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Posted

I managed to break one half of the retaining clip on the balance bridge incabloc. (movement is a FL - Cal 253) I cleaned/oiled the cap jewel and it is being held on by on half of the retaining clip. I have assembled the movement and it is running--I have turned the movement so that the broken jewel clip is facing down and it has not fallen out of the movement.

So my "stupid" question is should I just leave it as is? This is a hobby watch so if it breaks I'll just fix it again. OR, should I spend the $18 + $4 shipping and order an new incabloc from Cousins in the U.K.????  If I get a new incabloc can I remove the clip from the new part and install in the incabloc that is already installed on the balance bridge??? I found a Youtube video that shows someone doing this--but don't know if it will work on my particular movement?? 

Any help would be a "help" as I am new to the watch hobby.

Thanks, Tracy

 

Posted

You mean the little brass clip, if you do, the whole clip fell off one I was working on the other day, very easy to replace just the clip, a steady hand is all

Posted

I would replace it as it does not cost the world....Leaving it like this can result in the cap jewel coming off and getting stuck in the movement.

Posted

Hi Tracy, having just one 'arm' of the spring won't work unfortunately. A light jolt will knock the cap jewel off again. You're need to get a replacement, either a new spring or a replacement balance bridge.

While you may get lucky and replace the spring like Danh said, most likely you will need to dismantle the whole balance bridge, If I remember correctly the FL253 hairspring has an end-fixing which screws to the underside of the balance bridge so that's easy enough.

Good luck.

Anil

Posted

I received a watch today in the post, and that's a coincidence

the jewel on this one shifted causing other issues with the balance 

did my best to photograph with my phone for you

IMG_8617.JPG

Posted

Thanks to all who responded to my question. I have "chickened" out about trying to replace just the incabloc clip. I'm not sure that I can successfully install the clip without pressing the cap jewel out of the balance (then I would have to get it back in). The incabloc from Cousins will cost me about $23 so i just ordered another FL cal 253 watch from ebay (yes it's from India) for $30 including shipping. Now I have spare parts for the entire movement. I may try to use the spring from the ordered watch and install on the one I'm working on--or just swap the balance between the movements.

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