Thank you very much for this wonderfully informative video. A broken Seiko Presage I bought, had the balance wheel rubbing the plate underneath and only turning 1/2 a turn as described. It took me several attempts to locate the balance wheel in the hole and at the same time locating the balance jewel in the fork. I finally nailed it. Seeing that balance spring to life was a real Tom Hanks, "I can make fire!" moment. Very satisfying.
Your video was extremely helpful. I tried to remove and install a balance wheel for the first time today. I probably struggled for 30 min until I re-watched your video. With your technique, it went in right away! Please keep making these awesome videos.
I'm new to watch tinkering, repair, and watchmaking. Great video!! No one has explained how to place the balance wheel back into its position with the detailed explanation as you have. I have been having difficulty with this, now you answered my prayers of how to do it. I enjoy your tutorials very much, even though it is a year old, keep it up!!! I'm learning a lot. Thank you!!!!!
Wow man, thanks for the shoutout. Much appreciated!!! Balance springs, geesh I've spent so much time unfarking them after I screwed them up. Getting them perfect again is such a pain and wastes so much time that could've been spent finishing up your killer project. That is if you can get it right. And trust me, you're going to kill a few till you've learnt finesse. Great video my man, there's very few guys on YT that spends time explaining the nitty gritty stuff.
Thank you. Even for a very late bloomer and starter in Horology, I personally find your channel is easily the most descriptive and wonderfully articulated demonstrations on starting out and continuing on in this unique hobby on the whole of TH-cam. Your ability to clearly show each and every step with tips, warnings and tricks you’ve learned over a lifetime is additional testimony to your overall teaching skills, as well as your great photography, editing and lesson progression. Thank you indeed.
I have decided to repair my dad's Longines that stopped moving. bought some tools and started to watch this channel for getting some knowledge. after a while, I am finally starting to get confidence that i will manage! you are a great guide to this new world of fine mechanics. thanks.
I have watched many videos to lean how to put balance wheel back in position. You have explained it such beautiful way, it will always stuck in my mind. You are good teacher.
Been watching watch tech videos for one year on you tube and you are the first person to describe the installation of the balance and its jewel placement in the pallet fork and why. Thank You !
This video saved my butt. I had finished putting my first disassembled movement back together and installed the Balance wheel but had no movement after a wind. Watching you video helped me realize that the impulse jewel was not in correct position. Once fixed, I had my first repaired moment, a Wittnauer 11ARB. It needed a new mainspring which was another first. I'm hooked now and can't wait for my next. Thanks.
The balance wheel really intimidates me, I messed up two springs before I watched your tutorial, this gives me more confidence and knowledge to try again. Thanks
Ok, I did it! 🙈 annnd, it actually runs again 😂 I did the previous 2 lessons a few times, taking apart and putting back together the keyless works and motion works. Today I attacked this one, and did it! This one will take some practice! 🙈 The thing that was unexpected to me is just how easy it is to leave marks on the screw heads and even the wheels and parts. It's like, if the screwdriver (or tweezers) even breathes at anything, it's scratched. Guess that takes a lot of practice, too. For now, I'm sticking to the brass tweezers. Thanks again for the great lessons!! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this. I'm hooked and dreaming about all those future repairs and restorations!
Holy crap you're a life saviour. I was nearly giving up on the hobbie untill your comment at around 12:00 about the misalignment of the fork with the jewel.
Yes don't want to damage your jewels. LOL. Awesome video. I really appreciate your instruction style and just the fact you are taking the time to share your knowledge. Thank you!
I've changed hands,bezels,dials,crystals and you're right this is a step up in a game. I need to do this because a small screw fell into my balance wheel and when I was taking it out with a twezers I fucked up the spring hahaa. I already have the new wheel but this looks terrifying. My local watch maker will do it for 15 bucks (it's a cheap ass vostok watch). DIY is satisfying but dunno about this one. Thank you for a tutorial it's really clear what to do great job!
Hi Alex. Finally manage to get my tools and start the tutorial! I've struggled a lot with this lesson... The balance wheel was always stop after a few second when replacing it! Argh!!!! Like you said in the end of the video, i've remove it and put it back but again with the same result... After taking a walk outside (Minus 36 celcius in my place this morning) to cool myself, i've went back to the bench and try to figure out what i was doing wrong.. Finally i've notice that the second hand on the other side of the movement was touching the movement holder!!!😣 🙄 After removing the hand i've manage to install everything back. Phew!! I have realised that the tips about carefully observing a problem before doing anything and take a step back when it doesn't go the right way are pretty precious. I will remember that for sure!!! Have a nice one.
Good day from the Napa Valley. Very easy to understand great video. You come across as one cool cat I have screwed up a bunch of junk movements and can now work on them without bad language. Keeping my tweezers and screw drivers tip top all the time now have scope. I I'm addicted to working on movements trying to piece together a complete movement disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. I learn a lot from your rock solid videos Thank you
Excellent explained and shown as always. I find getting the balance wheel to interact with the pallet fork really hard and I learned so many tricks here that will help
Great video. I'm learning as a hobby, but have spent the last two days trying to seat the pallet fork with no success. I have damaged the pivot on one but have a few donors. This video helps a lot, thanks from Scotland Scotland
Hi Alex once again, nice to watch this video as I have been working on a Seiko 5601 and it has a very odd shaped pallet fork and I just have not been able to place the balance wheel in correctly. So, as you know, I like to give you and update on my progress. Friend sent me his 1978 Seiko diver that he bought in USA whilst on a Navy visit (yes, in 1978). It is a lovely watch, perfect nick and the main bridge and train works has never been touched. I gave it lots of love and without a hiccup serviced, replaced seals, left everything in original condition and had water tested. Total pass. Wrapped. Sent back to my good friend who is back to wearing every day. I am currently working on a mid 50s Moeris and enjoying very much. Quite a complex movement given it is only 3 hands. Nicely made. My tools and work area have improved and I have modified some tools to suite my preferred watches. I have fallen in love with the Seiko SKX007. Just a pleasure to wear and I actually enjoyed upgrading (simple task with the mods available) and my personal watch is a great every day watch. Classic with the 5601 is that I noticed the Diashock bottom frame had a chunk of metal or something in the wee little hole. Well, thought that would be easy to clean but I actually thought I damaged it in the process. Sourced the replacement and only 6 quid from the UK so just a bit of time lost. I have re-seated the new frame but I gotta tell you, these have a very fine channel to carry the spring. Select the Staking tool very carefully so as not to compress this channel. Yes, I did damage the first one. Just pure lack of attention to how this is made. I think my learning is that every part should be studied very closely and accept that everything is d e l i c a t e. I was smart enough to buy a spare so that has gone in just fine. But back to my first sentence, the balance wheel is not sitting in and free. I think that the frame should be slightly adjusted to provide the correct clearance or shake. That is my next step. Sorry about this rambling bunch of sentences, I am 72 hours into a fast and this appears to be the main symptom of no food. Hope all is well with you. We may get a summer this next couple of months and watchmaking will swap for Fly fishing. Life is fun.
