Jump to content

BUlova 11BLACD mainspring

noirrac1j

By noirrac1j
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

noirrac1j Distinguished Member

noirrac1j

Posted
Posted

 I am having a difficult time finding what, at first pass, would seem a trivial task: getting a mainspring for a 1970 Bulova 666 with an automatic 11BLACD movement. The parent mechanism is 11BLA.

 

This is from personal collection and the amplitude of the watch is a little low and I was thinking of changing the mainspring and overhauling. I can always take the old mainspring out and measure it and go to Cas-Ker, but I'd like to put out a search for any  old stock mainsprings out there?

Any hits?

20190326_120651.thumb.jpg.52b0156f21034deca56ee0c04361c14f.jpg

J

Screen Shot 2019-03-26 at 12.02.19 PM.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted

Have you seen the mainspring? Says right on the barrel " do not open"  and I say Mr bulova means just that.

I have got one with same calib 11blacd, ( not dive though) needs an escapewheel. See them for sale on ebay,  ebay provides no service to Iran, So.

I,d say unless a genuine NOS, l leave things as is where is.

Regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites
noirrac1j Distinguished Member

noirrac1j

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Have you seen the mainspring? Says right on the barrel " do not open"  and I say Mr bulova means just that.

I have got one with same calib 11blacd, ( not dive though) needs an escapewheel. See them for sale on ebay,  ebay provides no service to Iran, So.

I,d say unless a genuine NOS, l leave things as is where is.

Regards

Sure I've seen the barrel markings, but Mr Bulova has been dead for 83 years, and I'm responsible for maintaining this watch now, so If I've gotta open that barrel, I will!  I might just leave it until there is a catastrophic event (isn't that what everybody does anyway?) but I'd like to take care of it before that happens.  I'll check your listing.....Gracias.

J

Link to comment
Share on other sites
HSL Distinguished Member

HSL

Posted
Posted

"Sealed Life time power - Do not open" It sure makes one want to pop it open just to see what kind of lubricant they use to be so bold with their statement of lifetime power! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, HSL said:

"Sealed Life time power - Do not open" It sure makes one want to pop it open just to see what kind of lubricant they use to be so bold with their statement of lifetime power! :D

Dosn,t say lifetime, just do not open, " come back to buy spare" the problem is where to go to buy. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
HSL Distinguished Member

HSL

Posted
Posted
34 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Dosn,t say lifetime, just do not open, " come back to buy spare" the problem is where to go to buy.

dunno but looks like it.. maybe got a better deal!

BULOVA11BLACD.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
noirrac1j Distinguished Member

noirrac1j

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 minutes ago, HSL said:

dunno but looks like it.. maybe got a better deal!

 

Lifetime power doesn't mean forever! Haven't you ever heard of the "Unbreakable" mainspring?? 

Since you guys like to get nit picky about details...Let's do this:

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/bulova-lifetime-sealed-barrels-what-to-do.66942/

https://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/file/Joseph Bulova School of Watch Making - Unit 9a.pdf

Many have confirmed opening and servicing of Bulova barrels--I think I found the answer to my problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
HSL Distinguished Member

HSL

Posted
Posted

lol ..

1 minute ago, noirrac1j said:

Lifetime power doesn't mean forever! Haven't you ever heard of the "Unbreakable" mainspring?? 

Since you guys like to get nit picky about details...Let's do this:

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/bulova-lifetime-sealed-barrels-what-to-do.66942/

https://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/file/Joseph Bulova School of Watch Making - Unit 9a.pdf

Many have confirmed opening and servicing of Bulova barrels--I think I found the answer to my problem.

Yes I know that, just a fun fact they write stuff like this on a barrel... everything in the world is relative even the term life time :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
StuartBaker104 Distinguished Member

StuartBaker104

Posted
Posted

Whilst the parent movement may be 11BLA, the parent of that is 11ALA as far as the mainspring is concerned. See the top of page 3 of this link (item 1S is a mainspring  with barrel) https://www.cousinsuk.com/PDF/categories/2175_Bulova 11BLA etc.pdf

Cousins actually has 4 complete barrel and mainspring assemblies in stock, although not sure what the grease will be like now. Kinda depends on how they are packaged I guess.

Interestingly, I can’t find any reference to the correct replacement spring, but if you pop the barrel open I'm sure you could measure the old one.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Mercurial
      AS2063 - hand setting

      By Mercurial · Posted

      Have you got the pallet fork installed in the movement when you see the train move when using the setting works? As nevenbekriev said, without the pallet fork to lock the train, the behaviour you are describing is normal. If this is happening with the pallet fork installed, you have a problem in the gear train, it should be immobile when the pallet fork is locking the escape wheel.  The fit of the circlip above the pinions on that wheel is crooked in your pictures, it should sit flat up against the upper pinion as in Marc’s picture.  Hope that helps, Mark
    • Khan
      Stem broken - can it be rescued?

      By Khan · Posted

      Hi I got a Jaeger LeCoultre K911 movement, where one of the stems was broken. Part no. Should be 401.  Im based in Europe and tried Cousins but its discontinued. They except to get stem in stock for cal. K916 but will that work? Or Is there a way out to join the ends?
    • Bonefixer
      AS2063 - hand setting

      By Bonefixer · Posted

      The part was how it fell out of the movement - the train wheel bridge wasn’t screwed in.    I’ll probably dismantle the part, if I can, to work it out.    The train of wheels ran fine - it was only once the keyless works were installed I noticed the problem. 
    • mthomas828
      Balance staff sourcing?

      By mthomas828 · Posted

      Hello, I am about 5 months into watchmaking and I love it!   The attention to precise detail is what really attracts me to it. (and the tools!) I am working on a 16 jewel 43mm pocket watch movement.   There are no markings besides a serial number (122248) .  The balance staff needs replacement. The roller side pivot broke off.  I successfully removed the hairspring using Bergeon 5430's.  I successfully removed the roller using Bergeon 2810.   Did i mention I love the tools?! I removed the staff from the balance wheel using a vintage K&D staff removal tool  with my Bergeon 15285 (that's the one that comes with a micrometer adjustment so it can be used as a jewel press as well as a traditional staking tool...it's sooooo cool...sorry..  can you tell i love the tools?) No more digressing..  I measured the damaged staff in all the relevant areas but I have to estimate on some because one of the pivots is missing. A = Full length  A= 4.80mm  (that's without the one pivot...if you assume that the missing pivot is the same length as the other pivot (I'm sure it's not)  then A = 5.12 mm...(can I assume 5.00mm here?) F=  Hair spring collet seat  F=  .89mm   (safe to assume .90 here? .. I am sure that my measurement's would at least contain  .01 mm error ?) G = balance wheel seat  G = 1.23 mm  (1.20mm?) H  =  roller staff  H =  .59mm  (.60 mm?) B  = bottom of the wheel to roller pivot   B  = 2.97mm  (3.00 mm?)     here I am estimating  again because this pivot is missing. So my friends, and I thank you profusely,  can you point me in the right direction as to how to proceed? Do i buy individual staffs?  or an assortment?   Since I don't know exactly the name of the manufacturer, will that be a fatal hindrance?   Tbh, I'm not even sure what country of origin this movement is. Thank you!    
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Thats why i asked that question earlier, what happens if lubrication is placed directly on top of epilame ?  As opposed to walled within its non epilamed area . I'm not saying its right, i have no idea , just asking questions. 
×
×
  • Create New...