[Alan D]

Hi all: I would appreciate your help. My Mom has given me a beautiful vintage Robot watch (gold with rubies) she received many years ago an an engagement gift. It’s not working and needs internal repairs I suspect. She would love it to work again. Does anyone have info on where I can seek such help?

I brought over to a local watch repair person who through his sources could not get any original parts. So not sure what to do. Thanks

 

[Alan D]

View attachment 228066

View attachment 228066

 

[Alan D]

Do these photos help?

 

[Alan D]

Not much. Focus is important. Elliminate glare, Close up of any markings on the watch. And it would help to see the movement. BTW, is Robot a brand? I can't find anything on line that points to much other than kids watches featuring pictures of robots.

Will try to post better photos.
FYI, Robot is the brand of watch but also may have been the name of a NYC firm that marketed those Swiss watches in the USA in the 1940s and 1950s. My Dad gave my Mom this watch as an engagement present.

 

[Alan D]

It would help to know what kind of movement is inside the watch. That will need a good clear closeup photo. I cant imagine that your 'watch repair person' was unable to source another similar movement. To be honest, many 'watch repair' people dont like working on ladies watch movements because they are so small. Its usually easier (& less expensive) to simply replace the entire movement and transfer the dials and hands onto the new (working) movement.

As far as i know, Robot Time Comp was simply an importer of watches based in New York City. They bought watch movements & cases, printed their names on them and sold them at retail outlets. So.... while the movement may have 'Robot' printed on it, you can be certain that it was made by someone else.

Thx am sure you are correct. Tomorrow I will take more hopefully better photos including inside the case. The watch repair guy here in northern Virginia had the watch for a couple months and then he told me that he had checked with one of the biggest watch part firms in the US that’s been around a long time who also buys out parts from other repair shops when they close for good. He said that this firm couldn’t help.
I’m not sure whether this guy tried hard or not but I took the watch home.

 

[Alan D]

If you cant get a good clear photo of the movement, just tell us what markings / names etc are on it as well as whatever mark or number might be hiding under the balance wheel. Ladies watch movements are a pita to work on. I wont dismantle them anymore and simply source a replacement movement off eBay or wherever.

When you source a replacement movement from eBay or wherever, are you installing a brand new movement per se?

 

[Alan D]

Here are the best photos I can take having removed the mechanism No numbers visible

 

[Alan D]

Sorry about my lack of instruction. I was hoping for pictures of the back side of the movement.

I am not sure how to get photos of the movement per se or flywheel. Can you please provide some instructions?

Right now the movement is out. On one side of that you see the dial and it’s hands.

On the other side you just see the back of the exterior case of the watch.

On the side is the wheel dial to wind it up or change the position of the hands.

Does the watch face come off or the back of the case pop off exposing what’s in there? I’m trying not to hurt the watch. At present I see no numbers or letters anywhere. Thx

 

[Alan D]

Thx. Sorry for the dumb question but where exactly on your photos are the crown and stem? Do not want to make a mistake.

 

[Alan D]

Ok. I’ll try wiggling the crown and stem tomorrow

 

[Alan D]

Just be gentle with it and take your time. It may stick a bit if that movement hasn't been out of the case back in a few years. I would also suggest you place some sort of soft mat down so that if you do accidentally drop the movement, you wont damage / break the balance wheel pivots.

Your watch movement will look a little different than the photo of a pocket watch movement below but essentially all of the parts are the same and you can see the 'balance wheel' i was referring to.

View attachment 228138

Ok. Will do

 

[Alan D]

Ok. Will do

Here are several more photos. Hope they help.

 

[Alan D]

 

[Alan D]

That’s probably the best I can do. What ideas can you share on next steps now that we’ve confirmed some info. What are my options? Thx

 

[Alan D]

I’m reluctant to go any further as I might damage it.

 

[Alan D]

I’m reluctant to go any further as I might damage it.

Is this watch worth getting fixed and by whom? And With Robot parts or some other mechanism that fits? I heard these watches are not waterproof or water resistant. I wonder what it is worth. May be worth more for the gold but I’d like to preserve as a keepsake and my Mom may want to give it to her grand daughter hopefully working. Am at a lost for potential next steps and qualified folks to handle whatever repair is warranted. Thx!!!

 

[Alan D]

Its value will be low (likely under $50) unless that case is marked 'gold' (not gold filled or gold plated or rolled gold plate). To repair it will require knowing what movement is actually inside the watch and again, Robot did not make their own movements so that wont help. Can you see any identification marks showing thru/underneath the balance wheel ? You might need a small magnifying glass to read them if they're visible. Is there anything written / etched inside the case back ?

Inside the case it says 14K

 

[Alan D]

Yes 14K gold (solid) with those 10 stones lining it’s face

 

[Alan D]

Its value will be low (likely under $50) unless that case is marked 'gold' (not gold filled or gold plated or rolled gold plate). To repair it will require knowing what movement is actually inside the watch and again, Robot did not make their own movements so that wont help. Can you see any identification marks showing thru/underneath the balance wheel ? You might need a small magnifying glass to read them if they're visible. Is there anything written / etched inside the case back ?

mikeyt: Would really appreciate it if you would give me some advice on what may be my options going forward for this watch per the questions I raised in my messages above. Maybe someone could fix it so it runs well and that doesn't cost too much as it has sentimental value. What do you think? I am not inclined to sell it for its gold weight per se. Thx! if you prefer to call me to discuss, I can provide my cell here in No. Virginia.

 

[Alan D]

Thx. Can you please remind me of your offer. Merci.