Glad to hear you are making progress. Slowing down to study the parts is a pro move. So many just start removing parts with studying how the parts interact with each other. It’s funny that you mentioned fasting because for the last six weeks I’ve been doing alternate day fasting both for weight loss and health purposes. So far I’ve dropped 30 pounds and I’m feeling much better. When I lived in Colorado, I did a fair amount of flyfishing myself. Not so much in streams, but in lakes. I had a pontoon kick boat and we would fish for monster Browns in Colorado and Wyoming. It was so easy to lose eight hours on the water before you even knew it. Life is good.
Thanks for the great video! I was trying to get my balance wheel back in on my first watch after it stopped ticking, and your tip about sliding it in and then rotating the watch was a huge help
Hey Alex, I recently inherited a 1908 Watham model 1894 that was my grandfathers everyday watch. He passed in1970 and I not sure where the watch was all these years but it was somewhere in the family. It was sent to my cousin who sent it to me. When I received it it didn't work and it was wound to the max. However the case, glass, face hands are all in really great shape. I'm determined to make it work so I started looking around on You Tube to get some help and found your videos. I wanted to let you know that I enjoy them very much and your approach is the best I've found. I'm kinda handy but I'm a complete newbie to watch repair, but with your instruction and my determination I'm confident I'll get it going. Thanks so much. I'll let you know how things go.
Hi John, I am so happy that you are finding the videos helpful. I wanted to start with the basics and start moving up in a way that someone who was following me would be able to build skills as well as a base of knowledge to be able to do this thing that I love so much. I am also a collector of American pocket watches and will be adding some vintage pocket watch specific content. My other channel is called Watchsmith. There is a link on my home page. The reason I mention it is that I have a project coming up with a Hamilton 917 that you might be interested in. That channel is longer format videos and not as much instructional as this one. Thanks for following along brother.
Thanks for another no Bullshit video. As a beginner in this I find your videos no bs approach to this is quite refreshing. I'm at the stage where I don't even know what I don't know and your videos help me a ton in that regard. I am consuming all the information you are putting out. It's appreciated, Thanks!
Hey man, been a subscriber since day one. Really enjoying the video series thus far. Great work explaining the finer points that aren’t necessarily discussed on other videos. For example, I’ve seen watch restoration videos where I can see them turning the balance as they install it, but never knew why they did it. Now I know! Keep up the great work. With content like this, it will be no time at all before this channel explodes and you have tons of subscribers.
You made it look easy (sort of). Took me about two hours the first time but it worked and I didn't mess it up. Getting the balance wheel in and lined up with the pallet fork took some time and patience. Thanks! Keep up the excellent videos as they are much appreciated.
Thank you 3206, The 3 takeaways would be to take your time, position the pallet fork do that the impulse jewel slides in, and don’t tighten the screw until the balance is spinning freely.
That is done great info, thank you so much! I've had this problem where the balance well move freely then stop and usually rebound. The rebound was what convinced me this was the problem, but i never had a process for getting it right. Now I do, thanks so much!
Awesome as always. I have spent so much time trying to get the balance wheel to take off when it looks like it wants to run but won't remain running. Now I k now why. No one else bothers explaining these things. Thanks.
I just re-read your comment. The videos on the escapement will be coming out shortly. The first will be about how the functions of the escapement works, followed on how to inspect the escapement
Hi Alex, can you let me now what movement that is that you are working on? I'm hoping it's affordable (to me) because it would be ideal to be following you step by step working on the same movement. Best watch repairs tutorials on the net hands down! Thanks heaps.
@@watchrepairtutorials I'd like to follow a formal program of training into watch repair, and horology. Your recommendations? I'm leading into my retirement and would like to take this on. Advice?
@@chuknorth so it really depends on what you’re planning on doing. If for example you want to work for a service center or even a smaller independent watchmaker who works on ETA and some of the bigger brands like Rolex and omega. You’re gonna need to get a certification. This requires going to a watchmaking school, which are typically free, but you have to be able to support yourself and be close enough to the school to get there five days a week. If you’re planning on learning how to be a watchmaker, and you’re going to either try to be good enough to actually take in work with customers and or be able to buy repair and sell watches on a higher end then I might have something for you. I am actually in the process of writing out a two-year watchmaking course , that’ll be a written course with video both long and short form to back up the lessons. Now the first lessons are going to hit my website in about a month because I still have a lot of back in work to do to get it set up and I’m going to be charging a flat yearly fee that will be very reasonable to take the course. Like I said, it’s going to be a two-year course, but some people will be able to learn and apply the lessons quicker than that but you could take as long as you want. I’m even considering offering some additional mentoring on a different level. It’s probably gonna take me a good six months to get the first years curriculum up but once I do, I’ll open it up. For anybody in the top two tiers of my Patreon I’m going to grant them access immediately as the lessons go up so that may be an option to consider. I’ll be talking about it more in the video that I’m finishing up now.
