Restoration: Orex Dress Watch with DUROWE 1032 Movement

This Orex found its way to my bench. It’s a German brand, registered in 1951 in Pforzheim. This watch suddenly stopped running while being worn and it wasn’t accurate.

The movement is a DUROWE 1032. The dial says Duroswing but the movement has a Protax shock protection system. That’s odd and it would suggest that the movement has been swapped at one time.

I’d say this watch is from the late ’50s.

Disassembly

Remove the power from the mainspring by moving the click away from the ratchet wheel while letting the crown slip between your thumb and index finger.

Lift the balance and flip the movement around to remove the hour wheel and the cannon pinion.

Remove the pallets and then continue with the ratchet wheel, crown wheel, and barrel bridge.

Then, lift the wheel train bridge and continue with removing the 4th wheel, 3rd wheel, and the escape wheel.

Lift the main barrel and then disassemble the center wheel cock to be able to take out the center wheel.

Turn the movement around to start on the dial side.

Start by removing the motion works and then continue with the keyless works.

I pegged the jewel holes and cleaned all parts in the watch cleaning machine.

Assembly

Fit the center wheel and the center wheel cock. Install the main barrel and continue with the escape wheel, 3rd wheel, and the 4th wheel.

Finally, install the wheel train bridge.

Place the barrel bridge in position and install the crown wheel (with its bushing) and the ratchet wheel.

Flip the movement around and start with the assembly of the keyless works. Then, continue with the motion works.

Install the pallets and the balance. Regulate the rate as accurate as possible.

The hour hand had lost all of the lume. To avoid a difference in color, I decided to relume both hands.

I also fitted a new crystal.

What do you think of the Orex? Do you own a similar watch? Let me know in the comments below.