Jump to content

Is my escape wheel broken or just magnetized?

Winecaster

By Winecaster
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Winecaster New Member

Winecaster

Posted
Posted

Hey folks, still working through a Waltham 6/0 '42 that I picked up and am using as my first dive into understanding how to service and fix movements.  The watch wouldn't have any response when wound and I've narrowed it down but need your help.  The whole train moves smoothly until I install the escape wheel then everything seizes.  I've removed the balance and pallet to eliminate those variables as well.  Even with the bridge secured, the escape wheel isn't seating in the jewel pivots and that's whats causing the rest of the upstream train to seize.  It moves around quite a bit and sticks to my tools as if magnetized.

I'm pretty sure that leaves the following possibilities:  The jewels are worn through or the escape wheel pivot(s) are broken.  I don't think simply demagnetizing is the answer because if it's not seating in the pivots without magnetism it won't make a difference.

Here are the best pictures I could take, what does it look like to you and what are my options being that parts for this movement are almost non-existent. 

 

EF178F42-E102-4196-8A43-36BF86650447_1_105_c.jpeg

E6452722-DDE0-453D-89F7-D3E852178721_1_201_a.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, Winecaster said:

the escape wheel pivot(s) are broken.

Looking at your picture, broken indeed.

 

10 minutes ago, Winecaster said:

I don't think simply demagnetizing is the answer

Magnetism doesn't stop watches. It doesn't even cause a lot of the problems often it's blamed about.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Winecaster said:

Escape wheel broken is a good start.  Does anyone know if I can harvest one from other Waltham 6/0 movements to fit this '42?

The Pocket Watch database is a great resource. https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/30972903

Under "Parts" it list which parts are common with other movements - but, unfortunately doesn't list any for you movement.

According to Swigart, there's a few to choose from :

image.png.e63f015b5ea6eefec921e8ba495b43e0.png

Edited by mikepilk
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, mikepilk said:

Under "Parts"

I followed the link and clicked on "parts" and got nothing.

I have restored a few 6/0 movements in military watches. Still have one in progress. I see a lot of similarity among the 6/0 Waltham's (e.g. Sapphire).

i would be curious about interchangeable parts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • DDean
      First Project Already A Bit "Sideways"

      By DDean · Posted

      I will try this weekend.  I've tried several times with my cell phone and it's just too small and recessed to get a good picture.  I need to get my macro lens and tripod out and then figure out how to get enough light down the hole in the side of the man plate to  actually show the top of the broken screw. I appreciate the effort and will try and get that pic this weekend.
    • RichardHarris123
      Simeon from Down Under

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      Hello and welcome from Leeds, England. 
    • Simeon
      Simeon from Down Under

      By Simeon · Posted

      Hi,   My name is Simeon I am based in Sydney, Australia and have recently got into watch repair / watch making.  I am very much a learner having serviced multiple forgotten watches, some of which were actually successful!   I have a slowly growing collection of watches, mainly old Soviet, a few Japanese and (not pictured) some Raketas, a Poljot Alarm, an Omega Speedmaster Reduced and a vintage (1972) Tissot Seastar.  I like unloved vintage watches, with quirky faces and enjoy bringing them back to life through the simple(!) act of disassembly, clearing and reassembly. I am an Electrical Engineer who also undertook a trade apprenticeship so I am reasonably handy - It's fair to say, I know just enough to get myself in trouble. 
    • Waggy
      Chinese clone demagnetizers

      By Waggy · Posted

      ha ha looks like a WMD.....you know I want one now  
    • Simeon
      Citizen Cosmotron X8 04-4800 Fault finding

      By Simeon · Posted

      I took a chance on a non running Cosmotron X8 ("perhaps just needs a new battery" said the advert). Sure enough, I open it up and it has the wrong battery installed (a Renata 344 rather than the correct Renata 386) and the screws holding the battery contact had been sheared off to half a head on both ends. Ho ho, I thought - there's the problem. I got the broken screws out easily enough and as soon as I placed the correct battery in place the balance started. This picked up speed when I reinstalled one side of the battery contact and looked like it was a runner. As I was trying to get the replacement screws in, I did one side but the second was a bit of struggle (hold down the battery contact against its spring while dropping the screw in with tweezers) the balance stopped again. This time it wouldn't start again. 98 percent sure that I didn't stick anything, anywhere important or break it in a mechanical way. The battery was in place for most of the struggling with the contact, so it might have had an intermittent connection which could have upset the electronics. I tried giving it a puff with the blower but the balance doesn't seem to rotate in the normal way, it seems to be held in a static position by magnet. It can be pulled out of this position but spins back and stops dead. This may well be correct for all I know. Anyway, does anyone know anything about these watches and can tell me how I would go about and fault find this? I will be servicing it at some point so should be able to rule out mechanical issues from an old watch but not sure where to start with the electrical part of it.
×
×
  • Create New...