There are two Lone Eagle II's up ending soon on auction.

Submitted by plainsmen on December 9, 2010 - 1:09am

I was going to try sniping these but I've reached my quota for a bit!  Hoping my bros on here will grab these so they get into good hands!  Both look great cosmetically but I think need work to run. (I'm in no way affiliated with either of these auctions btw)

THIS ONE ENDS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF MY POST

Vintage Mens Bulova Engraved 14K White Gold Wrist Watch

AND THIS NEXT ONE ENDS IN A COUPLE DAYS

Vintage large 1920 Art Deco BULOVA CURVEX mens watch NR

 

 

GOOD LUCK GENTS!

 

 

Wayne Hanley
Posted December 9, 2010 - 2:33am

The fist watch doesn't work. I want to see the movement anyway. It does have nice hands, dial & case. I really doubt that the hands are one of a kind. I would probable bid on the watch just for the hands at the present bid of $26.

The second watch has the wrong hands, dirty dial & is sold as not working. "NOW FOR THE RARE PART……This watch has the rare hermetically sealed movement in it which was designed to protect the movement from the elements.  The well made high grade movement is signed:  BULOVA WATCH Co 13AF FIFTEEN 15 JEWELS ADJUSTED".  The watch has been wound too tight.

If the watch is hermitically sealed, why is the dial so dirty?

I don't believe either of the sellers know they are selling a Lone Eagle series II watch.

Just my humble opinion.

Wayne

 

Stephen Ollman
Posted December 9, 2010 - 7:02am

Wayne, I second you humble opinion.

It really bugs me as it doesn't take much to do a little research and find out just what these watches are and the importance they have. I have a 1928/29 box that I've been looking to fill, so I may bid on the top one.....hands off ;-)

plainsmen
Posted December 9, 2010 - 8:19am

In reply to by Stephen Ollman

Shhhhhh... it's ok they don't do research before their auctions.... how do you think you can probably get these watches for under $100....  or I can snag a sweet looking Corrigan for $60 shipped?  Their lack of research into their product and our knowledge a win/win for us!

plainsmen
Posted December 10, 2010 - 1:40am

So did any of us win it?

Stephen Ollman
Posted December 10, 2010 - 4:48am

Not I...forgot to bid. What did it go for?.....ah $111.50...not bad....pretty cheap all things considering. I once sold one for $310 a few years back.

watchmakerskid
Posted December 18, 2010 - 8:21pm

It is a little funny, I had won this fantastic looking Bulova that I thought may be a Lone Eagle and had contacted my friend Will Smith to see what he thought.

I did a search on Lone Eagle 13AF and found this post.

 

I won the watch that is in the second photo.

The hairspring was mangled terribly, anyone know where I can find a good hairspring for a 13AF?

 

Dale

plainsmen
Posted December 19, 2010 - 12:28am

In reply to by watchmakerskid

Wow Dale... you snagged that thing for under $40 bucks shipped?

Clean it up a little... fix your spring.... maybe look for correct hands and wallah.... a $300 watch for $40 bucks.

Sweet pickup bro.... and welcome to the Bulova gang... always great to have another on here chasing around.

watchmakerskid
Posted December 19, 2010 - 6:32pm

Yes I agree it was a very good deal.

I was a bit upset that the seller neglected to tell the hairspring was mangled, this is going to be a tough one to find.

 

The movements in these are along the lines of the Gruen quadron, they have the same shape as the 7AK and AP but are much larger in length and width, as well are like 1/4" thick, these were a very high end movement.

 

So who made this style of movement first? Gruen or Bulova.

Dale, the watchmakers kid

watchmakerskid
Posted December 21, 2010 - 4:54am

Well I decided to compare some of my 10 caliber balances to the 13AF and found the 10AN to be larger, but.........The 10AE was the same size if not it was so close to a comparison by eye so  I pulled a hairspring off the 10AE and now have this baby running and keeping time.

I have not even started a clean oil and time on it yet and  it is running strong keeping very good time.

So if anyone needs to know, no doubt the  10AE hairspring will work just fine on the 13 caliber movements, I think there is a 13AH as well that this should work on if needed.

