Omega 2500 Coaxial Oiling

[omgiv]

Hi Guys,

 

I recently bought an Omega 2500B from Omega that was stated as non-running.  I have been itching to work on a coaxial movement and wanted to try it out on a donor first.  Once, I got it I saw why it wasn't running.  Someone had kinked the hairspring so that it was touching the balance wheel hub.  I was able to correct that and it started right up.  The rate is pretty slow but the amplitude seems to be pretty good.  i don't trust my timing machine for the amplitude because I am not so sure it can properly interpret the coaxial escapement.  It gives me a reading on the 2500B but will not give an amplitude on the 2500C in my Planet Ocean.

 

The reason I am writing is because I am curious about oiling procedures.  I have about 6 different technical guides on the 2500 movements and its variations.  Some of them give specific oiling procedures and some just refer you to a working instruction 40.  I have searched high and low for that one and can't find it anywhere.  I was wondering if anyone here had it.

 

My technical guides all say to oil each of the lower 8 teeth on the escape wheel and 2 of the upper teeth on the escape wheel.  It gives specific placement, type of oil, and amount.  It also specifically says that there should be no oil present between the escape wheel and the intermediate escape wheel.  I was reading and doing some research on different boards and came across some posts from someone that took a course specifically from Swatch on oiling the coaxial movements and he stated there were 30 oiling points on the 2 tier coaxial escapement.  10 on the escape wheel and 20 on the intermediate escape wheel teeth.  This seems to go against what is written in the technical guides.  I do have some pages that mention a black residue on the intermediate escape wheel teeth that can cause the movement to stop or have a hard time starting.  It also mentions that the old gold color intermediate escape wheel can be replaced with a newer silver colored on.  But nothing on oiling those teeth.  I am interested to hear what you guys think and what you do or recommend.

 

I have the Omega control holder for controlling the escapement while oiling and a great stereo zoom microscope.  I have seen some posts on the Omega 2500 here before and was hoping you guys could provide some insight.

 

 

Thanks in advance!!!!!

[Cougarnaut]

Hi ,

 

I thought that the advantage of Daniels coaxial escapement is that it doesn't need oil at all. And as far as I know the coaxial escapement does not work with the standard timing machines. I will follow this thread!

 

Regards

Dirk

[omgiv]

Hi Dirk,

The original Daniels design did not require oil. Omega, however, did not use his exact design. His original rate was 18,000 bph and he also used softer gears. Omega initially used a rate of 28,800 and later lowered it to 25,200. They are also using a steel escape wheel.

The oil isn't really used as a lubricant as much as it is used to cushion the impact of the pallet fork on the escape wheel.

[Cougarnaut]

Hi,

 

Thank's, learning every day something new. 

[Geo]

The oil isn't really used as a lubricant as much as it is used to cushion the impact of the pallet fork on the escape wheel.

The sad thing is that they do need oil and compared to standard anchor escapements, they are prone to wear. I feel it is an unnecessary complication that is giving no real benefit.

I wish I could give you the answer you require, hopefully Mark or some if the professional members will have the answers you require.

[omgiv]

Thanks Geo.  I appreciate the comment.  It does indeed seem to be a little more finicky than a standard escapement and definitely trickier to lubricate.  I think there are other things that could make the watch run more accurately.  Still, I feel like it is going to be around for a while and need to learn it :)