One thing that was not clear for me is when you are inserting the impulse jewel... is it going into one of the horns on the fork? If so, which one or will it only go into one if the fork in in the correct position? This is an excellent series and thank you again for sharing this with all of us. Is some/all of this in a reference book as well to reference if we needed to? The videos are great, but having a book is also handy at times too.
@@perrybucsdad You can look up Henry Fried or Donald De Carle. The are older books that some people like. Also the "Bulova School of Watchmaking" is a good reference book.
I managed to clean and lubricate a couple of pocket watches successfully. I decided to try and work on my uncles Seiko 5 6119A that was left to my dad in 1979 when my uncle died, my dad passed it on to me when he died. Don’t you know, I took the balance assembly out and dropped it !!!! I let out a scream only God could hear. I had to buy a donor watch from India. The watch probably just needed a good cleaning and oiling. Anyway I’m going smaller with watches now, I hope I can get this working after 45 years. Thanks for your instructions.
Thank you for the video. I just bought a pocket watch to try and learn watch making. About 5 minutes after receiving it, stupid me fumbled it onto the ground. It was a soft hit to my shoe and a roll across the floor. Apparently I knocked the impulse jewel out of the pallet fork horns. So, I will be attempting this. Slowly and patiently.
Im about to start new into this as a hobby, about to spend about a grand in all the tools and fluids.... we´ll see how my first balance wheel installations will work out ;) but hey, we all have to start at some point, and theres a first time for every thing!
The best of the TH-cam channels on watch making! It's very useful and I've been been watching your videos again and again while I'm waiting for for my tools to to arrive to start the hobby on a old FHF ST96 which needs a service. BTW, is the watch you're wearing in this video a DH? Or the real PP?
@@andrealves2951 you know I think you are right. I did own some quartz watches for awhile. I really respect what DH has done as a collector and I bought a couple. I liked the look but they were really not for me. You have a good eye my man.
Hello. Great video as always. Very useful explanations and tips. Question: Did i understand correctly that you put a white mark on the balance wheel to notice you the position of the jewel underneath? If so, what was the "stuff mark" that you use and does it not affect the running of the balance wheel? Thanks again.
In the procedure to determine an unknown lift angle, you put a reference mark on the plate, in a place where you can ALSO put a mark on the balance wheel exactly 180 degrees opposite the reference mark. What you use doesn’t matter. It could be a sharpie or what I like to use, the white off. It’s easy to see. What we are trying to do is to see the mark on the balance wheel when it lines up with the reference mark that we made opposite the it. Just add small amounts of wind to the movement until the to dots of color line up. Thats 180 degrees. You then adjust your lift angle until until the timegrapher reads 180 degrees and now you know what the lift angle is. This doesn’t affect the test you are doing but, yes you do need to clean it off after the test as it will add a heavy spot to the balance wheel.
Hi Alex, and thank you for the great video! Balance wheel assembly with a pallet fork are hard to learn parts when it is coming to dis/reassemble the mechanical watch. Your tutorial is clearly helps to make it easier. I continue watching your videos. BTW, I did not find a link you mentioned about your friend watchmaker.
Mr. Hamilton.... any advice besides be careful lol as to regards to handling a balance.... ive gotten pretty good with removal and installs of balances now... my issue is i have to take one apart to clean and oil the jewels and the fact that, with older pocket watches there isnt a shock setting but you have to unscrew the balance arm and hair spring as part of the cleaning process.... thank you.
Just an observation, I couldn't help but notice that your sitting at a bench that's chest high, is this to save your neck and shoulders from cramping, or is there a more practical reason? Your tutorials are great and I look forward to learning from you. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Well, I have two benches, one for my microscope and then a high bench for when I use a loop. The purpose of the high bench is to prevent having to bend over saving your neck and back from strain. If you look at any watchmaker, working with a loop noticed that they are using a high bench.
Just discovered your video! Great work! I was hoping to also find a video on removing the balance wheel from the balance cock on those newer etachron movements like the eta 2824-2 where the stud is snapped into the balance bridge as opposed to ones that have a micro screw! Have never seen this shown anywhere!! Just a thought!
Thank you for this video. I have a General watch company 17 jewels 820B movement and one of the shaft tabs is broken. Are all pallet forks the same shape? could I order one from anywhere or do I need to source a parts watch?
Does the “white out” affect the balance? These are great videos, I have an AT36 movement and am following along. I know this is a very simple movement, can this technique of marking the balance wheel be used for fancier movements? Thanks a million!
It will definitely affect the balance if left on, so you want to clean it off. This is only a method used if you can’t find or if you have doubts about a lift angle being correct.
Thank you . If we touch the pallet fork it will go both the sides but in some cases it will not happen I think the entry stone or exit stone of the pallet may loose
Hi.Thank you for a great videos. I learn a lot from them. I have a as1130 movement that i am servicing . The top balance jewel does not have a spring. Only the the movement side has it. Do i oil only the movement side jewel.??
hi i have a kays screwback lever pocket watch and i cant find any replacement parts for it, would you recommend anywhere where i may get them from many thanks love the videos
Hello master watchmaker❤ Please teach how to replace a broken pallet fork pivot. especially very thin or short pivots such as Omega 565 or Omega 1010 or shorter, thinner and more delicate. Thank you for all the very professional and excellent videos❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
New sub here. Thanks a ton for these videos, started my first watch this week with your videos as a guide. Question about the white out mark you did on the Balance Wheel. Does the weight of the liquid affect the “balance” of it at all? Or is that a nonissue?
Sure it will if it’s left on. The added weight will threw off the balance poise when the movement is in vertical positions but does not affect the horizontal positions. You remove it after the LA test. It just flakes off or you can use IPA to remove it. Good question and welcome.
When I tried releasing the click, a tiny u-shaped spring (the click?) jumped out from underneath while holding. Very tricky putting it back and not sure I put it back correctly. Nevertheless this vid is excellent and I'll study it.
There is actually a right direction for the spring installation and it is not obvious. The best thing to do is to test it to make sure the click is working correctly.
