1) CONGRATS to the find! 2) If you want to paint that face plate, try Vallejo Model Paint! NO spray gun needed, it lays down smooth with a brush, and shrink-stretches the surface when drying, so you see no brush-strokes! It is really made to do just that! Personally, I think that thin red paint layer was doomed no matter what, because old plastic layers simply get brittle with age, and light is guaranteed to damage them over time. Add a clear coat, done! 3) Have you tried electronic switch cleaner, like CRC Switch cleaner? It works well on model trains! Being into vintage stereos (after over 30 years, not sinking money into that pit anymore!), DIY electronics, model trains (NO more vintage toys after many years either), photography, and once again watches (I keep cycling between them all) I have found that switch cleaner has surprising applications, and it cleans a lot of things very gently, but effectively!
Hi Owen, thanks for the recommendation on the paint, I might give it a try! I'm still brainstorming how to get the logo back on once it's painted but I don't have any ideas. I too have found many uses for switch cleaner, but I think mine has a lubricant in it as well, and I don't know if it will react negatively. I never thought to use it on a watch, but I'll add that to my arsenal of ideas. Thanks! 😁
Now that is something extraordinary! Look at the amount of articulation on that 50 year old bracelet! The batteries seems clean too! The plot thickens... Longines history too! I think that it came out looking decent! Classic retro digital stunner! Hope you are doing well Mike!
Hi Johan, thanks for dropping by! These vintage electronic watches keep sucking me into their orbit. I'm glad I took a chance with it. I definitely got $5 worth of entertainment from fixing it, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😄
@@WatchWithMike You bet! Thank you for sharing. I dont blame you Mike! They are super interesting. Like a window to the past... On the cheap. Have a great day!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve trusted a screw up into a something that works and learned a lesson at the same time! In this case I like it better without the red!
Definitely a lesson learned! 😄 I'm still considering restoring the face and the logo, but for now I've been wearing and enjoying it in its 'naked' state.
Yes, the seventies were a very interesting time regarding watches. The quartz crisis was a battery crisis for me. Some watches gave up after two weeks. Does it make me a pusher? 🙃🕐⚙️🍸
Excellent video Mike, thanks for making it. Your channel reminds me of My Retro Watches here in the UK hosted by another Mike. Please keep the videos coming.
Excellent job and an interesting watch. In the late 70s, early 80s, I had a watch by a company called Beltime that used a module by the Hughes Aircraft Corporation and which had a chronograph. That was a really nice watch, and I wish I still had it. The follies of youth... I keep looking on eBay for one, but they're quite expensive now.
Thank you for sharing this most entertaining video on TH-cam: 👌👍👏! I would not have thought that the history of a digital watch could be so fascinating. It also shows that marketing departments were already going really bananas when describing "their" products back in the old days. While I like the outcome of your work, I would, if I were you, buy a spray can of translucent red (if you have air-brush, so much the better) and return the dial to its original color. You would have to tape the chrome window, though. Also, once painted, you could put on a cool decal where the original "Marcel" used to be ...
Thanks for the nice words! I thought I had a can of transparent red spray paint...we were thinking the same thing! I've been brainstorming how to put the logo back on but I haven't come up with a way to make a metallic gold decal. Let me know if you have a way!
@@WatchWithMike That is too bad, but there are printers that do, just ask around. I build highly detailed slot cars and have handled many decals that were gold in color.
I'm no watch collector, but I have a 1975 silver metal Trafalgar led watch, I don't think it's worth much, it doesn't work, but I do like the look of it.
Hey Mike, do you use water based cleaning fluids for your ultrasonic cleaner? I had a very nasty rust gaining experience with that two weeks ago and I am still at removing all the unnecessary rust from each and every part. That is an old EB 8800 Swiss movement. Yeah. Starting issues for beginners. Hehe 🕐⚙️🍸
I'm using good old hot tap water and detergent for cases and bracelets in my small ultrasonic. For watch movement parts I use ammonia based cleaner and rinse in individual jars inside a larger ultrasonic, followed by a warm air dryer. No rust problems that way. But I've had rust with other methods and it's a pain. I'm sure your project will come out fine...rust is usually manageable. 😄
I did a search and could not find a specific module number for this watch. Have you opened yours up and looked for the maker and model number of the module?
@@WatchWithMike Hughes aircraft module. Similar to yours but only with the red LEDs no lcd screen. The foil negative battery trace on the pc board had corroded away. It’s my friends watch. He left the batteries in place for god knows how many years. When I opened the case, all I saw was grey fuzz lol
@@CaptainRon956 Oh no, the dreaded leaked ancient battery fuzz! Since you know the manufacturer then I guess eBay is your best resource. When I researched mine, the information was scarce…
As soon as I saw the TAPE ACTION, I was like NOOOOO, E\WTH is he doing, you can get that red cellophane pretty easy and cheap. But the logo I knew was a goner, never to return.
