October 05, 2012, 13:14
Roger J. NolfeA 112 year old manufacturing defect
Glad you enjoyed it Dave...By the way, your prize is a long distance handshake of congratulations.

Jim, That is just camera reflection. No wear or contact in that area.
October 05, 2012, 15:04
Edward KitnerGreat lesson Roger, As you know I am a little slow at this sort of thing

The screw and the quills showed up today, thanks.
October 08, 2012, 21:19
Larry LamphierRoger, I am in the process of putting a 992 back together tonight, and was thinking about this, and I just have to ask.
How many people/watchmakers do you think would have found that problem?
Maybe it's me, but I think to find a problem like this one is really something!!
Regards,
Larry
October 09, 2012, 17:29
Roger J. NolfeThanks Larry,
I think anyone with a pretty good understanding would have found it if they were so inclined. It was readily apparent that there was something wrong when I put the movement to my ear with just the balance on and moved it to different positions. I never even had the watch completely back together after cleaning it so I don't know exactly how much impact this had on overall timekeeping, but it had to have some kind of impact and I suspect it would have been significant...and much harder to figure out if I didn't do that balance test. What I hope others will take away from this is that checking balance motion before putting everything back together pays big dividends. It may require a few minutes of time, but is so critical to the difference between a mediocre outcome and a great outcome that to me it is just a common sense step.
October 09, 2012, 23:41
Larry LamphierWell It sure tought me something. I do the balance test, but never put it to my ear whan doing it.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Larry
October 10, 2012, 08:56
Edward KitnerWith my hearing I might as well put to my nose and smell it!
October 10, 2012, 23:03
Larry LamphierRoger, according to my watchmaker the safety roller could could have been replaced at one time, and it could have been made by another manafacturer, and they were just enough different that it could have happened also.
He has found this problem with the Illinois rollers more than once, and still does.
Or if a staff was replaced the safety roller was not seated all the way down, or the staff could/might not have been cut right.
Regards,
Larry