In this weeks post, we will examine the differences between the train wheels and mainspring in a Rolex 3135 and an Omega Co-Axial movement. There are quite a few differences in this part of the comparison. Rolex Train Wheels First the train wheels.    On the Rolex, you will notice that the 4 train wheels are rather large and quite sturdy.  The teeth are of normal size, not too big.. Read More

This weeks Post will compare the Escapement between the Rolex 3135 and Omega’s Co-Axial movement.  This is really the heart of the movement and the fundamental difference between the two watches. Standard Lever Escapement Standard escape wheel, pallet and balance wheel Considering the escapement as a unit, it can be seen that the escape wheel supplies the power, whereas the pallet transfers the rotary motion of the escape wheel into.. Read More

Until the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, men who needed to know the time and who had the money to afford a watch, kept it in their pocket on a chain. Women, for some reason, were the trailblazers – Elizabeth I had a small clock she could strap to her arm.   It is not true that wristwatches were invented specifically for World War One – but it is.. Read More

You may be wondering what the relationship is between an expensive Rolex watch and a Ford Pickup truck.  My idea is simple:  People buy a very expensive Rolex (anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000) and then they proceed to wear it swimming, gardening, and just literally “beat the heck” out of it.   On the other hand, people buy a very expensive truck that is made as a work vehicle and.. Read More

The idea of this blog is this simple question: is the Apple watch the future of the watch business or just a passing fad? Watches were originally only owned by the rich and famous, a sure sign of status and power. As watches became cheaper and more reliable, they fast became a part of just about every person’s daily wear.  Everyone had a watch and the simple idea of staying.. Read More

I recently had the good fortune to be able to work on an interesting project.  The idea was to turn a standard Hamilton 4992B into a wrist watch.  I was contacted by a good customer and went over the details of what he had in mind and the following is his description of the process and a few pictures of the finished project. The project started a little over a.. Read More

During the time between the first and second World Wars, flying was no longer news; it was commonplace. Planes delivered the mail via Airmail, and the US Postal Service employed a bevy of pilots. 25-year old Lindbergh served as a US Mail Pilot, running the route between St. Louis and Chicago. Veterans became barnstormers, daredevil stunt pilots who toured the country, providing the first airshows and offering the public a.. Read More

Can You Wind an Automatic Watch from the Crown? Yes, you can wind an automatic watch from the crown. That will not hurt the movement. Actually with an older or worn watch, a few manual winds from the crown can be a big help. What Does Fully Automatic Mean? Fully automatic means that the watch can’t be wound from the crown. The only watch that comes to mind is a.. Read More

A chronograph is a specific type of watch that is used as a stopwatch combined with a display watch. A basic chronograph has an independent sweep second hand; it can be started, stopped, and returned to zero by successive pressure on the stem. Less simple chronographs use additional complications  and can have multiple independent hands to measure seconds, minutes, hours and even tenths of a second. In addition, many modern chronographs use moveable bezels as tachymeters for.. Read More