Hi👋,i really feel sorry for you at 17:37..🫣...i thought you gonna be succesfull with your "smart trick"with polywatch...i personally have experimented many ways for cleaning some parts of watch,and the results were(sometimes)...a disaster..😓...in this case you are angry against yourself feel like a dumb and you want to stop definitely this hobby...however the blue style respect the"vintage spirit"of the watch...good videos..👌...merci for sharing...👍
You're welcome! This was a fun project because I had a minimal investment and no expectations. When I tore the logo off the face I was bummed out for about 15 seconds, and then I realized the show must go on. I'm glad you like the final results, I do too! 😀
1) CONGRATS to the find!
2) If you want to paint that face plate, try Vallejo Model Paint! NO spray gun needed, it lays down smooth with a brush, and shrink-stretches the surface when drying, so you see no brush-strokes! It is really made to do just that! Personally, I think that thin red paint layer was doomed no matter what, because old plastic layers simply get brittle with age, and light is guaranteed to damage them over time. Add a clear coat, done!
3) Have you tried electronic switch cleaner, like CRC Switch cleaner? It works well on model trains! Being into vintage stereos (after over 30 years, not sinking money into that pit anymore!), DIY electronics, model trains (NO more vintage toys after many years either), photography, and once again watches (I keep cycling between them all) I have found that switch cleaner has surprising applications, and it cleans a lot of things very gently, but effectively!
Hi Owen, thanks for the recommendation on the paint, I might give it a try! I'm still brainstorming how to get the logo back on once it's painted but I don't have any ideas. I too have found many uses for switch cleaner, but I think mine has a lubricant in it as well, and I don't know if it will react negatively. I never thought to use it on a watch, but I'll add that to my arsenal of ideas. Thanks! 😁
Now that is something extraordinary! Look at the amount of articulation on that 50 year old bracelet! The batteries seems clean too! The plot thickens... Longines history too! I think that it came out looking decent! Classic retro digital stunner! Hope you are doing well Mike!
Hi Johan, thanks for dropping by! These vintage electronic watches keep sucking me into their orbit. I'm glad I took a chance with it. I definitely got $5 worth of entertainment from fixing it, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 😄
@@WatchWithMike You bet! Thank you for sharing. I dont blame you Mike! They are super interesting. Like a window to the past... On the cheap. Have a great day!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve trusted a screw up into a something that works and learned a lesson at the same time! In this case I like it better without the red!
Definitely a lesson learned! 😄 I'm still considering restoring the face and the logo, but for now I've been wearing and enjoying it in its 'naked' state.
what a wonderful repair journey. Thanks for the ride :)
@incyphe - I'm glad to have you along for the ride! 😄
This is a good one ,Mike.Enjoy while it last.Thank you.
Hi Angel, thanks! Now I'm trying to figure out a way to restore the face and logo. 😁
Great video Mike!
Hi Adam! Thanks for checking it out...it was an impulse buy that I almost passed over. Boy did I get $5 of fun out of it! 😂
i have a friend named marcel he is a genius and crazy!!! nice one mike very cool! you always suprise me!! thanks!
Hi Pinto! Genius and crazy are a fun mix of personality traits that I hope I can achieve one day! 😁
@@WatchWithMike Genius and crazy just like Einstein .... not weinstein
Yes, the seventies were a very interesting time regarding watches. The quartz crisis was a battery crisis for me. Some watches gave up after two weeks. Does it make me a pusher? 🙃🕐⚙️🍸
@@NaNByZero 😄👍🏻
Excellent video Mike, thanks for making it. Your channel reminds me of My Retro Watches here in the UK hosted by another Mike. Please keep the videos coming.
Thanks Mark! There's still room for more watchmaking Mikes on TH-cam, if anyone else is interested! 😂
Very entertaining, and good work. thank you!!
It has your name on it! (Well, it used to.) 😂
@@WatchWithMike it's true!! Should buy one!
Excellent job and an interesting watch. In the late 70s, early 80s, I had a watch by a company called Beltime that used a module by the Hughes Aircraft Corporation and which had a chronograph. That was a really nice watch, and I wish I still had it. The follies of youth... I keep looking on eBay for one, but they're quite expensive now.
That watch sounds really cool! As for watches in our past, if we only knew then what we know now, right? 😄
Nice job. Looks sweet! Never knew that watch existed. Lcd led. Thanks for sharing
Hi William, thanks for watching. I had no idea these watches existed either! 😄
Thank you for sharing this most entertaining video on TH-cam: 👌👍👏! I would not have thought that the history of a digital watch could be so fascinating. It also shows that marketing departments were already going really bananas when describing "their" products back in the old days. While I like the outcome of your work, I would, if I were you, buy a spray can of translucent red (if you have air-brush, so much the better) and return the dial to its original color. You would have to tape the chrome window, though. Also, once painted, you could put on a cool decal where the original "Marcel" used to be ...
