Overwinding a 2804-2

[JohnM]

Hi all. I recently bought a new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical (38mm) with 2804-2 handwind movement. I'm pretty careful in winding watches but I turned the crown a bit beyond the end point today. I did hear a mild grinding sound -- nothing horrible but probably not good. I was surprised how little pressure it took to go beyond the end point.

Can anyone tell me if I have likely damaged the mechanism? It seems to be running fine though I'm a bit concerned going forward because I realize I'll now have to be very careful to have a gentle touch when nearing the end point.

By the way, I did do a little research on the 2804-2 movement but found conflicting results as to whether this movement has a built in safeguard against overwinding or not.

Thanks.
John

[watchma]

I've found the best way to think is:
If in doubt assume it doesn't have a safeguard on any watch I wind , after all it's on your wrist all day you don't *have to wind it right to the stop do you ?
*Do you ?

I just gently/loosely hold the winder between finger and thumb mostly and they act as a clutch as it gets to the top of the spring wind... as *soon as I feel resistance my fingers let go pressure and avoid killing it

Just be gentle

(I've got that same watch and some other 2804's too, none feel like they have a true stop)

[Robb Ludwig]

You can and you can't "overwind" one of these movements. The end of the mainspring is held against the inside of the barrel by friction. It is designed to slip if you wind it too much. Not something you want to do, but should't cause any damage. But like my doctor tells me when I tell him that it hurts when I do something, his wise advice, and mine to you, is "don't do that anymore".


(The watch police will be there shortly to ticket you and confiscate the allegedly abused timepiece.)

[GeneJockey]

I wonder if it might have a slipping bridle sort of thing at the barrel end of the spring, instead of a barrel hook?

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi John,

long story short: The ETA 2804-2 has no slip spring. The outer end of the spring is hooked to the barrel. But don't worry, unless you have hands in toilet-lid size with complete absence of sensitivity, you'll not break the spring by winding.

If ever the spring breaks, you'll notice it only when winding the watch, and this makes people believe that to tight winding kills the spring. Actually you'll more likely damage your finger tips than the spring, and if you have very strong fingers, you'll crack any part of the gear, but not the spring.

Regards, Roland Ranfft

[tinknocker]

I have the same watch and i just wind it until it stops. No pressure, just until it stops.

[JohnM]

Thanks for all the input. It's sounds like what I'm hearing after winding past the stopping point is the mainspring slipping inside the barrel. If I understand correctly, it's not a broken spring or other defective part but the mainspring spring moving or slipping within the barrel -- something I should try to avoid, but integral to the design of the 2804-2.

Thanks again!
John

[JohnM]

Well, I just wound the watch again this morning and was unable to identify the stopping point without going past it slightly -- again, the slightly rough sound as if something were 'slipping'. I'm hoping this is normal but am struck by the ease with which I can wind past the stopping point.

Watchma, you made the following comment above, "I've got that same watch and some other 2804's too, none feel like they have a true stop". This is exactly how I feel -- the watch really does not have a true stop. Would others agree with this?

John

[watchma]

Sorry I can't try your watch in the flesh and I don't know precisely how tough or not you're being with it, but whatever watch I pick up to wind I'm careful (read gentle), that doesn't mean I underwind , but I'm just gentle.
If I could see you wind it I'd be saying there's something wrong with the watch or be trying to pry it from your hands saying "whoah there!!!"

I'd take the word of Roland (above) as informed advice, and I'd guess if you'd broken a gear as he describes you'd know about it at more points than just the end of the wind, and the end stop is just a definite increase in required turning force.

This is a watch you're winding , not tightening wheel nuts/bolts lol

Take it to a jeweller perhaps for checking/in the flesh advice?

[AbslomRob]

The only real problem you'll have with "overwinding" a watch is that the power output of the mainspring may go up beyond what the balance was designed to handle, which will cause it to "knock" against the far side of the pallet fork. This will throw the time off for a while until the power drops enough.