Rolex Air-King - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

This vintage Rolex Air-King desparately needs a service. As Rolex maintainence goes this is about as routine as it gets. The Rolex 1520 is a high quality engine and it comes with no complications. So what could possibly go wrong? Well, problems sometimes come from unexpected directions and creating watch repair videos is a process with risk at almost every moment.

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SEA WOLF - MAJOR
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[joesephburgio]

Happy New Year Richard!!! Another great job well done!! My new year's rewarding delightful video!@

Richard ! Voilà 1:23
We enjoyed this video. Once again we have the confirmation that the Jeager Lecoultre is in the hands of the right person!
Congratulations, happy new year and see you soon

[martinstabb]

I’ll try again. One of the things I like about your videos is that you’re not wedded to the use of expensive, special tools: hand levers from India, not Horotec, ultra sonic cleaner rather than a multistage washing machine and then modified tweezers to remove wheel on extended pivot. It gives me, as a real amateur, much encouragement. Thank you.

[vrdrew]

Another fascinating video.

A lot of YouTube content has a sort of "DIY" air about it. The idea that that, with a few tools and a little perseverance, the viewer could easily recreate the work shown in the video.

Not so with these watchmaker videos. I think I'd sooner perform internal surgery on myself than open up a mechanical watch, at least not without several years of training and a few thousand pounds worth of specialty tools and materials.

I had to have my early 1990s Rolex Submariner serviced a couple of years ago, after it developed the annoying habit of stopping when not being worn on my wrist. At the time I grumbled to myself about the £400-odd it cost to have the work done. But after watching a few of these videos, and getting a better understanding of the care and skill required, to say nothing of the microscopically tiny pieces involved, the price seemed very reasonable.

Its also amazing to me to see how pristine and perfectly functioning the internal components of a 40+ year old watch are. And that given the skill and care of a master watchmaker, a careful cleaning and lubrication - and a new mainspring - a good Rolex watch probably has a working lifespan of many, many decades.

[mattridgley]

I like the added commentary as I have no idea how watches work but enjoy the dissembly/assembly process

[organicspaceship]

I find it immensely relaxing to watch the process of disassembly and then reassembling. Keep going mate.

[gunjja]

Alone the fact that you took so much care not scratching the movement made subscribe.
Wonderful job!

[loriosterweil]

Hi Richard. I found a beautiful Patek pocket watch at Bogoff. It’s from 1924 and 18k for $5400. If I needed servicing in the future, could you work on it or should I take it to Patek?

[fLaMeProF]

The modified tweezers are a great idea, now I wish I'd watched this video yesterday BEFORE I bought a Burgeon #3 presto tool on eBay at some expense! (I've also just bought a bunch of tea strainer balls for the ultrasonic thanks to your innovating ideas!)

After more than a year of tinkering I'm now getting set up with everything I need for full servicing; I'm going to begin by restoring vintage watches and building my skill-set on those old movements. Your videos have been hugely inspirational and helpful and so at the start of 2022 I salute you sir!

[lynnocchiuzzo]

I love this video. I started practicing on an Air King movement. I wanted to know if you finished this video. Also what watch oil and grease do you recommend.

[JB-wnzz]

Great Video - I have one question please, what screwdriver did you use to take the two screws out that hold in the movement to the case? I did the initial three to take the winding mechanism off, however the slot on the screws are too small to fit the driver in!

[boydsargeant]

Nice job Richard! I’d like to make a tool like you did for the 5 spoke wheel. Can you say more about it so I can replicate or could you make a short video on it! Re ultrasonic cleaning, how long do you do each clean for in the ultrasonic? What cleaning and rinsing and IPA do you use? I also use an ultrasonic cleaner and struggle to get good consistent results. I use Elma fluids and do a clean and 2 rinses all 20 minutes long. On very dirty watches I do a pre clean with peg wood, rock o and essence of renata with cotton buds. Sometimes if parts still come out a bit dirty I use Renata again. Cheers, Boyd.

[JoeJunk]

Hey, Richard. Thanks for the video! I have a question about the wheel you removed with your modified tweezer tool (driving wheel I think?). Does it come off of the pinion for the third wheel and then is friction fit back on during reassembly?

[gregorywalker]

i have an old rolex precision model (wind up only) that i bought while in the navy circa 1974. the stem comes out and will wind but not set the time. reminds me of the model you are working on...

[darrenfry]

It's great to watch a skilled person at work, and very relaxing too, , bravo that was amazing

[kswaminathan]

Excellent video and very well presented. Can you let me know what solution/s you use for cleaning the parts?

[nevinsummers]

I have a pair of tweezers very similar to your modified tweezers and I've never known what they were for. They have sat, ignored, in my bench drawer for years.
Now I know what they can be used for. Thank you.

[planesail]

happy new year richard, thanks for your help last year!

[thomasgabriel]

I do enjoy your videos, but this one was especially good. They are much better when you narrate them all the way through. Keep up the great work!

[aslf]

Happy new year to all of you. As always a joy to watch you at work. Regards Andre form Holland