Just won't run after cleaning - Waltham 8 days - Car Watch

[Dmitry]

Hello,

I have a supersized Waltham 8 Day Model 1910 car watch. I mounted it on an improvised dash and it was brightening up my day on my desk. One day winding stopped working. I took it apart, washed the parts and put it back tobether with proper lubrication, but, oh horror - it did not spring back to life! It wants to go, but it feels as though something is not quite giving it enough power.

When I remove the pallet fork and give it just a bit of a wind, the train spins nicely, even with just a bit of a touch to either of the two mainspring barrels - yep, it has two!

Then with the removed pallet fork I mount the balance wheel and it spins nicely back and forth with good amplitude.

However, when I put the pallet fork back together, with a few turns on the wind the fork snaps back and forth with a bit of a touch, just as it should, but when I put the balance wheel back in, the escape wheel just does not advance, as though there is not enough power in the train, although I know there is. As soon as I take the pallet fork out (I block the minute wheel to not damage the fork on removal), the train starts spinning with a whine. The pallet fork was the only part I have not cleaned or touched when servicing the movement, so I am at a loss here. The watch now winds just fine, I think it was a lubrication issue and a few screws were lose.

One more observation - when I push the minute wheel jently to apply more pressure to the train, the balance wheel start working just as it should, but when I let go, it loses power and stops advancing the escape wheel.

I have recorded a brief video with the microscope of what is going on.

First I show how the escape wheel just does nto advance, and at about 16 seconds I push the minute wheel to get it all going, os it loses power and stops advancing the escape wheel.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArG5E62RGctxjsxdA7PBWVk7juMiwQ?e=qJNFuQ

Thank you for any suggestions.

[caseback]

From what little I see, it's a low jewel movement (no jewels on the escape wheel)? Have you checked for wear ( side- and endshake) on the train? With the pallet fork removed, it's easy for the wheels to spin as there is little tension on them creating friction. That changes with the pallet fork in place. If there is too much play, wheels and pivots are pushed sideways or up/down causing a loss of power.

[nevenbekriev]

Hi Dmitry,

I can guess that may be You have decided that the banking pins were bent out and have straightened them, may be just a little? Now the 'run to the banking' on exit pallet is not enough and the tooth that is higher than the others (yes, always one is higher, no mater they are the same), can't pass. Or may be the exit pallet has moved somehow a little out, or may be the pallet fork cock has free play and it's legs doesn't fix it in one exact place reliably...This can be solved by several ways, and long conversation is which way is the correct one. If the cock can be shifted, then slightly untighten the screw(s) and press the cock to direction as to enlarge distance between the fork and escape wheel, then tighten again. If the cock is well fixed (as it should be) and don't move, then the simplest thing You can do is to open a little the corresponding banking pin (if You look from watchmaker side, the balance is down and escape wheel up, then this is the right side pin).

Do You speak Russian? It will be much easier for me to write such things in Russian...

[HectorLooi]

Check that the pivot holes have not worn out and become elongated.

[oldhippy]

To me it looks as if the power isn't getting through. Check all the train teeth, pivots, pivot holes and even the barrel and it's teeth. If all is well then it is down to the escapement. 

[CYCLOPS]

have you checked the mainspring? might have broke or come unhooked?