ETA 2824-2 (Drunken noob mistake)

[ThomasSand]

I think I might have done something stupid.

My 2824-2 was running 20sec fast so I adjusted the micro adjust. I adjusted it A LOT. In fact I probably gave in 2-3 full turns. (I was a wee bit inebriated)

Next day I woke up sober and realized it should have been turned just a smidge.

Have I broken something? It still works fine and after turning the screw back It's still reading +20.

[watchweasol]

Hi  Check that the balance spring is clean and non of the coils are sticking,  oil/dirt and are flowing correctly. where is the regulator sitting at the moment, Pictures of the movement would be helpful. The fact its still running is a plus and no serious damage has been done, but you may have inadvertantly got some dirt in watch.

[ThomasSand]

I all looks good, I'm just worried what the consequences of overturning the micro adjust might be? 

 

[watchweasol]

Hi Unless you have compromised the balance spring in some way', depending on which way you turned the adjuster it would either be very fast or very slow. A good clear picture of the movement as is will help with the diagnosis,  you did not slip when doing the adjustment ?...

[ThomasSand]

[ThomasSand]

I adjusted the micro counter clockwise. It turned back now to were it was originally. 
I'm just wondering if something gets damaged by this? I'm not familiar with how the micro screw affects the hairspring.

The movement is working as I should.

 

[ThomasSand]

[eccentric59]

If you're talking about this screw, It's technically not a screw at all, but a pivot with an eccentric head. It can be turned 360° 100 times but the range of adjustment is only in the first 180°.

I doubt 3 turns have done anything other than teach you work on watches before you pop the cork.  

 

 

[spectre6000]

What he said. The screw is an eccentric, so all you did was waggle the adjustment lever back and forth across its full range. It shouldn't be able to do any damage within that range (I've never tested it, just making an assumption on the engineers' part). I believe the eccentricity is such that it can be closer or further away from the indicating notches on the plate (180° out of phase); you'll want it closer to the notches so as to maximize the utility of said notches and to keep the adjustment as fine as possible. Adjust it correctly, and you'll be in business. I was able to get my lowest spec ETA 2824-2 dialed in to about a quarter second a day, it's way past due for a service, and I'm a relative novice. So aim high.

[ThomasSand]

Thank you! That's what I was hoping for! Never done any work on 2824's so I didnt want to lift the balance out. 

Can you confirm that the screw is positioned the right way(as in not backwards)? The cut in the screw is facing out.

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by ThomasSand

[Nucejoe]

Your regulator arm is back at the starting point with every 360degree turn of the micro-adjustor screw. The right position is where you get a good micro-adjustment.

 

[spectre6000]

Do you one better (because I can't tell from that photo). Adjust the screw a full revolution (sober), and observe its position relative to the marks. Go slow, and keep an eye on your timegrapher for learning purposes to get a feel for how much goes how far. You'll likely notice that the same degrees rotation with the eccentric closer/further from the indicator marks affects the timing delta differently due to where the eccentric's high/low points are. You've already spun it three times, so any damage done is done (not that I suspect there is any). You'll know for sure (for your own peace of mind if you're anything like me), and you'll learn something valuable in the process. Once you've done this and you're sure everything is where and how it should be, dial it in. Big ol' win all around.

Edited March 9, 2021 by spectre6000

[Gra]

From an engineering perspective (not watchmaking as a begginner myself) the microscrew looks to be an eccentric cam, your full range of adjustment in that case would be 90° in either direction from central. I would suggest turning screw head to line the slot with the marks on the balance just a fraction at a time.

Graham

[KOwatch]

There's an optimal drink level: enough to get the courage to open up a watch and try something you haven't before, but not enough to compromise your abilities

 

[spectre6000]

For me, this is a single glass of Lagavulin on the bench beside me. Throw a nice album on the turntable, and I can think of no finer way to spend a quiet evening.

[Marc]

2 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

For me, this is a single glass of Lagavulin

Shouldn't that be "slightly less than two glasses"?