I just finished this nice little chronograph and thought that I would share some pictures of it. It was a non-runner, and I had some concerns that there may be an escapement problem. I found the problem, the pallet bridge screw was a replacement and too high, rubbing on the balance wheel, and that was the only issue.
After a good cleaning, she ran nicely. After a second wind up, the brand new Swiss mainspring snapped, and I had to take the chronograph apart to get to the mainspring. Oh well, that's life in watch repair.
Great little watch though, and really well engineered.
Beutiful Watch. Was it a white alloy mainspring or did you do what I do and try to use up my Older black mainsprings first. I have had even the new white one break even thought they are advertised UNBREAKABLE.
Posts: 3323 | Location: Illinois in the USA | Registered: July 06, 2010
On this watch I orderd a new one and put it in. They are in stock and available. But, I just did a Hampden 6 size, put a new alloy spring, didn't need to adjust it around the arbor or anything, fit perfectly, and it snapped right at the hole after the second wind.
Doesn't happen very often, but can happen. I think that if it is going to break, it will break not long after you put it in. If you can get three or four winds, you are probably good for 20 years or more.
I got my mainspring last week and reassembled and she runs just great. Thanks to all those who contribute their thoughts. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will! Best Ethan
Posts: 13 | Location: St. Louis, Missouri in the USA | Registered: August 15, 2010
Scott, that's a real nice piece of work. I'm curious to know what you are paying for a mainspring these days. A couple of years ago they took a jump here from an average of about $7 to $45 and some of the double braced ones for 18s are in the $80's.
Regards, John
Posts: 299 | Location: Mount Brydges, Ontario, Canada | Registered: November 10, 2005
