Can you watch people help a philistine?

When I was in the Air Force my AFSC wasn't allowed to wear any jewelry because of safety issues.  Since then I haven't worn any just out of habit but lately I've wanted a watch for some reason.  I like older things and looked at vintage watches for a while until I remembered that I had some watches that used to belong to my uncle.  I like this first one because of the simple design.  Best I can do to ID is it's a 1956 Bulova 23 G.  The crystal is cracked and the hands have some corrosion on them but it works which is amazing to me.  Is fixing it up something I can do?  Best to get the replacement parts and take to a watch repair place?  I'd also like to replace the band with a leather one.

This is the other one I liked.  It doesn't work at all, the crystal is also bad, and it's missing the crown.  I can't even read the whole name and the ones I tried to guess at didn't come up with anything.  

Any advice or information you guys can give me?

That first one looks like it's worth almost $400 in good shape.

https://empress.cc/products/1954-bulova-usa-23-jewels-selfwinding-automatic-gents-dress-watch

I'd take it to a jeweler and see what they say.

I have a nice seiko titanium and I had the crystal replaced and some other maintenance for around $75.  

They're both automatics (self-winding), which will add to the overhaul cost. I'd find a specialist watch repair shop that does the work in-house; I just did this with one of mine earlier this year. Pay for a full overhaul. It's not cheap, but to my mind it's worth paying once to have it done right.

Straps are easy. I've bought a bunch from StrapsCo, but there are many other sources. Just get the tool and pop the spring bars out, or have the shop do it while they have the watch.

Edit: the second one looks to be a Helbros. I don't know anything about the brand, unfortunately.

There are a ton of YouTube videos on wristwatch repair.  If you're good with small objects, it's a new hobby that isn't impossible.  That being said, if you're not looking for a new hobby, a jeweler would be the way to go.

seconding others' recommendations for a local jeweler/watchmaker.

"23 jewels" on the Bulova may be promising. Manufacturers use tiny rubies as bearings for the fast moving parts for their durability. In contrast, old Timexes were all steel and get worn to the point they're not repairable.

Second one is indeed a Helbros.

https://forgottenwatchbrands.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/helbros-watches/

When I clicked on this thread, I was thinking, "Why would it be hard to watch someone helping a philistine? Aren't we supposed to help philistines?"

It's OK. I get it now. Please carry on.

That Bulova is absolutely worth having serviced and restored.

In reply to 02Pilot :

Buy once, cry once.

If you want to do it yourself, learn watchmaking as it's a dying art.  I wouldn't start with these two watches because they have some value both monetarily and as a keepsake.

If you just want the watches to work and look like new, pay to have the work done.  It's amazing how great they can look and function in the hands of a good watchmaker.

Those are beautiful watches. I'm sure in the hands of a good jeweler, they could restore them back to working order!

I'll buy both from you if you don't want to be bothered. I never sell my watches so they'll be in a happy home lol

In reply to yupididit :

You're first in line but I warn you I doubt I'd sell either.

Thanks everyone for the info and yes the second one is a Helbros.  Not a lot of info on them but I did find the same model for sale on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315906249782

In reply to Stampie :

If I'm seeing that correctly -- Made in West Germany?

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Yes and I missed that on mine but verified after seeing that one.

Found the Helbros model from a 1970 ad.  Middle far left.

Edit - Found a 69 ad that has the same band as what I have. Top right.

j_tso said:

seconding others' recommendations for a local jeweler/watchmaker.

"23 jewels" on the Bulova may be promising. Manufacturers use tiny rubies as bearings for the fast moving parts for their durability. In contrast, old Timexes were all steel and get worn to the point they're not repairable.

You were not wrong.  Yesterday Lil Stampie and I walked a flea market here in Jacksonville.  I grabbed this nonworking Timex for $3.  I figured hey cheap mechanical watch to learn on.  It's a 1970 Timex Mercury in dark blue.

Here's the movement.  Count the jewels.  Bet you can do it on less than one hand.

I researched some and it came down to while you can restore these they are hard to do because of how it's made to be cheap.  I found rebuilt movements on E Bay for $30.  Normal people would say naw and move on.  I found that I really like the dark blue dial with the white squared off hands.  I think I'll get a one of the $30 movements.  During all this I lost this screw twice.  Yeah that's a small one.  You can also see where I should have put another coat of poly or two on my desk.

In reply to Stampie :

That Timex has style for *days*. Jelly

In reply to Stampie :

yeah that is a great looking watch!

Thanks guys.

Every time I see this thread I think "I probably could watch people help a philistine, but why would I?"

edit: and now that I've read the whole thread, I see that somebody made my joke over a month ago.

edit number two: today I learned why watches have jewels inside them