Jump to content

Unitas 6497 shock spring replacement

PeterS
 Share

Recommended Posts

rogart63 Distinguished Member

rogart63

Posted
Posted (edited)
Quote

 

9 minutes ago, PeterS said:

I think Rogart is right. I couldn’t fit it in. I’m not sure whether I’m doing it correctly but I cannot get it in no matter what I do.
I can hold the spring with tweezers, go parallel into the slot and try to turn it 90 degrees to install it. But it only turns say 70-80 degrees and I cannot turn it further.
I would say that the Swiss spring is larger, at least the hinge if not the whole spring.

 

China movements   use there own inca spring lookalikes . 

Edited by rogart63
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PeterS WRT Addict

PeterS

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, rodabod said:

Do you have access to a diamond lap (stone) or an India oilstone?

I don’t I’m afraid.
I’m not too worried to be honest, I bought this movement to follow the course so it’s not a big problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted (edited)
20 hours ago, PeterS said:

I don’t I’m afraid.
I’m not too worried to be honest, I bought this movement to follow the course so it’s not a big problem.

 

Well, you are going to need one at some point! Very handy for finishing the ends of stems, etc. 

See attached photo: you could stone the edges of the spring hinge equally on each sides (count the number of strokes). It would need to be very gradual so that it only just fits when pushed into the incabloc setting. 

Alternatively, just a get another Chinese movement, but it seems a bit of a waste of money, especially because the replacement spring will also be an excessively loose fit due to their design. 

DAF0C26A-4B36-4C65-B9F8-9B3719977E66.png

Edited by rodabod
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted
On 18/05/2018 at 10:04 AM, PeterS said:

I am up for it, I like a challenge. I’ll look for the stones, I’m sure that won’t be a problem to find but how do I hold the spring so I can file it?

 

Look for a cheap-y diamond lap on eBay. You can even get a small one for sharpening fishing hooks for around £1. 

Holding the work will be a challenge. You’ll possibly have to hold firmly in tweezers and maintain a good angle. You would be removing the most minute amount; just enough to be able to force it in. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted

Another option might be to hold the spring flat on something soft like cork. You could then use a fine needle file (or diamond lap again) to stroke the sides of the spring by pushing the file or lap slightly into the cork as you draw it along the side of the spring. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PeterS WRT Addict

PeterS

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Actually, I have some stones for sharpening knives. Several grades up to mirror finish.
I’ll have to give it a go one evening.

There are three possibilities why it doesn’t fit, I think I’ll only be able to do it if it is the option ‘1’ as per my picture.

ShockSpring.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PeterS WRT Addict

PeterS

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I managed to file the hinge, put it in the slot, turned it 90 degrees and it wouldn’t go down. Stands upright, looks perfect but will not move/close.

I’m going to call it a day. It’s annoying but the movement is good for stripping it down, lubrication and re-assembly, I don't need it for anything else.

If I exaggerate, I think this is where the difference is:

SwissVClone.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rodabod Distinguished Member

rodabod

Posted
Posted

Well, you can be glad that you’ve already attempted some relatively advanced watch repair. I’ve seen some experienced watchmakers struggle with these incabloc settings. Keep an eye out for Chinese spares. 

Later on, you may be able to replace the entire incabloc setting with a jewelling tool. That’s for a later date though!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PeterS WRT Addict

PeterS

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It was frustrating and I spent over two hours messing around with it.
However, my hand coordination certainly improved and if I had the correct spring I would fit it in with no problems now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 10 months later...
centerwheel Member

centerwheel

Posted
Posted

Here's the solution I used, though not a perfect one it did the job. I used the standard Incabloc spring made for the LOWER setting. It fits because it has the correctly shaped longer neck.

