EBay Benrus

Why It Matters

Restoring a sub‑$100 vintage watch demonstrates the economic and environmental value of refurbishing affordable eBay finds, encouraging hobbyist entrepreneurship and preserving watch heritage.

Key Takeaways

• Benrus pointer‑date watch purchased on eBay for under $100.
• Original 1950s mainspring shows green corrosion, slowing unwinding.
• Repair involves removing balance wheel and adjusting collet to free movement.
• Replaced old coil spring with modern lighter‑colored mainspring for reliability.
• Completed restoration yields functional watch with working date pointer.

Summary

The video walks viewers through restoring a vintage Benrus pointer‑date wristwatch that the creator bought on eBay for just under $100. The piece dates back to the 1950s and initially suffered from a sluggish mainspring and a buildup of green residue, typical of older coil‑style springs.

Key observations include the identification of the green corrosion as the primary culprit slowing the unwinding, the distinction between the old dark‑colored coil spring and modern lighter‑colored versions, and the step‑by‑step disassembly: removing the balance wheel, adjusting the central collet, and addressing the calendar module. After cleaning and re‑assembling, the watch begins running smoothly.

Notable moments feature the creator’s comment, “The mainspring is unwinding very slowly…there’s more of this green stuff everywhere,” followed by the relief of hearing the watch tick: “We do actually have a running watch.” The final reveal—“That is a really cool little project for just north of 100 bucks”—highlights the low‑cost success.

The restoration underscores how affordable eBay finds can be revived into functional vintage timepieces, offering hobbyists a low‑budget entry point into watch repair and promoting sustainable reuse of classic accessories.

Original Description

Restoring my $100 Benrus. #watches #watchmaking #watchrepair