Soprod A10 Stops Running When Watch Placed Face Down

[hourtime]

I have a diver watch with a Soprod A10 that is a little over a year old.  It's been running slow, in the beginning about 5 secs/day, but recently more like 20 secs/day slow.  I thought I would open the case and turn the adjustment screw ever so slightly to see if I could get it more accurate.  After carefully doing this, I find the balance stops when placed face down and on it's side.  It seems to run well when the watch is placed with 12 O'Clock up.  Then as you tilt the watch to the dial side down, it slowly comes to a stop as if it is not powered or as if there is some slight friction.  Has anyone seen this behavior before, either in this movement or any other perhaps?  I am reluctant to fully uncase it and try to troubleshoot it if there could be something simple I might have overlooked.

[Don]

Upper balance pivot broken?

Sent from my XT1064 using Tapatalk

[oldhippy]

As Don has said, also check the whole balance pivots and jewel holes, some times if a balance pivot has broken it sticks in the jewel and it can still work but tends to ride on the broken pivot.

[hourtime]

Thanks.  I'll take a look.

[ausimax]

Had the same problem on a Seiko today,going like a train until you placed it face up, then it stopped, Checked the balance pinions they were OK, pallet pinions all OK, pulled the train bridge off again and gave all the pinions a microscopic examination, culprit was the third wheel lower pinion, not broken just damaged, even under the microscope it was hard to see, used another third wheel from the spares bin and problem solved.

 

So check all the pinions carefully, I had already checked these and thought they were OK!

 

Max 

[Sens]

I have a Jaermann & Stübi with a Soprod A10-2 calibre.

Mine was running slow and I tried to adjust it too. The same thing happened to me. If you apply just a little pressure on the adjustment screw the balance stops and you will find out that the balance bridge will bend quite easily. 

My upper balance pivot broke as well...

I wonder how Hourtime solved the problem since parts for Soprod seem difficult to find.

Any ideas?

 

Best regards,

[hourtime]

I have an answer, but not one that will help.  I sent mine back to the watch manufacturer, and they either replaced or repaired the movement, no description was included, just a working watch.  I was pleased they honored their obligations.  Good luck.  Hopefully someone will know how or where parts can be found.

[Sens]

Thanks for your reply. I think that is what I am going to do.

 

[Sens]

Found it! At the factory in Switzerland they sell the parts for the A10-2. Mail to: [email protected]

[jdm]

Which part are you replacing?

[Sens]

The balance. The pivot is broken...

[jdm]

Just out of curiosity, how much is it?

[Sens]

Balance complete + bridge = 60 Swiss Francs

[Watchtime]

nice......great watch

[Sens]

I just received the balance for the A10.

I mounted it in the movement and regulated the watch.

Everything OK now!

H. Sens