for the help in advance!
the doggone baseplate on this thing is a marvel in itself. I'd love to see how they make these things
So would I.
Fitting a new crown stem is truly a case of measuring many times and cutting twice.
Boa noite. nunca tinha visto um serviço bem feito igual esse.
Obrigado
I'm a couple of minutes into the video and it looks like the watch was kept in a tackle box!
Haha
Amazing work! Fascinating. Are you accepting watches for repair, or are these your personal watches? I have 70s chronograph that shares same maker of Wakmann movement, minus the triple date. It keeps good time but chronograph not functioning. Valjoux 7736 movement. Looking for someone to service it. Would love to send it to you! It’s a beauty
Unfortunately I am not able to accept commissions at this time. There are some things I need to have in place before I can accept such requests. Thank you though.
Great Video, as per usual, great content. If you're a hack what hope for the rest of us
Haha!
Wow! Great video!
I just discovered this channel…it’s great.
I have an early 70’s Sicura jump hour that that could use someone with your skills to see what the issue is.
It was working until just recently.
Is this something you’d be interested in looking at?
Happy to compensate of course!
-Andrew.
Hi Andrew, thanks so much. At the moment, I am not able to do commission work. That is something I’d like to change in the future, but right now I’m just not set up for it. I really appreciate you reaching out though. Thank you.
41 springs is A LOT in this type of watch ⌚️. I'd invest in a wheeled magnet 🧲 tool from Harbor Freight, so ya can eliminate getting down on all fours to find your spring. This is a GREAT tool to have around, for those springs that decide to spring away. I know just how frustrating 😒 this is, but this wheeled magnet tool could also save ya a lot of time, since ya can cover greater floor surface with it. I hope I brought ya a GREAT suggestive tip!! Your friend, Jeff!!
Отличная работа, браво Мастеру. От меня - Лайк.
Thank you
سبحانه من علم الانسان مالم يعلم حرفي ممتاز فديو ممتع
Thank you.
Newbie here. While you are working on the watch, are you on the microscope or naked eye or loupe or screen connected to the microscope? I have an Amscope SM-4TP. Thanks in advance all the feedback ✌🏻
I'm working through a microscope.
Nice!
Thank you.
I'm in love with that watch where can i buy it with international shipping availability
Perhaps eBay.
Hi
Great video! I havean identical 39mm.
It's missing the case back gasket. Could you please specify the size o-ring you used? Also how are the pushers sealed?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Pete
I cannot remember the specific size. I went through my gaskets until I found one of the correct size. The pushers are sealed with small o-rings.
Great work! I started this hobby after watching your videos. I'm from Argentina!!
That is awesome!
The tune is "Entrance of the Gladiators" by Fucik
Yep, that's it!