1965 Tissot Seastar

[Tricati15]

Haven`t used the forum for a while; not since attempting slow down my 1965 Tissot Seastar manual wind watch by replacing the balance spring, (with the help of this forum), cleaning and lubrication.  The only item I`ve not replaced is the mainspring. Can this effect the rate? it gains around an hour a day.     

[jdm]

This fault is not due to the mainspring but to the escapement. You should look at time grapher or equivalent applicattio to see if it reveals something more than a crazy fast rate.

[jguitron]

Haven`t used the forum for a while; not since attempting slow down my 1965 Tissot Seastar manual wind watch by replacing the balance spring, (with the help of this forum), cleaning and lubrication.  The only item I`ve not replaced is the mainspring. Can this effect the rate? it gains around an hour a day.     

It should not affect the rate. If you're replacing it with something other than the exact part then it could under power which would give you a short power reserve and, if over powered, it would knock.

I would look into the balance wheel first. Well, I take it back, demagnetize always as first step and if still fast then check balance. The pins bust be shortening the hairspring way too much.

Cheers,


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[RyMoeller]

The mainspring provides power to the escapement; a worn out mainspring will be underpowered which will result in low amplitude and potentially the watch running fast.  If the mainspring has been replaced recently this should not be an issue.

The best way to determine why the watch is running fast or slow is to get a reading from a timegrapher as @jdmsuggests.  The problem will most likely be in the escapement.

[clockboy]

Most likely the escapement area is where the fault is. However it might be worth de-magnitsiing the movement as coils of the hairspring sticking together will make the watch run fast,

[Tricati15]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions/remedies.  Had another look at the balance spring and it looks as though the first part of the coil isn`t `bouncing` as it should between the regulator pins. My biggest problem is magnification; it looks so easy to rectify on the computer screen but I can`t view it sufficiently enough to see if it`s (the spring) centred correctly between the pins. 

I removed the balance assembly in an attempt to reshape the end of the spring but unfortunately managed to damage it beyond repair.  If I can source another balance spring (781-1), (ebay maybe?), I`ll attempt another go. The Seastar`s the only mechanical watch I have and with the tools and material bought, the cost is approaching the watch`s purchase price! 

I take my hat off to everyone who can successfully restore/repair watches: I`ve restored classic motorcycles all my life (as a hobby) but nothing has taxed me more than the work on the Tissot!

Thanks again.        

[jdm]

51 minutes ago, Tricati15 said:

I take my hat off to everyone who can successfully restore/repair watches: I`ve restored classic motorcycles all my life (as a hobby) but nothing has taxed me more than the work on the Tissot!

When much younger I've worked professionally on motorcycles, and I agree with you. That is why I'm amused when total beginners come here with the presumption that since they have some manual skills in whatever other field, it will be easy. And then you see that most of them disappear after a few postings.
Hope you can find a balance complete for your Tissot, now that you've learned how delicate an hairsping really is.