SOLVED! ☢️ Radioactive + Rusty Watch Rescue
⌚︎ 1956 Bulova Vintage Wristwatch - Oh boy, this watch has PROBLEMS! The movement is trapped in the case and I can't get the crystal off to release it. The inside of the watch is coated with failed radioactive lume... and the split winding crown is hopelessly rusted into place. Can we fix it? Watch and see!
This was one of my most difficult wristwatch rescues! In this video I describe how to access the movement from a front-loading watch case by using a crystal lifter to remove the watch crystal. You'll see how I handle the debris caused by the failed radium luminous paint on the hands and dial. And I'll attempt to free a rusted winding stem that seems hopelessly frozen into place.
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Index:
0:00 Bulova L6 front-load vintage wristwatch
0:44 Rusted split winding stem
2:50 Checking the watch for radium
3:59 Opening a watch with a sealed back using a crystal lifter
5:19 Radioactive watch safety precautions
6:33 Removing the crystal – part 2
7:42 Something is holding the crystal in place
10:28 Strange development while removing the watch crystal
11:40 How to clean up while working on a radium watch
15:05 Checking again for radioactivity with a Geiger counter
15:50 Removing the watch dial
16:55 Initial diagnosis of the watch movement
18:28 Decoding the watch caliber number and movement codes
19:10 Freeing the rusted winding stem
21:35 An important watch service milestone!
22:18 A message for new watchmakers
23:40 Bonus video
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