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Hi

The title is not from Shakespeare but I'm stuck with a problem of low amplitude (140) on a seiko 6309 

After inspection of the train pivots I just figured out but watching the balance movement but I'm not sure so I've post a little video to show you 

Take in account that's coming from a microscope so there is a magnification 

VIDEO HERE 

Thanks for your help 

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I think you should do a free oscillation test. It's hard to be sure but it looks like the balance might be touching the underside of the balance cock. Rotate the balance cock 180 degrees then count the oscillations when you release it. You're looking for 100 or more full oscillations. If it stops after less than that (and assuming the balance jewels are clean and pivots intact) then the balance is probably touching/rubbing on something.

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As I scroll through the "unread content" list of threads, this comes up, and it made me chuckle. There are so many weird words in watchmaking (due to language differences, and sometimes just weirdness), that I absolutely was not sure if "wooble" was some technical term I had not yet learned. Wigwag is the one that comes immediately to mind; I suspect of British origin.

Edited by spectre6000
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Hi 

Sorry as you understand english is not my mother tongue. 

It's difficult  to explain that's why I put a video

17 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

So where has the figure of 140 come from as even from the side it looks better than that?

Have you checked the balance pivots and jewels?

140 is the number given by my timegrapher I'm using the weishi 1900

the lift angle for seiko 6309 is 54.5 

I've checked with the microscope but I can't see any pivot bent before assembly I check if the balance is free and it seems that it was ok 

Edited by richiesgr
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1 hour ago, richiesgr said:

Hi 

Sorry as you understand english is not my mother tongue. 

It's difficult  to explain that's why I put a video

140 is the number given by my timegrapher I'm using the weishi 1900

the lift angle for seiko 6309 is 54.5 

I've checked with the microscope but I can't see any pivot bent before assembly I check if the balance is free and it seems that it was ok 

I understood what you meant by wobble.

So how does the 140 shown on the timegrapher actually look when you watch the balance?

Have you done the free oscillation test as @GPrideaux suggested, but forgot to mention that you need to remove the fork first?

Can you post photos of the pivots and jewels.

 

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If the balance staff pivots and pivot jewels are good and the end stones are secure.  It could be the balance wheel is distorted or the balance staff has not been fitted to the balance wheel correctly.    

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The amplitude readings of 140 seems more or less correct on the video. The balance wobble is just balance not trued after staff replacement or balance bent for some reason (not proper handling). But it (wobble) is not the reason for lo amplitude.

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It's very common to see Seikos with a balance that wobble a little. Seikos have a very delicate balance wheel and are placed too close to the edge of the movement. The balance can get damaged from clamping the movement carelessly in certain types of movement holders.

Poor amplitude can be due to a lot of factors, like dirty jewels, worn out bushings, weak mainsprings, distorted hairsprings, dirty pallet jewels.

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22 hours ago, richiesgr said:

Sorry as you understand english is not my mother tongue. 

It wasn't a comment on your phrasing. Totally understood what you meant. 100% commenting on some of the weird terminology in watchmaking.

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Hi All

  • I plan to disassemble the movement  and recheck the pivot of all the wheel in the train 
  • Check the balance pivot by removing the balance from the bridge 
  • Check if the balance wheel is true with a tool 
  • Most important replace the mainspring as it was never replaced 

Thanks a lot for all your ideas 

 

 

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2 hours ago, richiesgr said:

Hi All

  • I plan to disassemble the movement  and recheck the pivot of all the wheel in the train 
  • Check the balance pivot by removing the balance from the bridge 
  • Check if the balance wheel is true with a tool 
  • Most important replace the mainspring as it was never replaced 

Thanks a lot for all your ideas 

 

 

Make sure you check the auto rotor bearing before you disassemble so you know it's OK.

There are a couple of options for the mainspring from Cousins compared to the stupid eBay prices.

image.png.2de7a34402968719e1c4e5c7df4683c6.png

image.png.76a7e62dbb5fd3fc439dea46c6170fe3.png

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