Alex, any tips on how to steady ones hand when placing parts into the movement? I get the part close to where it need to go, and then my hand starts to shake and trying to get it in the hole I am aiming for is a challenge. Edit: Woo hoo! Did it... I have been really stressed that I would not be able to do this, but when I saw that balance wheel start up when I replaced it all and it dropped in, it was such a satisfying feeling. I think I also figured out how to steady my hands by taking my other hand and just gently touching the hand that is holding the tool.
@@watchrepairtutorials Any tips on finding a new Click Spring? Mine went flying across the room and I can't locate it. I've been looking for ETA 6497 or the ST36 clone which I had parts diagrams, but not finding any. I hate to think that this movement will never run again due to it not having a click that works.
I have become adept in breaking balance wheel assemblies, I am practicing taking them out and placing them back as it's the one thing I'm struggling with, the present assembly has gone in and out about 20 x with no joy....it's probably busted.
The Ratchet wheel has a square hole in the center that fits over the square top of the barrel arbor. It is turned by the crown wheel. Its function is to wind the main stream barrel. If you over, tighten the screw that holds the ratchet wheel to the arbor he will likely break the screw just as any other screw in the watch.
@@watchrepairtutorials had a hunch thread sizes were pretty much the same for the most part. Just soaking them in little by little. Only one I jumped ahead to was your microscope vid.
They always say the hair spring is super delicate yet most watch makers let the balance wheel hang from the balance cock while replacing it. I tend to try when possible during removal to grab the whole balance complete with my tweezers at one time... Am i potentially damaging it by doing that? Or am I ok? Thanks
You make a good point Simon. I think a lot of it has to do with the strength of the hairspring. If you’ve ever pulled the balance out of a ladies watch, do you know those things are about the size of a hair and are extremely delicate, whereas, most pocket watches have pretty substantial hairsprings. I think your method is fine nothing wrong with that just make sure the pivot is out of the lower hole so they don’t get bent
Hi Alex, There are several potential reasons why your balance wheel stops when you press on it during assembly: Pivot Issues: The pivots of the balance staff could be bent, have excessive endshake or sideshake, or be binding in the jewel holes. Check for any visible damage or misalignment. Jewel Issues: The balance jewels might be damaged or dirty. Examine the jewels under magnification for any defects and ensure they are clean and lubricated correctly. Endshake: The balance wheel might have too much or too little endshake, causing it to bind when pressure is applied. Adjust the endshake as needed. Foreign Objects: There could be debris or lint interfering with the free movement of the balance wheel. Thoroughly clean the balance assembly and surrounding area. Improper Assembly: Other components in the movement might not be correctly installed, putting pressure on the balance wheel. Double-check the assembly of all parts, especially those near the balance. Remember to handle the balance wheel with care, as it is a delicate component. Good luck with your watchmaking
Thank you very much for this wonderfully informative video. A broken Seiko Presage I bought, had the balance wheel rubbing the plate underneath and only turning 1/2 a turn as described.
It took me several attempts to locate the balance wheel in the hole and at the same time locating the balance jewel in the fork. I finally nailed it. Seeing that balance spring to life was a real Tom Hanks, "I can make fire!" moment. Very satisfying.
I love your analogy. I may watch that movie tonight.😂
Thank you for your time in making these videos.
My pleasure Mr Howard. Let me know if you need anything.
Your video was extremely helpful. I tried to remove and install a balance wheel for the first time today. I probably struggled for 30 min until I re-watched your video. With your technique, it went in right away! Please keep making these awesome videos.
I love hearing when someone takes something I’ve said in my video and applies it to successful conclusion. Let me know what I can do to help
I'm new to watch tinkering, repair, and watchmaking. Great video!! No one has explained how to place the balance wheel back into its position with the detailed explanation as you have. I have been having difficulty with this, now you answered my prayers of how to do it. I enjoy your tutorials very much, even though it is a year old, keep it up!!! I'm learning a lot. Thank you!!!!!
Welcome aboard.
Wow man, thanks for the shoutout. Much appreciated!!! Balance springs, geesh I've spent so much time unfarking them after I screwed them up. Getting them perfect again is such a pain and wastes so much time that could've been spent finishing up your killer project. That is if you can get it right. And trust me, you're going to kill a few till you've learnt finesse. Great video my man, there's very few guys on YT that spends time explaining the nitty gritty stuff.
Thanks as always
Agreed 100!
Godspeed and Blessings
Stay Dangerous
Thanks, Alex. Great lesson and good filmed. It helped me out.
I hope it helps your assembly work. Just a reminder very careful with the balance. It’s very easy to bend those little pivots.
Thank you. Even for a very late bloomer and starter in Horology, I personally find your channel is easily the most descriptive and wonderfully articulated demonstrations on starting out and continuing on in this unique hobby on the whole of TH-cam. Your ability to clearly show each and every step with tips, warnings and tricks you’ve learned over a lifetime is additional testimony to your overall teaching skills, as well as your great photography, editing and lesson progression. Thank you indeed.
Well, you’re very kind so thank you. Hopefully the video quality improves as you move through the series. I hope to see you again.
very well put my friend.......
I have no words to thank you enough for your videos.
You just did.
Thank you my friend.
I have decided to repair my dad's Longines that stopped moving. bought some tools and started to watch this channel for getting some knowledge. after a while, I am finally starting to get confidence that i will manage!
you are a great guide to this new world of fine mechanics.
thanks.
That is awesome Dimitry. Good Luck Brother
"For the love of god, don't touch it with your finger" LOL Awesome video once again. Thanks Alex!
Always!
I have watched many videos to lean how to put balance wheel back in position. You have explained it such beautiful way, it will always stuck in my mind. You are good teacher.
Thanks Rohit. check out the basics play list.
No matter how many videos I have watched, yours have something new to teach me. Thank you, Alex.
How is everything brother?
Been watching watch tech videos for one year on you tube and you are the first person to describe the installation of the balance and its jewel placement in the pallet fork and why.
Thank You !
Ah shucks, thanks brother.
I hope it helps. Stay tuned for much more that’s coming. We are getting to the good stuff.
