since 1995

Tuning Fork Watch Problems? Analog Quartz Watch Problems?

WE CAN FIX IT!

If your Accutron or other Tuning Fork or
analog quartz watch has quit working properly or hasn't been serviced in a while
you've come to the right place for watch repair.  I can clean, service and
adjust your watch so it works again, keeps accurate time, and avoids excessive
wear or your money back!  Two year time keeping warranty: within ± 2
minutes per month or better (batteries excluded, of course). Watch case
restoration is also available.

The remarkable index mechanism works well only when it is
properly phased and adjusted.  The jeweled index fingers must have
the proper force pushing against the index wheel and they must have the
proper orientation with the index wheel and each other.  If not, poor
time keeping, stopping, or rapid time gaining will result.  Once the
index mechanism is fixed, fine adjustments in time keeping can also be
made by adjusting fork frequency.

I see a number of watches that have not
had service for a long time and are starving for lubrication.  Loss
of proper lubrication can stop a movement or wear out the ends of the
geartrain axles (pivots). Furthermore, there may be no symptoms while this wear is
taking place.  Tuning fork watches have powerful movements that can
keep good time even when abnormal wear is occuring. Pivots have an iron
composition and can rust if not protected by the lubricating
oil.

If your Bulova Accutron or other tuning fork watch has
not been serviced in the past 6 years then it is in need of cleaning and
lubrication as preventative maintenance. Failure
to do so will eventually result in damaged parts and extra
expense.

Some watches, particularly some early 214's can not be made
to operate properly with the higher voltage of modern silver-oxide batteries
unless other means are taken.  This is due to variances in
manufacturing...some forks are thinner at the base and tend to vibrate with
higher amplitudes.  These are the problem ones.  The slightly higher
silver-oxide voltage makes the amplitude even higher and so the mechanism
indexes by more than one tooth, regardless of phasing adjustments.  I can,
however, reduce the effective operating voltage so that the watch again works
properly with 1.56v silver-oxide batteries by using a tiny electronic device
added to the existing circuit (this is easily reversable at any time in the
future).  Also, subject to availability, the tuning fork may be exchanged
to eliminate the problem.

A few words about Phasing and battery
voltage:  Phasing is done using special Bulova equipment and
techniques.  It is critical for the proper functioning of a tuning fork
watch.  This adjustment is actually independent of
the battery type you use in your watch. Let me make this
clear...After phasing is adjusted in a watch, it will be optimal regardless of
what type battery is then put into the watch.  However, the higher voltage
of silver oxide batteries means that this adjustment must be made as accurately
as possible.  To accomplish this, I have developed special techniques to
fine tune the phasing adjustment.

Battery replacement:  Be sure you have your battery
replaced by an expert.  The tiny coil wires and index mechanism parts are
exposed in certain places and vulnerable to the stray motions of an
unexperienced battery replacement technician.  I have seen quite a few
watches that have been damaged in this way.  Also pay attention to the
correct orientation of the battery.  Watches can be damaged by placing the
battery in upside down.  Refer to the table below.

Never use Zinc-Air Batteries! These
batteries are made for hearing aids and other non-sealed electronics using only
very low currents. They usually have a plastic film that covers a hole that must
be pealed off to expose the battery to air. They are not meant for use in small
sealed devices. Besides requiring fresh air to operate, they will leave nasty
corrosive green gooey deposits all over the insides of a watch. I have seen far
too many watches that have been operated with Zinc-Air batteries. It's very
difficult to clean and can totally ruin a watch movement.

About Crystals: All curved Accutron
and Omega crystals are plastic. Flat crystals are usually mineral crystal (with
a few exceptions). Plastic crystals can successfully be polished to remove
scratches. Watch crystal scratch repair can not remove cracks!

