A very unusual Eterna that was issued for the German airforce (Luftwaffe) during WW2. I have not seen many of these around and had to snatch this example when it showed up. This one has been slaughtered, but is so unusual it should get a second chance to tell the time.
Something drastic has happened to lower the balance jewel..
The movement is out of the case.
Broken setting lever spring.
I start taking apart the movement.
The rest of the parts look pretty good.
Someone fitted the ratchet wheel upside down….
Hmm the lower shock jewel setting has been replaced with a solid jewel setting.
In the deep dark corner of my parts vault I found a 520H movement. It’s rusty, but the base plate will clean up and the lower shock setting and jewel are in good condition.
I strip down the donor base plate and put it in the ultra sonic bath for a few rounds before drying it and putting it in the cleaning machine.
Old mainspring.
Base plate cleaned up and I have sourced a NOS balance. After spending a lot of time on the old balance, it was still too deformed to use.
I fit a new mainspring.
Movement is coming together.
I now fit the setting/ winding mechanism. All that rust cleaned up very well.
Movement back together and running.
Movement ready for dial and hands.
I apply some new compound to the hands and fit a new second sub hand as the old one was missing.
Movement goes back into the case. I have also fitted a solid spring bar to the case.
Great performer!
The case was made by Eterna and marked by the German army.
Another watch rescued from the parts box!
God only knows what this watch has been through.
very nice! that has to be one special vault! and a large one!