New member here; thanks for adding me.
I have a clean Bulova Wrist Alarm I believe is from 1967. A while ago the crystal was replaced. At that time I mentioned it was losing a few minutes a week, so the tech adjusted it. Then it was gaining minutes per week. I know little about watch repair, but the guy seemed challenged and now there's evidence of debris on the face and crystal. The last time I adjusted it, the second hand stopped as I turned the minute hand back and it wasn't what I've seen before. I pushed the crown in and went to wind it. It wouldn't, just felt like it came up against something solid with a noticeable "tink" sound. I proceeded no further. I've called some local shops and either they didn't do mechanical, weren't familiar with a Wrist Alarm, or were retiring, or are retired (speaking with an associate). So here I am looking for advice and where to send it. I've spent a few hours reading posts and tech information and I am amazed at the knowledge folks here have. The date code is M7 S/N 63562
It is a very nice watch. I believe you said it was adjusted with a crystal replacement but not a full service. Watches if they have been sitting for a while will start to run initially but then the dried oil starts to break away. Seems like it might be a simple service issue. These alarm watches tend to be significantly more valuable than a standard watch so investing $200 in a service is well worth it. As you ave found out, the old watchmakers are retiring fast so getting service is increasingly more difficult and with a much longer wait. I will defer to some of the others on this forum for service providers since I usually only do the work myself now and have not used anyone in a while.
These movements contain some delicate parts that can break if forced. They typically do not wind smoothly by design, and I have broken a couple of teeth on a wheel by forcing it. Hard to say if your winding issue is a result of broken teeth.
Larger alarm wheel in the red circle could be the problem. It is designed to only turn so far and then one larger tooth hits the end of the curved spring letting it slip...if I recall correctly. This is the one where I broke a couple of teeth forcing a wind, and then it would no longer wind. It was good that you stopped winding when you felt resistance on your watch, but that 'tink' sound is concerning - hopefully not the sound of something breaking. There are many more parts moving and interacting on these movements than your typical basic movement; any number of them could be causing your issues.
The center hand stopping is hard to say why. There are a few wheels under the hands that are designed to slip at times and lock together other times, but the seconds hand should be independent of the main hands and alarm hand. Older lubrication could cause the pinions to not slip like they should so when you turn the hands counter-clockwise everything is pushing in reverse and not letting the seconds hand run freely. Or, maybe when the crystal was replaced the hands may have been slightly bent and one is touching the other.
Been getting several of these in my shop lately, Alarms are dead, bad stems and crowns and all the above.
for estimate centralhsd@earthlink.net
John V.