1963 Thin-o-matic T-506

Thin-o-matics were made throughout the 1960s, starting in 1959 and well into the 1970s.  You can find them in all case materials from solid 18K to stainless steel.  Most models have micro-rotor movements made by Buren but quite a few have conventional rotor movements made by ETA.

One of the many micro-rotor models is the Thin-o-matic T-506.  It was introduced in 1963 and made through 1965.  You could buy it on a strap or on a matching stainless steel bracelet.

If you look closely at the catalog depiction you might think the dial is silver colored like the T-502.  Instead, what you're looking at it the artist's depiction of the textured pattern on the dial and it's more of a parchment color in real life.

I recently received a T-506 in need of a bit of TLC.  It definitely needs a fresh crystal and at some point the wrong second hand was installed.  First off, the second hand is yellow and doesn't go well with a stainless steel case.  Second, it's too short.

You can tell by the flat case back that this Thin-o-matic model has a micro-rotor movement inside.  An ETA-enabled Thin-o-matic would have a shallow pie-pan shape.

Inside is a 17 jewel 620 movement.  All of the parts are on one plane and the power generated by the swinging rotor is transmitted all the way through to the balance wheel through a series of interlocking wheels.

At some point the rotor was rubbing the inside of the case back.  I'll have to make sure to set it close to the movement so that it would rub.

Everything is clean, dried, and ready to be reassembled.

Piece by piece the movement is reassembled.  The only thing left to go on the back is the rotor but the watch is now ticking away with a good motion.

Based on the timer this watch is looking good.  It will slow down slightly as everything settles back into place.

I didn't have a new silver second hand but I did happen to have a black one and it goes with stainless steel much better than yellow.  It's also the correct length and extends all the way to the minute marks.  Plus it also goes great with the black croc strap.