This video saved my butt. I had finished putting my first disassembled movement back together and installed the Balance wheel but had no movement after a wind. Watching you video helped me realize that the impulse jewel was not in correct position. Once fixed, I had my first repaired moment, a Wittnauer 11ARB. It needed a new mainspring which was another first. I'm hooked now and can't wait for my next. Thanks.
Thanks for following along
The balance wheel really intimidates me, I messed up two springs before I watched your tutorial, this gives me more confidence and knowledge to try again. Thanks
Glad it helped!
Perfect photograpy and commentary. Thanks. It's what I was looking for.
Glad it was helpful! Thank You
Dude where were you a year ago when I was just starting out bending hairsprings and losing screws? Thankfully I still have lots to learn! Subbed!
Awe man that’s awesome. Hope to see you around the bench again
Ok, I did it! 🙈 annnd, it actually runs again 😂
I did the previous 2 lessons a few times, taking apart and putting back together the keyless works and motion works. Today I attacked this one, and did it! This one will take some practice! 🙈
The thing that was unexpected to me is just how easy it is to leave marks on the screw heads and even the wheels and parts. It's like, if the screwdriver (or tweezers) even breathes at anything, it's scratched. Guess that takes a lot of practice, too. For now, I'm sticking to the brass tweezers.
Thanks again for the great lessons!! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this. I'm hooked and dreaming about all those future repairs and restorations!
Yes, parts will scratch easily. Brass is a great idea.
@@watchrepairtutorials I spent some time today polishing screwdriver and tweezer tips. Back to practicing...
Thanks again!
Holy crap you're a life saviour. I was nearly giving up on the hobbie untill your comment at around 12:00 about the misalignment of the fork with the jewel.
Now you know.
Yes don't want to damage your jewels. LOL. Awesome video. I really appreciate your instruction style and just the fact you are taking the time to share your knowledge. Thank you!
I appreciate that!
Great video. The hairspring and balance are definitely intimidating!
Thanks. I hope you follow along
Very well explained.Thank you.
I've changed hands,bezels,dials,crystals and you're right this is a step up in a game. I need to do this because a small screw fell into my balance wheel and when I was taking it out with a twezers I fucked up the spring hahaa. I already have the new wheel but this looks terrifying. My local watch maker will do it for 15 bucks (it's a cheap ass vostok watch). DIY is satisfying but dunno about this one. Thank you for a tutorial it's really clear what to do great job!
You can do it?
Hi Alex. Finally manage to get my tools and start the tutorial! I've struggled a lot with this lesson... The balance wheel was always stop after a few second when replacing it! Argh!!!! Like you said in the end of the video, i've remove it and put it back but again with the same result... After taking a walk outside (Minus 36 celcius in my place this morning) to cool myself, i've went back to the bench and try to figure out what i was doing wrong.. Finally i've notice that the second hand on the other side of the movement was touching the movement holder!!!😣 🙄 After removing the hand i've manage to install everything back. Phew!! I have realised that the tips about carefully observing a problem before doing anything and take a step back when it doesn't go the right way are pretty precious. I will remember that for sure!!! Have a nice one.
Everything matters my friend. Hopefully the hands weren’t damaged.
Good day from the Napa Valley. Very easy to understand great video. You come across as one cool cat I have screwed up a bunch of junk movements and can now work on them without bad language. Keeping my tweezers and screw drivers tip top all the time now have scope. I I'm addicted to working on movements trying to piece together a complete movement disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. I learn a lot from your rock solid videos Thank you
That’s awesome. Sounds like you are starting to get off on the right foot.
Excellent explained and shown as always. I find getting the balance wheel to interact with the pallet fork really hard and I learned so many tricks here that will help
Great video. I'm learning as a hobby, but have spent the last two days trying to seat the pallet fork with no success. I have damaged the pivot on one but have a few donors. This video helps a lot, thanks from Scotland Scotland
Make sure you’re putting it in the right orientation. Good luck
Hi Alex once again, nice to watch this video as I have been working on a Seiko 5601 and it has a very odd shaped pallet fork and I just have not been able to place the balance wheel in correctly. So, as you know, I like to give you and update on my progress. Friend sent me his 1978 Seiko diver that he bought in USA whilst on a Navy visit (yes, in 1978). It is a lovely watch, perfect nick and the main bridge and train works has never been touched. I gave it lots of love and without a hiccup serviced, replaced seals, left everything in original condition and had water tested. Total pass. Wrapped. Sent back to my good friend who is back to wearing every day. I am currently working on a mid 50s Moeris and enjoying very much. Quite a complex movement given it is only 3 hands. Nicely made. My tools and work area have improved and I have modified some tools to suite my preferred watches. I have fallen in love with the Seiko SKX007. Just a pleasure to wear and I actually enjoyed upgrading (simple task with the mods available) and my personal watch is a great every day watch. Classic with the 5601 is that I noticed the Diashock bottom frame had a chunk of metal or something in the wee little hole. Well, thought that would be easy to clean but I actually thought I damaged it in the process. Sourced the replacement and only 6 quid from the UK so just a bit of time lost. I have re-seated the new frame but I gotta tell you, these have a very fine channel to carry the spring. Select the Staking tool very carefully so as not to compress this channel. Yes, I did damage the first one. Just pure lack of attention to how this is made. I think my learning is that every part should be studied very closely and accept that everything is d e l i c a t e. I was smart enough to buy a spare so that has gone in just fine. But back to my first sentence, the balance wheel is not sitting in and free. I think that the frame should be slightly adjusted to provide the correct clearance or shake. That is my next step. Sorry about this rambling bunch of sentences, I am 72 hours into a fast and this appears to be the main symptom of no food. Hope all is well with you. We may get a summer this next couple of months and watchmaking will swap for Fly fishing. Life is fun.
Glad to hear you are making progress. Slowing down to study the parts is a pro move. So many just start removing parts with studying how the parts interact with each other.
It’s funny that you mentioned fasting because for the last six weeks I’ve been doing alternate day fasting both for weight loss and health purposes. So far I’ve dropped 30 pounds and I’m feeling much better. When I lived in Colorado, I did a fair amount of flyfishing myself. Not so much in streams, but in lakes. I had a pontoon kick boat and we would fish for monster Browns in Colorado and Wyoming. It was so easy to lose eight hours on the water before you even knew it. Life is good.