To install it I held it in a flat nose tweezers at an angle to the slot, lowered the spring into the slot, then turned the movement to align the spring with the slot and carefully lowered it down . Then used a pegwood to push it forward all the way towards the jewel. Then using the pegwood to prevent the spring from sliding back I engaged the ends, one at a time. Then again using pegwood (or a small screwdriver?) I made sure the spring is pushed all the way forward.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jaycey WRT Addict

jaycey

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, PeterS said:

Do you mean I can take the spring from the lower shock, fit it in the upper shock and use the Chinese one for the lower shock?

 

I wouldn't try that if I was you!

As you have already found out, the Chinese springs are made from poor quality metal and break just by breathing on them.

Would you rather have two broken springs, rather than one?!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 year later...
GeoMontreal Member

GeoMontreal

Posted
Posted

Same thing happened to me this morning, except mine broke into 2 pieces ,with exactly same clone. Will try first to get an assortment of chinese spring...and then will move on with the genuine one if it fails following your recommendation...I found several post , and specially one showing why on clone they detach so easly...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, PeterS said:

Go for the Chinese springs, the genuine will not fit. You may be lucky and find one amongst the assorted ones.

Where one can find an assortment of Chinese springs? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GeoMontreal Member

GeoMontreal

Posted
Posted

I’ll take a chance with this assortment from a canadian supplier :

https://perrinwatchparts.com/products/assortment-of-incabloc-shock-springs-674915?_pos=1&_sid=106744733&_ss=r

Must be the same available in UK from Cousin (but with extra shipping, custom cost for me) :

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/shockproof-springs-wristwatch

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Zedster
      Movement inserted from crytal side

      By Zedster · Posted

      Hi, guys I have a bit of a predicament and hopefully, somebody can advise. I'm working on a Roamer MST 521 where the movement is extracted from the crystal side. I'm now at the final hurdle where I need to replace the movement back into its case but I'm not sure of the correct procedure. I still need to fit the hands but that's where the problem lies. If I insert the winding stem to test the hands for correct alignment I will need to turn the movement over to release the stem again it's the spring-loaded type and needs a small bit of force to push down but with the hands fitted, I don't think I can do this on a cushion without causing some damage to the hands and that's the last thing I want to do, this watch has already been a love-hate relationship and I'm so close to boxing this one off which I'm counting as my first major project.  The other option is to case the movement then fit the hands and hope everything is okay. I've already broken the original winding stem but managed to find a replacement, the last one in stock, so I'm a bit reluctant to keep removing it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
    • Jon
      Main spring

      By Jon · Posted

      I would go for the dearer spring. You won't need to remove the spring from the carrier ring and then use a mainspring winder to get it into the barrel, for a start. Also that spring is closer to the needed dimensions, especially the length. The length plays a part in the mainsprings strength. If you double the length you will half the force (strength) of the spring and vice-versa. A spring with 20 mm less length would be about 7% shorter, so technically would be 7% more strength, but I find halving this number is closer to real-world findings, so the spring would be about 3 to 4% more strength/force. On a mainspring that ideally kicks out 300 degrees of amplitude, a 3% increase in amplitude would be 309 degrees. Increasing or decreasing the length of the mainspring will affect the power reserve to a greater or lesser degree. It depends how much shorter or longer it is.
    • Malocchio
      What tools does ebay have to offer this week.

      By Malocchio · Posted

      I recently bought this but not on ebay. I figured if I want something Japanese I better check Japanese auction sites since these don't seem to pop up on ebay. I paid 83 € plus shipping & taxes. I think it was pretty reasonable for a complete set in good condition.
    • GuyMontag
      1972 Bulova President "E" Sea King 11ACACB movement

      By GuyMontag · Posted

      Did you take the friction pinion off the large driving wheel and grease it? Although, now that I think about it, that shouldn't have any effect on the free running of the train if the friction pinion isn't interacting withe minute wheel/setting wheel...
    • DDean
      Incabloc Lyre Spring & Low Earth Orbit

      By DDean · Posted

      I did in fact use Rodico to get the spring into general position and "hold" it there while I used a fine oiler to make subtle positional adjustments.
×
×
  • Create New...