Jump to content

Do not open


Recommended Posts

Hi all,

I am currently working on my "daily wear" Favre Leuba Tornado. The last time I serviced it, it hadn't ran for several decades.

My question is.... can you open and clean the main spring barrel even though the barrel cap says "do not open" ?

Many thanks for all help and advice on this question.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just like the big red button that says do not press....i absolutely would open it, and replace it if i could , a new mainspring is part of a service unless a decent replacement is not available then i would clean it and re oil it at a minimum.

 

likelyhood do not open is a reminder for the service centre to replace the entire balance complete, but that was then and the parts are not necessary easily available!

Edited by jnash
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a few watches that says not to open on the barrel, but all have been opened in the past. I think some repairman in non-English speaking parts of the globe, can't read " Do not open" writen on the barrel and end up finding tricks to put the thing back together and get it to work. In conclusion I'd  say not recommended but possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seikos have "non-serviceable" mainspring barrels, but people do it all the time. Their intent is that you replace the entire barrel assembly, which would be fine if it were actually an option... If you can get it open, I don't see why you shouldn't. If you'd prefer to buy a barrel assembly, and can FIND one, then go nuts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

Seikos have "non-serviceable" mainspring barrels, but people do it all the time. Their intent is that you replace the entire barrel assembly, which would be fine if it were actually an option... If you can get it open, I don't see why you shouldn't. If you'd prefer to buy a barrel assembly, and can FIND one, then go nuts.

Lubes are sure to have dried in a vintage NOS barrel.  Same with reversers.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think they were created as "sealed barrels" as spectre said to encourage you to change the whole unit at a cost,but as man put it together man can take it apart, and thats what i would do. The lubrication in the barrel probably had a finite life and was changed as a whole at service time, but as the years advance watches move on and spares become harder to find. So if you can get the lid off with no damage  do it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the input guys:)..... I'll take a closer look at it when my new click spring arrives.

I did think about opening the barrel when I first serviced my movement, and yes, I wholly agree the main spring, will, without doubt be in a drier state.

Many thanks again for help and advice 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look at it this way: if you aren't supposed to open it and must replace the whole barrel, it's trash anyway. If you open it and it's not salvageable, you've lost nothing and probably learned something in the process. If you open it, and it's not really all that special after all and totally serviceable, you've saved yourself the time and money of a new and probably difficult to find barrel assembly.

Edited by spectre6000
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys:)

Well I've pushed the red button!........whew!...no boom:)

Dry as a bone inside and looks to be in good condition:).. good clean and lube here you come.

However,  putting it back in the barrel is going to be fun.

The only way I can do it atm is to use an old mainspring disc that I have from an ETA mainspring I replaced in my Rado Diastar.

The "BOSS" will kill me if I spent lots of pennies on a mainspring winder.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi all,

Just a little update on my progress with my favre leuba.

Got a new mainspring for it ( found the spec for it on pink pages... many thanks Dr. Ranft)

Fitted and in place. Closing the barrel was a little tricky. The barrel cover has a small lip so I used a plastic bag round it and gently squeezed with long nosed pliers ( really dumb I know ) its closed, no marks and more importantly it turns nice and free.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi guys

Well things have taken an unexpected twist to an otherwise straight forward service on my favre leuba.

New mainspring...check.

In place and new barrel bridge fitted ( click screw tube stripped)

Pallet in place....check.

Put some power in spring and.........nothing!

Checked work and all ok except barrel..... bummer!

So donar movement found and bought just gotta wait on it coming ( boss not going to be happy )

Ah well, back to sleeping with the dogs.....move over boys and stop hogging the blanket!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, marco1uk said:

Put some power in spring and.........nothing!
Checked work and all ok except barrel..... bummer!

Why it's "not ok"? Arbor doesn't hook? Or it is seized? Or lid not closed correctly?
Understating that would help you in future work, how to repair when possible before ordering again.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Hi all

Well after several weeks back in day job (darn covid), donnar watch arrived and replaced part fitted. Turned out, third wheel ( I think) has a friction fit opinion was the problem, damaged wheel, she lives again:)

Just another little gremlin to kill and get her back in the case.

Thanks to all for all help and advice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/24/2020 at 12:46 AM, marco1uk said:

 

Ah well, back to sleeping with the dogs.....move over boys and stop hogging the blanket!

You must be out of the dog house by now, so how about a picture of the finished article. Better still if you are still in the dog house, lets see Fido wearing it. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • 🤔 leaving the EU meant that UK was no longer part of the convention and have already been turned down an independent reapplication. I'm pretty sure courts have to be held in Switzerland in this case. There will be a lot more watches stashed away in draws  tbh, folk wont be able to afford to maintain them. Cheap watches will be bought and top end watches by folk with plenty of cash that can pay for service and repair. The expensive once in a lifetime gifts and everything else inbetween will be at the forgotton when they stop working. I know i was being a numpty, get used to it 😄 Anybody that knows will boycott them, but besides repairers who will know. Nope will never buy one, i made that decision as soon as i learnt about this. 
    • although not in this case.  It was the Lugano Convention and its deficiencies that allowed a Swiss court decision in the first place.  This isnt really a Brexit issue at all.  A decision that affects both the EU and the UK should never have been heard in Switzerland. I bet the authorised service centres in the UK are pretty pleased.  It's a massive shame, though; I believe watch owners should be able to choose to have their watch serviced by whoever they trust.
    • Hi guys I think that old hippy is correct, it opens the gates for china to manufacture aftermarket spare parts. considering that they already do work on behalf of the Swiss I guess this decision gives the a little more legitimacy to tool up and I am sure they will take advantage of the situation either with or without the blessing of the Swiss watch industry  Having read about the protectionist machinations of the Swiss in the history of Europe they were the only ones to get fat at everybody else’s expense. I think the outcome could have been guessed at but ,  fair play to Cousins UK for standing up to them.  Now the question,  will everybody boycott Swiss watches and Swatch, no way they will still fill their coffers.  Me I stick with the Japanese once renowned for cheap shitty watches who came good through industrial effort and don’t for get the Russians that most dismiss as low grade crap. Wouldn’t buy a swatch product ever how about you all.? a
    • Hold the crown when in winding position, move the click away from the crown wheel, and then while holding the crown let it slowly unwind. I recollect that you must remove the automatic device bridge first, but maybe I'm wrong. You can first try without removing the automatic device bridge.
×
×
  • Create New...