One of the toughest things in watch repair
A 94(!)-year-old client handed me her favorite Bulova watch for repairs.
I never went to watchmaking school, and I'm sure these are the assignments that every aspiring watchmaker dreads: Manually adjusting a hairspring
I'm confident enough to say I've earned my chops by servicing ladies watches; which is the most absurd way to start your journey dabbling into watchmaking or restorations.
The added challenge is that this hairspring is 80-years-old, and has a Breguet overcoil that obstructs the re-adjustments.
I might do another full post on the watch where this hairspring belongs to, once I get it working again.
For those who are interested in testing their hands with hairspring adjustments, Kalle Slaap of Chronoglide Watchmakers has a great video that boils it down to its basics:
Ex-Disney Artist / Designer / Self-Taught Watch Restorer
I have replaced a hairspring, meaning removing the old hairspring from the balance cock and reinstalled a new one, including the balance. I have seen Kalle's video before, and I'm not sure if I would have the patience to recondition a hairspring.
I have replaced a hairspring, meaning removing the old hairspring from the balance cock and reinstalled a new one, including the balance. I have seen Kalle's video before, and I'm not sure if I would have the patience to recondition a hairspring.
I would've done the same thing to maximize the value of my time and call it a day, but I want to experience how it was like when watchmakers from the 40s didn't have access to replacement parts and have to readjust these things manually.
A professional watchmaker may just call me a loon since they likely just replace the full balance complete if they have spares readily-available.
I would've done the same thing to maximize the value of my time and call it a day, but I want to experience how it was like when watchmakers from the 40s didn't have access to replacement parts and have to readjust these things manually.
A professional watchmaker may just call me a loon since they likely just replace the full balance complete if they have spares readily-available.
Right, I also have the feeling that this is something that would be done for watches where obtaining a replacement spring would be highly unlikely. I know that for an NH35 you can get balance and hairspring for about $5 (retail). If it was a family heirloom, and parts are not available, this may be worth a try.
I'm also not sure whether the average watchmaker would attempt this.
You have my admiration!
Very cool