Today’s blog post will continue with the overhaul of a Rolex 3135 movement. We will go over the reassembly process, oiling and buffing. After the movement comes out of the cleaning machine, the parts are unpacked from the cleaning basket and the process starts. I normally make a quick check to see if all the parts that went into the machine, are also there when it came out. Sometimes parts “disappear” in the basket. A bit like when you do laundry and for some reason a sock is gone. The machine has been known to eat a small part or a screw!
The first part that is installed in the main plate is the center post:
After the center bridge is installed, the train wheels are put into place
Mainspring is oiled and barell cap ready to be installed
Train bridge is installed
A little oil on the train wheel pivots
Next the barell bridge
Barell top jewel oiled
Now we flip the movement over and begin work on the dial side and date.
Date back together. Now on to the timing machine.
Movement cleaned and running well on the timing machine. Rolex spec’s are -4 to plus 6 seconds a day. I normally shoot for 3-5 seconds fast. I always l regulate it fast, customers hate it when their watch is slow!
Automatic unit is next to be oiled and put back together.
The movement is again flipped over and the dial and hands are installed. Here comes the tricky part, getting the hands set so that the date changes at 12:00. This normally takes a few trys before the hands pass inspection.
Case now needs some attention. Here is a before picture of the case side and dirty case tube.
6 Comments
Mixhael C
Beauty! How about a similarly detailed posting on overhauling a Hamilton 992B?
Mark Morgan
Keep up the great information. Thanks Mark
Steve Edwards
I send all of my watches to Mark. I buy a lot of Rolex wristwatches and if they need a part or just a good overhaul, Mark is my go- to guy. I feel comfortable calling with questions as he always answers his phone or emails. I have to laugh when people come into my store and are adamant that their Omega has to be sent to Switzerland because there is no-one in the U.S. That can work on THEIR watch. Just send your precious Omega to Mark dumb a#% and save yourself $800
Forrest
A very thorough and informative details of what happens with my 3035 Rolex Datejust when I send it to Mark for reconditioning. Keep up the excellent work. Thanks Mark.
Larry Brooks
I can attest to Mark’s ability to make a vintage Rolex look like new. He has done my wife’s Rolex which was made in 1974. She has had several people ask her if she has a new watch. When she tells them it is over 40 years old, they are amazed! It’s all in who you know and what they know!
Derek
You used to advertise as replacing mainspring as part of cleaning process. Why the change?