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Smith's Astral help


Kieran

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Hello everyone

I'm currently stripping down a smiths astral calibre 94 wrist watch and have discovered that there doesn't appear to be a click. I thought this was the case as the Watch wasn't holding any wind before stripping it down. has anybody worked on this calibre before that knows of any parts available? Please see the photographs below.

Thank you.

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The click is Seiko like - see pic 

I don't believe your movement is cal 94 - I think those are batch numbers. It's probably a Cal  60564 - see pic here smiths-astral-national-17

A good source for Smiths parts is John Senior at  http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com/

You could try https://www.smithswatches.com/  or look for a scrap movement on ebay.

If all else fails, it's probably easy enough to make one as it's just a flat bit of spring steel.. 

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Edited by mikepilk
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Hi Mike,

Thank you for your help that is definitely the same calibre as mine. I have looked at those websites that you suggested but I haven't had any luck finding a replacement click. Is the click just an L shaped spring or is it similar to the ones found in the Smiths W10 watches (see below)? You mentioned the click is similar to those used in Seiko watches could these be used at a pinch?

All the best

Kieran

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That's what they look like.  Unlikely a Seiko one would fit.

Have a look here http://www.obsoletewatchandclockparts.com/Smiths-De-Luxe-and-Astral-Parts.htm - There's an Astral click spring listed.

John is very helpful and knows about Smiths parts - I suggest you send him an email and ask if the click spring will fit.

Also see here https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/smiths-generic-parts

 

Edited by mikepilk
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    • Steel has some funny properties, or at least counterintuitive. The modulus of elasticity is effectively (not exactly, but close enough) the same for steel that is annealed and hardened. What changes is the point of plastic deformation* . If the movement of your spring doesn't pass that, it should work fine. It looks a little thick, I would thin it a bit maybe from the main body out about halfway, maybe 10-20% thinner (not in thickness, along its form). But if it works it works!   *So- if you have two bars of the same steel, one annealed, one at 600 Vickers (general hardness watch arbors might be), clamp them to a table so the same length is hanging out, and put a weight on the ends, they will bend the same amount. But if you continue to add weight, then remove it, at a point the annealed bar won't return to its original straightness. That's the point of plastic deformation. But up to that point, as springs, they are the same. However- their wear characteristics will be very very different.
    • @JohnR725 now that you've mentioned it. This is actually the second aftermarket spring (same place and brand) I ordered as the first one broke. The eye on which the arbor pulls on, broke off on the first spring after the first wind, and also it was a bit to large for the arbor. Looked like on one the second picture in the 2nd group. The second one was exactly the same, I had to bend it a bit, to give it a more prominent curve to the end of the spring so that the arbor catches the eye.  Also I believe both were 5-10mm shorter. Not that I writing that, I feel a bit dumb, as the spring might actually been the problem all along, although its advertised as a substitute to the original...     
    • The CS70 is the only one they show as annealed.  A further search on ebay, I found CS75 and CS100 annealed carbon steel strips  e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314072784422
    • Aloha and thanks for catching all these small but important details, John.  I'm going to give it a shot. The good news is I have a parts movement here with a perfect complete balance.  I will place them side by side for visual reference when doing what you outlined.  It's been a while were I've had a hobby in which I joined a forum.  I forgot just how helpful everyone can be. Mahalo. Frank.
    • Mike if you wanna drop me your address I'll send you a strip of this cs 100 in an envelope . I'd like your opinion of its workability  The cs100 might be better carbon is 1%
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