Ciaran
@cmcgwatchmaking.bsky.social
Self-taught watchmaker
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cmcgwatchmaking
eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/cmcgwatchmaking
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cmcgwatchmaking
eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/cmcgwatchmaking
This is actually harder than it looks, the main thing is getting the right file (single cut only), practicing draw filing with minimal pressure, standing up the rod at a low height in the vice, and exactly straight every time. Easy to learn, difficult to master
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This is actually harder than it looks, the main thing is getting the right file (single cut only), practicing draw filing with minimal pressure, standing up the rod at a low height in the vice, and exactly straight every time. Easy to learn, difficult to master
Some filing practice today. Filing these steel rods flat enough to stand up on their own.
Pic 1 is the set up, bench vice and no. 1 file. Pic 2 is before, Pic 3 after, and pic 4 is the finished article with both rods filed flat
Pic 1 is the set up, bench vice and no. 1 file. Pic 2 is before, Pic 3 after, and pic 4 is the finished article with both rods filed flat
November 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Some filing practice today. Filing these steel rods flat enough to stand up on their own.
Pic 1 is the set up, bench vice and no. 1 file. Pic 2 is before, Pic 3 after, and pic 4 is the finished article with both rods filed flat
Pic 1 is the set up, bench vice and no. 1 file. Pic 2 is before, Pic 3 after, and pic 4 is the finished article with both rods filed flat
Is it common sense to treat a subject like this as a political football? Do you think this poster was a good idea?
November 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Is it common sense to treat a subject like this as a political football? Do you think this poster was a good idea?
Another vintage tool I picked up. This Seitz jewelling tool is more versatile than it's modern Chinese counterpart. It will allow me to not only replace jewels, but ream worn out jewel settings so they can be either rebushed or their jewels replaced
November 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Another vintage tool I picked up. This Seitz jewelling tool is more versatile than it's modern Chinese counterpart. It will allow me to not only replace jewels, but ream worn out jewel settings so they can be either rebushed or their jewels replaced
One bad habit I have is when I'm doing easier work like this I forget to tidy as I go. So here is my bench after finishing today's work - everything on it was used at least once during the assembly of these watches
October 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
One bad habit I have is when I'm doing easier work like this I forget to tidy as I go. So here is my bench after finishing today's work - everything on it was used at least once during the assembly of these watches
I cover some of the challenges in selecting the designs for these watches on my IG for those interested
www.instagram.com/p/DQSRVJojaw...
www.instagram.com/p/DQSRVJojaw...
October 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I cover some of the challenges in selecting the designs for these watches on my IG for those interested
www.instagram.com/p/DQSRVJojaw...
www.instagram.com/p/DQSRVJojaw...
Assembled these custom watches for a couple of friends of mine
October 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Assembled these custom watches for a couple of friends of mine
Hairspring progress thus far. Someone had clearly tried and failed to move the regulator, bending the hairspring around the stud. Hairspring work is among the most difficult tasks in watchmaking, one false move can wreck hours of progress
October 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Hairspring progress thus far. Someone had clearly tried and failed to move the regulator, bending the hairspring around the stud. Hairspring work is among the most difficult tasks in watchmaking, one false move can wreck hours of progress
With disassembly complete the next step is to attempt to fix the hairspring, order a new mainspring, then clean, reassemble and relubricate the movement.
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
With disassembly complete the next step is to attempt to fix the hairspring, order a new mainspring, then clean, reassemble and relubricate the movement.
This was due to the mainspring being broken.
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
This was due to the mainspring being broken.
Upon further disassembly more issues became apparent. The movement's winding system was not winding the barrel and thus no power was being delivered
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Upon further disassembly more issues became apparent. The movement's winding system was not winding the barrel and thus no power was being delivered
Today's work: this Roamer Searock Automatic features a MST 522 movement (meaning the watch is around 50 years old). It currently isn't running. Upon opening it was very evident why - the hairspring is bent and the movement has been drenched in oil
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today's work: this Roamer Searock Automatic features a MST 522 movement (meaning the watch is around 50 years old). It currently isn't running. Upon opening it was very evident why - the hairspring is bent and the movement has been drenched in oil
See this IG post for a more detailed breakdown of what I did during this service
www.instagram.com/p/DP_cdTrDA-...
www.instagram.com/p/DP_cdTrDA-...
