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Repairing Mechanical Wrist Watches

madwatchman
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madwatchman Member

madwatchman

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I have a wrist watch i am currently trying to get working. However it will not go when I have wound it up and release the winder. When I touch the winder and go to try and wind it but hold the winder in that position the watch starts working fine. However as soon as I release the winder it stops immediately. I am fairly new to working on watches so have a lot to learn. Can any of you experts out there give me any advice as to why this should be and what I can do to get it working without holding the winder and turning it slightly. Thanks Brian.

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madwatchman Member

madwatchman

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A picture of the movement would be helpful, as it sounds like the mainspring click is not holding as it should after each wind of the crown. Does the crown spin backwards after you release it?

Hello again. Further to your comments please see attached a photo of the movement.( i hope!). The crown does not spin backwards after releasing it and the click seems to hold the ratchet on the mainspring OK but the movement just keeps stopping, usually within a matter of seconds. Cheers, Brian.

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madwatchman Member

madwatchman

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Hello again. Further to your comments please see attached a photo of the movement.( i hope!). The crown does not spin backwards after releasing it and the click seems to hold the ratchet on the mainspring OK but the movement just keeps stopping, usually within a matter of seconds. Cheers, Brian. attachicon.gif20160229_173212.jpg

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

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I have a wrist watch i am currently trying to get working. However it will not go when I have wound it up and release the winder. When I touch the winder and go to try and wind it but hold the winder in that position the watch starts working fine. However as soon as I release the winder it stops immediately. I am fairly new to working on watches so have a lot to learn. Can any of you experts out there give me any advice as to why this should be and what I can do to get it working without holding the winder and turning it slightly. Thanks Brian.

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It sounds to me as if you are trying to force the power through the train (that's the wheels) when you stop the watch stops. This would indicate the movement has some dirt in it and would need to be taken apart, cleaned, oiled, put together and timed.  

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madwatchman Member

madwatchman

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Thanks guys. I will try to strip it right down although this will mean removing the balance as well because it is screwed to the plate. Pretty new to all this so a bit scared of taking the balance off but I guess I will have to. It was only actually bought on eBay as a spares and repairs to experiment on as I have to learn about working on watches to familiarise myself with them as much as possible. Would still be nice to get it going though anyway. Thanks for advice and wish me luck! Brian.

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petevig Member

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For some reason I am not able to see your attached picture, newbie status perhaps.  Not sure what caliber it is, but I would strongly recommend you visit Cousins, UK website, register, and then see if you can find your movement in their very comprehensive listing.  Most of my experience comes from Seiko 7S26 (courtesy of Nicholas Hacko, AZ), and older AS 1361 movements purchased off ebay that I have a pretty good success rate with bringing back to life.  Of all the skills I continually practice, it is removing and re-installing the balance cock.  With that said, please be sure you let the mainspring all the way down, and then remove and replace the BC several times just to achieve a level of familiarity and comfort (bad choice of word as I am never comfortable and guys like Mark make it look soooo easy).  Lot's of videos on youtube that are also helpful.  Good luck.  Will look forward to your progress posts.  -pete  

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