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Spaceview's Blog

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#1 ·
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Blog is active.
 
#2 ·
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Thank you for visiting my blog thread. I hope you will find the contents of this thread fun, educational and enjoyable. Please feel free to chime in at any time whether on-topic or off-topic.

Today I want to tell you about my tooth. Tooth #3, as the dentist refers to it, needed a root canal about 3 years ago. Shortly after the procedure the root canal failed. They then performed a apictoectomy (dentist language for 'we screwed up the root canal).

http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW/st.32226/t.29811/pr.3.html

During that procedure they fractured the tooth thus ending any chance of saving it. The tooth was then extracted and I was talked into a dental implant. The implant was done and allowed to heal for an eternity (really,like 12 months) and then the post was added and that was allowed to heal. Finally, I got a temporary crown followed by a "permanent crown". Why the "" you ask? Well my "permanent crown" has fallen out at least a dozen times. It has been out twice this week alone. Listen, I've had $6,000 worth of dental work on this one tooth and it doesn't stay in my mouth. Today the dentist admitted that the oral surgeon screwed up and put the implant in off center. They are going to, ready for this, make a new post and crown with a cantilever design to get the post back on center so it can withstand the bite forces and stay in my mouth. Three, yes, three, years after I started this whole process. Now my old "permanent crown" is my new temporary crown as they start to work through this process. Stay tuned, I think there is more to be written on this story yet.

Do you have a dental horror story to tell? Feel free to post it here.
 
#595 ·


Thank you for visiting my blog thread. I hope you will find the contents of this thread fun, educational and enjoyable. Please feel free to chime in at any time whether on-topic or off-topic.

Today I want to tell you about my tooth. Tooth #3, as the dentist refers to it, needed a root canal about 3 years ago. Shortly after the procedure the root canal failed. They then performed a apictoectomy (dentist language for 'we screwed up the root canal).

http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW/st.32226/t.29811/pr.3.html

During that procedure they fractured the tooth thus ending any chance of saving it. The tooth was then extracted and I was talked into a dental implant. The implant was done and allowed to heal for an eternity (really,like 12 months) and then the post was added and that was allowed to heal. Finally, I got a temporary crown followed by a "permanent crown". Why the "" you ask? Well my "permanent crown" has fallen out at least a dozen times. It has been out twice this week alone. Listen, I've had $6,000 worth of dental work on this one tooth and it doesn't stay in my mouth. Today the dentist admitted that the oral surgeon screwed up and put the implant in off center. They are going to, ready for this, make a new post and crown with a cantilever design to get the post back on center so it can withstand the bite forces and stay in my mouth. Three, yes, three, years after I started this whole process. Now my old
"permanent crown" is my new temporary crown as they start to work through this process. Stay tuned, I think there is more to be written on this story yet.

Do you have a dental horror story to tell? Feel free to post it here.
Please tell us you received some kind of refund!
 
#4 ·
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Yeah -BUT I'm not going there!!!

i have had periodontitis for years and diabetes (type 2)
so i've lost a few teeth

look like a hockey player after a fight!! but i wont put the dentist kids through dental school

once they go bad you cant really do anything about it
 
#5 ·
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I went to a well known oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth removed. I always thought the guy was cool...he wore a Hublot, for cryin out loud, and this was over 15 years ago. BUT, apparently, a piece of the root broke off and stayed in my gum, causing a serious infection. I knew I could feel something with my tongue. I took a pair of my sister's pointy stainless steel tweezers and dug that thing out; it was at least a chunk of about 5-7 mm's! I brought it to him in a plastic bag just to show him that I, in my lowly Seiko, finished a job he could not.

I hope your tooth gets better, Space! Good luck! And, if he's wearing a Big Bang, RUN!!!
 
#6 ·
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Hi Marc, I feel for you. I am not a big fan of dentist but sometimes I have to go and have a problem fixed. I hope you are feeling good and your tooth problem get's resolved to your satisfaction soon. ....Bob
 
#9 ·
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New topic:

Where do I stand in terms of watch collecting for 2010?

Well, I have a complicated answer to this rather simple question. I had a big year in 2009 and really moved my collection to a new level, at least for me. I picked up several new items including the Accutron VX200 (expecting delivery today), the Citizen SkyHawk A-T, the Orient Pepsi Bezel, the Android Concept T Retrograde, an Orca, Croton Super C, and an Orange Monster. Right now I am very satisfied with what I own and my biggest issue is how to work them all into the rotation as much as I would like. I plan to go to a two watch a day program. One for day wear and one for evening wear to make sure they all get the wrist time they deserve.

What next? I plan on saving for a grail. I only have two on my grail list and, by most measures, they are both attainable.

