Another Tissot Antimagnetique on WahaWatches. This one with the base caliber, the Tissot 27.
The serial number is 2268680 and that dates this watch to 1949. One of the very last of this caliber to be made.
This Tissot needed an overhaul because it was gaining time and the amplitude was (very ) low. The crown also had to be replaced. The minute hand had lost most of the lume and the hour hand was also getting critical.
With the approval of the owner, I relumed the hands.
Disassembly
Remove any power from the mainspring and remove the balance and the pallets.
Remove the hour wheel and the cannon pinion on the opposite side of the movement. Without the cannon pinion removed, you can’t remove the center wheel later.
The balance needs to be dismantled further because this cal. 27 doesn’t have shock protection
The balance cock, index, and the balance endstone can be cleaned in the watch cleaning machine. You can ungrease and clean the balance complete in One dip or something similar.
Remove the ratchet wheel and the crown wheel and lift the barrel bridge.
Lift the wheel train bridge and then take out the wheels of the gear train. Finally, remove the main barrel and flip the movement.
Remove the remaining motion works and then continue with the keyless works. This particular movement had a broken set lever spring. Luckily, I was able to pull an intact one out of a donor movement lying around.
Clean the parts in the watch cleaning machine. I use L&R #566 cleaner and L&R #3 rinsing solution.
Assembly
Start with the main barrel and the gear train. Install the wheel train bridge.
Fit the barrel bridge, crown wheel, and the ratchet wheel. I polished the crown wheel and the crown wheel screw.
I used a glass fiber pen and then I polished them with a paste of Diamantine powder and some regular sunflower oil.
Turn the movement around and start with the motion works and the keyless works. I pulled the set lever spring out of a movement I keep for spares.
I think it won’t take long for this set lever spring to be obsolete. A lot of parts for the cal. 27 already aren’t available anymore.
Flip the movement to the top plate again to fit the pallets and the balance. Naturally, before you do so, you have to reassemble the balance.
Fit the hour wheel with its washer and fit the dial. As I said, I relumed both hands. My goal was to approach the original color as best I could.
Finally, I fitted a new crown and I polished the crystal.
Do you have a Tissot Antimagnetique? Would you like to add one to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.
Hello Melvin,
I am now the proud owner of a Tissot Antimagnetique that needs some love and, of course, knowledge in order to be the piece that once again was. How can I get in touch with you in order to send you some pictures of it and more information? Thanks in advance!
Hi, feel free to email me at info@wahawatches.com
Hello Melvin.
I did purchase cheaply a Tissot with Cal. 27 with serial number 80XXXX dating it to around 1937-1938.
The watch needs some restoration: missing crown (spring does load) and gained time. The case has some wear, but it makes it look charming in its own way.
How likely is the cleaning of the movement to fix the gained time problem? Spare parts are almost an impossibility to find around here.
Best Regards, Petri
Hi Petri,
Gaining time is very likely a sign of low amplitude and that’s (also) caused by dirt and grease. Cleaning should definitely help.
If you do need some parts after all, maybe I can help.
Hi Melvin
I’ve just come across this while searching for a new watch movement- not sure if you can assist?
My 96 year old friend recently gave me his Tissot antimagnetique. He bought it in South Africa and used in in the RAF as he was a navigator. It’s nit been used for about 30 years but still runs.
I sent it to an extremely reputable watchmaker who sadly reports it’s been badly repaired in the past and the list of parts it required was daunting. He suggests a donor movement is required, which is Tissot sc27-2. Have you any idea where I can find this? The watch is of enormous sentimental value. Much appreciated Andy
Hi Andy,
I can imagine why this watch has such sentimental value. The best place to find donor movements is eBay. Either advertised as a donor movement or a watch that is listed “for repair” that happens to have a 27-2 movement.
One is being offered from Italy at the moment with 3 days to go. Good luck!
Very impressed with your work! I’ve just purchased an Antimagnetique and I’m very keen to find out more. Judging by my serial 1879XXX it is a 1947, I think? The movement looks the same as the one you have here. Should the crystal be plastic?
Thanks, Luke! You’re right on the money with 1947. Yes, the crystal should be acrylic.
Melvin, hoping you may be able to assist with a query. I understand my particular Antimagnetique has the 27-3 movement however it appears to be missing the screw for the end stone cap for the escape wheel. I’ve tried searching everywhere for the size/type of this screw and all my spares seem too big – any suggestions/info?
Hi Luke,
That’s a shame. Those end stone caps are called endpieces by the parts manufacturers but they’re a thing of vintage movements. Therefore, those screws are hard to find in the warehouses. I have a very old box with assorted endpiece screws by Favorite but I believe they don’t exist anymore. I’ve found a lead here: http://oldswisswatches.com/Spares/screw_assortments.htm
Hi Melvin,
Thank you very much for your help. I suppose sourcing components is part of the fun in collecting vintage watches – my search continues!
All the best.
HI Melvin,
Just read your excellent and informative article on the Tissot antimagnetique. Im a proud owner of one! It took awhile, knowing all the pitfalls, to find to correct one but when I saw it I didn’t hesitate to pay the asking price. A quick trip to my watchmaker for a clean, polish and new glass revealed the beautifully proportioned simple yet elegant easy to read, (sub second) dial layout. A new strap and it wears well.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Maurice,
Thanks for the kind words! What year is yours and do you know what movement it is? Wear it in good health!