Thanks for the great video! I was trying to get my balance wheel back in on my first watch after it stopped ticking, and your tip about sliding it in and then rotating the watch was a huge help
Glad it helped! If you’re new, I got a playlist just for you check it out
Great vid, found reinstalling the balance wheel somewhat tricky. Finitely requires some finesse, but really satisfying when it gets going again!
Feels good to see it moving doesn’t it ?
Excellent! Thank you for taking your time to really explain what's going on!
Hey Alex, I recently inherited a 1908 Watham model 1894 that was my grandfathers everyday watch. He passed in1970 and I not sure where the watch was all these years but it was somewhere in the family. It was sent to my cousin who sent it to me. When I received it it didn't work and it was wound to the max. However the case, glass, face hands are all in really great shape. I'm determined to make it work so I started looking around on You Tube to get some help and found your videos. I wanted to let you know that I enjoy them very much and your approach is the best I've found. I'm kinda handy but I'm a complete newbie to watch repair, but with your instruction and my determination I'm confident I'll get it going. Thanks so much. I'll let you know how things go.
Hi John,
I am so happy that you are finding the videos helpful. I wanted to start with the basics and start moving up in a way that someone who was following me would be able to build skills as well as a base of knowledge to be able to do this thing that I love so much.
I am also a collector of American pocket watches and will be adding some vintage pocket watch specific content.
My other channel is called Watchsmith. There is a link on my home page.
The reason I mention it is that I have a project coming up with a Hamilton 917 that you might be interested in.
That channel is longer format videos and not as much instructional as this one.
Thanks for following along brother.
Thanks for another no Bullshit video. As a beginner in this I find your videos no bs approach to this is quite refreshing. I'm at the stage where I don't even know what I don't know and your videos help me a ton in that regard. I am consuming all the information you are putting out. It's appreciated, Thanks!
I got a short three minute video coming out today that I think you’ll be very interested in
Hey man, been a subscriber since day one. Really enjoying the video series thus far. Great work explaining the finer points that aren’t necessarily discussed on other videos. For example, I’ve seen watch restoration videos where I can see them turning the balance as they install it, but never knew why they did it. Now I know! Keep up the great work. With content like this, it will be no time at all before this channel explodes and you have tons of subscribers.
Ah man thanks. Really trying to do something different with information that most people don’t see other places.
Thanks for such clear advice. Seen repairs done, but I never understood the subtlety and care needed.
You are welcome Mr Morris.
Hope to see you again
This is so great. Slow and educational. Thank you.
Glad it has helpful Dale.
You made it look easy (sort of). Took me about two hours the first time but it worked and I didn't mess it up. Getting the balance wheel in and lined up with the pallet fork took some time and patience. Thanks! Keep up the excellent videos as they are much appreciated.
Thank you 3206,
The 3 takeaways would be to take your time, position the pallet fork do that the impulse jewel slides in, and don’t tighten the screw until the balance is spinning freely.
That is done great info, thank you so much! I've had this problem where the balance well move freely then stop and usually rebound. The rebound was what convinced me this was the problem, but i never had a process for getting it right. Now I do, thanks so much!
Practice and learn. Practice and learn
Awesome as always. I have spent so much time trying to get the balance wheel to take off when it looks like it wants to run but won't remain running. Now I k now why. No one else bothers explaining these things. Thanks.
There is lots to learn my friend. Join us.
Good stuff! Can't wait for the next one
Thanks brother
Glad I found this channel! Right away I like your tutoring / description.
Thanks for being here. Let me know if you need anything.
Alex
Great video. I can't wait for your more in depth explaination of the mechanics of this sub-system.
I’m working on the lubrication video know. Should be out in a couple days
I just re-read your comment. The videos on the escapement will be coming out shortly. The first will be about how the functions of the escapement works, followed on how to inspect the escapement
Good video. Fine movement. I like old technology. Lifetime
Mechanism.
Yes you are correct 👍 thank you 🙏
Hi Alex, can you let me now what movement that is that you are working on? I'm hoping it's affordable (to me) because it would be ideal to be following you step by step working on the same movement. Best watch repairs tutorials on the net hands down! Thanks heaps.
Of course. That’s the ST36. It should be around 30-40 us
Amazing. I have to buy dummy watch to start play. Thanks for your lessons.
My pleasure. Thanks for checking out the video’s
Great clear & informative video thanks
Thank you again, Robert I appreciate you being here
love these videos. so many questions... will watch them all. thank you so very much.
What’s your most pressing question?
@@watchrepairtutorials I'd like to follow a formal program of training into watch repair, and horology. Your recommendations? I'm leading into my retirement and would like to take this on. Advice?
@@chuknorth so it really depends on what you’re planning on doing. If for example you want to work for a service center or even a smaller independent watchmaker who works on ETA and some of the bigger brands like Rolex and omega. You’re gonna need to get a certification. This requires going to a watchmaking school, which are typically free, but you have to be able to support yourself and be close enough to the school to get there five days a week.
If you’re planning on learning how to be a watchmaker, and you’re going to either try to be good enough to actually take in work with customers and or be able to buy repair and sell watches on a higher end then I might have something for you. I am actually in the process of writing out a two-year watchmaking course , that’ll be a written course with video both long and short form to back up the lessons. Now the first lessons are going to hit my website in about a month because I still have a lot of back in work to do to get it set up and I’m going to be charging a flat yearly fee that will be very reasonable to take the course. Like I said, it’s going to be a two-year course, but some people will be able to learn and apply the lessons quicker than that but you could take as long as you want. I’m even considering offering some additional mentoring on a different level. It’s probably gonna take me a good six months to get the first years curriculum up but once I do, I’ll open it up. For anybody in the top two tiers of my Patreon I’m going to grant them access immediately as the lessons go up so that may be an option to consider. I’ll be talking about it more in the video that I’m finishing up now.
