Unknown shock setting

[donutdan]

Hi, I wanted to ask around here before attempting to lubricate the shock setting on this watch. It's got an odd assembly that I wasn't able to find online and I'm unsure of how to take it apart. This comes from an FHF 1686 movement.

Any help with identifying this shock setting and subsequent disassembly help would be appreciated!

[ManSkirtBrew]

Neat, I've never seen one like that. It looks to me basically like a circlip, where you need to squeeze the prongs together. I'd get my fine tweezers in one of the holes and push towards the center.

Looks like a serious candidate to join the Swiss Space Program, so maybe take precautions with some Rodico or a plastic baggie.

[Neverenoughwatches]

12 hours ago, donutdan said:

Hi, I wanted to ask around here before attempting to lubricate the shock setting on this watch. It's got an odd assembly that I wasn't able to find online and I'm unsure of how to take it apart. This comes from an FHF 1686 movement.

Any help with identifying this shock setting and subsequent disassembly help would be appreciated!

Its a swiss bal. shock spring. Stabil, it should operate like a lyre spring. If you can post a clearer closer photo.

[donutdan]

On 1/10/2024 at 11:40 PM, donutdan said:

Hi, I wanted to ask around here before attempting to lubricate the shock setting on this watch. It's got an odd assembly that I wasn't able to find online and I'm unsure of how to take it apart. This comes from an FHF 1686 movement.

Any help with identifying this shock setting and subsequent disassembly help would be appreciated!

As a quick update, I was unable to remove either of the shock setting springs. I think they do have a similar structure to a lyre shaped spring as suggested but the "prongs" are just too wide to be unseated through the provided gap.

Any suggestions where I could find more info on this assembly? At present, I don't know how someone would be able to service these without a specialized tool.

[Nucejoe]

 If you seperate the balance  complete   from balance cock, removing the stud and regulator arm would reveal whats  hiding  , you see how its structured thus are likely to figure out how to get the sucker removed. Just an idea.

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, donutdan said:

As a quick update, I was unable to remove either of the shock setting springs. I think they do have a similar structure to a lyre shaped spring as suggested but the "prongs" are just too wide to be unseated through the provided gap.

Any suggestions where I could find more info on this assembly? At present, I don't know how someone would be able to service these without a specialized tool.

Is the width of just one arm wider than the space provided to remove it ?

[donutdan]

13 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Is the width of just one arm wider than the space provided to remove it ?

I think it's only 1.5 the width or less. If I try to remove one arm, the other blocks it preventing it from being removed. I've also tried pushing the spring to different positions to give more clearance but my attempts have been unsuccessful unfortunately.

I may try as Nucejoe suggested although it looks like the shock setting is press fit into place. I don't own a jeweling press nor have I used one but I don't mind just shelving this project until a later date.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, donutdan said:

I think it's only 1.5 the width or less. If I try to remove one arm, the other blocks it preventing it from being removed. I've also tried pushing the spring to different positions to give more clearance but my attempts have been unsuccessful unfortunately.

I may try as Nucejoe suggested although it looks like the shock setting is press fit into place. I don't own a jeweling press nor have I used one but I don't mind just shelving this project until a later date.

You might be able to lift one arm up and over the other as you push it out of the slot. Obviously dont force anything and use good magnification so you can see how much space and tension there is between the two arms. Good luck 

[donutdan]

4 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

You might be able to lift one arm up and over the other as you push it out of the slot. Obviously dont force anything and use good magnification so you can see how much space and tension there is between the two arms. Good luck 

We have success! I was able to service the shock setting finally and the watch went from running at +100 s/day to only -9! The tolerances are significantly tighter than in incabloc springs and it was difficult to see even if the spring was unseated or not. I'm still curious about what this shock setting is called but for now I'm willing to just accept this small victory.

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 hours ago, donutdan said:

We have success! I was able to service the shock setting finally and the watch went from running at +100 s/day to only -9! The tolerances are significantly tighter than in incabloc springs and it was difficult to see even if the spring was unseated or not. I'm still curious about what this shock setting is called but for now I'm willing to just accept this small victory.

The design is as i mentioned earlier Stabil 

[Burruz]

Just out of interest would it be appropriate to carefully remove some material between the jaws (folded 1000grit?) to allow easier access next time or is that not acceptable?

[Neverenoughwatches]

21 minutes ago, Burruz said:

Just out of interest would it be appropriate to carefully remove some material between the jaws (folded 1000grit?) to allow easier access next time or is that not acceptable?

that would be altering the design that folks put thousands of hours into.   I say go for it . 

Lol maybe not, it would undoubtedly weaken the spring. We try what we try and we take the consequences that go with the attempt. Generally ( i just love that word , its a    might, should, could kinda word.) altering a design in a way that has no reversal COULD be a mistake. Then again some designs are just pure shite, just look at the DeLorian.

[Burruz]

44 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Then again some designs are just pure shite, just look at the DeLorian.

True..... and Alegro.