Jump to content

Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber P478 Help

Brutus
 Share

Recommended Posts

Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, nickelsilver said:

I've noticed older Lecoultres often have quite heavy lock on the escapement, and even with a new mainspring some adjustment is needed to get the amplitude up to a reasonable number.

I think you are quite right, it is very tricky indeed.

I just hope that after I will install a new mainspring and I will adjust the beat the number will increase a little bit more. If I will get it around 230 -250 I will be happy considering the fact that it is an old movement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I corrected the beat error from 2.2-2.7 to a 0.5-0.7

I know is not perfect; anyway I consider it pretty close to be accepted like that.

The problem is now, after I correct the beat error the amplitude when down dramatically from 220 to 155-165. Perhaps after I will install the new mainspring will rise again.

It is pretty tricky to adjust all that.

I will keep you posted.

 

DC0D3B60-25FA-44A2-8380-24A3CF75081A.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

Posted
Posted

Timing machines are interesting devices? You have to be very careful when interpreting the results that the results are actually what's really going on with the watch? If you look at your waveform from the beginning you'll notice that you do not have straight parallel lines there very irregular. This tells us your watch is having a very bad day. The timing machine does not have artificial intelligence so it doesn't look at the graphical display it just displays whatever it gets. Then it takes the numbers and gives you numbers but if the graphical display does not have the correct display like reasonably smooth parallel lines then numerically what you're seeing will not be correct. A example of this notice your watches keeping zero seconds fast or slow? But look at the graphical display at the time of zero seconds does that really look like zero seconds? The other thing when using the timing machine having a more than one position is very helpful. So wristwatch crown down position would be good so we can compare crown down with whichever dial position your timing in.

So when you put the watch in beat how did you do that and did you visually verify that it is indeed in beat?  Then other than the beat changing from cleaning how exactly did you clean the watch and the lubricants used?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
5 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

Timing machines are interesting devices? You have to be very careful when interpreting the results that the results are actually what's really going on with the watch? If you look at your waveform from the beginning you'll notice that you do not have straight parallel lines there very irregular. This tells us your watch is having a very bad day. The timing machine does not have artificial intelligence so it doesn't look at the graphical display it just displays whatever it gets. Then it takes the numbers and gives you numbers but if the graphical display does not have the correct display like reasonably smooth parallel lines then numerically what you're seeing will not be correct. A example of this notice your watches keeping zero seconds fast or slow? But look at the graphical display at the time of zero seconds does that really look like zero seconds? The other thing when using the timing machine having a more than one position is very helpful. So wristwatch crown down position would be good so we can compare crown down with whichever dial position your timing in.

So when you put the watch in beat how did you do that and did you visually verify that it is indeed in beat?  Then other than the beat changing from cleaning how exactly did you clean the watch and the lubricants used?

As I’m pretty sure you know they are so many different ways to put a watch in beat.I will post two links showing the two methods that I use to correct the error beat in this particular movement. I hope I’m not crossing  any forum’s rules if I post the links to the videos here.

I used both methods in my case because the hair spring was twisted a bit. To answer to one of your direct question if I “visually verify if the watch is in beat”; yes I did verified that visually.

The beat error did not actually change because I cleaned and oiled the movement ; the error beat had to be corrected by using the two methods from above.

 

Edited by Doreen
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 hours ago, watchweasol said:

Hi Had a look round and it is indeed 45 lift angle.   Google the watch guy and lift angles there is a list for future reference.

 I actually found online several lift angles lists very useful. Thank you 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted
12 minutes ago, Doreen said:

As I’m pretty sure you know they are so many different ways to put a watch in beat.I will post two links showing the two methods that I use to correct the error beat in this particular movement. I hope I’m not crossing  any forum’s rules if I post the links to the videos here.

I used both methods in my case because the hair spring was twisted a bit. To answer to one of your direct question if I “visually verify if the watch is in beat”; yes I did verified that visually.

The beat error did not actually change because I cleaned and oiled the movement ; the error beat had to be corrected by using the two methods from above.

 

I have to admit it is a intense back and forth work and a lots of adjustments and twisting. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Brutus Watch Enthusiast

Brutus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I finished to replace the main spring and I’m pretty happy with the results considering the fact that is an old movement. I know it is far away from being perfect and It could probably get a little bit of better results with the amplitude, beat error, etc. if I will adjust more the hairspring.

As I mentioned before the hair spring was twisted/distorted and it was not parallel with the balance wheel cock. That affected tremendously the good working condition of the watch(timing, beat error, amplitude).

I did a lots of adjustments to the hair spring and I set the watch properly in beat by aligning the roller jewel properly between the two banking pins.

 I diced to leave the watch the way it is at least for now.

I will attach a few images with different watch positions on the timegrapher.

Thank you all for your comments, advise and help.

B99D9D20-A79A-4D01-93FA-A26E4DCA4F81.jpeg

DAF43112-426F-4F75-9309-EDE046F7DEC6.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Geotex
      Any tips to correct a sloppy error?

      By Geotex · Posted

      It's probably a cardinal rule for watch repair to never get distracted while at the bench. Yesterday, after finishing a tricky mainspring winding/barrel insertion (I didn't have a winder and arbor that fit very well) I mentally shifted down a gear once that hurdle was passed. There were other things going on in the room as I put the barrel and cover into the barrel closer and pressed to get that satisfying snap. But when I took it out I realized I never placed the arbor.  When opening a barrel, we are relying on the arbor to transfer a concentrically-distributed force right where it is needed at the internal center of the lid. However, when that isn't present it's difficult to apply pressure or get leverage considering the recessed position of the lid, the small holes in the barrel and the presence of the mainspring coils. It was a beat-up practice movement so I didn't take a lot of time to think it over and I pushed it out using a short right-angle dental probe placed in from the bottom, but that did leave a bit of a scratch and crease in the thin lid. I had also thought about pulling it using a course-threaded screw with a minor thread diameter smaller than the lid hole and a major diameter larger, but that may have done some damage as well.  Thinking about how this might have been handled had it been a more valuable movement, is there a method using watchmaking or other tools that should extract the lid with the least damage? 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      🤔 what happens if lubrication is placed directly on top of epilame ? Making a small groove so the lubrication doesn't spread across the component but what if when lubing a little overspills and sits on the epilame .
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Setting lever spring

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Why just the bottom mike ? Is it worth polishing the whole arm ?
    • mikepilk
      Setting lever spring

      By mikepilk · Posted

      The one thing I took time over was to round and polish the curves at the bottom of the jumper arm. The slightest mark (left over from cutting of filing) acts as a stress raiser, just where you don't need it. 
    • GuyMontag
      Movement holder made with 3D printer

      By GuyMontag · Posted

      I printed the base and it is a bit too large to fit on the base of the hand setter. The ring bumps into the column so it is unable to full seat on the central ring. I'm going to try removing some of the materal and see if I can't get it to go down.
×
×
  • Create New...