While attempting to regulate my 2416b.... *gulps*

[CJ_Yap]

Hi Folks,

Remember that old Amphibia I opened up some time back? This time I tried to regulate it by nudging the little adjustment lever. BUT due to my novice hands and eyes and parallex error because I'm only using one eye loup, the toothpick that I was using actually went BELOW the adjustment lever and touched the little wheel underneath the lever. The little one that goes back and forth. Is that called the balance wheel?

Unfortunately the toothpick came into contact with it twice. The first time I noticed that the toothpick was in contact with the wheel I raised the toothpick and the wheel started to move again. The second time, the wheel stopped (hopefully because the watch was wound down before I opened her up)but after a slight shake it started moving again.

So now my question is.... could I have damaged the watch? *worry*

[Oldlyme14]

Hi Folks,

Remember that old Amphibia I opened up some time back? This time I tried to regulate it by nudging the little adjustment lever. BUT due to my novice hands and eyes and parallex error because I'm only using one eye loup, the toothpick that I was using actually went BELOW the adjustment lever and touched the little wheel underneath the lever. The little one that goes back and forth. Is that called the balance wheel?

Unfortunately the toothpick came into contact with it twice. The first time I noticed that the toothpick was in contact with the wheel I raised the toothpick and the wheel started to move again. The second time, the wheel stopped (hopefully because the watch was wound down before I opened her up)but after a slight shake it started moving again.

So now my question is.... could I have damaged the watch? *worry*

Perhaps. But if balance wheel is rotating with good speed and in a symmetrical motion, it's likely you did it no harm.

Usually, you have to drop it on a hardwood floor from table top level (like I did last month ) to break the balance staff and screw up the balance wheel.


Mark S.

[schnurrp]

It's possible but a couple things. If the balance assembly started back up and is continuing to run, probably no damage. You seem to think that the watch is wound down. This would definitely cause the balance wheel to have difficulties starting back up after stopping. Put 10-15 winds on it and let it run a while then gently stop the balance wheel by contacting the outer edge of the wheel with something soft like a very fine brush. You want to avoid contacting the spring if possible. It should start up by itself after removing the brush. If not, you may have moved the wrong lever and put it out of beat. The lever you should be moving is the narrower of the two. I find it easiest to do this kind of adjustment by supporting the toothpick/screwdriver on an adjacent part of the watch bridges and make sure I start well above the lever and adjust down until the lever is contacted. Also you should make sure the watch is wound close to capacity before trying to regulate it for the most reliable accuracy. It won't hurt the watch to remove the back and expose the movement with winds on the watch. The only time that becomes important is if you are going to disassemble the movement. Then you don't want the mainspring putting any pressure on the gears or they may go flying when you remove a bridge! Also you know your own eyesight best but this kind of adjustment can be done without a loupe although a visor, which is stereo, is perfect for this kind of operation needing depth perception.

[ltri]

I doubt you did any damage, unless the toothpick touched the hairspring and bent the spring out of shape. Why do you need to use a loupe to move the adjustment lever anyways?

[admiralStojakovic]

I wouldnīt worry.
Unless you hit it pretty hard and bend it, the hairspring will work ok, and even then, you can adjust it further, but i dont believe that thatīs the case.
Itīs a good thing you used a toothpick :)
I did worse things to one of mine 2416b`s hairsprings, separating the coils after being drenched in oil,then straightening it and basically tormenting it, and itīs running like a charm still. But i still wouldnīt recommend that to anyone :).
Itīs usefull to use a loupe while adjusting so you can see that your making as minor adjustments as possible, but itīs tricky in terms of depth-of- field, like schnurrp says.
Cheers!

[slowcoach]

I use this spring bar tool to move the regulator, I lower the small v over the lever whilst resting the tool on the edge of the watch case then I swivel the tool to move the regulator. I have found that it's possible to move the lever ever so slightly, and there is virtually no chance of touching the balance spring at any stage. The spring bar tool has an aluminium body and the ends are stainless steel, I always check to make sure the end isn't magnetised beforehand with the use of a compass and so far it's been fine.

People of a more nervous disposition could always create a similar tool from wood or thin plastic I suppose, the open end of the v needs to be just wide enough to straddle the regulator lever.

[pwalsh21]

I use this spring bar tool to move the regulator, I lower the small v over the lever whilst resting the tool on the edge of the watch case then I swivel the tool to move the regulator. I have found that it's possible to move the lever ever so slightly, and there is virtually no chance of touching the balance spring at any stage. The spring bar tool has an aluminium body and the ends are stainless steel, I always check to make sure the end isn't magnetised beforehand with the use of a compass and so far it's been fine.

People of a more nervous disposition could always create a similar tool from wood or thin plastic I suppose, the open end of the v needs to be just wide enough to straddle the regulator lever.

This is a good idea, but if you do slip, you will almost certainly damage something in the movement. If nothing else, you'll scratch something in the movement, which some people are very sensitive to, even if it's on the balance bridge.

The thing that works best for me is immobilizing the watch with a holder and vice, and then using a toothpick or pith wood at a very shallow angle (about 15 degrees above the plane of the movement) and pushing from one side. This way, there is virtually no chance of hitting something easily damaged, such as the hairspring or pallet lever underneath the balance wheel. Above all, simply be careful; don't ever try to muscle something in a watch movement. Push slightly and constantly for a few seconds; if it doesn't move, push slightly harder for a few seconds. Repeat as necessary.

[wilsonhui]

Ditto what pwalsh21 said. I recently attempted my first regulation on a vintage Chinese mechanical and toothpicks are awesome. I put my face real close and hold the toothpick with the right hand while nudging with the left thumb in a sideways motion. If you have a camera around with digital zoom that really helps too. It helps me pick a target for the regulation and I can go back and examine whether or not I've hit my target.

As for whether or not you damaged your watch. No way to know really I don't think. Just power it up and check if it's within ~20 sec / day for the next 5 days. If it is, I'd call it okay.

[slowcoach]

My nudging with a toothpick tended to turn out more like a shoulder charge.

[CJ_Yap]

Thanks for all the advise and support folks!

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner but I've been got up with stuff.

Update - Running along ok, keeping the charge as per normal. Timing's still a little off (hence the initial attempt to regulate). At first I thought I got the sweet spot, with a +12s consistent deviation for 3 days. Then after that the increment increased to 40+/50. I'll continue to monitor and try to achieve my initial objective.

schnurrp - Yes, I usually let the watch wind down, tweak, then wind her up to full charge. So you're saying its ok to tweak while there's still a charge in the mainspring? Only for complete disassembling should I let the charge wound down fully?