Jewel spring is a headache to install

[rph952]

These jewels and springs are unbelievably small and a challenge to service. I managed to do one with the circular spring, no issues, but this one below is not cooperating. It's located on one of the bridges. Do you have some advice on how to install the spring? There's a tiny indent where I think the spring base goes in. I tried running one spring end under the lip of the chatone but the other side is hard to wedge in place and I'm afraid I'll break it. The other one just like it I lost. It pinged away into the ether. Thanks.

[rubberteeth]

Oh the fabulous duofix. Inventor of this style should be roasting in hell for all eternity along with that damn soviet 3 legged circle spring. Anyway I'd say holding it in place with pegwood is the easiest way to install and it also wont fly away. Sharpen it like a flat screwdriver head so u have space to work around it but enough surface to hold it fairly firmly 

[HectorLooi]

Watch this video. Alex demonstrates the procedure very well. I also recommend oiling through the jewel hole.

[Knebo]

9 hours ago, rubberteeth said:

Oh the fabulous duofix. Inventor of this style should be roasting in hell for all eternity

Hahaha, true! 

 

8 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I also recommend oiling through the jewel hole.

I agree. 

9 hours ago, rph952 said:

Do you have some advice on how to install the spring

Yes. Put a thin sheet of transparent plastic film on top of it and work "through it". It'll make it a lot easier and you won't loose the spring. 

Start with one leg, then position the second leg at the widest part of the circle/chaton to slip it in. Then slide back the two legs to insert the head. 

[rph952]

After a long delay, I finally got the shock springs reinserted! I taped down the small bridge that held the jewel to my steel riveting anvil so it wouldn't move around and that helped a lot. The spring on the main body was easy in comparison. I purchased 25 springs from H&W Perrin in Canada ($9 with shipping) and found a good fit for the one I lost. Alex has great videos, which helped me with the spring. This Westclox with a Seiko movement is fighting me every step of the way. I'm sure it was never serviced. Almost every screw was frozen and needed a good soaking. The transmission fluid/penetrating oil combo worked best. The good news is that everything is in great shape.

[mbwatch]

3 hours ago, rph952 said:

This Westclox with a Seiko movement

This ... what?