Caveman's Watch Forum

Avatar Is Happy Day! My first new watch of 2009. Post contains photos

Ricky Lee
January 04, 2009 07:03PM		 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 1,307 (2009-01)

Well.. kinda sorta. Wink, wink ... What it is, actually, is the result of another Caveman Watchmaking session. Laughing! You may recall that I recieved a Box O' Watch Parts as a prize in Wen's WotM Reviews Contest. That has already resulted in one watch, the Caveman Alpha Sub. And the really attentive reader will recall my allowing that "..I'll be able to mash up at least one more functional watch out of this pile - and hopefully two!. Well, since I was up early and it was slow on the phorum this morning, I decided to make good on that promise. So without further ado, I present {drum roll} The Caveman Vostok Submarine!

"Caveman" Vostok Submarine
Click HERE for supersized photo

And this one really lives up to it's name! Laughing! Allow me to elaborate..

It came with the movement installed in the case, but sans hands, and with the caseback and bezel removed. I'd had it running on the bench since Christmas Eve and, as they say, it was "running strong". Wink, wink ... Which means that I never had to bash it to get it started. However, it quickly became apparent why it had been disassembled - no date change.

I poked and prodded a bit, but couldn't figure out the problem. The solution - just set the date wheel at "3" and it becomes a no-date watch which happens to have a funky 3 o'clock chapter marker. I am smiling... Hey, I told you 'twas Caveman Watchmaking! Laughing!

Now for some hands. I'm pretty sure that's the OEM hour hand, as it installed easily and worked fine 1st try. But the matching minute hand would not fit - wayCrazy, man! I tried peening it, and it almost worked, but would slip with just the teensiest smidgen of pressure. Drat! I am sad... OK, plan B. Wen's Box O' Parts included several hand sets. One I couldn't identify, one obviously came off the 3rd Alpha, and another was still in the OEM packaging marked "Seiko".

To my utter amazement, the latter hour hand fit perfectly. Woohoo! Thumbs Up! too loose.

"Caveman" Vostok Submarine
Click HERE for supersized photo

OK, maybe it doesn't match.. ah, let's not mince words. It is THE most mismatched hand set ever. Scary! But it grabs and doesn't slip, so 'tis good enough for a Caveman Watchmaker! Wink, wink ...

The eagle-eyed among you will note that there's no seconds hand. Why? Well, I'd like to say I planned it that way, but the fact is none of the hands in the Box O' Parts fit. No matter! A seconds hand is, after all, optional!

Alas, I got the hour hand misaligned by ~ 4 or 5 minutes, so at the cardinal hours the hands don't align straightup. It's really only noticable at 6 o'clock, though. Again, close enough for a Caveman. Laughing!

I leave you with the requisite Wrist Shot ...

"Caveman" Vostok Submarine
Click HERE for supersized photo

It's been running for about 3 hours, and based on this limited test period it appears to be ~ 30 seconds per hour fast. Scary! Not close enough, even for Caveman Watchmaking. I am sad... I'll give it a full 24-hour test to be sure, but I foresee a regulating session in my near future. Wink, wink ... 's OK, though, I need the practice! Thumbs Up!

Thanks for lookin', y'all! And thanks again to Wen Applause for providing me with the opportunity for this Valuable Learning Experience. Thumbs Up! Wink, wink ...

-Ricky

Messages In This Thread

Is Happy Day!  My first new watch of 2009. Post contains photos (views: 202)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 07:03PM
Great post Ricky Thumbs Up! (n/t) (views: 2)
Reto -- January 06, 2009 11:35AM
Congrats Ricky! I am smiling ... I am very glad that you are using those "parts" in a way I never would/could! I am smiling ... (n/t) (views: 2)
Wen -- January 05, 2009 07:11PM
Thank YOU Wen! Thumbs Up! Yeah, I'm for sure having some fun with the stuff. Wink, wink ... (n/t) (views: 0)
Ricky Lee -- January 05, 2009 07:51PM
Killer, The Dude abides!! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! But just because there's a submarine on the dial >> (views: 6)
Dave Murphy -- January 05, 2009 02:26PM
>> doesn't mean you should scuba dive with it. That's only a 30 meter case. Laughing! Laughing!

