Vintage Gruen... need some help!

[JPorter]

Hi folks, new member here. I could use some advice if you folks can help!

I am trying to clean up my father's 1965 Gruen Precision to get it back in working order for him. It's a Precision Waterproof, cal. 510 RSS. It's exactly the same as the watch shown in the following link, but with a silver face: http://www.illotempore.it/JAlbum/gruen60/rose%20gf%20black%20dial/index.html

It doesn't want to tick consistently, it seems to be catching in some way. I opened it up during the cleaning process and oiled it lightly, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

The odd thing is, it will tick/advance when shaken back and forth, but will not when it is held still. I'd love to get this working without having to send it off to a horologist, but I'll certainly do that if I need to.

Can anyone assist a complete novice? Thanks in advance if so!!

Jason Porter
Roanoke, VA

[bjohnson]

It sounds like it needs a complete disassembly, cleaning (to get rid of the old oils), oiling, and reassembly

This type of servicing is commonly required for mechanical watches. It is recommended to be done every 5 years.

[JPorter]

Thanks for the information!

How much does that type of service typically cost? And is this something that can be done locally, or should I send it to a particular vendor?

Thanks again!

[Bujumon]

I don't know too much about maintenance on a watch, other
than the fact that it needs to be done every 3 to 5 years.

I do know however that the oil needs to be a specialized type.
What exactly did you oil with?

Otherwise, it does sound like it needs a clean, oil, and adjustment.

Peace,
Scott

[JPorter]

I oiled it with a watch oiler. It's one of the Euro Tool "pen" shaped ones.

[Bujumon]

Pheww, what a relief.
I thought you might have used 10W40. LOL.

Good deal...

Peace,
Scott

[johnny_boomboom]

Hi folks, new member here. I could use some advice if you folks can help!

I am trying to clean up my father's 1965 Gruen Precision to get it back in working order for him. It's a Precision Waterproof, cal. 510 RSS. It's exactly the same as the watch shown in the following link, but with a silver face: http://www.illotempore.it/JAlbum/gruen60/rose%20gf%20black%20dial/index.html

It doesn't want to tick consistently, it seems to be catching in some way. I opened it up during the cleaning process and oiled it lightly, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

The odd thing is, it will tick/advance when shaken back and forth, but will not when it is held still. I'd love to get this working without having to send it off to a horologist, but I'll certainly do that if I need to.

Can anyone assist a complete novice? Thanks in advance if so!!

Jason Porter
Roanoke, VA


Sounds like a complete tear down and rebuild... I just had a 1955 hamilton in for repairs, it need more work, but had great luck with a compnay in the Raleigh, NC area... if you would like the contact information... PM me and I will forward.
They we great to deal with and got the watch back quickly in great running order... I paid $225.00 for the rebuilt and other service required... It needed a new staff, crown, etc...

I will be using them again in the near future as I have a few vintages coming in...

[JohnF]

Hi -

Gruens are lovely and unappreciated watches. I've got about 10 of them. :-)

The fact that the watch starts up, but then stops running points to a problem with the balance, or, alternatively, a completely shot mainspring. The latter is fairly unlikely (mainsprings generally don't wear out that completely), but its power may have weakened to the point where it can't overcome the dirt and grime that has accumulated.

Please, please, please do NOT try and oil it yourself: you don't know the oiling points, and if the watch bearings are dirty, the oil is turned into a cutting fluid and you can severely damage the movement past the point of no return (or a very, very expensive rejeweling). If you oil where it's not supposed to be oiled - such as the gear facings of the power train - all you will do is attract dust, which will stick to the movement and cause significant wear if the movement is run for any length of time.

Oiling and lubricating a watch takes a number of different oils and greases as well, and using the wrong lubrication can also mess things up (usually not, but why take the chance on something as irreplaceable as this?). When I do one of my watches after disassembly and cleaning, I use two different oils, one for the escapement lubrication and some of the movement parts (depending on the movements), and another oil for bearings, both of which my watchmaker was kind enough to give me, along with an applier. A well-cleaned and newly lubricated watch is almost like new, and there is really very, very little oil used to do it properly.

JohnF

[JPorter]

Excellent info, thank you John! I'll be much more careful in future. I did (stupidly, now that I know the difference) oil the gear teeth directly, but thankfully I oiled very lightly, and the movement seemed very clean to start with.

Hopefully I dodged a bullet with it and didn't do any permanent damage. It probably only has five or ten geartrain rotations since I oiled it, because it's not functioning at the moment. The watch hasn't been worn or used in about 30 years, but I was surprised to find the movement gleaming and clean when I opened it up.

By the way, $200+ seems expensive for a basic cleaning/oiling, is that really the going rate for that type of service?

[Troika]

There are a whole ****pot of very delicate parts in there and it takes training and years of experience to learn how to do this type of work properly.

I had my mid-40's Gruen wristwatch serviced in Seattle by an independent watchmaker and he charged me about $150. I had a much higher bid from another watchmaker.

She runs like she just rolled off of the showroom floor. Take care of your family heirloom. Talk to a few watchmakers in your area and see who you're comfortable with and what they think the repair is worth.

Vintage mechanical watches need this kind of attention, but they are so worth it.

[johnny_boomboom]

Excellent info, thank you John! I'll be much more careful in future. I did (stupidly, now that I know the difference) oil the gear teeth directly, but thankfully I oiled very lightly, and the movement seemed very clean to start with.

Hopefully I dodged a bullet with it and didn't do any permanent damage. It probably only has five or ten geartrain rotations since I oiled it, because it's not functioning at the moment. The watch hasn't been worn or used in about 30 years, but I was surprised to find the movement gleaming and clean when I opened it up.

By the way, $200+ seems expensive for a basic cleaning/oiling, is that really the going rate for that type of service?


It was 225 for the repairs and the rebuild... stem and crown replacement, and new balance wheel...

[Rip Tombstone]

The lady I take my watches too if I cant get them working charges me about 65.00 or so for a servicing. She rebuilt my Ball Waltham P/W for 180 or so, and that was a repair of the balance staff, poising, etc. I think she is very agreeable on price, after reading some of the other prices posted.

Also, those Gruens are great watches. My first vintage wristwatch is a 1940s Gruen.

Rip

[Troika]

My sister has my grandmother's Gruen and she's really attached to it. I noticed that I hadn't seen her wear it in a while (we live in different states) and I asked her about it. She said "yeah, (sigh) I love that watch, but I stopped wearing it, because it just wasn't keeping good time."

GET IT CLEANED!

I think I'm going to probably get my brother in law to sneak it out and I'll get it done for her as a gift one of these days. It makes me happy to see her wear it too.