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Though I mostly do vintage I can’t say I’ve benefitted greatly from any company’s technical documents. Is anything in them infinitely superior to WOSTEP or AWCI? Maybe knowing details of purple winding gears and I guess epilame on all those other parts is fun…I still pull them and read when I can fine them I suppose 🧐… -
One of the blessings of being an enthusiast is that I can spend whatever time I need on a watch to make it work as well as I can. Before I take on anyone's watch, I always tell them that I can't promise anything about how long it may take and what costs it might bring. Of course, any additional costs must be agreed upon. As you indicate, it's only when you're done that you know for a fact what time was required and the cost. It's the same pattern as with any complex undertaking, and repairing watches can be complex, even very complex. No, far from it. The secrecy from the big brands is honestly one of the most frustrating parts of this hobby. Even when you do manage to get hold of service manuals, they’re often missing crucial details—things like lubrication points or even just the safest way to disassemble and assemble certain components. Luckily, WRT exist, and over time you build up the knowledge and experience to work around the gaps. Sharing tips and hard-earned tricks here makes a huge difference. The secrecy itself seems to be part of the business model. Take the Rolex 3135 as an example—rather than clearly explaining how to safely remove the date ring in publicly available documentation, Rolex sells pricey training programs and certifications to their authorised service centres. And who ends up paying for that in the end? The customers, because independent watchmakers and passionate amateurs are pushed out. It’s a shame, really. If the car industry operated like this, the backlash would be huge. -
Provided the tool is in good condition, and hasn’t been subject to dodgy repairs (some I’ve seen on eBay are in terrible condition or were incompetently repaired) the balance arms are clamped very securely when performing adjustments and the relevant surfaces are true. This is an excellent tool in my experience. Here’s a picture of a balance clamped securely, ready for an adjustment to be made : Best Regards, Mark -
I don't use a lathe to reduce the diameter of the pin I use something else but I'm a bit puzzled as to why is it too big in this particular case is that's extremely big? By some chances as the balance bridge off another watch? -
By Neverenoughwatches · Posted
Yes, remove all the power first so that the pallet fork can be taken out safely after the balance. Fit the winding stem so you can wind the watch up, don't get into the habit of using a screwdriver to turn the ratchet wheel. While the delicate bits are out of the way, take note of any excess side and end shake in the train, including the barrel. Now wind in a little power and pay attention to how free the train spins. A good indication is when the escape wheel backs up for a second or two at the end. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem if it doesn't do that. These are checks that you should do naturally during assembly. Saves time finding problems at this stage, rather thsn piecing it all together to take it apart again.
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