1) BALL Hydrocarbon ($2-3K)
2) Accutron Spaceview ($1300)

I should be able to look for at least one of these this year if I can avoid the temptation to jump in on these daily deals for some of these other hot watches. I would like to sell off several pieces to get a jump start on my grail fund. Then it is time to do my research and find the best piece at the best possible price. Should I buy used or new is also a question that I need to answer, as used should reduce the cost of the BALL (no new Spaceview's as far as I know).

As most of you know, I enjoy the hunt almost as much as I enjoy owning the piece. So this this part of the process is very exciting for me. I will try to keep you all posted as I work towards my first grail. The ups and downs and, hopefully, the final conquest.

Please add your collecting plans for 2010 and share your thoughts on collecting strategies. I'd love to hear them.
 
#11 ·
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I am currently at 20.
 
#13 ·
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WATCHURSELF wrote:
I am around 35-36 -need to get down to 20!!! LOL
I'd like to get down to about 15. :%
 
#14 ·
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Spaceview wrote:
Please add your collecting plans for 2010 and share your thoughts on collecting strategies. I'd love to hear them.
Beyond the past week buying spree (3 watches), which was 100% motivated by money I received for Christmas from family members to specifically purchase watches with, things will be VERY different for me in 2010.

First - I there are no Invicta watches on my radar at all. This is not due to anything anti-Invicta. I love the Invicita watches I have in my collection. But I just have obtained all of the current models that I wanted and liked. I will probably sell or trade a few of the ones I currently have and end up with the few Invictas that I really really like and wear a lot/regularly. That leads me directly to my 2nd 2010 collecting strategy.

Next, It is important to me that I actually wear the watches I own in 2010. Even if it is once a rotation, they need to be worn. If not, they go (trade or sale).

Third and related to #2 above - I will keep my collection between 20-30 watches that I wear regularly. That will mean getting rid of some of my current ones and replacing them with a few on my current wish list. I am currently at 25 watches and that is fine with me. If someone posts about a new watch that I love and really want - it goes on the "want list" and I only buy if I can afford - which leads directly to #4 on my list.

4th - Unless I receive money as a gift to buy watches, I will not be buying any daily deal watches or just about anything off my wish list. I just have to discipline myself to stay on track and SAVE for the watches I know I want to add to my collection and not just some impulse buy. No more credit buying and absolutely no value pays or similar payment plans. I buy or trade outright and have no growing debt due to watches.

Lastly and this is more of a philosophical one - I am very interested in adding some classy 3 hand watches to my collection. I love, and I mean love, my chronograph watches, but feel I have an abundance of them and it is dominating my collection. I have nothing at all against 3-hand watches, but somehow have taken my collection very far in one direction. I would like to bring it back the other way a little bit in 2010.

James
 
#15 ·
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I have 40 watches and I will try and sell off about 5 Invictas. Nothing wrong with them I just don't wear them ever. I don't have any plans for purchasing more watches this year. I'm very satisfied with the ones I have and I can't afford to purchase anymore. I went crazy in 2009 and spent way too much money on watches. I plan to enjoy the ones that I have and I will try and give them all the attention they deserve (LOL). I may look into some trades if somebody has something that really peaks my interest, but no more impulse buys or purchases. My plans are to sit on the side lines and cheer all of you on as you purchase your grails and whatever else tickles your fancy.
 
#16 ·
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Today's topic is the Valjoux 7750. I have been researching this movement as I hunted the Accutron VX200. I found out some very interesting information that I will share in a minute, First some background:

http://www.valjoux.info/

http://www.timezone.com/library/horologium/horologium631672313433425752

THE VALJOUX 7750 CHRONOGRAPH
BY WALT ODETS
[align=LEFT]




[/align][align=LEFT]THE CONCEPT OF COULISSE-LEVER DESIGNS[/align][align=LEFT]
Like many contemporary chronographs, the Valjoux 7750 dispenses with the traditional column wheel for switching functions.Instead a heart piece limiter (left) is used to coordinate starting, stopping, braking, and reset functions, usually by means of two buttons in contemporary designs (the earliest coulisse-lever calibers used three buttons).The Valjoux 7750 also utilizes a concept first patented in 1941 by a watchmaker, Henri Jacot-Guyot.This is a reset-to-zero (or heart piece) lever which pivots to reassure accurate reset-to-zero of both the center hand and minute counter. Previous coulisse lever designs had not been as precise in this regard.
[/align] THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VALJOUX 7750
For ease of manufacture and service (right), the Valjoux 7750 is constructed of a mainplate (1), a calendar plate (2), and a chronograph top plate (3).
[align=LEFT]








THE CHRONOGRAPH PLATE
With the automatic winding bridge removed, the full chronograph plate is visible (left).Parts include (1) the heart piece limiter; (2) the center wheel with heart piece; (3) the minute accumulator with heart piece; (4) the Jacot-Guyot pivoting heart piece lever with self-adjusting hammers (5); the tilting pinion arm (6). [/align]
[align=LEFT]



[/align][align=LEFT]THE HEART PIECE IN ACTION
[/align] The heart piece is acted upon by one of the two case pushers and rotates back and forth (unlike a column wheel, which rotates continuously in one direction).As shown right, the heart piece is in the zero-reset position.

