Balance Regulator Boot Is Loose

[rehajm]

...something I haven't encountered before. Is there any way to tighten it, before I pay up for a new regulator and wait? Attack the hole or mushroom the top a bit?

Edited January 18, 2024 by rehajm

[mikepilk]

What's the movement? Do you have pics?

[rehajm]

38 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

What's the movement? Do you have pics?

Sorry, yes…Universal Geneve 260…

 

…I live in a Mac world and Mac doesn’t play nice with the microscope cams so a quick try- the regulator is with the twisty boot style and riveted…

…the boot wobbles such that the spring could slip out the bottom. I’m wondering about manipulating the rivet but being so small and delicate…no room for a punch on top, but perhaps inverted on a narrow flat stump with a tap on the bottom of the boot?

...after a service I can tell amplitude is already decent even with the defect but the spring is favoring the inner pin...

Edited January 19, 2024 by rehajm

[mikepilk]

Lovely watch.  I have a 267 - similar movement with sweep seconds. (Wish it wasn't radium dial!)

If you know you can source a new part* (where from?), then I guess have a go flattening the rivet. As you say, it's going to be tricky supporting it. 

*I know parts are hard to find for these movements. I managed to trash the hairspring on mine whilst adjusting the overcoil. I waited a long time before I found a replacement.

[rehajm]

...yes, thanks. Surprisingly it looks like Cousins still has a bit of inventory for these, including the regulator...

[nevenbekriev]

Just use pliers with long flat jaws. Squeeze in such manner that one tip will rest on the rivet, and the other - on the bottom of the pin