Speeding Up An Omega Electronic F300 Chronometer

[suparobg]

Is it fairly simple to regulate one of these it is running 1 to 2 minutes slow per month. The watch is an Omega electronic f300 Chronometer from 1973. It is on its way to me and i don't have pictures of the insides yet. but this is what it looks like  it has a 37000000 serial number and a 1260 caliber movement

Thanks.

 

[suparobg]

this is a picture of the movement . how would i speed up the movement on this watch?

[suparobg]

couple of more pics could someone explain how the  process works

[WillFly]

Wow - I've never seen one of these before!

[Geo]

Wow - I've never seen one of these before!

Made with technology licensed from Bulova if I remember correctly and in my opinion a better movement than Bulova. I have both so I feel justified to comment on them. My Omega is a Seamaster Cone F300 with the same movement as the one in this thread, and my Bulova is a genuine Space View.

[Geo]

Copied from another form:

Re: How are these movements regulated ? (F300)

There is a method of adjustment which is easy enough in theory but, as with so many things, takes a little work. Oh, and it takes ages to get it spot on.

First things first:

If you look at the movement you will notice that just after 12 (on this orientation) there are two minuses and a plus on the bridge. Here they are in close up and the other way up, just to offer a little challenge!

As you can see, while this version is a Zenith rather than an Omega it is still an ESA 9162.

Now, you see those two bobbins? They can be turned, very carefully, and a notch at a time, inwards and outwards. You need to mount the watch firmly and use two soft but sharp things, plastic needles are good (but toothpicks will do) to apply even pressure to both sides of the bobbin as you turn it. Don't use metal as it will scratch stuff up and leave detritus and don't use a single one as everything is rather carefully balanced

At least in theory, one notch of one bobbin is equivalent to two seconds in 24 hours. I have always alternated from one bobbin to the other (a notch left then a notch right and so on) and nothing has broken.

So, the usual deal: time the watch over 24 hours, do the maths and then, working one notch at a time, on both sides (and, most importantly keeping track of how many on a sheet of paper - to put it back right when you screw up!) adjust the difference.

Time it for another twenty four hours and then repeat the process with a smaller discrepancy and so on until you are reduced to trying to do half a notch. Then stop - beyond that madness lies

However, two warnings.

1) If the watch has not been serviced you will succeed in getting tolerable accuracy. The 9162 has torque to spare. Torque enough to destroy itself while working very nicely. Think about it! After a proper service you can reasonably expect to get accuracy you can brag about and you will be saving these wonderful movements for posterity!

2) Like any wristwatch, these are very, very easy to break. Ham fisted owners are, after stripped index wheels and leaky batteries, the most common reason for 9162 death. I'm all in favour of you breaking your watch this way as it increases my spares pool. You might feel differently. Buy a few old Accutrons and break them first if you do.

[suparobg]

do the acccutrons have basically the same movements in them as the 1260 Omega does?

[suparobg]

ok a notch to the left and a notch to the right because the + sign is in the middle right?  I am guessing I would need the tool that fits the shape of the  three pointed"screw things" I don't know the technical names is there a screw to loosen first in order to make the adjustment? I found a really good technical right up on how to service these but it is for an Omega 1250 movement but I am guessing the principals are the same? Feel free to chime in because chances are most people would have more experience than me. The watch was cleaned and oils in the last 3 years , I just want to adjust so It isn't so far off. But I guess 2 minutes max per month isn't bad but I thought it being a "chronometer" rating that it would need to be within -4 to +6 seconds per day.

[Geo]

The movement is based on the Bulova but the detail is very different.

Mine, like yours, keeps good time but like yours is not perfect. I am living with it as it is in the meantime.

As you probably have gathered I do like to work on my own watches, but when it comes to Accutrons and F300s I leave well alone. My Bulova will be getting sent to a specialist in the near future for a service and regulation.

[suparobg]

Ya you know what 1-2 minutes per month is actually dam good for a watch from 1973

I bought it because it is a watch from my birth year and I don't have one like that

[fraggle42]

You realise 2 minutes a month is 120 seconds in ~60 days = 2 seconds a day, which is better than the 4 to 6 seconds a day you mentioned wanting it to be?

It sounds like one notch on each wheel will get it to virtually zero seconds a day but like you, I would definitely use the correctly shaped tool, shouldn't be too hard to whittle away at a piece of plastic or wood to make a three pronged tool that's close enough shape to work well.

[Geo]

Welcome to the forum. Fraggle42, you'll find this a friendly place full of enthusiasts very and very helpful people.

[fraggle42]

Thanks Geo, I'm just starting off in learning how to repair watches and clocks.

Picked up a load of junk movements from EBay to dismantle and learn how all the sub assemblies work, and to get used to working on components that small. Also got a few inexpensive new movements to dismantle and (hopefully) rebuild. Last couple of things I've picked up are a weight driven wall clock that needs a good restore.

Enough to keep me going for the spring and summer,

My number one problem is how to ensure those components that just love to escape, do not make it off the bench! I've thought of attaching male Velcro pads to the bottom of the rubber mat and just attaching the edge of it to myself so it forms a lip and prevents any parts escaping...

[suparobg]

You realise 2 minutes a month is 120 seconds in ~60 days = 2 seconds a day, which is better than the 4 to 6 seconds a day you mentioned wanting it to be?

It sounds like one notch on each wheel will get it to virtually zero seconds a day but like you, I would definitely use the correctly shaped tool, shouldn't be too hard to whittle away at a piece of plastic or wood to make a three pronged tool that's close enough shape to work well.

Ya the 1-2 minutes per month sounded high when I wrote this post but it doesn't hurt to know how to make tiny adjustments to the movement is need be in the future.

Great help and thanks to everyone who submitted something useful to the post