tick tock doctor
341
A Look at a Watch Long Overdue for Service.
Watches often come across my bench needing service. But, occasionally one comes across, showing signs of an excessively long service interval. Watches needing service usually suffer from an erratic rate. But, bad timekeeping is often just a side effect of many problems within the movement. This particular example is of a Zodiac 71(AS 1700/01), although the watch runs continually without stopping. It runs fast by more than three minutes a day. The following are photographs I took as an attempt to illustrate some of the effects of waiting to long. Thank You for looking and if you have an questions or comments please chime in.
Automatic Zodiac 71(AS 100/01), I believe this watch is from the 1950's.
Case back removed.
Timing dial up.
Timing dial down.
Timing crown up. Checking timing not for accuracy but, for overall health. And looking at the amplitude on a full wind you can see a lack of motion in the balance. Indicating an unhealthy movement.
Automatic winding mechanism.
Removal of oscillating weight.
Locking clamp.
Dis-assembly Weight, Axle, screws and locking clamp.
Reversing wheels.
Dis-assembly of winding mechanism. For the most part much of the auto-winding system, seems to suffer only from normal wear.
Detail of automatic winding mechanism before dis-assembly.
Detail of automatic winding mechanism before dis-assembly.
Axle for the oscillating weight. (I know its hard to see a lot of detail, still learning how to photograph in macro)
Removal of hands.(using a set of levers)
Removal of dial, dial screws, and stem.
A look under the dial reveals some information.
Detail of hour wheel and cap jewel setting with heavy oxidation.
Detail of cap jewels lacking lubrication.
A look at the setting parts. And dial train.
This photograph shows how the lubrication has moved to places it was unintended.
Looking at the balance jewel there appears to be an appropriate amount of lubrication unlike the dial side jewel.( but, looking at the regulator it is in the maximum setting to the left, odd)
Removal of balance assembly. The fact that this watch is used as a daily beater, and the balance jewel had no lubrication on the dial side. This is enough information to know, there is most likely a problem with at least one of the balance pivots. These problems sometimes manifest themselves after service when timing. (I'll post later)
Removal of ratchet wheel.
Removal of barrel assembly.
Barrel.(here is something not seen to often teeth cut on barrel arbor)
Barrel assembly.(mainspring, barrel, arbor, and automatic winding wheels.
Detail of barrel with mainspring removed.(excessive wear) And barrel arbor(top left).
Crown wheel removed.(screws ready for removal).
Train bridge removed.
You can see in this picture just how gummed up the pinion leaves are.
Detail of the escape wheel.
A look at the main-plate stripped down, and how lubrication has spread to almost every surface.
Now too clean everything.
I also have photographs of the actual service that I will post later.
Hope you enjoyed.
A Look at a Watch Long Overdue for Service.
Watches often come across my bench needing service. But, occasionally one comes across, showing signs of an excessively long service interval. Watches needing service usually suffer from an erratic rate. But, bad timekeeping is often just a side effect of...
Great post--
Thanks for all the details. Looking forward to follow-up,pics and descriptions.
Spectacular!
Gives me an idea why servicing is not cheap at all and what happens to a watch if it is not done now and then. Best regards anaesdoc
Fantastic post
It's educational and clear, a real pleasure and easyness to follow each step and recognize each problem an old watch is facing. It must have needed quite more work to do this report so thanks a lot :) Cheers, Mark
Service of a Automatic watch(long overdue).
I have cleaned everything, with an ultrasonic watch cleaner. Running everything threw two cycles using a Watch Cleaning Solution, a Watch Rinsing Solution, and One dip Hairspring Cleaner. First I separate the balance assembly from the main-plate. The main...
Informative, and incredibly detailed post....
.... Thanks for wonderful effort in sharing this with us!
Great series - Approximately how long was the "excessively long" service interval?
As others have noted, the excellent photography and captioning makes it very easy to follow along. Still, I wanted to chime in with my appreciation and a question - how long is excessively long? The reason I ask for an approximate service interval is beca...
Hello tw_tyrant,
I wish I could tell you exactly how long it has been since the last servicing. But, I don't know. In my opinion, there is a difference between a few years of neglect and a few decades(But, neglect is neglect). This post was really meant to show the import...