Just one chrono hand, what a difference.

[MvR]

A while back, there was a full set of Lemania 5100 hands for sale on a German forum. After asking some advise here on the forum (thanks, thanks!) I bought the set, although I only needed one hand: the orange chrono hand.

Last year, I bought a PVD'ed Sinn 142 with a wrong chrono hand. The watch wasn't perfect, but the price was (compared with other 142s) low.

Last January, I met a fellow WIS at a watch fair overhere in Holland. He pointed me towards a watchmaker I hadn't heared of before. Quite close to my home. Last week, I made an appointment and earlier today I drove to the very eastern tip of Holland to pay him a visit. I took the Sinn and the hands with me.

Man, what a joy: a great looking workshop with lots of old watchmakers tools on display, lots of 'obsolete' parts and a watchmaker who was very enthousiastic when he looked at the Sinn with the Lemania 5100.
He seated me opposite of his workbench, gave me a cup of coffee and started dismantling the watch. Within minutes, he replaced the hand, cleaned the movement, checked all vitals (gaskets) and put the watch on a adjustment tool. Checked the watch in 3 positions and regulated it. All free of charge! He's in my book now!

Menno

Anyway, pics are always important so...

Before:


After:

[Pascal S]

That's definitely more like it!

And good to know that there are still some good and enthusiastic watchmakers around...

[DaveS]

Great job, that really sets it off properly. Well done.

And great to find a keen and competent watchmaker, having one nearby must be one of the most valuable assets a watch collector can have....

Dave

[danomar]

Very nice! Enjoy the fruits of your long journey with that Sinn!

[andy_s]

Cool Menno, that's a good recue there, it looks much better (as it should) and for not much cash spent either.

I know I shouldn't say it and it goes against the grain of course but there is a 156 on Henry.de with Omega hands - it actually looks very business-like and neat, I quite like the look but of course when you know that it wasn't made that way it just looks odd I suppose.



Anyway, good to find a local enthusiastic watchmaker too - nice story (I'll take your spot at Rich's!). Interesting to hear your wife also has an interest, and good taste too!

Cheers
Andy

[MvR]

I have no need for the other hands, so they are on their way to a well respected fellow forum member who told me that he car really use these hands. So he bought them from me for the price I paid initially. Everybody is happy that way!

A little off topic: A good watchmaker is a joy for us, collectors. The man is currently working on my wife's Rolex Precision. I don't know the part name in English, but it controls the spring (wow, that helps...) and that part is worn. Jan, the watchmaker - his name would be 'John' in English- used a microscope and a computer screen to show me the problem.
He can restore it, service the watch, redo the case etc And as a cherry on the cake: Jan told me that he would replace the gaskets as well. I wasn't to sure about the WR of the watch. But Jan insisted: "This is a Rolex and a Rolex has to be WR. I'll test the WR and provide you with a certificate." What's more: the watch will be ready this Saturday! All for about 180 GBP.
Menno