Great video! Quick and to the point & packed with helpful information. Thanks
Just the way I like it. 😄
Serious Quality Videos....!!!
I appreciate you being here weerobot
This video is Gold thank you so much.
One thing that was not clear for me is when you are inserting the impulse jewel... is it going into one of the horns on the fork? If so, which one or will it only go into one if the fork in in the correct position? This is an excellent series and thank you again for sharing this with all of us. Is some/all of this in a reference book as well to reference if we needed to? The videos are great, but having a book is also handy at times too.
The impulse jewel goes in between the horns into the fork slot. I have not compiled everything into book form yet.
@@watchrepairtutorials Is there a book you would recommend as a reference book?
@@perrybucsdad You can look up Henry Fried or Donald De Carle. The are older books that some people like. Also the "Bulova School of Watchmaking" is a good reference book.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much Sir.🙏
You are most welcome
Awesome series. Thank you for these videos. And that "noob" you mentioned - that's me!
Glad to help Mark. Just remember, we were all noobs at one time. 🤨
Thanks for the great advices 👍.
Followed your tips and managed to do it on the first try
Glad it helped John
I managed to clean and lubricate a couple of pocket watches successfully. I decided to try and work on my uncles Seiko 5 6119A that was left to my dad in 1979 when my uncle died, my dad passed it on to me when he died. Don’t you know, I took the balance assembly out and dropped it !!!! I let out a scream only God could hear. I had to buy a donor watch from India. The watch probably just needed a good cleaning and oiling. Anyway I’m going smaller with watches now, I hope I can get this working after 45 years. Thanks for your instructions.
Take your time and take pictures along the way in case you need a reference when you get to the assembly. Good luck, my friend.
Very well explained, nice video. Thank you
Thank you for letting me know. I hope it helps even in a small way.
Great tips Alex, already picked up my Begeon air blower.
Good choice!
Thank you for the video. I just bought a pocket watch to try and learn watch making. About 5 minutes after receiving it, stupid me fumbled it onto the ground. It was a soft hit to my shoe and a roll across the floor. Apparently I knocked the impulse jewel out of the pallet fork horns. So, I will be attempting this. Slowly and patiently.
Good luck man.
Slow and steady
@@watchrepairtutorials Fixed it!!!! Balance bridge screw was loose to begin with.
Im about to start new into this as a hobby, about to spend about a grand in all the tools and fluids.... we´ll see how my first balance wheel installations will work out ;) but hey, we all have to start at some point, and theres a first time for every thing!
Just remember patience is a skill that will serve you well and take a lot of pictures.😄
More excellence! Thanks!!!
Thank you too!
Helped me a lot, thanks very much.
Glad it helped my friend.
This is rad!
Nice one Alex! As always, good tips.
Thank you Boyd. I hope this is helping a little it.
Thank you
You make this look so interesting. I'm hooked on these videos. (UK)
Horology is a very interesting and addicting subject. but be careful it is a deep rabbit hole.
@@watchrepairtutorials HaHa, ery true, I'm finding that out for myself. But enjoying the learning.
Good instructions save som time and parts🙃
Thanks ❤
No problem Geoffrey. I hope it helps in some way.
The best of the TH-cam channels on watch making!
It's very useful and I've been been watching your videos again and again while I'm waiting for for my tools to to arrive to start the hobby on a old FHF ST96 which needs a service.
BTW, is the watch you're wearing in this video a DH? Or the real PP?
I went back and looked and honestly don't know. What ever it is I don't still have it. BTW what is DH? if you meant patek for the PP, absolutely not.
Dan Henry 1937, which is a homage to Patek Philippe 130
@@andrealves2951 you know I think you are right. I did own some quartz watches for awhile. I really respect what DH has done as a collector and I bought a couple. I liked the look but they were really not for me. You have a good eye my man.
Hello. Great video as always. Very useful explanations and tips. Question: Did i understand correctly that you put a white mark on the balance wheel to notice you the position of the jewel underneath? If so, what was the "stuff mark" that you use and does it not affect the running of the balance wheel? Thanks again.
In the procedure to determine an unknown lift angle, you put a reference mark on the plate, in a place where you can ALSO put a mark on the balance wheel exactly 180 degrees opposite the reference mark.
What you use doesn’t matter. It could be a sharpie or what I like to use, the white off. It’s easy to see.
What we are trying to do is to see the mark on the balance wheel when it lines up with the reference mark that we made opposite the it.
Just add small amounts of wind to the movement until the to dots of color line up. Thats 180 degrees.
You then adjust your lift angle until until the timegrapher reads 180 degrees and now you know what the lift angle is.
This doesn’t affect the test you are doing but, yes you do need to clean it off after the test as it will add a heavy spot to the balance wheel.
Hi Alex, and thank you for the great video! Balance wheel assembly with a pallet fork are hard to learn parts when it is coming to dis/reassemble the mechanical watch. Your tutorial is clearly helps to make it easier. I continue watching your videos. BTW, I did not find a link you mentioned about your friend watchmaker.
Link for what?
@@watchrepairtutorials At 14:28 you mentioned a link to your friend watchmaker's channel. I do not see that link.
@@ValentechTime oh yea, The Bearded Watchmaker.
Here you go
youtube.com/@TheBeardedWatchmaker
Mr. Hamilton.... any advice besides be careful lol as to regards to handling a balance.... ive gotten pretty good with removal and installs of balances now... my issue is i have to take one apart to clean and oil the jewels and the fact that, with older pocket watches there isnt a shock setting but you have to unscrew the balance arm and hair spring as part of the cleaning process.... thank you.
I am working on a video with a Hamilton 917 right now. You might find what you are looking for.
@@watchrepairtutorials thank you Sir
Gracias por compartir un gran saludo y un súper like
Back at you! Thanks my friend
Another great video but I don't see the channel link of your friend's channel.
Here you go. www.youtube.com/@TheBeardedWatchmaker
Just an observation, I couldn't help but notice that your sitting at a bench that's chest high, is this to save your neck and shoulders from cramping, or is there a more practical reason?