As to the hour hand, that tiny thing kind of reminds me of a Doxa hour hand. So I figure that adds to your "pedigree."

I'm not surprised that the Seiko minute hand fit perfectly. Both Seiko and Vostok are supposed to be 0.9 mm.

If you want the Seiko hour hand to fit, try squeezing the "stovepipe" a bit. Perhaps you have a pin vise at work? You are trying to get the 1.5mm hole of the Seiko hands to reduce to 1.4 or maybe even 1.38mm. Hey, it's only four thousandths of an inch, which might as well be 4 miles to a watchmaker, but easily do-able for a caveman. Laughing! Laughing!

No worries Dave, I'll keep the Vostok 3 meters from water, just like a Raketa. Wink, wink ... (views: 1)
Ricky Lee -- January 05, 2009 07:48PM
Never occurred to me to look it up first, I just winged it. Wink, wink ... 'tis the Caveman Way. Laughing!
Quote
Dave Murphy
If you want the Seiko hour hand to fit, try squeezing the "stovepipe" a bit. Perhaps you have a pin vise at work? You are trying to get the 1.5mm hole of the Seiko hands to reduce to 1.4 or maybe even 1.38mm.
That's what I tried with the stick minute hand that's a closer match. However, my pin vise has seen better days - the ID edge of the collet is a bit rounded off, and it would barely engage the "stovepipe". Since the stovepipe of the Seiko hand was significantly shorter, I didn't even try it.
Quote
Dave Murphy
..easily do-able for a caveman. Laughing out loud! Laughing out loud!
Well.. we'll see. I would kinda like to have the matching Seiko hour hand on the watch - it'd look Grrrrrrrr8! But, honestly, the stubby hour hand doesn't bother me much. I'll just think of it as "The Doxa Look", as you suggested. Laughing!

Best regards,

-Ricky

Great work Ricky, and it's always fun to play with something and not worrying about ruining it.Thumbs Up! (n/t) (views: 1)
Mark C. -- January 05, 2009 03:02AM
The stubby hour hand isn't doing it for me BUT otherwise Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up!(n/t) (views: 3)
TMK -- January 05, 2009 01:49AM
Really nice indeed I am smiling... (n/t) (views: 4)
Riddim Driven -- January 05, 2009 12:00AM
A lot of cross breeding but it looks cool Thumbs Up! (views: 4)
Sfnewguy -- January 04, 2009 11:25PM
I admire your skills Mr. WOTM! Applause
Thank You! kind sir! Yeah, "pedigree" is a word you'll never need for this watch. Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (n/t) (views: 3)
Ricky Lee -- January 05, 2009 12:04AM
Somewhere between Homo Habilis and Neandertal on the evolutionary scale. Laughing out loud! (n/t) (views: 3)
Chris L -- January 04, 2009 09:57PM
Is that the missing link? Laughing out loud! I'm sure Ricky's been called that before! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (views: 7)
TakesALickin -- January 04, 2009 11:20PM
Now he has the official "Missing Link" watch. If he gets a bracelet without all the parts, well... you can finish that joke! Lauging out loud!

No respect, I tell ya...

