A Different Shock Absorber (Soviet Era)

[DouglasSkinner]

I am working on a Raketa watch that has shock absorbing systems for both the balance wheel and the escape wheel.  (see train bridge in attached picture) I wanted to remove the clip in order to clean and lubricate the jewels.

 

The clip on the escape wheel shock absorber is broken (I confess!, i broke it trying to remove it!)  I have some questions

 

1) What kind of shock absorbing system is this, i.e., does it have a name?

2) How do you remove the clip?  Is a special tool required (which I don't have)?

3) How do you safely replace the clip?

4) How would I get a replacement clip?

 

I believe my movement (Raketa) is the same as the one in the picture a 2609 HA  (letters may be Cyrillic?).

 

[frenchie]

Looks like a KIF system.

Link to the "Horological meandering" website page on the KIF370 : http://home.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-17/pi-4140556/ti-658161/t-horological-meandering-we-did-incabloc-now-how-about-kif/

[anilv]

Its not a kif. It is a russian homegrown shock protection which looks a bit like the incabloc spring but its not hinged. You just remove the 'legs' from the slots (similar to Inca) and the othe end just slides out of its slot. The spring is totally flat.

 

For the cap jewel on the escape wheel.. the pic is not too clear but the ones I'm familiar with have two legs.. only get the tips of the leg out .. once both are out then the middle portion of the spring can be slid away from its slot and off the cap jewel.

 

Anil

[DouglasSkinner]

Thanks Anil, you're almost surely right.  It's some kind of Russian homegrown shock protection system.  I did what you said (prior to receiving your response) and unfortunately, while trying to remove it from the setting on the train bridge side, I broke the clip/spring.  It came as a surprise.  Never had that happen.  Now I've got to find a replacement.  In spite of the fact that this movement--the 2609.HA--was a mainstay in virtually every Raketa men's watch for years and years, I haven't found anywhere to purchase either the movement of parts to it.  I can get complete watches for about $20 and perhaps I'll do that. 

 

I learned my lesson about the spring and was able to remove to clean and oil the cap jewel in the other setting (dial side) and replace it.  Oiling was tricky and I did the best I could (the oil drop was not quite the neat round circle filling up about 1/3 of the area that I would like!).  I used a jewel picker-upper and oiled the flat face of the jewel as it stuck to the picker-upper.  I then very carefully placed it back in its setting, using a oiler to hold it in place while I removed the picker-upper.  I then put the spring back in.  This is tricky as it wants to fly away but after a few attempts--including it flying away only to land on my pants!!!--I was able to use a piece of pegwood and my tweezers to nudge it back into the setting.  Whew!  I felt visibly relieved.  Now, the spring on the train bridge side--the one I broke--has one leg and the tab and still holds the cap jewel securely in place.  I'm thinking of letting it be, but I hate to do it!  Yet I'm afraid to remove it because it might break. But the jewel really should be cleaned.  Am open to suggestions for how to handle this.

 

Not sure I'll be working on Russian watches again anytime soon...

[rogart63]

Cousinsuk has a lot of parts for Raketa movements . But i think shock springs are obsolete . Best thing to find a some spare parts is to buy some scrap movements on Ebay . 

[frenchie]

Thanks Anil ! I figured it was too easy... ;)