Rolex 3135 Mainspring Issue

[clockboy]

Problem encountered with the service of the 3135 mainspring. The mainspring winders shaft was too fat using the correct inserting drum (11.20mm) so fitted the spring to a smaller shafted drum. HOWEVER the **BLEEP** hook on the shaft on the smaller shaft sheared and got logged into the spring, trying to dislodge it and wham spring flew through the air and well see pic. I think the issue was trying to wind the spring into a smaller inserting barrel & thats why the winder shaft broke.

I have ordered a generic Rolex spring and will have to fit that. I don,t know if anyone has any ideas other than this. 

A bit pissed off at present.

 

The black shaft is the correct width drum & the Red one is then I tried to use

 

Edited February 16, 2015 by clockboy

[Geo]

Bloomin eck Clockboy, that's a right pickle you've got yourself into, at least you won't have to wind the new one. It's not the first time I've had a tight spring inner coil, but I've always managed to get it over the winder shaft.

[clockboy]

Thanks, the problem was this was not a little tight just miles too fat the only way I could have fitted it was to distort the inner of the spring. I have been using these spring winders for a few weeks now with no issues. Perhaps the Rolex is a bit out of it,s spec. for this brand of spring winder.

The generic springs are OK but are a touch shorter in length which is just annoying. Genuine Rolex springs are restricted something we might have to get used to in the future.

[bobm12]

Sorry to hear about the spring, clockboy. That's a real bummer.  I got the same winders from Larry. Haven't used them yet and was wondering the proper way to do so. I'm glad you mention that they work...somehow. I hope everything turns out all right for you with the new spring.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[clockboy]

Thanks Bob, The winders have been working really well and I have been really,really pleased with them. I just never gave it a thought when getting everything ready for my Rolex.

The mainspring barrel is 11.25mm but the Rolex seems to have a small arbour. The correct winding barrel & winding arbour with this particular winder is just miles to fat.

It caught me out because the procedure is you wind in the spring and when fully wound you reverse wind until the winding arbour releases. This I did but I could not understand why the spring was still caught on the winding arbour. It was not until I looked using a loupe that I could see the catch of the arbour had broken BUT it had wedged itself in-between the shaft & spring. This was just so fiddly trying to release the broken catch & the spring & somehow the spring just took off & hit my workshop door.

 

In hind sight when I realised the issue of the shaft I should have attempted to wind the spring back in the barrel by hand which I have done many a time. 

I've calmed down now after a walk and think about it. A large drink tonight I fancy.

[bobm12]

Good insight and great info that I will treasure as if my own experience, clockboy. Much appreciated. I've always thought Rolex made stuff just a little different so as to discourage any repairs but through them.

 

I've got a couple of them at home, inherited from family and have never attempted to service them...I'm still waiting to be more proficient! They sit in a nice padded, temperature controlled, watch case among with other expensive watches...watchitis runs in the family! :)

 

When I'm ready I hope I'll have a field day with them and all this experience is very valuable. So, not only you deserve the large drink for relaxing but for the experience you so kindly shared that will benefit others like me...something to feel good about as an offset to the momentary set back.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Marc]

Clockboy,

 

looking at you picture I can't help wondering if that spring can't be saved.

It looks to me that there are no actual kinks anywhere, and that a bit of careful untangling might just yield a result.

If once untangled it sits on a flat bench top with all of the coils in contact with the surface, both ways up, then it may be worth considering hand winding it back into the barrel.

Worth a try I would have thought if it means that you get the right length spring.

Of course if there is any twisting then you're better off playing safe.

 

Marc.

[clockboy]

Thanks Marc, Tried that when untangled it would not lay flat so unfortunately will have to fit a generic spring.

Looked at the Bergeon winders & it looks like the basic set does not have a barrel to fit the Rolex 3135.Cousins don,t carry one either  but can get one from the USA for $85 which is again very annoying after paying £370 for a winder.

[Marc]

That's a shame.

 The Bergeon set is very nice but as ever, extortionately expensive.

[JohnR725]

Besides the problem of finding a winder of the right size you're having another problem which is the hook on the end. For the modern springs that have the really tight inner coil you need to have a winder with a different kind of the hook. A lot of times you can get by with just about anything but if you're running out of space then the hook becomes really critical. So for the modern springs the winder handles are different I've attached a photograph to show the difference. 

 

[Geo]

That's interesting John, thanks drawing it to our attention. :)

Edited February 16, 2015 by Geo

[clockboy]

Yep that,s the issue John. I noticed how the Bergeon hook is designed differently.