No respect!
Jeff
PMWF Admin Emeritus
Oh you betcha! Thumbs Up! Many's the time! I'll drink to that! Cheers! (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 11:52PM
Nice work, Ricky, and I think the "3" o'clock marker is funny, clever and cool! Applause (n/t) (views: 4)
v_roomy - January 04, 2009 09:53PM
Gee whiz, all that? I am blushing... And here I thought it was.. expedient. Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off!  Thank You! (n/t) (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 11:46PM
wow pal.... nice work! (n/t) (views: 4)
anjizkit -- January 04, 2009 09:33PM
Thanks Anjan! It was a fun way to spend the morning! I am smiling... (n/t) (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- January 05, 2009 12:01AM
Nice work Ricky!! . . . (views: 6)
Kelly -- January 04, 2009 08:41PM
so that minute hand came in the original OEM packaging. Did it come with the complete set in new condition? It has the flat appearance of the 6309-7040 hands rather than the slightly rounded look of the SKX007 style hands. If so, I NOS set of 6309 hands would be worth more than the watch.
Yup, a complete as-new (though opened) 3-hand set. Part numbers.. (views: 5)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 08:57PM
1FA077FABES, 2FA115FDBES, and 3BX125FEBES.
Quote
Kelly
It has the flat appearance of the 6309-7040 hands rather than the slightly rounded look of the SKX007 style hands.
You piqued my interest, so I checked out some of 6309-7040 photos in me archives and, sure enough, these hands are a dead-ringer match in a several instances.
Quote
Kelly
If so, I NOS set of 6309 hands would be worth more than the watch.
Arrrrrrrgh! Now he tells me. Scary! I am sad...

Well.. I still got an unused hour and seconds hand. If you can use 'em, they're yours. Wink, wink ...

-Ricky

The Mcbroom Method of improvised watchmaking. I like it. Thumbs Up! (n/t) (views: 7)
greg honeycutt -- January 04, 2009 07:31PM
Now let's not mince words! "Caveman Watchmaking" it is! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! And Thank You! (n/t) (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 07:42PM
Ya know, that all works together real good! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (views: 4)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 07:30PM
Thank You! Brian! Wanna buy it? I am smiling... Laughing Out Loud! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Wink, wink ... (n/t) (views: 5)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 07:40PM
You tempting Devil! I still have a pile of Vostoks I haven't worn yet I am smiling... (n/t) (views: 4)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 08:00PM
Ah. Oops ... my mistake! OK, a trade then! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Wink, wink ... (n/t) (views: 7)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 08:12PM
Ah, if only I had something good to trade for it! (n/t) (views: 3)
misterguch -- January 04, 2009 10:21PM
Sure, just as soon as I find a Vostok that I don't like, I'll trade that one Laughing out loud! (n/t) (views: 4)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 08:23PM
Ricky's motor home? Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off!  Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Post contains photos (views: 42)
JohnnyT -- January 04, 2009 07:25PM
Caveman motorhome
Off-topic post (non watch-related) I'd love to convert old Soviet helicopters to mobile homes Post contains photos  Post contains linked URL (views: 31)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 07:58PM

Pic via [www.englishrussia.com] where somewhere is also a pic of these loaded onto flatbed trucks - so they ARE road width. Not to mention the frames are ( were ) airworthy.You can't load a regular mobile home with a jeep then drop it from several meters and expect it to fly again with heavy load and vibration through a Siberian snowstorm - but those classic Soviet helicopters did that regularly for decades. Cool seats and visability, plenty of room for living space and storage - an ultimate vehicle mod if mated with a 3 axile frame, steering and Diesel engine I am smiling ...

"It made you a moron, a potential H-bomb"

Surplus Soviet chopper

I hope your handy (n/t) (views: 3)
ncmoto -- January 04, 2009 11:40PM
It's kinda sorta already been done. Post contains photos Post contains linked URL (views: 26)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 08:28PM
Not a Soviet helicopter but..

Boeing 727 home

..even better! A good ol' made-in-the-Post about an American watch of movement jetliner home!

Lots more room, way swoopier lookin', no outrageous overseas shipping fees, etc.

And it's not a one of. Dunno exactly how many there are exactly, but several such conversions exist.

