Balance Wheels With Hairsprings

[rogart63]

I have bought some old parts from an auction . There are  a lot of balance wheels . Have now idea what they are or for which movement . There are usually balance staff included . Could this wheels be used for a lot of different movement if i replace the staff . Or are the hairsprings different for different movements . Are they useless if i don't no which movement they fit? 

Edited November 21, 2015 by rogart63

[bobm12]

Hi rogart,

 

My understanding is that each manufacturer has a balance wheel and hairspring (sometimes in combination) for a certain movement. That is an ETA2824 balance won't work on an ETA6498. Of course, if the movement is in the same family the balance wheel will generally work, eg. ETA2824 with ETA2836. Also there are different grades so you may have a regular balance wheel/hairspring combination but you may be able to use a chronometer grade balance wheel/hairspring combination because it is either the same family/similar movement and/or same movement but different grade.

 

Seiko, for example can use different movement parts interchangeable (just as many other brands), only it seems the interchangeability is wider even between "eras" of movements. It all boils down to bps, material used and of course measurements and properties.

 

I wouldn't say your lot is useless, you just need to identify what you have and if not of immediate use, I bet one day they will be useful.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[rogart63]

Hi rogart,

 

My understanding is that each manufacturer has a balance wheel and hairspring (sometimes in combination) for a certain movement. That is an ETA2824 balance won't work on an ETA6498. Of course, if the movement is in the same family the balance wheel will generally work, eg. ETA2824 with ETA2836. Also there are different grades so you may have a regular balance wheel/hairspring combination but you may be able to use a chronometer grade balance wheel/hairspring combination because it is either the same family/similar movement and/or same movement but different grade.

 

Seiko, for example can use different movement parts interchangeable (just as many other brands), only it seems the interchangeability is wider even between "eras" of movements. It all boils down to bps, material used and of course measurements and properties.

 

I wouldn't say your lot is useless, you just need to identify what you have and if not of immediate use, I bet one day they will be useful.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Thanks Bob . Will put them aside for now . Maybe one day i have use for them . I now some of them are FHF parts . There where a lot of other useful stuff . 

[JohnR725]

If these were American pocket watch Balance wheels you can measure the staff dimensions. There's a book that lists dimensions to tell you what staff they are. Then a lot of the balance wheels on American had the serial number on the balance wheel but you have to look up each manufacturer if you didn't have a clue as to which one made the balance with. The serial number of the balance wheel is more important if you're working on a watch wondering if the balance wheels been swapped.