MrBeat Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) I might be missing something really simple here but..... Ive just finished re assembling an ETA 2846 with only the rotor to add, the watch winds manually just fine, the auto works are fully free and winding as they should ( i reassembled it twice to be sure ). As soon as i add the rotor ( which appears in perfect condition ) the watch becomes incredibly hard to wind manually and the rotor is not freely swinging ( i have made sure the gearing is all engaged too ). I have stripped down the auto works twice thinking it is something ive missed there but im a little confused now , i followed ETA service sheet throughout. The rotor bearings are fine with no signs of wear or damage. Anyone else come across this or am i being a plonker and missing something glaringly obvious ? BTW this is for a West End Stowa military issue watch. The Rotor also moves when manualy winding :( Edited May 15, 2015 by MrBeat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobm12 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 I believe one of the wheels -- ratchet or other flat one -- is upside down. The recess has to face up. But maybe I'm mixing movements? Let me know if that helps as this is just from memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeat Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 Unfortunately bob no change, the ratchet wheel is the same either way and the crown wheel can only go one way. Im simply perplexed by this one as there is nothing i can see that's wrong, if i remove the rotor the auto works become free to run as they would, i know they have engaged. I done so many eta movements and yet this has never come up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobm12 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Sorry to hear that...how about one of the wheels in the auto mechanism? Did you take it apart? I believe this is a version of the ETA 2824 for "outside sales", so not too much of a difference there. Hopefully any corresponding part from the 2824 should fit if there is a damaged one. Again, just from memory... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clockboy Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 It sounds like one of the reversing wheels is faulty. I had an issue a while ago with this movement it ran great wound manually great but the auto just did not work correctly. On Marks advise changed the reversing wheels & problem solved. I noticed on the ETA service sheets there is now a special lubricant for these wheels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Is it possible that you have mixed a couple of screws up and you are fitting the rotor with one thats too long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anilv Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Is the rotor trying to spin when you wind it? If yes then the reversor wheels need cleaning. How was it before you worked in it? If it was better (than now) then maybe your assembly was flawed..☺ Anil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeat Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 It sounds like one of the reversing wheels is faulty. I had an issue a while ago with this movement it ran great wound manually great but the auto just did not work correctly. On Marks advise changed the reversing wheels & problem solved. I noticed on the ETA service sheets there is now a special lubricant for these wheels. I triple checked the auto works and this appears to be the most likely issue, im going to be ordering both wheels and replace both at same time. I have cleaned the auto works twice and re lubricated them but i think the rev wheels are both knackered. Is it possible that you have mixed a couple of screws up and you are fitting the rotor with one thats too long? I followed the ETA service sheet to the letter ( i always have one whether im familiar with the movement or not ), plus the way i disassemble movements won't allow screws to get mixed up. Is the rotor trying to spin when you wind it? If yes then the reversor wheels need cleaning. How was it before you worked in it? If it was better (than now) then maybe your assembly was flawed..☺ Anil The movement was a non runner before i started, it had very many solid years of use and winding was worse if not impossible beforehand. I have cleaned the reversing wheels twice and i believe they are both kaput tbh. The watch had several broken parts which i have replaced with new, so if the rev wheels are kaput it would not surprise me. The rotor and bearings luckily are still in good order. I follow ETA service sheets by the number so i should hope my assembly is not flawed ha ha :) I will be ordering both new reversing wheels so hopefully this should get the auto mech back into action. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeat Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well my new reversing wheel has arrived, and it is at this point i have just spotted the most obvious error ( head in hands :( ) The reversing wheel and the aux reversing wheel are both missing the pair of jewels that they are supposed to have. This would now explain the friction related problems with the rotor, though i really can't believe i missed something so basic and obvious. Needless to say i now have to order a aux reversing wheel from a different eta caliber but im confident this will now resolve the issues. Please accept my apologies for this complete brain fart :D Once i finish the watch ( eventually ) i will post the result :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clockboy Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Been there done it a few times myself. Putting a MST watch together today & found one of the pins of the pin lever is broken off. Luckily found a replacement but again missed this fault when I stripped it. Bum & double Bum :pulling-hair-out: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anilv Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Are you talking about the two jewels in each reversor wheel? If they are missing then why do you have to order replacement from a different caliber? To be honest I have not come across the jewels in these wheels coming loose before...they usually get dirty and it takes a lot to clean them well and its usually better to replace rather than clean.. Some pictures would help.. Anil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeat Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Yes the jewels in the reversing wheel and aux wheel were both missing. Cousins don't have a aux wheel ( Part #1530) for the 2846 but im ordering one from a related caliber that will fit. Ive only seen the jewels missing once, and that was in an Omega, i have no idea why or where they have gone but i assume previous owner/ repairer knew about them being missing. Most cases a good clean sorts them out, but depending on age of movement and how regularly it had been serviced then yes i would replace the parts also. I will post pictures later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeat Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Well good news :) The ETA Aux wheel arrived today and the automatic works have been re assembled and lubricated and......... the watch now works as it should....hooray !! The watch is timed to within 12+- seconds a day which is good enough for me. Since the watch has been such a bain and has taken so long im going to keep her as one of my daily wear watches. I plan to get some new hour & minute hands as the old ones are a little knackered, other than that i think shes ok. The watch was originally in a bad way with a rather nasty dial and battered casing, broken glass etc. The dial has been cleaned ( not yet relumed ) and the casing has had the worst of the damaged removed ( i did not want to over do the polishing ). I do have the original strap but it has seen better days, given it is military issue it has almost literally seen the wars ha ha. I have added a comfortable N.A.T.O strap which i think compliments it but not sure about the colour ?!. Anyways, you guys want to see the goods rather than read me gabbing on, so here it is :) West End Watch Company -- Sowar Prima -- Automatic 17 Jewels -- ETA Cal 2846 She ain't pretty but she runs :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Very tidy watch and a job well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that, I rather like that. Nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anilv Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) Painting the hands white will do wonders as this is a military pattern. Great job! Anil Edited May 26, 2015 by anilv 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobm12 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Sorry I'm late, connection problems!, I'm glad it came out so good. I love the watch and yes, white hands will be excellent as Anil said!. Cheers, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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