-Ricky

Off-topic post (non watch-related) ! I visited that site a couple years ago, been dreaming about it ever since.... (views: 9)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 08:45PM
there is also an airplane mobile home and airliner boat, not to mention several airliner restaurants around the globe, like a nice one in Seoul Korea. If I remember my research corectly, a firm in Tennessee dismantles and ships decommissioned airframes and wings for just those purposes I am smiling ... PS That also when I got the idea to bury a submarine in sand and soil up to the top of the conning tower for ultimate secure and disaster-proof home.

"It made you a moron, a potential H-bomb"

Re: ..bury a submarine in sand and soil up to the top of the conning tower for ultimate secure and disaster-proof home. (views: 7)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 09:07PM
Ahhhh.. no. That'd be the converted Atlas and Titan missile base homes. I'd google & link 'em, but I'm sure you've already seen them. Wink, wink ...

Can't get much more "secure and disaster-proof" than the ability to withstand a near-direct multi-megaton nuke strike. I am smiling...

-Ricky

The maintenance, and probably property tax is prohibitive... (views: 7)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 09:25PM
if you check the real estate sites that special in selling them. Besides, they are almost always in the middle of nowhere,in States that are mostly empty - and cold. The concrete etc. is like the ultimate leaky basement,a real PITA. Whereas a submarine can be put in the moderate climate of Pennsylvania - which also happens to be easy to ship/tow to. Yep, drain the fluids, replace the seals and give it a coat of paint and it will last the rest of my life with no further maintenance needed - especially since it ain't going nowhere. Any idea of how many tons of generator fuel, water, food, even air one can store in a military sub? lots! And you don't have to worry about flooding Wink, wink ... Believe me, I actually look into that kinda stuff Lauging out loud!

"It made you a moron, a potential H-bomb"

Holy cow.. you HAVE thought this through!  Makes perfect sense to me! Now where can I find a surplus submarine? I am smiling... (n/t) (views: 3)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 11:57PM
Mail one to Ricky and let's all go to his place and play!! Thumbs Up! Laughing out loud! (n/t) (views: 5)
JohnnyT -- January 04, 2009 08:15PM
Man, I'd love to! Laughing out loud! It would make a cool Russian made watch or movement watch kiosk at the mall too (n/t) (views: 3)
Brian Uziel -- January 04, 2009 08:34PM
Nah, that's me cousin Wang Chung McBroom. Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! Killer rig, though! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 07:38PM
A very distinguished international family of cavemen! Post contains photos (views: 18)
JohnnyT -- January 04, 2009 08:22PM
Excellent bloodline!
Cavewoman
Ah! My cousin Raquel Jean. Yeah, she's a good ol' girl.. Post contains photos (views: 14)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 09:23PM
..didn't let them movin' pictures go to her head or nothin'.

Cavewoman
You oughta see her sister! Now SHE is purty! WIS honeymoon Laughing!

-Ricky

Applause Applause Please vote! Ricky for Caveman of the Decade (COD!) When the nuclear holocaust comes and we're left without our collections, (views: 10)
JohnnyT -- January 04, 2009 07:18PM
I wanna be with you!! We'll cobble something together!!

Put your shades on, look cool, Ricky! Lauging out loud!! Lauging out loud!!

Aw shucks. I am blushing... Thanks, Johnny, that's the nicest compliment I ever got here. I am smiling... Post contains photos (views: 12)
Ricky Lee -- January 04, 2009 07:34PM
Quote
JohnnyT
When the nuclear holocaust comes and we're left without our collections, I wanna be with you!! We'll cobble something together!!
Hey, besides the watches I got plenty of ammo, a motorcycle junkyard, 15 acres of corn, and I know how to 'still whisky. What more do you need? Laughing!
Quote
JohnnyT
Put your shades on, look cool, Ricky! Laughing! Laughing!
OK!

WIS of the Month December 2008

I am smiling... Laughing! I am smiling... Laughing! I am smiling... Laughing! I am smiling... Laughing! Wink, wink ...

-Ricky

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