Problems with the capstone and chaton separating after oiling

[GuyMontag]

I am having an issue oiling capstones on one movement type (Bulova 11AN*/11AO*). When I place the chaton on the oiled (and epilamed) capstone when I then go to pick up the jewel the chaton and capstone separate. It doesn't happen all the time but it does happen a good 70%+ of the time (I've done quite a few of these movements). I don't seem to have this issue with other movements.
In the below video before the video starts I had first tried oiling as described above but the jewels again separated and smeared the oil so I re-cleaned the jewels. The video picks up where I then decided to try first placing the capstone in the chaton and pressing down to secure it, which worked. Then I flipped it over and placed the oil in the oil sink before drawing it though to the capstone with a thin wire. The jewels separated when I picked it up.

Looking at the capstone It looked like it could use more oil so I then placed a little more and again placed the chaton on top, pressed down a bit, and then picked it up and they again separated. In the past I have tried adding significantly more oil than is shown in the video just to ensure that there is more than enough to come into contact with the chaton when I place it on top of the capstone and I still have the same issues.

Any thoughts on technique or suggestions to get the chaton and capstone to not separate after oiling when picking the jewel up?


 

 

Edited August 12, 2024 by GuyMontag

[Neverenoughwatches]

49 minutes ago, GuyMontag said:

I am having an issue oiling capstones on one movement type (Bulova 11AN*/11AO*). When I place the chaton on the oiled (and epilamed) capstone when I then go to pick up the jewel the chaton and capstone separate. It doesn't happen all the time but it does happen a good 70%+ of the time (I've done quite a few of these movements). I don't seem to have this issue with other movements.
In the below video before the video starts I had first tried oiling as described above but the jewels again separated and smeared the oil so I re-cleaned the jewels. The video picks up where I then decided to try first placing the capstone in the chaton and pressing down to secure it, which worked. Then I flipped it over and placed the oil in the oil sink before drawing it though to the capstone with a thin wire. The jewels separated when I picked it up.

Looking at the capstone It looked like it could use more oil so I then placed a little more and again placed the chaton on top, pressed down a bit, and then picked it up and they again separated. In the past I have tried adding significantly more oil than is shown in the video just to ensure that there is more than enough to come into contact with the chaton when I place it on top of the capstone and I still have the same issues.

Any thoughts on technique or suggestions to get the chaton and capstone to not separate after oiling when picking the jewel up?


 

 

Place the chaton in the jewel housing then place the oiled cap on top

[GuyMontag]

18 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Place the chaton in the jewel housing then place the oiled cap on top

I've tried doing something similar where I place the oiled capstone on top of the chaton (while out of the housing) but I find it tricky as unless I drop it *perfectly* centered over the chaton.

Is there anything obvious I am doing wrong or something else to try?
 

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 minutes ago, GuyMontag said:

I've tried doing something similar where I place the oiled capstone on top of the chaton (while out of the housing) but I find it tricky as unless I drop it *perfectly* centered over the chaton.

Is there anything obvious I am doing wrong or something else to try?
 

 

I mostly oil as you do by placing chaton on top of the capstone but I used to set the chaton in the housing then place the capstone which just saves moving the chaton afterwards.  The difference being that the tweezers are holding the cap fully, there is no lip to help the alignment as with the chaton placement. I agree it is a little more awkward this way but it just takes practice to place the cap perfect. The oil is catching your tweezer once you've mis-placed at the end. Nothing in particular i can see you are doing wrong Guy and your hand looks really steady. Just that final placement maybe slow it down a touch, it needs to drop perfect use you left hand to steady your tweezer hand further if you think it will help. I cant see a reason why the cap wont hold to the chaton though, maybe its a loose fit ? Under size ? for the chaton.

[HectorLooi]

I had a similar problem with a Bulova. I accidentally lost the original capstone and replaced it with one which was a little too big and not sitting properly in the chaton.