Hello,

My wife came home last nite and informed me her Lady Elgin was gaining time. Well, it is. About four hours overnite. I was thinking magnatism? It sounds like a jitterbug timer. Any opinions? And thanks for the help.

BTW, the watch was serviced last year and has been keeping great time ever since.

Aaron Bereiter
NAWCC# 156432
Chapter 185 Charter 23
Chapter 185 Finance VP
God Bless America

Aaron,

Leave the watch alone! At least your wife will always be on time, maybe even a little early!

John D. Duvall
NAWCC Member 144772
NAWCC IHC Happy Camper 192
Chapter 185 Watch Repair Moderator

Aaron,
The first thing I would look for is that the next to last coil of the hairspring has gotten caught in between the index pins. In effect this immediatly shortens the hairspring by a full turn, making the watch run very fast.
The nice part is that it is one of the easiest horological problems in the world to fix, all you need is a sharpened toothpick to gently push the 'caught' coil out from between the index pins.
Keep us posted, cause when mama ain't happy, nobodys happy!


Ed Ueberall
NAWCC #49688
IHC #34
http://members.aol.com/stdwatch/

Ed, Thanks for the info.

The hairspring does look crossed but I cant hardly see it so I'll keep my fingers out of it.

John,

I need early. She it on some other time zone I think.


Anyone want to take a look at this one for me. It may just need someone who can see it and push it back into place.

Thanks,

Aaron Bereiter
NAWCC# 156432
Chapter 185 Charter 23
Chapter 185 Finance VP
God Bless America

Aaron,

If you're leary of touching the hairspring, you can try a watchmakers dust blower. Point the blower in the direction of the hairspring and give it a couple of gentle puffs. Your problem could be as simple as a tiny piece of lint or spec of dirt caught in the coils. Or as Ed pointed out, a coil caught on the curb pin. Either way, a little puff of air shouldn't damage anything.

John D. Duvall
NAWCC Member 144772
NAWCC IHC Happy Camper 192
Chapter 185 Watch Repair Moderator

Aaron,
I would try demagnetizing the watch.
Brian C.

pwpartsetc@webtv.net

I, too, would try demagnetizing the movement. Especially with the "instantaneous" type demagnetizers, there's such a magnetic "jolt" that any "crossed" hairspring coils are very likely to jump back into their proper place.

At very least, demagnetizing the watch won't hurt it, and it might cure the problem (heck, it might even be magnetized!).

If all else fails, let me know, and I'll take care of it for you.

==========================

Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas