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A couple older ASs' <==(not intentional)

Mattaphysics

By Mattaphysics
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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Mattaphysics WRT Addict

Mattaphysics

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I got these two in an auction. I did pretty well cleaning them up and getting them back running but they're running really fast. Looks like the amplitude on them is way low but I don't have a timing machine so I cannot be sure. I know it's probably a hairspring issue but I cannot be too sure. Any ideas? I appreciate this forum more than anyone can know and want to personally thank everyone because this place is a true treasure trove!

 

There's a 7 jewel AS 1187/94 and an AS 1361N that was automatic but it was a pain in the AS, haha watch humor, plus I prefer hand winding anyway ( though now the morning starts with about 15 mins of winding all my watches.82a1bc616c4581a602777fc1caed8a8c.jpg3c2e8d42b1c5a90aa46ebe1be5071c16.jpgd35cecd526e6e736271fd38f58a9c0ab.jpg30010e14224cd2b6528d013fe6b5531a.jpg54facf0c6cc9dc06c875a5bd5a4b797d.jpg0b84db2da96541c146a0016716a8d656.jpgd73188dbe934b2ec407d54c2fd5d34d3.jpgc5b243c081c7cbadda4da6770c1d4c7b.jpg36a95e2a770b86aa5f9a6553d5587f39.jpg

 

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WatchMaker Super WRT Addict

WatchMaker

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Your very good close up photos indicate this is definitely a hairspring issue causing the running fast problem as @nickelsilver says.

A hairspring should form a nice concentric circle. If one of the 'circles' touches an adjacent one it has the equivalent effect of shortening the spring and thus make the balance swing faster. This equals your watch running fast. Whilst contamination (e.g. oil or dirt) can cause this, your close ups indicate your hairspring has been damaged in some way.

In this case you either have to replace or repair. It's worth attempting the latter but you'll need to be delicate and patient. Mark has done a good video at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=idO5elKgFMA.

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HSL Distinguished Member

HSL

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26 minutes ago, Pip said:

Just a straw poll on this subject; what does everyone use to clean their (watch) hairsprings? I’ve read I should be using one-dip but haven’t invested in any yet. 

One-dip is an excellent product for hairspring cleaning, the active ingredient is trichloroethylene which is a powerful industrial degreser.

I have though switched to pure 99.3% solvent from an bulk supplier instead of the Bergeon 2552, a quick analyzes in the lab says they are practically the same.

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Pip WRT Addict

Pip

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One-dip is an excellent product for hairspring cleaning, the active ingredient is trichloroethylene which is a powerful industrial degreser.
I have though switched to pure 99.3% solvent from an bulk supplier instead of the Bergeon 2552, a quick analyzes in the lab says they are practically the same.

Thanks. I think that trichloroethalyne is dry cleaning fluid, I’ll have to double check that but if it’s the same I would hazard a guess that dry cleaning fluid may be a touch cheaper than one-dip!


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Mattaphysics WRT Addict

Mattaphysics

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Yes, thanks to all. I was able to correctly shape the hairspring back in it's shape. Now though it won't run. I'm guessing I might have put the collet on wrong? Not sure but it doesn't seem to have any issue. End shake is fine, swings nicely when set. The only thing I can think of is I put the collet on wrong.

On a side note, what can I buy to make click springs for watches? I want to just make one but i don't know what I'm looking for. Any help there would be wonderful thanks.c3c1308f11cd1a460f3b5dd6a918dd46.jpg

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Mattaphysics WRT Addict

Mattaphysics

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It's my own homemade balance tack. Took a prescription pill bottle cap and some odds and ends lying around and voila. You can buy them too but there's something special when you make your own tools. You appreciate them more I find.

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JBerry WRT Addict

JBerry

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Yes, thanks to all. I was able to correctly shape the hairspring back in it's shape. Now though it won't run. I'm guessing I might have put the collet on wrong? Not sure but it doesn't seem to have any issue. End shake is fine, swings nicely when set. The only thing I can think of is I put the collet on wrong.

On a side note, what can I buy to make click springs for watches? I want to just make one but i don't know what I'm looking for. Any help there would be wonderful thanks.c3c1308f11cd1a460f3b5dd6a918dd46.jpg&key=703f0e54483f55b2c8cd8fab7cbf03069024d225722b43446ffb3093d587fd1a

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Guitar string is good for making click springs. A 0.09" gauge string like an high E from an electric guitar should work well

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    • HectorLooi
      Balance spring fell out of regulator pin.

      By HectorLooi · Posted

      Hi Frank, you have dived headlong into the deep end. Hairspring work has to be the scariest thing a newbie has to tackle. Your hairspring appears to be bent and just putting it back into the regulator would not allow the balance to work properly. It might start oscillating but the performance would not be good. The proper thing to do is to unstud the hairspring, remove the hairspring from the balance, reinstall the hairspring on the stud carrier, reshape the endcurve and centre the collet to the balance jewel hole. This challenge would either make you or break you. Hope that you will be able to fix your watch. Welcome to the world of watchmaking.  Watch this video. It think it'll give you an idea of the task ahead. From your 1st photo, I think you have a etachron type stud. Let me see if I can find a video on how to remove it from the arm.
    • Curare
      Balance spring fell out of regulator pin.

      By Curare · Posted

      Have read of the Tech Sheet attached on the balance section page 12. It may be bent but until you reposition it back in the regulator pins you'll never know. Cheers CJ 4R35B_4R36A.pdf
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      Balance spring fell out of regulator pin.

      By Hawaiikook808 · Posted

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