In this position of the heart piece, the center wheel brake (1) is clear of the center wheel (to allow reset to zero).The hammers of the heart piece lever (2) rest on the flats of the heart cams for the center (3) and minute accumulator (4), holding them at zero.The tilting pinion drive is disengaged from the center wheel (below right).

The heart piece is next rotated clockwise by the upper case pusher to start the chronograph (right). The case pusher is indicated at the arrow.

In this position of the heart piece, it can be seen (right) that both the center wheel brake (1) and reset hammer (2) are clear of the center wheel.The tilting pinion is engaged with center wheel (3).

Finally, the heart piece is rotated counterclockwise by the lower pusher (arrow, right) to stop the chronograph.

As illustrated right, the pinion drive (1) is disengaged from the center wheel, the brake (2) is applied to the center wheel, and the reset hammer (3) is disengaged from the heart cam.
Typically the operation of a coluisse-lever design with heart piece limiter will not be as smooth as that of a column wheel, and pusher forces between various functions will vary.Coordination of functions with a modern design like that of the 7750 will typically be good, though imprecision of hand start, stop, and reset may be greater than that of good column wheel designs.




















THE VALJOUX 7750 CHRONOGRAPH
Part 2 BY WALT ODETS

OTHER FEATURES OF THE TOP PLATE
The Valjoux 7750 uses a sturdy and convenient semi-fine rate regulation device. The index (right, 1) is moved to adjust the daily rate of the watch. Attached to an eccentric screw (2), this action causes the regulator ring (3) to rotate via an arm (4), adjusting the effective length of the balance spring.

Like most contemporary ETA movements, the Valjoux 7750 uses an Etachron regulator and balance spring stud assembly. Illustrated right, this assembly is very inexpensively constructed, but unlike some more expensive units, it allows excellent adjustment of the regulator for minimum interference with the balance spring (1). The regulator (2) and its upper end (3) are held in the regulator ring by a clamp (4). Thus the regulator can be both rotated and moved towards and away from the center of the spring with ease. It is a shame that more manufactures do not provide such adjustability.
[align=LEFT]














By removing the chronograph plate, the conventional wheel train of the 7750 is exposed (left). These parts include (1) the mainspring barrel ; (2) center wheel; (3) third wheel; (4) fourth wheel; (5) escape wheel. Note also the simple, stamped steel hacking lever (6), which arrests the balance wheel when the crown is pulled into the hand-setting position.
[/align]As illustrated in the previous photograph, the center wheel is not located in the center of this movement. This design eliminates the cost of boring the delicate center wheel pinion to carry the chronograph sweep hand pinion. Instead, the motion works (and hands) of the movement are driven indirectly through an intermediate wheel (arrow, left) attached to the extended center wheel pinion.


THE BOTTOM PLATE
The bottom plate (right) carries a conventional calendar mechanism with date, day and date, or other complications. These are modular units that can be switched according to the caliber desired.

With the calendar plate removed (right), we can see the remainder of the movement. Parts include (1) the 12 hour accumulator wheel and heart cam; (2) bottom plate mechanism for the hour accumulator; (3) and (4) calendar switching wheels; (5) keyless works for hand setting and winding; (6) intermediate wheel for indirect minutes drive.

The 12 hour accumulator wheel uses a plastic brake (arrow) and simple stamped steel levers to stop, brake, and reset the wheel. These levers are operated directly off of the lower case pusher rather than being mediated by the heart piece.

The hour wheel runs in a hole in the plate (right) rather than in a jewel or replaceable bushing. This construction reduces cost, but suggests that care should be taken in overusing the chronograph, particularly without regular service.

Like other levers in the movement, the keyless works components are made of stamped steel parts.
[align=LEFT]
















[/align][align=LEFT] CONCLUSIONS
The Valjoux 7750 expresses an aspect of Swiss engineering skill that we do not normally associate with the Swiss watch industry: economy of manufacture. The 7750 is a good representation of the new, simplified chronographs that began to appear from Ebauches S.A. (now ETA) at the beginning of the 1940s and that provided serious, usually fatal, competition to smaller manufacturers of high-grade chronographs.



The Valjoux 7750 is now used in the vast majority of mechanical chronographs produced in Switzerland, and has allowed the mechanical chronograph function in watches of modest cost. For a caliber obviously engineered from the ground up for economy of manufacture, the 7750 has proved itself a reliable and durable workhorse. Without the 7750, mechanical chronographs might be known only to the buyers of luxury watches.[/align]I wish to thank Bob Frei of the TZ Tool Shop and Frei & Borel for supplying the movment.