Thanks for the nice words! I thought I had a can of transparent red spray paint...we were thinking the same thing! I've been brainstorming how to put the logo back on but I haven't come up with a way to make a metallic gold decal. Let me know if you have a way!
@@WatchWithMike Any decal sheet and a nice printer will do the job - good luck!
@@ygrbooks But my printer doesn't print gold!
@@WatchWithMike That is too bad, but there are printers that do, just ask around. I build highly detailed slot cars and have handled many decals that were gold in color.
@@ygrbooks Awesome, I'll look into it!
I'm no watch collector, but I have a 1975 silver metal Trafalgar led watch, I don't think it's worth much, it doesn't work, but I do like the look of it.
@@Rob-eg8qc Hi Rob, first step is opening it up to take a look. Wouldn't it be cool to get it running again? 👍🏼
@WatchWithMike Thank you, I shall take the backing case off and try new batteries.
Still a good looking watch, Mike. 😊
Thanks Tom! You could say I gave this watch a "face lift"! 😂
Very interesting video, the watch turned out to look like it was manufactured with that finish look,
Thanks Mark, I'm pleasantly surprised that it looks as nice as it does without the painted surface. 😁
Nice job, mate! 👍
My coolest 70s digital watch is a timex marlin analog and digital so it does about the same thing in a different way
I really like all the hybrid designs of the 70s - It was a fun free-for-all for watch designers!
I want to find more they are really cool
@@He11cth3r3 We are always on the lookout!
Good job Mike, very interesting watch.
Thanks Sam! This watch was a cool surprise. Thanks for watching! 😄
aah the logo is gone but we all have that sometimes good job and a very nice watch
Thank you! The watch literally has a face lift now! 😁
Nice job, I have just bought a bionic led watch to hopefully repair. Can't find any info on it, but will be nice if works.
I really like the mystery of working on an undocumented watch. Good luck with yours!
Preferred it with logo.
Hi Andrew, me too! I'm trying to figure out how to restore it.
Hey Mike, do you use water based cleaning fluids for your ultrasonic cleaner? I had a very nasty rust gaining experience with that two weeks ago and I am still at removing all the unnecessary rust from each and every part. That is an old EB 8800 Swiss movement. Yeah. Starting issues for beginners. Hehe 🕐⚙️🍸
I'm using good old hot tap water and detergent for cases and bracelets in my small ultrasonic. For watch movement parts I use ammonia based cleaner and rinse in individual jars inside a larger ultrasonic, followed by a warm air dryer. No rust problems that way. But I've had rust with other methods and it's a pain. I'm sure your project will come out fine...rust is usually manageable. 😄
@@WatchWithMike Thank You Mike! Yea, I am paying the price for being a noob. Hehe. First time is always worst time. O_o 🕐🍸⚙️
I have a Wittnauer Polara with a dead module. I’m trying to look for a cheap donor watch on eBay. What other models/brands use this module?
I did a search and could not find a specific module number for this watch. Have you opened yours up and looked for the maker and model number of the module?
@@WatchWithMike Hughes aircraft module. Similar to yours but only with the red LEDs no lcd screen. The foil negative battery trace on the pc board had corroded away. It’s my friends watch. He left the batteries in place for god knows how many years. When I opened the case, all I saw was grey fuzz lol
@@CaptainRon956 Oh no, the dreaded leaked ancient battery fuzz! Since you know the manufacturer then I guess eBay is your best resource. When I researched mine, the information was scarce…
The sticker was the date of production
Indeed! 😄
Good job Mike.
I appreciate it! This watch really surprised me. 😁
oh boy that was a disaster. Rule of thumb is don't touch the dials 😀
😂 I know, right?
As soon as I saw the TAPE ACTION, I was like NOOOOO, E\WTH is he doing, you can get that red cellophane pretty easy and cheap. But the logo I knew was a goner, never to return.
Yeah, the voice in my head said don't do it... 😂
Hi👋,i really feel sorry for you at 17:37..🫣...i thought you gonna be succesfull with your "smart trick"with polywatch...i personally have experimented many ways for cleaning some parts of watch,and the results were(sometimes)...a disaster..😓...in this case you are angry against yourself feel like a dumb and you want to stop definitely this hobby...however the blue style respect the"vintage spirit"of the watch...good videos..👌...merci for sharing...👍
You're welcome! This was a fun project because I had a minimal investment and no expectations. When I tore the logo off the face I was bummed out for about 15 seconds, and then I realized the show must go on. I'm glad you like the final results, I do too! 😀