6.5 Frames Per Second

This is one of my favourite watches for no other reasons than simplicity and styling. The problem is the 1 Jewel pin lever movement is very hard to find parts for. So if anyone has a BRAC 197 1 jewel movement or a good lead on where to find parts, please let me know. Specifically, I need a pallet fork

Thanks to” MrBill” on the NAWCC board who informed me that the BFG 90,120,121,122,126,127,128 pallet forks are interchangeable.

Update Jan 20-2010: I’ve found an identical Gruman Electra to sacrifice as a parts watch so this one will be getting a new case and pallet fork soon. It came with a Hamilton Thinomatic which will be my first from that maker.

I picked up a Mido Oceanstar Commander Chronometer (take a deep breath before you say that) a few days ago. I’ve never been crazy about the diamonds or sapphires surrounding the dial but they’d been removed anyway which reflected in the price. I acquired it primarily for what I thought I was getting inside, an ETA-2836-2 movement. I was planning on re-casing it into a nice explorer style case with mercedes hands. I’d wrap that with my late Fathers jubilee bracelet and I’d have my very own franken tool watch.

The first surprise came when I wound and left it overnight to see what kind of regulation would be needed. Over a ten hour stretch it was dead on time. It’s enough to say I’m happy with the movement and I’ll leave the neighbours complaints about me howling for another time.

The second surprise came when I was prying a badly chipped part of the crystal to see if I could get it off without a puller. It’s a good thing I never took it into the shower because it popped off with very little pressure. The first thing I noticed was “Adjusted to 6 positions + temperature” That brought a smile but as I turned the rotor I saw something that puzzled me “17 jewels”. The ETA-2836-2 is a 21 jewelled movement so this wasn’t an ETA! Off to the first place I check for movement information, Dr Roland Ranffte’s archive and Auction site. The rotor had Cal 1147 OCD which is Mido’s designation, the archive revealed it as an A. Shild 1831 with what looks like a Reed Regulator. Happy this is a Shild movement? Absolutely! Happy about finding parts and hands? Not so much!

I decided I might as well just play with the case and dial and see if I could come up with something I liked a little more than the Mido look I’ve always though was a little over the top.

So I introduce to you the Mido “Death Star” It sounds a lot better than frankenwatch doesn’t it?

The idea with the hands came from an antique Roman Sword I saw in an antique shop about twenty years ago. It didn’t translate at all so they’ll be replaced as soon as I find the pinion diameters for a new set. The chrome Mido & chronometer markers will go where the Mido branding was previously. To date this is my largest watch measuring 37mm without the crown, which is mute since it’s almost flush with the case. It wears comfortably and is very easy to read.

Update Jan 20 2010:

A new crystal in on the way and I’ve found a brushed stainless steel blank which will make an excellent dial to take the place of the original.