Mitka's vintage watch service.

Rescue LuftWaffel Eterna calibre: 520H

P1100783A 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!

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