Watch sticks if not wound for a while

[Tottom]

I’ve oiled a watch and checked its heart beat is nearly perfect but if I forget to wind it for a day or two it gets stuck. If I give the balance a tap it starts and runs fine again. Any ideas as to what’s going on? I heard of something called “stiction”, but not sure if that’s it or if it needs a good cleaning.

[Marc]

Is it in beat?

[RichardHarris123]

Did you clean before oiling?  There could be dried oil that creates too much friction to overcome the inertia but not enough to stop the watch once running. 

[Tottom]

I did a light cleaning but I could have missed something. Considering that it didn’t run at all when I started and I had to replace the mainspring I thought I did a good job but I’m very new to this. Also I’m pretty sure I slightly over oiled the jewels because it’s a very small movement and my oilers are not that fine. I don’t know if it’s worth my time taking it apart again just to clean and oil it again when the local repair place said they’d do it for free. I just thought if it was something with a particular part…

[Nucejoe]

Pin pallet or jeweled? 

[Tottom]

I’m not sure I’m just now looking up the different types of escapements in watches. I am a noob at this just wetting my toes ya know.

the watch is this:

These pictures were from before I did my repairs and I also replaced the screws and cleaned the face.

[Nucejoe]

Says seven jewels so is normally pin pallet.

Did you lube the escape teeth? 

Make sure you have enough end shake on balance staff? and all arbours. 

A test to check for lack of shake in gear train is to loosen all bridge screws about two turns and see if it runs logner. 

Is it a mobile stud carrier or fixed stud holder? 

Did you test the fork?   to see how strong it snaps back&forth? 

For a good scervice, capstones should be routinely removed, cleaned and examined under good magnification.

Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask your questions please.

Rgds

 

[oldhippy]

The movement has a normal lever escapement. It sound as if its a bit of dirt floating around in the movement or wear. So check over the movement paying attention to the places I have marked.   Make sure all the pivots are smooth. 

Edited April 2, 2023 by oldhippy

[Tottom]

thank you both. It really only gets stuck after not being wound for a day or more after all its potential has been spent. So basically it runs fine for around two days and if I wind it before it runs out I’m fine, but if I don’t for a day or so it won’t start without a little tap.

I know I still have a lot to learn. I guess I’ll do a more thorough cleaning to start and then re apply lube and oil. Then I’ll test the gear train, balance staff pivots, fork  and such. I did remove everything when cleaning originally but I only did a two stage cleaning with my ultrasonic machine and didn’t do much of a touch up after so it could be that something is rattling around in there. That said the damage to the mainspring was corrosion from moisture, so maybe I need to replace something else that I didn’t catch when I disassembled it. As for letting up on the screws maybe I tightened them a bit to much, so I’ll have to check that but it runs for a good couple days.

Also what’s the best lube and oils for this watch? I picked up some recommended by a watch repair guide and followed instructions but it seems every watch is a bit different in what they like. Different guides seemed to suggest that Swiss movements use different compounds than let’s say German ones…

[oldhippy]

Moebius is probably the best. Here is a chart for you it tells you all you will need to know.

 https://blog.esslinger.com/moebius-oil-charts/

[Nucejoe]

Your watch might not pass the timegrapher test, but two days of running isn't bad. 

That it doesn't start without a little tap Marc has already covered most probable cause that is:  " oscilator might be out of beat". 

Somewhat confusing as it says seven jewels on gear train bridge but jewel count shows more. 

Following the clean you have a chance to check all parts ( specially pinions) for wear/ damage  with good magnification.  

Stick pivots in pegwood before you give parts another bath. 

Rgds

 

 

[Tottom]

After I get home I’ll open it up and let you know what’s going on.