ETA 6497 power release

[beastomaniac]

I'm about to start servicing ETA 6497 movement, but it still has power in the mainspring. How do I release the tension off the mainspring safely without breaking anything?

[oldhippy]

Just start as if to wind the watch see the little click spring, you need to put your screwdriver against the click and hold it back so it doesn't engage, while you do this hold the button between fingers as if you are going to wind the thing and let the button gently unwind until it stops. You can do this in or out of the case I always did it in the case to protect the hands. Just try and wind it and it will feel  like no power is in the movement. When out of the case remove balance complete and remove the pallet bridge and pallets, what little power might still be there will run out from the train. Here's a video for you he's letting down a pocket watch first then he shows you a wrist watch, but its the same as I've described to you.

 

 

Edited May 31, 2016 by oldhippy

[beastomaniac]

Great, thank you for this info!

[matabog]