Random Articles and Thoughts
Why a Flat Hairspring Never Lines Up With the Line of Centers
A viewer sent in a question that was so good it deserved its own blog post as it references two hundred years of adjusting theory. Here it is in his own words. "I've always wondered about the line of eccentricity, the eccentric linear direction of breathing, on a flat...
Troubleshooting a Non-Runner
https://vimeo.com/1187884585/4b58856d7e?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Diagnosing a Non-Runner: The Four-Step Process A movement lands on your bench and doesn't run. Or it runs, but so poorly you'd call it the same thing. The usual first move is to start poking around...
Repivoting a Watch Wheel Without Annealing the Steel
In restoration work, there is no skill more important for a watchmaker to learn than how to repivot a wheel. Repivoting restores the arbor by installing a new pivot when it is broken or worn to a level that is not repairable. Traditionally, watchmakers would anneal...
Adjusting the Keyless Works on a South Bend 16s Grade 209
Purpose of the Arrow-Marked Screw on the Barrel Bridge Your South Bend 16-size Model 2 (Grade 209) has a unique arrow-marked screw on the mainspring/barrel bridge. This isn’t just a regular screw – it’s a winding/setting lockout mechanism present on all...
Does Your Automatic Watch Work Properly? Here’s How to Check It.
Evaluating an Automatic Watch’s Winding System Automatic watches rely on a rotor that turns with wrist motion to wind the mainspring. To ensure an automatic winding system is functioning correctly, one must consider the watch’s specific winding requirements,...
Problem: Shallow Lock on Both Pallets with Excess Entry-Side Slide
Understanding the Issue In a detached lever escapement, drop lock (the initial locking depth when an escape wheel tooth lands on a pallet jewel) is too shallow on both the entry and exit pallets. Yet the drops (the free motion of the escape wheel after unlocking) are...
#1 way to Measure Jewel Holes
Precision in a Pin When you start working on vintage watch movements, being able to measure jewel holes is essential. Trying to judge if a pivot is right for a jewel hole is critical in how the watch runs. In reality, we’re talking about tolerances so small that even...
Why Naphtha Should Not Be Used on Printed Watch Dials
The subject of cleaning watch dials comes up on forums all the time, typically by people who are brand new in the hobby or just purchased a watch with a less than perfect dial. I was reading a comment about this subject recently where someone had recommended using...
How a Poising Fault Affects Balance Wheel Timekeeping
Poising Faults and Disturbed Isochronism A poising fault means that the balance wheel’s mass is not perfectly balanced around its axis – there is a “heavy spot”, so the balance wheels center of gravity is off-center. In a properly poised balance, the center of gravity...
Fitting a Different Movement into a Random Case
Finding a suitable case for a loose vintage watch movement can be challenging. Whether you have a manual-wind or automatic movement, there are several critical factors to evaluate to ensure the movement, dial, and hands will properly fit the case. I’ll try to walk...