Problem Regulating Vintage Watch

[VintageWatch999]

Hello to all. I have a 17 jewel  Waltham automatic wrist watch that runs way too fast and I cannot regulate it. I have adjusted it gradually both ways, I have demagitize it, but at the the farthest minus setting it runs a minute or more fast and I can't slow it down. 

I would appreciate any advice. 

[Kalanag]

You should carefully inspect the hairspring! Something is wrong with it!

[watchweasol]

As you will appreciate the rate is controlled by the balance spring and as you have already adjusted the regulator and still have a problem, as mentioned careful inspection of the spring is called for. Is the spring beating evenly between the regulator pins, are all the coils breathing evenly and not touching and also is it flat and not touching the balance cock all these points can cause you problems.

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, VintageWatch999 said:

Hello to all. I have a 17 jewel  Waltham automatic wrist watch that runs way too fast and I cannot regulate it. I have adjusted it gradually both ways, I have demagitize it, but at the the farthest minus setting it runs a minute or more fast and I can't slow it down. 

I would appreciate any advice. 

Did it already run fast when it came into your possession ? What work if any have you done on this ? It may have had the hs swapped and be incorrectly timed to the balance wheel. The balance wheel may be too light for the hs strength. So either of them changed and not set up correctly. But more likely after all other simple visual checks ruled out such as hs contamination,  this is an old watch and it may have had the hs break at the stud which is easily done on an old weak spring, while carrying out  a service and lifting out the balance assembly.After repinning, the spring is now too short to be within correct regulation  It may be possible to add weight with timing washers to the balance wheel if there are timing screws or lesser a task maybe enough to bring the timing screws out to decrease the balance wheel's speed. You would need to poise the balance at the same time, bit of a faff though. Now shorter the hs may act more aggressively making timing more difficult on a t/g . Post a photo to help with this. 

[VintageWatch999]

I noticed that the watch was running fast after I bought it. The demagitizer that I am using is a homemade one from a motor. Should I leave the watch in it longer? I have only placed it there for about 15 minutes.  Also, maybe adding weight to the balance wheel 

[Neverenoughwatches]

39 minutes ago, VintageWatch999 said:

Should I leave the watch in it longer? I have only placed it there for about 15 minutes.  

What is this de magnetiser you are using ? The only ones i am aware of, the demag proceedure is , hold the item  above the demager then draw the item  away up to a foot or so, it should only take a few seconds. Another one is just a simple lay the item on a surface pad on the device and then press a button to activate the demagnetiser again just few seconds. Are you sure that yours isn't actually magnetising items ?

[watchweasol]

Hi There are several types of demagnetisers some you put the watch ON switch on and then remove the watch away at arms length, this draws the magnetism from the watch. There are others you put the watch IN  and then do the same. Examples of both attached below..

[Shane]

10 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Are you sure that yours isn't actually magnetising items ?

This sounds like it's possible.  Not because you're leaving your watch within the motor coil's field for 15 minutes but because you think you need to.  You must draw the watch or whatever you're demagnetizing out of the A/C magnetic field for it to work not just shut it off.  The stronger the field the farther away you need to move from the coil for it to work.

As mentioned before, incorrect or parts parts from different movements may have been incorrectly installed.  Even parts of the same movement just from a variation of a different beat rate could be your problem.  Photos of the movement would probably help someone here guide you in some direction.

Good luck.

Shane 

[mikepilk]

Can you provide some pics of the hairspring? 

A slow-mo video of it running would be useful