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Well, thank you for the cudos; they are welcome even if they are undeserved. You're right about this being work that most people have little if any knowledge of; a whole new world awaits...LOL

work under a zipper bag tent Or put your entire work table/area in a tent ...not kidding...losing stuff is the most frustrating ...

Good tweezers are the first tips. Rodico to hold it could also work? Depends on what kind of spring it is? A jeweler picker is a very good tool? Check it out on Cousinsuk or Google it. With silicone tip. Used for picking up the spring and put it in the box or back on the movement.

Thanks, all. Nice to know I'm not the only one who curse these, and keep a donor movement on hand. Anilv - thanks for the insight into using the center tab by moving both legs into the groove. I'd noticed that installing is hard, because the c spring has to be perfectly centered or a leg kicks out. Never thought of getting the center out first, then reversing that for install. I can hardly wait to get back to the bench and try your technique. again, thanks for the collected wisdom. And I always think cleaning the jewels is worthwhile, if you know what I mean.

If the pattern is similar to a wave and is fairly regular in form then it is likely the escape wheel pivot is bent. I would check the escapement area, starting with the true of the escape wheel. Found what your looking for while i was typing > http://www.witschi.com/assets/files/sheets/Witschi Training Course.pdf

It has to be the most difficult to assemble. I did have it all together and did not notice the sideways gear two plates down. Lesson learned. But I ultimate will succeed Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It also looks poor quality brass going by the back plate.

Don't have the specifics on that movement in front of me, but the scenario you describe sounds like you have a problem with the reverser system. The reverser wheels do lots of spinning and if they get just a wee but dirty you can end up spinning the rotor when you wind the crown. Some calibres have a different clutch mechanism, but I would bet on the Rolex you have a reverser wheel stuck... Time to disassemble, clean and inspect the automatic work!

yes there is the posibliity of finding a "shim" under the balance cock, BUT on a used watch that has been "jury" rigged. vinn