One of the important things to consider when regulating a watch is positional error.
Positional error occurs on mechanical watches and can be caused by many factors. These factors could include a poorly sprung balance spring (out of true), a worn or bent balance staff pivot, not enough (or too much) oil on the balance endstones and possibly the balance being out of poise.
If the rim of the balance wheel has a heavy point then we consider this out of poise.
To test for this we need to use some special equipment – the main tool being the “Poising Tool”. A poising tool is a small bench tool which has the facility to be made completely flat by use of height adjustment screws. The tool will have two adjustable jaws and the balance pivots will be rested upon these jaws.
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An old pocket watch comes in for a routine service. I discover it requires a new mainspring as it is “winding forever”. Upon opening the barrel I come across this:
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The issue with the newer Breitling watches is the back has 15 sides and requires a special set of dies (there are more than 10 sizes) to open them. Many professional Jewellers will never attempt to open a Breitling for a watch battery replacement for fear of scratching the back. And whilst some will have the correct equipment and training, others will attempt this with a Jaxa watch case opener which is a big mistake.
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These are lovely old watches. Made from 9ct gold which is quite soft, many will wear around the edges. This particular one I was working on today had a gaping hole on two corners.
Now servicing a watch like this on a regular basis is a must but there is no point in spending the time cleaning each part and oiling it when it is only going to get dirty again very quickly due to the holes in the case. So I had to deal with it.
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Seiko Kinetic watches are manufactured to a high standard and if taken care of will last for years. But one common fault we often have to deal with in the workshop is the complaint that the watch continues to always jump two seconds at a time.
Here are a few reasons:
- How active is the user? Is the watch being moved enough in order for the oscillating weight inside to charge the capacitor? An automatic watch winder may be helpful here. These are available on eBay for a reasonable cost. Or from your high street jeweller, usually at a much greater cost. £40 is a reasonable price to pay for one. You site the watch on the winding machine and it will turn slowly to wind the watch up.
- The capacitor may be spent. Regretfully they do not last forever and after three to five years they degrade. If a capacitor cannot retain enough power then the watch may only work when the watch is worn. If the watch is taken off, or does not get enough movement then the capacitor will drain very quickly. In this case the capacitor will need to be replaced. In some cases, Seiko has released a Lithium ION upgrade.
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Watch Services
Updated On: June 28, 2011