The "Doctor" is Always In!

Rolex Running Fast? How to Regulate a Rolex vs. Other Watches

Many people believe that watch accuracy can be achieved by simply adjusting the regulator screw towards the + or – position. Regulating a watch is a lot more complex than this. Watches that are inaccurate are inaccurate for a reason. Generally, these watches require CLEANING AND CONDITIONING (oiling and greasing of the winding mechanisms). Conditioning also includes: ensuring that all of the train wheels are free from obstruction, the hairspring.. Read More

How An Automatic Watch Works

A mechanical watch is powered by an internal spiral mainspring which turns the gears that move the hands. The spring loses energy as the watch runs, so in a manual watch movement the spring must be wound periodically by turning the crown, to provide energy to run the watch. A self-winding watch movement has a mechanism which winds the mainspring. The watch contains an oscillating weight (the rotor), which turns on a pivot… Read More

A Visit to the Dentist compared to a Visit to the Watch Doctor

You might be wondering about the title of this blog, what does a visit to the dentist have to do with getting your watch repaired?  Well, with this quick story, I will give you an idea of how similar they are to each other.   Now for some background info.  I have had a toothache off and on for the last year. Nothing major, just an occassional pain in my.. Read More

How To Replace A Balance Staff

In this post I am going to go over the steps  to replace a balance staff in a Hamilton 992b pocket watch. The Balance staff is the center shaft on the Balance wheel. It has top and bottom “pivots” very thin points that the balance wheel rides on and are supported by the balance jewels.  The staff pivots can be broken from a drop or hard bump and are the.. Read More

Watches from Mad Men

Few television shows have been as consistently praised for the quality and authenticity of its costumes, sets and props as AMC’s Mad Men. Now in its fifth season, the show continues to go to great efforts to source appropriate accessories to showcase a real version of New York in 1966. This obsession with historically accurate physical culture extends to the wrists of the characters. Today I would like to take.. Read More

Breitling Watches and Aviation

Starting in 1915 with the building of a chronograph with a longer seconds hand built onto the center axle, Breitling has been a strong ally to the world of aeronautics.  This first new chronograph made it easier to track the movement of the seconds hand, making the chronograph much more useful for airplane pilots.  Later in 1936, Breitling introduced its first on-board chronograph model, effectively providing pilots a form of.. Read More

How to Pressure Test a Rolex

If you’re anything like the majority of all Rolex owners, chances are you’ve given little thought to the water resistance of your watch. Realize it or not, it’s a concern every Rolex owner should have – regardless of the model or how you use it. In this post, I will go over what it takes to pressure test a Rolex. After the overhaul is complete, then comes the task of buffing.. Read More

My Favorite Watch, The Hamilton 992B

I have been very fortunate over the last 37 years to be able to work on just about every type of mechanical and quartz watch that you can think of. Everything from a Timex to a Rolex and everything in-between. After thousands of watches, it is understandable that I would have a favorite. My all time favorite watch is the Hamilton 992B pocket watch. You might think that I would.. Read More

Omega Speedmaster, First Watch on the Moon

The Speedmaster Omega Co-Axial Chronograph will forever be known by its nickname of the “Moonwatch” for good reason—debuting over half a century ago, it has been a regular timepiece on all six Apollo lunar landings and was the first, and only, type of watch to be worn on the lunar surface. According to legend, in 1962 NASA’s flight equipment buyer went to a watch shop in Texas where he bought.. Read More

How Accurate Can a Vintage Watch be?

The short answer: it depends. The accuracy of a vintage watch is at the at mercy of its original quality and construction, and accuracy  owes even more to the quality of its upkeep over the years. A high-quality, chronometer-grade watch that was carefully maintained and cared for over the years can approach chronometer standards still today. However, a more inexpensive design that had a greater degree of wear and tear.. Read More