 

Dale

plainsmen
Posted December 21, 2010 - 8:34am

In reply to by watchmakerskid

Sheesh I wish I knew how to do that type of mechanicy stuff...  my big sausage fingers I don't think would be able to take the strain!

How hard is it to learn to do a guys own servicing and cleaning kid?

mybulova_admin
Posted December 22, 2010 - 2:34am

In reply to by watchmakerskid

The 10AN and 10AE are interchangable so the 10AN hairspring should also work just fine on the 13AF.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 22, 2010 - 4:29am

In reply to by watchmakerskid

Yes, and I vibrated a spring scavenged from a 1953 toaster oven for use on a 10AN, runs fine.

watchmakerskid
Posted December 22, 2010 - 2:11am

You could learn, it just takes patience and devotion.

You can have hands of a giant and still do a clean oil and time.

All you have to learn to do is how to use your tweezers and your jewelers visor.

Last time I did a search on ebay on how to lessons I found some very promising cd instructionals on there put up for sale by one or two different watchmakers.

 

 I was thinking of doing a cd instructional myself but when I saw their prices I could not compete with them, the time it would take to put an instructional together and sell it for what they are I would have to have my head examined.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WATCH-REPAIR-COURSE-SERVICE-MANUAL-WIND-UP-VINTAGE-CD-/260709572433?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3cb3805f51

There are some others on eBay that look like they would be good, but I cannot remember how I did the search to find them.

Get yourself a cheap set of jewelers screw drivers, a screw driver sharpner, jewelres visor and a couple pairs of tweezers, as well two pencils with erasers on the end, you can stick sewing needles in the ends and sharpen one to a flat head, and the other to just a fine point, these work great with hairspring removal and jewel cap removal.

The only way to learn is to start, just buy a few cheap junk watches to practice on.

Once you start I will help you out any way I can with tips and tricks that I have learned along the way.

Dale

plainsmen
Posted December 22, 2010 - 7:57am

In reply to by watchmakerskid

Hrmmmm... I maybe just do that Dale.  I'm praying my patience lengthens! 

Be the ball...... be the ball...... = )

plainsmen
Posted December 22, 2010 - 1:41pm

In reply to by watchmakerskid

Alright man... I picked it up!  I'm going to give it a shot.  If there are less bulova/other brand vintage watches in the world in a week or so it's because some got thrown against the wall cause some buffoon RUINED them and hulk got angry!

Hahah!!

Stephen Ollman
Posted December 22, 2010 - 6:27pm

In reply to by plainsmen

Plians, just take things nice and slow.

Never force anything.

Slight finger pressure only

Small sharp screwdrivers!!!

Photograph the movement in various stages so you have a reference of what went where.

Look and think, then look again.......before you leap.

Best buy some junkers to practice on first.

Good luck!!!

watchmakerskid
Posted December 23, 2010 - 5:32pm

In reply to by plainsmen

Take a look at this guys stuff, 7.95

Item number 260710664362

Might be good.

Stephen is right, I used a good digital camera when I first started, take good shots each step of the way then you can work backwards from the photos.

Pick up a good movement holder as well, they are fairly cheap.

You will need a screwdriver sharpner and a good stone, I use a diamond stone.

The thing is you need to remember is Rome was not built in a day, it took me 37 hours to repair my first movement with springs and parts flying across the room, then taking an hour or two hunting them down.

Now that part is a lot of fun:>)

I like what Edison said when he was asked what the secret to his success was he replied 98 percent perspiration and 2 percent inspiration.

Small steps, if you get frustrated just push your self away from the table and go do something else and come back another day or in a few hours.

Screw drivers when using them, very crucial to hold them straight up and down, watch for your hand holding them at an angle, this will cause the screwdriver to slip and scratch your movement and mess up the end of the driver.

Looks like you will get lots of tips from some of the watchmakers on the forum here.

Remember small steps, you will find after doing a few it will become quite easy to work on them.

Many say start with pocket watches, if you find the wrist watch movements too small, try a pocket watch.

I started out right away on wrist watch movements.

I as well have taught myself how to refinish watch dials.

Good luck, stay with it you will get it down if you have the desire.

Dale