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Avatar Is Happy Day! Mind you, the REAL Caveman Watchmaking Challenge of the day came to me courtesy of our beloved WOTM, Allan Zirlin. Post contains photos

Ricky Lee
March 21, 2009 08:19PM		 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 2,347 (2009-04)

Allan sent me a care package of ol' watches, y'see;
 ..Chrome-plated Wonder, a Phasar Quartz Solid State Digital Watch with Calendar, Alarm, Chime, Chronograph, Dual Time Zone, Counter, Numerical Memory, Random Number Game, and Light. Scary! If ever there was a Prototypical Tom Swift Watch, this is it! Thumbs Up! Laughing! Alas...


Click HERE for larger photo

..she's corroded and pitted up like "Alien Blood Through Three Decks Of A Jumpship" as someone put it t'other day. Laughing out loud!

And I gotta ask, Allan, DO you have Alien blood for sweat? Scary! Laughing! Scary!

All kidding aside, all the watches you sent had one root problem, really - they hadn't been kept clean. I am confused... Pushers all gummed up (note every watch you sent uses pushbuttons - no coincidence!) I am sad... Best thing you can do for a heavily-worn watch is to wash it with mild soap and water every day or three. Thumbs Up!


I completely uncased the module, cleaned the case with WD40, then hot soap and water, followed by Windex, finished with a precision application of silicone oil to the pushers.


All cased back up. Did I say the corrosion and of pitting of this one was bad? You should see the Gold ana-digi by comparison. Scary! Scary!


Back on the detestable but period-correct Speidel Twist-O-Flex bracelet. Too bad about the discoloration of the dial text.. Still, cleaned up pretty good I reckon. While I'll never actually wear the thing Laughing!


Click HERE for larger photo

'cept this once Laughing!, 'tis nonetheless a pretty obscure & neat bit of Horological History. Thumbs Up!

I gotta ask, Allan.. I know you used to work for Sears & Roebuck, an' a'. Does this thing hold any sentimental value at all for you? 'cause If so I'll mail it back, fully Tom Swift Refurbished, for your amusement and edification. Wear it to Company Reunion Picnics, maybe? I am smiling...

Or even if ye're glad to be shut of it, why not offer it in a WOTM Contest Giveaway? RighT! The first annual Allan Zirlin-Tom Swift PMWF Contest! Laughing!

I'll dispatch it to Morton Grove IL 60053 on Monday morn. Wink, wink ... Laughing!

-Ricky

P.s. A Warning and observation.. Three of the five watches you sent, Allan, (both Phasars and the Casio) exhibited this problem..


See it? The caseback gasket was improperly aligned & pinched during the last battery install. I am sad... This has obviously negatively impacted the (already modest! Scary!) WR of the watch)

Don't trust just any ol' watchmaker, me boy, insist on a true Tom Swift Caveman Watchmaker! Laughing!

Messages In This Thread

Is Happy Day! Mind you, the REAL Caveman Watchmaking Challenge of the day came to me courtesy of our beloved WOTM, Allan Zirlin. Post contains photos (views: 78)
Ricky Lee -- March 21, 2009 07:19PM
Scary! I wouldn't touch that first one, might be contagious. I am smiling... (n/t) (views: 14)
Robmks -- March 21, 2009 11:58PM
You don't realize what a nasty bidness watchmaking can be.. (views: 16)
Ricky Lee -- March 22, 2009 02:26AM
'til ye start doing it Tom Swift Caveman Style. Wink, wink ...

Seriously, the dried flaky wrist cheese is just the start. Scary! Allan's lot were a particularly nasty bunch. Laughing!

-Ricky

None of these watches were mine, they belonged to one of me boys....> (views: 22)
Allan Zirlin -- March 21, 2009 08:10PM
who knew about as much about keeping a watch in shape as the man in the full moon. And could sweat up a storm I might add, hence all the crap.They were from his misspent youth. Please don't ship any back to me, if you want you can add it to your 2009 McBroom watch giveaway foundation for needy souls. Amen, brother.

I am angry! Ya snookered me on that Armitron! Scary! (views: 16)
Ricky Lee -- March 22, 2009 02:13AM
Had sweety pick up a new 399 cell at Wally World. No go. I am sad... The digi portion of the Miyota T205 is fine, but the analog side be dead. That's the 2nd bum Miyota stepper motor I've seen in a week. Mebbe they ain't as hot as I thought.. Crazy, man!
Quote
Allan Zirlin
[Please don't ship any back to me..
A'ight, I tried. Wink, wink ...

Thanks again Allan! Thumbs Up!

For He's A Jolly Good Fellow, For He's A Jolly Good Fellow, For He's A Jolly Good FeeelllLOW!

Applause Applause Applause

-Ricky

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