Setting seconds hand question

[spazthecat]

Hi,

When setting seconds hands I've read that it is important to support the underside of the movement when doing it. But, I've read other tutorials that make no mention of needing to do that.

So, which is it? Do you need to support the movement directly under the post or not? What happens if you don't?

Thanks,

Andy

[AbslomRob]

It would likely depend on the watch. Many watches have a separate second hand spindle that just "sits" in the plate, supported only by a small spring. That style would likely need to be supported when setting the second hand. Consider, for example, the Bulova 11ALC:


If you were setting the second hand on this, you'd need to support the second hand pinion at the back, or you'll just push it out.

[ec633]

You need to provide a temporary support to the back of the small spring before setting the second hand ,otherwise the small spring would be disturbed [ ie being pushed backward] when placing the second hand in position.

[Archer]

Hi,

When setting seconds hands I've read that it is important to support the underside of the movement when doing it. But, I've read other tutorials that make no mention of needing to do that.

So, which is it? Do you need to support the movement directly under the post or not? What happens if you don't?

Thanks,

Andy

There should be support on virtually any watch when you press the seconds hand in place. If the watch has a jewel and you don't support it, you can possibly change the end shake on the wheel when pressing the hand on.

For the situation others have mentioned in this thread with an indirect drive and friction spring, of course the pinion should be supported or you will certainly have trouble fitting the hand. But one thing I always do is to protect the friction spring from being distorted during the process. They are generally meant to be flat and have one point of contact on the pinion, and if they become distorted where they contact the pinion it can make it more difficult to properly adjust the spring tension to prevent stuttering of the sweep hand. I always place a piece of old mainspring between the pinion and the friction spring, then place this in a movement holder with a support for the center, and adjust until everything is solid. Then the hand can be pressed on with good support and no damage to the spring.

Here is what this looks like on an old Omega....



Cheers, Al