Now, I did learn two things that all 7750 owners should be aware of:
1) DO NOT attempt to set the date on a mechanical watch between "9 and 3":madd
2) You can break the movement easily if you inadvertently press the reset pusher before you stop the chrono!

Please feel free to add anything you know about this movement or similar movements. Thank you for visiting.
 
#17 ·
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Sorry gang, I missed a blog entry yesterday.



This is a big football weekend and today is the Packer game so I am very excited and ready to cheer my team on.
I have a pot of homemade chicken soup on the stove and that will be pregame lunch. I will worry about dinner after the game. The house is well stocked with some snacks and beverages for consumption. I have been to big games in person and there is a certain thrill of attending, but you certainly can't complain about the modern creature comforts of watching a game at home.

1) HDTV
2) instant replay and DVR
3) clean and warm bathrooms
4) no bad weather, rude people
5) internet access to WatchFreek and ESPN
6) stocked fridge providing snacks and beverages at a fraction of stadium prices
7) comfy seating
8) you get the idea

I hope you are all 'Ready for Some Football'.



I'll be on-line with one eye on the game and one on the forum. No matter who you root for, have a great day. Think Green!!!
 
#19 ·
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Happy Monday

This week I hope to get three new deliveries. My new Orient Pepsi Bezel should be here on Wednesday and WOW should be sending my Ocean Ghost Daily Deal. I also made a trade and I should be receiving a Black IP Android Volcano with a purple dial (see all three below). I have decided to keep my Red Commander Automatic and that will end my trading activities for now. I plan to sit back and enjoy my collection for the near future. I'm going to be strong and avoid the daily deals and focus on saving some money for a special item later this year. It will be hard (and none of you help this situation). I hope you are all enjoying your collections as much as I am at this time.





 
#20 ·
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Fantastic few weeks of watches you have had. Just one nice watch after another arriving at your door. Very cool.
 
#21 ·
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I hate the dentist, i can say that right now. i suffer from weak enamel in my teeth, which basically means i suffer badly and my teeth are weak against sugars and acids etc. a few years back i needed to have 2 teeth out, the dentist said he could do it right there and then because it was simple, he gave me a shot and told me to go and wait in the waiting room, literally a few minutes went past and he called me back in, i told him it didnt feel numb yet, ignoring me he carried on and pulled the teeth out, i felt every single bit... nearly passed out from the pain... never went back there again. i love the silver invicta above by the way!!
 
#22 ·
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Dentist update;

My dentist is making a new post and crown at HIS expense. I have an appointment on Tuesday to start the process. It will take several visits over a few weeks. I am wearing my old crown as the temporary as they make the new one and get me fitted.
 
#23 ·
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Tuesday

What do you do when a co-worker gifts you a watch that might not be your style? Do you wear it? You know everyday they can see your wrist. They know if you are wearing it. There is no way to hide it. If it is not in your regular rotation they are going to think you hate it. Well, this is my exact dilemma. I received a very nice watch from a friend and co-worker. It is not something I would have bought for myself and I can tell that it will get limited wrist time as it is a bit more on the dress/fashion side for my taste. I don't want to hurt this persons feelings. But what do you do? Wear it once in a while, wear it often, never wear it????? I do have it on today, I felt that I had to wear it. But were do I go from here.




What would you do?
 
#24 ·
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Wow that's tough

the answer would depend on how close a friendhsip it is?
did this person know you are a watch collector? if yes they should have knew better
did they pay alot for it?
can you exchange it for something more your style?

if they are NOT a close dear friend i would wear it a few times and eventually seell/trade/gift it away

NO ONE gifts me a watch -as they wouldnt know what i like or dislike too specifically

this is a tough question

good luck
 
#25 ·
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I just discovered that it's OK to read people's personal blogs. :)


LOL . . . no one would dare buy me a watch! They would be too afraid! :lol


That is a tough dilemma.

I think if I knew the person well enough, I'd be upfront with them and let them know how you are going to handle it (keep it, but only wear it occasionally in your rotation), or sell/trade it at someone point down the road. If I didn't know them well, I'd wear it the few times that it would take to get to the point of "out of sight, out of mind", then do whatever you wish with it.
 
#26 ·
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Dentist Update:

I spent 1.5 hours in the chair today and I am mad as hell. They took the permanent/temporary crown off and went to remove the post. The intent was to install an offset post and then take an impression to manufacture a new crown, on center. They could not remove the post. They used everything in the office short of a jack hammer. At the end of the session they re-cemented the temporary crown and they are going back to the manufacturer to find out why the post would not come out and what to do next. This sucks, period. My jaw hurts and I am frustrated.
 
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