Service it?
Hi crunchers,
This in my first post here. I think this is a good place to stay. I like the respect shown by all of you. It is amazing how many different people with different budget collections talks about the same common hobby. It is not usual.
I like watches since ever. I discovered affordable mechanical watches a few years ago. I was into other things....
Anyway I am trying to fix a problem with my Vostok. It stopped suddenly when I was on holidays. I have removed the balance wheel and assembled a few times until it started to run again.
I blew it before close it once it was adjusted to 0.2ms and +5 s/day. It stopped again.
Now I am not able to make it run without the case back.
I reassembled the balance wheel a few times more with no success.
I started like that:
And now this is the best I can get...
It looks very inconsistent on the rate.
I have to close the case back and hit the case smoothly with my fingers to get it start. Then it looks fine and keep running.
I don't know almost anything about mechanical watches.
Have you got any tip for that issue?
Should I have to take it to a watchmaker to service it?
Thanks and keep on enjoying your watches!
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
You are braver than me. I would have taken it someplace for service. While I am an OK parts exchanger, straps/bracelets/sizing, I ceratinly am not a watch maker which is the realm you are entering.
Agree, you're brave! TBH the cost of a service will probably outweigh the price of a new Vostok, so I'd spend the money on one of those & keep rebuilding the one you've got - you're clearly learning lots & have the confidence & dexterity! There's plenty of videos on YouTube to learn from.
Good Luck, keep us posted 👍🏻
while Boctoks are fabulous and interesting watches to own, professional service is likely to cost more than the watch is worth and/or replace.
Fix it yourself if you have the tools, know-how and experience! Otherwise buy another 👍 😀
A man after my own heart. I couldn't afford a service, so I just learnt it all myself. I'm by no means the best, but we all have to start somewhere. Perseverance is the name of the game. You might want to take it all apart, clean it in watch cleaning fluid (I'm broke and old fashioned, so I use benzene; petrol can work too) and reassemble and oil it. Thankfully a Vostok is fairly common, so finding a YouTube video of a service won't be too difficult amd can really help you.
All the best!
Edit: Seeing as this is a watch you bought to wear and not practise on, taking it to a watchmaker may be best, but beware the costs.
First suggestion is that you add hashtags to your post such as #watchmaking and #russianwatches to get your post in front of the right people.
Next, have you degaussed the watch? Could not hurt.
Looking at the balance spring it seems to be out of centre with the balance wheel. Ideally it would look like this:
I have a Cardi Vostok that I will one day replace the balance cock assembly because it looks like this:
I do not know how balance springs get this way but it is probably affecting the performance.
At least this part of the system is relatively easy to see and change.
Anything deeper inside I have no idea.
Vostok replacement movements are available and not terribly expensive either ...
You are braver than me. I would have taken it someplace for service. While I am an OK parts exchanger, straps/bracelets/sizing, I ceratinly am not a watch maker which is the realm you are entering.
Two years ago I broke the balance wheel trying to adjust the accuracy. I had to buy the replacement and take it to the watchmaker. My watchmaker is a bit 'special'. For him all is rubbish except Rolex... But I am learning bit by bit... The best investment fo me was a big lens.
Rhis is my school watch.
Agree, you're brave! TBH the cost of a service will probably outweigh the price of a new Vostok, so I'd spend the money on one of those & keep rebuilding the one you've got - you're clearly learning lots & have the confidence & dexterity! There's plenty of videos on YouTube to learn from.
Good Luck, keep us posted 👍🏻
I know... I spent 25€ on a new balance wheel on e-bay a few years ago. The cost of a new watch is just over 60€ currently...
A man after my own heart. I couldn't afford a service, so I just learnt it all myself. I'm by no means the best, but we all have to start somewhere. Perseverance is the name of the game. You might want to take it all apart, clean it in watch cleaning fluid (I'm broke and old fashioned, so I use benzene; petrol can work too) and reassemble and oil it. Thankfully a Vostok is fairly common, so finding a YouTube video of a service won't be too difficult amd can really help you.
All the best!
Edit: Seeing as this is a watch you bought to wear and not practise on, taking it to a watchmaker may be best, but beware the costs.
Thank you Sr !
First suggestion is that you add hashtags to your post such as #watchmaking and #russianwatches to get your post in front of the right people.
Next, have you degaussed the watch? Could not hurt.
Looking at the balance spring it seems to be out of centre with the balance wheel. Ideally it would look like this:
I have a Cardi Vostok that I will one day replace the balance cock assembly because it looks like this:
I do not know how balance springs get this way but it is probably affecting the performance.
At least this part of the system is relatively easy to see and change.
Anything deeper inside I have no idea.
Thank you. I will open it an I will have a look. I didn't realize of the spring shape. I have a demagnetiser as well to demagnetise newer straps. I have already demagnetized the watch, but thanks for the advice.
I know... I spent 25€ on a new balance wheel on e-bay a few years ago. The cost of a new watch is just over 60€ currently...
You've clearly got some skills there, it'd be a shame to waste them 😉👍
About how long have you been wearing it? That would give a sense of its need for a service or if it's more likely something else. The magnatizisim comment above is a good thought. Buy a cheap watch demagnatizer and try that especially if the watch is not all that old.
About how long have you been wearing it? That would give a sense of its need for a service or if it's more likely something else. The magnatizisim comment above is a good thought. Buy a cheap watch demagnatizer and try that especially if the watch is not all that old.
I usually rotate my watches. I bought it 4 years ago. I reckon It has been running on my wrist between 4 and 6 months. But noore than 3 week on the box intervals. I already have a demagnetiser. It didn't change anything on the performance of the watch.😥
I wouldn't think that little wear would have it requiring a service. And if you tried de magnatizing then the easy item is ruled out. I don't know about the manufacturing cleanliness and assembly quality of these watched. I've admired them myself though. Are you certain the hairspring isn't sticking to itself? If you figure it out let us know.
Clean!