Battery voltage and size
Table

Depending on where you go, the cost of a cleaning and /
or repair can exceed the value of the watch! I
have tools and experience to do the job at a fraction of the cost you'll find
elsewhere.

accutron 214 spaceview, accutron 2181, omega esa
movement, accutron 218 back, accutron 219 back, accutron 230back, accutron 224
accuquartz

Accutron 214 Spaceview

Accutron 2181

Accutron "Direct Read"

Accutron 218 back

Accutron 219 back

Accutron 230 back

Accutron 224

Accutron 2210

Omega 1220

Omega, ESA
9162

Whether you have an Accutron, Omega, Movado, Certina,
Eterna, Universal Geneve, Longines, Tissot, Titus, Allegro, Rado, or
Other Tuning Fork watch you may Email me for an estimate by clicking one of the
following two links:

Basic
Estimate:
-Use
this link if your watch has stopped or needs routine service. 90% of watches can
be fixed in the course of a basic overhaul. This includes: Poor time keeping,
stopped hands, no hum, setting malfunctions, cleaning and oiling, etc. Within
the hour, a list of standard services will automatically be sent including
information on crystals, dial refinishing, basic case refinishing, shipping
instructions, and more. After the automated response, your message will be
reviewed and a personalized message will then be sent, if necessary.

Special
Requests:
-Use this link if you have other questions
not covered by the basic estimate auto-response, or if the auto-response fails
to answer within 24 hours.

Many poorly working tuning fork watches do not need to have parts
replaced.  They just need proper adjustment and cleaning!  My services
include ultrasonic cleaning and lubrication as part of a normal overhaul to
prevent future problems and wear.

Have you even wanted to show your friends and relatives the Tuning
Fork in your watch? Unless you have a spaceview that's hard to do - Until
Now!...We can now provide a window for the back of your Accutron watch! The
original back will remain unmodified should you want to use it again. Click the
picture below to see before/after pictures. Pricing is available by using the
"Basic Estimate" link above.

Now offering Watch Case
repair, restoration, refinishing, and plating (click to view case restoration
page)

While your watch is being repaired, why not have the case
refinished as well! We have an exclusive relationship with the premier
metalsmith in the USA at Artisanplating.com ! He will restore your case to
original like-new condition at reasonable cost. There's no restriction on watch
brand for case refinishing. Thanks to new modern alloys like hard gold we
can even deliver better than original durability. The metalsmith at
Artisanplating.com only accepts cases for restoration sent to him by us at
Accutrons.com . No other watch repairer can provide you with this exclusive
service. Now you can re-live those days when your watch was new!

Even those who have a famous brand replica watch are turning them
into real pieces of jewlery through this process. Their original finishes wore
off quickly, but now they can enjoy the same durability as more expensive
timepieces. Poorly running auto or manual wind replica watches can also be
overhauled so their time keeping ability matches their looks.

Watch brands that had a tuning fork movement version at one time
or other include: Rolex, Accutron, Omega, Universal Geneve, Longines, Eterna,
Certina, Movado, Rado, Zenith, Allegro, Wyler, Tissot, Citizen, & Titus.
Models names included: Accuquartz, Megasonic, F300, F8192, Astronaut,
Electrosonic, Electroquartz, Ultraquartz, Dynasonic, Ultronic, Chronolympic,
Electrosonic, Cosmotron, Certronic, Unisonic, C-Tronic, and Tissonic.

Now, consider what your watch might look like by changing it's color...see
this amazing example of a transformation of 14k gold to Rose Gold by clicking on
this picture...

Here we can see the tremendous value of refinishing a watch case...(click on
the picture below to see the amazing transformation)

John
Schult
Member NAWCC
BSME,
MSME *
Waterford, MI

and
"Accutron" are registered trademarks of the Bulova Corp.

This website is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the
Bulova Corporation, or it's parent company.

* [bachelors (April '83) and Masters (June '84) in Mechanical
Engineering, Univ. of Michigan, Summa Cum Laude]

Established 1995

Links

Testimonials

Watch case and band
refinishing

Battery voltage and
size Table

A custom made
Accutron 219 wall clock

See a running Tuning Fork
index mechanism

A Watch
Collection Pictoral:

See the Slava
Transistor:

A Russian copy of the Accutron 214

Paper #711C No Longer Available here at the request of SAE,
Inc. Visit the SAE to
purchase a copy of this fine report.

Tuning Fork Watch
& Clock Patents - All Major Designs and
Prototypes