What Is This Non-Sense????
Don't do things like using a digital camera to remember where things go. Don't be afraid of taking parts out of a watch. They can only go in one way.
So think of it this way. They are all the same, just like an engine on a car. They all do the same thing, just maybe a little different.
I remember 30 some years ago, when learning, back in the day, lots of Rolex, lots of automatics, lots of small ladies watches. I would sit there, sometimes wondering. Joe would then say, "What? Is that watch smarter than you?"
You get to the point, where you take things out, set the parts in order on your bench. If you need to, before you clean it, try putting them into the watch again, take them out, and do it over again. Soon you will see that they all work the same.
It is easy, the damn watch is already built for you, just like the crummy Rolex bubble backs. They suck, but they are very easy to work on, if you pay attention where long screws go, and where short screws go.
Nothing in a watch can bind. Be careful. Even I screw up every now and then. For example, I was doing a 1940's Rolex today. I went to put the weight assy. back in, and I noticed that one side was up, I already had one screw in place. I had forgot to move the part that holds the movement into the case, the little tab was in the way. I moved it, and it all fell into place.
Learn to not be afraid of this crap. It is easy, or I would not be doing it.
Learn touch.......learn to feel through your tweezers. Learn that they are nothing more than an extension of your fingers. You will develope the "touch."
One thing I alway do, is when I remove the balance, I always use the SAME screw back in the same hole that holds the balance bridge in place. I learned this years ago, and it has saved me many times over the years.
Henry, I noticed on the NAWCC board your watch you cleaned. One thing to remember, as Ed told you. Always make sure the hairspring is between the regulator pins. It also has to be centered over the jewel hole. I have seen some people break hairsprings because they just didn't have it where it needed to be, and bent the damn thing. Many times on old watches, I pull the balance, then I put the hairspring into the stud, without the balance attached. I can then see if the collet is centered. If not, I correct it. Then I put it back together and it is perfect. The coils have to breath, or it just won't work.
Don't do things like using a digital camera to remember where things go. Don't be afraid of taking parts out of a watch. They can only go in one way.
So think of it this way. They are all the same, just like an engine on a car. They all do the same thing, just maybe a little different.
I remember 30 some years ago, when learning, back in the day, lots of Rolex, lots of automatics, lots of small ladies watches. I would sit there, sometimes wondering. Joe would then say, "What? Is that watch smarter than you?"
You get to the point, where you take things out, set the parts in order on your bench. If you need to, before you clean it, try putting them into the watch again, take them out, and do it over again. Soon you will see that they all work the same.
It is easy, the damn watch is already built for you, just like the crummy Rolex bubble backs. They suck, but they are very easy to work on, if you pay attention where long screws go, and where short screws go.
Nothing in a watch can bind. Be careful. Even I screw up every now and then. For example, I was doing a 1940's Rolex today. I went to put the weight assy. back in, and I noticed that one side was up, I already had one screw in place. I had forgot to move the part that holds the movement into the case, the little tab was in the way. I moved it, and it all fell into place.
Learn to not be afraid of this crap. It is easy, or I would not be doing it.
Learn touch.......learn to feel through your tweezers. Learn that they are nothing more than an extension of your fingers. You will develope the "touch."
One thing I alway do, is when I remove the balance, I always use the SAME screw back in the same hole that holds the balance bridge in place. I learned this years ago, and it has saved me many times over the years.
Henry, I noticed on the NAWCC board your watch you cleaned. One thing to remember, as Ed told you. Always make sure the hairspring is between the regulator pins. It also has to be centered over the jewel hole. I have seen some people break hairsprings because they just didn't have it where it needed to be, and bent the damn thing. Many times on old watches, I pull the balance, then I put the hairspring into the stud, without the balance attached. I can then see if the collet is centered. If not, I correct it. Then I put it back together and it is perfect. The coils have to breath, or it just won't work.
