Dynabeat Stops Upside Down

[nickynoodles]

Hi WRT, My beloved Dynabeat recently ground to a halt. I managed to partially re assemble with new battery. It is a bit of a nightmare to line things up right next to a giant magnet! It is finally running but things get loud and clunky and stops when I invert the movement. The Balance Wheel assembly seems quite smooth until I mount the Shunt Bridge. (This is only my second watch fix, so I am not sure what this piece does) I used some instructions from the M40 and M253 to help with strip down. The open movement is chugging away as it sits here flat on my desk. I would like to understand what is going on as the Self Wind Timex in the picture 1 has the same issue when the watch is inverted. I don't want to give up, especially as my first strip down, Timex 105 is still running nicely!. I do not have a sonic cleaning machine yet, would that be part of the problem? Thanks, Nick 

[HectorLooi]

Sounds like you have a problem with the balance. The bad news is.... you have to take it apart to check.

Firstly, check the V-conic pivots of the balance. They should be sharp and not rounded or flat. If the pivots are worn down, they can be resharpened on a lathe. 

Next, check that the V-conic jewel cups are clean. There shouldn't be any dried up oils or dirt. And remember to oil them before reassembly.

Then check that the hairspring lies horizontal and flat. Make sure that it doesn't rub against the magnetic keeper plate.

Lastly, the endshake must be adjusted to allow smooth movement without excessive vertical movement when turned dial up, or else the balance wheel may drop down until the contact wire may rub on the roller table or worse.... not touch the contact pin.

Good luck and have fun!

[nickynoodles]

Thank you for that info!, I think I can manage the basic checking and cleaning part of that description, and the magnetic keeper plate clearance. I only have 1 Bergeon TN2.5 eye piece. I would like to get a nice microscope as I think I need more magnification to attempt some of this. I will look through the forums to see which sonic cleaners and microscopes are recommended. It took me hours to get all the wheels and fork to line up, it is very humbling! Maybe it will be a little easier on my next attempt.

[jdm]

3 hours ago, nickynoodles said:

 It took me hours to get all the wheels and fork to line up, it is very humbling!

There you have one of reason why Timex watches are not recommended to beginners, of course that will not prevent most people to pick these fights anyway. At the factory a jig was used, but none has ever appeared for purchase.