Parts for an Avia

[runningdave]

What are the chances of finding some parts for an old Avia wristwatch? It belonged to my grandfather and has not worked for many many years. The crown is broken off the stem and it looks as if the balance is broken, it is just flopping all over. It looks as if it might have been dropped breaking the crown and the balance, I don't know, just a guess. I am just using it to practice on as I am entirely new to all this. The only information I can find on the watch is that it is 15 jewels and inside it has 1187 and 1194 stamped on along with Brevet Dep, and AS written on too. I don't hold out much hope and it doesn't really matter, I just thought I'd ask if anyone knew.

[doug sinclair]

The numbers you gave indicate to me that the movement is likely an A Schild caliber 1187/1194. A very common movement (hasn't been made for i'd say 50 years or so) for which parts will be readily available. However, if your diagnosis as to what is wrong with the watch is correct, it won't be simple for a newbie to repair. It will likely be easier and cheaper to locate a donor watch with a running movement, and perform a transplant. Another job not recommended for a newbie.

[runningdave]

To be honest I have already stripped the watch and rebuilt it thinking maybe the balance had somehow become dislodged. I have looked at the balance staff carefully and it does not appear to have the very fine tips as do the other wheels that sit in jewels. I am happy to give it a go if I can find some parts cheaply. Do you think my best bet is to buy a replacement movement and if so what kind of watches should I look out for as sometimes descriptions of watches for sale don't have much detail?
Many thanks
Dave

[Journeyman]

Hi,

Tom Mister has an AS 1194 on his website ( dashto.com ) for $19 complete and ticks.

Peter

[doug sinclair]

I believe the AS 1187 in 10 1/2 ligne in diameter, and the AS 1194 is 11 1/2 lignes in diameter. The original dial and hands should fit either movement, but the diameter difference might be a concern. The movement adapter ring for an 1187 might not fit an 1194. And vise versa. As to what brand name to look for? Brand name will provide no clue whatsoever. These movements were made over probably a 25-year span, were made in the millions, and will be found with thousands and thousands of brand names on the dial!

[Journeyman]

Hi RunningDave,

I have just checked my cannibalisation movements and I have an AS 1187/1194 it is very dirty but the balance staff and balance spring are OK it's your if you want it I just need an address to mail it to.

Peter

[runningdave]

Well that is most kind, thanks very much. I will PM you if that's ok?

[Journeyman]

Hi Dave,

Movement posted 1st class this afternoon.

Peter

[runningdave]

You're a star Peter.
Many thanks
Dave

[runningdave]

I've got it going!!
It has taken me a while and it would not have been possible without the help of Peter (journeyman) who kindly provided a spare movement for me. I replaced the broken balance and winding stem and some other bits of the adjustment mechanism that had been snapped but the watch would still not go. The balance was not free at all unless I left the cock quite slack. After some head scratching and close investigation I noticed that the bottom pivot on the balance that had broken was still lodged in the lower jewel. So I took a deep breath and decided I would try and replace it with the one from the donor watch. Those things are so tiny! I did not think I would be able to do it but I did. I put the balance back in but to my disappointment it was still not free enough. While I had the balance out I noticed another problem, if I wound the watch a little, even with the escape wheel removed nothing would run unless given a bit of a push. Once again the spare movement came into play as I swapped a couple of the gears in the drive train and eventually everything was as free as a bird. But I still had the problem of the balance not being free. The only conclusion I could come to was that I had not fitted the replacement jewel properly, so I peered as closely as I could and noticed that it was not sitting quite square although only by a tiny amount. Don't ask me how but somehow I managed to get it square, put the balance back in and, voila. It lives. I have learned a tremendous amount while doing this and am chuffed to bits to see my granddads old watch going once again after what must be almost 40 years. It is a strange feeling to look at those hands moving again and thinking back to how things were all those years ago when it last worked.
Time for a beer
Dave