Jump to content

Full Plate Movements And Pivot-Jewel Fitting

Edmund

By Edmund
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

 Share

Recommended Posts

Edmund Member

Edmund

Posted
Posted (edited)

Dear friends,

 

What is the correct method for fitting all pivots in all jewels in a full plate or 3/4 movement like the one below, a Phenix from 1908.

 
Sadly for it, some pivots and jewels were badly damaged as I was unable to align them properly during re-assembly.
 
Although it is too late for this Phenix, your comments may help to prevent a similar 'disaster'.
 
Many thanks.

post-1450-0-89943700-1448201352_thumb.jp

Edited by Edmund
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

Hi Edmund,

 

I know exactly how you feel and I emphasize wholeheartedly.

 

Now do not despair, Bergeon has developed a tool just last year. It is a special, very rare and specialized tool to do exactly that and the good news is they are selling it cheap contrary to their normal price list policy: it is only $2000.00 and a waiting list of 6 month, special order! Now you must hurry since the Swiss embargo might just make it impossible to source after December and you may be forced to buy a same exact Chinese copy for $0.99 on ebay! Just kidding! :)

 

Honestly, my recipe is patience and more patience, be gently and don't force anything. Try often the wheels involved for free running until everything feels good. Those bridges could be a bear to put back...luckily a gentle bear...not like some mainsprings by hand. In any case, I welcome you to our site -- I haven't done that before -- and hope another member has a better system to do what you ask.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

 

PS. I'm really not aware of any tool that allows you to do what you want, really. The Bergeon thing is simply making fun of their stuff...those in the know realize what I mean! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

Make a miniature version of a clock pivot aligning tool by heating the tip of an old oiler and bending it to look like this.

post-124-0-24736300-1448208004_thumb.jpe

This will allow you to push and pull pivots while very gently applying downward pressure to the plate.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Edmund Member

Edmund

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Make a miniature version of a clock pivot aligning tool by heating the tip of an old oiler and bending it to look like this.

attachicon.gifimage.jpeg

This will allow you to push and pull pivots while very gently applying downward pressure to the plate.

This is the kind of tool I was missing. Stupid me...  :pulling-hair-out:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Blacklab Distinguished Member

Blacklab

Posted
Posted

Patience, patience, patience, patience, patience, patience, swearing, tantrum, more swearing, referring to Roger Mellie's Profanisaurus (now available as an app by the way), outrageously insane swearing, mental breakdown, therapy, patience, patience, patience, patience, patience etc..........

 

Works for me every time.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I read that same article last night  H.  I think epilame is too much headache for me, sources aren't always accurate, some conflicting. Such is the GRAVITY of this situation, Is it ok if i just STICK  to a thixotropic oil 🤣
    • VWatchie
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By VWatchie · Posted

      Not sure I follow along. As I stated in one of my previous posts, the epilame will remain intact between rubbing parts as long as the surface is lubricated by oil or grease. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but note how the epilame-treated surface is illustrated in @Waggy's post. It looks like the oil is exposed to a binder (epilame!) so that it can't move sideways.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      The epilame under the oil will also be removed  Unless the oil makes a barrier between the epilame and the escape teeth 😅 I think i need two strong coffees now 🤣
    • VWatchie
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By VWatchie · Posted

      If we use the rub-off epilame method of pallet stones (run dry for a few minutes before applying the epilame) where will the oil go/be transported when it is pushed away from the impulse surface by the escape wheel teeth? Onto the epilame-treated sections of the pallet! Once the oil has been applied/transported to the epilame-treated sections of the pallet where will it then go? Nowhere as the oil will remain on the epilame. So, perhaps the run-dry method defeats its intended purpose leaving the pallet impulse surfaces dry!? If, on the other hand, we do not remove the epilame from the pallet stones where the escape wheel teeth come in contact with them I'd expect more oil to remain where we want it and need it. Yes, I agree, that is the question, and my gut feeling tells me that is exactly the case. Epilame was created to have an adhesive trait and the oleophobic property is just a side effect.  
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Epilame / Fixodrop

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      Might that be the viscous nature of oil resisting gravity H  ,  we have been comparing water and hydrophobic surfaces which are similar in principle but water is much less viscous than oil. I guess what we trying to discover is if epilame also has an adhesive trait as well as being oleophobic. Plus the oil dropet has very little mass for gravity to work on, like watching tiny water beads that can grip onto vertical glass until they are connected together to increase their mass then run down. Gravity isn't the only factor at play when oil is placed on pallet stones. The oil receives a lot of bashing that may push it out of position ? Thinking about it if the oil stays in position for 10 minutes enough time for the escape wheel to scrape off the epilame , then  a walled in lubrication has been achieved,  the epilame is no longer beneath the oil ( possibly mixed into the oil )
×
×
  • Create New...