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
See this IG post for a more detailed breakdown of what I did during this service
www.instagram.com/p/DP_cdTrDA-...
www.instagram.com/p/DP_cdTrDA-...
Finished the service on this Seiko. It features one of my favourite day/date quick change mechanisms, to change the date you press the crown, with a long press the change the day
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Finished the service on this Seiko. It features one of my favourite day/date quick change mechanisms, to change the date you press the crown, with a long press the change the day
The regulation was trickier than the NH35 as, the 6119C's regulating pins are fixed meaning the only way to change the hairspring length is by moving the regulator. I was able to achieve a delta of +/-11, which is better than the standard +/-20
October 18, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The regulation was trickier than the NH35 as, the 6119C's regulating pins are fixed meaning the only way to change the hairspring length is by moving the regulator. I was able to achieve a delta of +/-11, which is better than the standard +/-20
Today I'm finishing up this Seiko 6119C for a friend of mine. Since the watch is from 1976 parts are scarce, where a NH35 (the modern Seiko workhorse movement) costs £40 today, a replacement 6119C balance alone costs £60 and had to be imported from Palestine
October 18, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Today I'm finishing up this Seiko 6119C for a friend of mine. Since the watch is from 1976 parts are scarce, where a NH35 (the modern Seiko workhorse movement) costs £40 today, a replacement 6119C balance alone costs £60 and had to be imported from Palestine
Jenrick casting 1980s British football hooliganism as something that was easily dealt with by police and not an era defining issue which we're still living with the consequences of today... He's genuinely the most unserious person in British politics rn
October 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Jenrick casting 1980s British football hooliganism as something that was easily dealt with by police and not an era defining issue which we're still living with the consequences of today... He's genuinely the most unserious person in British politics rn
These are very cheap movements (£40ish) and are therefore much harder to regulate well than Swiss movements. +/-20 seconds per day is within spec, I managed - with much cajoling - to get this one down to an average rate of 10
October 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
These are very cheap movements (£40ish) and are therefore much harder to regulate well than Swiss movements. +/-20 seconds per day is within spec, I managed - with much cajoling - to get this one down to an average rate of 10
Some of today's work, regulating a Seiko NH35 movement (as featured in Trump's watches)
October 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Some of today's work, regulating a Seiko NH35 movement (as featured in Trump's watches)
More vintage mechanical watches for sale via my eBay.
The Phenix features a rare German Buser movement.
The Rila is a great example of how brass wears over time (my guess would be 50-60 years) compared to stainless steel
The Phenix features a rare German Buser movement.
The Rila is a great example of how brass wears over time (my guess would be 50-60 years) compared to stainless steel
September 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
More vintage mechanical watches for sale via my eBay.
The Phenix features a rare German Buser movement.
The Rila is a great example of how brass wears over time (my guess would be 50-60 years) compared to stainless steel
The Phenix features a rare German Buser movement.
The Rila is a great example of how brass wears over time (my guess would be 50-60 years) compared to stainless steel
Today's work: reassembly of a Tissot 781-1
September 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Today's work: reassembly of a Tissot 781-1
The finished article
September 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The finished article
A time lapse of me dressing 3 sets of tweezers
September 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
A time lapse of me dressing 3 sets of tweezers
Vintage mechanical watches currently for sale via my eBay include:
A Seiko 5 from approx 1980
A gold plated women's Citizen
A women's Sekonda manufactured in the USSR
All are in working order.
A Seiko 5 from approx 1980
A gold plated women's Citizen
A women's Sekonda manufactured in the USSR
All are in working order.
September 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Vintage mechanical watches currently for sale via my eBay include:
A Seiko 5 from approx 1980
A gold plated women's Citizen
A women's Sekonda manufactured in the USSR
All are in working order.
A Seiko 5 from approx 1980
A gold plated women's Citizen
A women's Sekonda manufactured in the USSR
All are in working order.