Your tutorials are great and I look forward to learning from you. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Well, I have two benches, one for my microscope and then a high bench for when I use a loop. The purpose of the high bench is to prevent having to bend over saving your neck and back from strain. If you look at any watchmaker, working with a loop noticed that they are using a high bench.
Good information thanks
Any time
Just discovered your video! Great work! I was hoping to also find a video on removing the balance wheel from the balance cock on those newer etachron movements like the eta 2824-2 where the stud is snapped into the balance bridge as opposed to ones that have a micro screw! Have never seen this shown anywhere!! Just a thought!
I made a video on adjusting the Etachron system. It’s in my playlist
Thank you - I finally found it as it wouldn't download for some reason, but yes it is exactly what I was looking for! 5 stars!
Thank you for this video. I have a General watch company 17 jewels 820B movement and one of the shaft tabs is broken. Are all pallet forks the same shape? could I order one from anywhere or do I need to source a parts watch?
No pallet forks as well the pallet stones are different. You need the same as in that movement.
Does the “white out” affect the balance? These are great videos, I have an AT36 movement and am following along. I know this is a very simple movement, can this technique of marking the balance wheel be used for fancier movements? Thanks a million!
It will definitely affect the balance if left on, so you want to clean it off.
This is only a method used if you can’t find or if you have doubts about a lift angle being correct.
By giving few winds if the pallet fork drags how will you fix this issue can you show a video regarding this Alex?
Hello Tess, Nice to see the women watchmakers here. Can you please explain what you mean when you say, "The Pallet Fork Drags".
Thank you .
If we touch the pallet fork it will go both the sides but in some cases it will not happen I think the entry stone or exit stone of the pallet may loose
Thanks!
You bet! Thank you fine sir/
Hi.Thank you for a great videos. I learn a lot from them. I have a as1130 movement that i am servicing . The top balance jewel does not have a spring. Only the the movement side has it. Do i oil only the movement side jewel.??
Not you have to take it off to clean and oil it. There should be screws under the balance cock
DO i need to take the hear spring off?
@@eugenerutenberg5281 usually not.
hi i have a kays screwback lever pocket watch and i cant find any replacement parts for it, would you recommend anywhere where i may get them from many thanks love the videos
Here ya go.
The Ultimate Guide for Identifying and Sourcing Watch Parts.
th-cam.com/video/viq9-V1sv7M/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps.
Good video,,,THANKS
Thanks buddy. Glad you liked it.
Hello master watchmaker❤
Please teach how to replace a broken pallet fork pivot.
especially very thin or short pivots such as Omega 565 or Omega 1010 or shorter, thinner and more delicate.
Thank you for all the very professional and excellent videos❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Do you have a staking set?
Please show how to format the outer coil formation of the hair spring
Hairspring work will be in my watchmaking course
New sub here. Thanks a ton for these videos, started my first watch this week with your videos as a guide.
Question about the white out mark you did on the Balance Wheel. Does the weight of the liquid affect the “balance” of it at all? Or is that a nonissue?
Sure it will if it’s left on. The added weight will threw off the balance poise when the movement is in vertical positions but does not affect the horizontal positions.
You remove it after the LA test. It just flakes off or you can use IPA to remove it.
Good question and welcome.
thank you!
🤙
When I tried releasing the click, a tiny u-shaped spring (the click?) jumped out from underneath while holding. Very tricky putting it back and not sure I put it back correctly. Nevertheless this vid is excellent and I'll study it.
There is actually a right direction for the spring installation and it is not obvious.
The best thing to do is to test it to make sure the click is working correctly.
Alex, any tips on how to steady ones hand when placing parts into the movement? I get the part close to where it need to go, and then my hand starts to shake and trying to get it in the hole I am aiming for is a challenge.
Edit: Woo hoo! Did it... I have been really stressed that I would not be able to do this, but when I saw that balance wheel start up when I replaced it all and it dropped in, it was such a satisfying feeling. I think I also figured out how to steady my hands by taking my other hand and just gently touching the hand that is holding the tool.
Other than drinking less caffeine.
I have a friend who takes Propranolol. Swears there are no side effects. He has tremors in his hands.
@@watchrepairtutorials Any tips on finding a new Click Spring? Mine went flying across the room and I can't locate it. I've been looking for ETA 6497 or the ST36 clone which I had parts diagrams, but not finding any. I hate to think that this movement will never run again due to it not having a click that works.
Awesome John
@@perrybucsdad Watch this th-cam.com/video/viq9-V1sv7M/w-d-xo.html
@@watchrepairtutorials Thank you... that got me right to what I needed, although it was for the ETA one, so hopefully it is the same size.
I really love the eloquently placed "fucks" only where needed to provide emphasis and make a significant point.
Yeah, that’s kind of the way I talk normally but I had to clean it up a little bit for the TH-cam because some people get their panties twisted.
Awesome 👌
Grazie sono un orologiaio dilettante, ho appreso molto, nonostante gli anni sbagliavo molto😊 tanks
Grazie mille. Adoro i miei telespettatori italiani perché mia madre è palermitana.
Could you please do a video showing some of the watches you own ❤
I might do a short ones, but my viewers are primarily interested in watch repair
I have become adept in breaking balance wheel assemblies, I am practicing taking them out and placing them back as it's the one thing I'm struggling with, the present assembly has gone in and out about 20 x with no joy....it's probably busted.
You can always try taking the jewel settings out and then install the balance.
Hi. just asking, The Ratchet Wheel, what's the function? what happened if i tightened it too tight?
The Ratchet wheel has a square hole in the center that fits over the square top of the barrel arbor. It is turned by the crown wheel. Its function is to wind the main stream barrel. If you over, tighten the screw that holds the ratchet wheel to the arbor he will likely break the screw just as any other screw in the watch.
A lot of screws to keep track of. Are the blued screws universal for the most part?
If the length is the same.
@@watchrepairtutorials had a hunch thread sizes were pretty much the same for the most part. Just soaking them in little by little. Only one I jumped ahead to was your microscope vid.
quick question, are all or most of the screws the same ?
Not at all. Not in the same movement and not from movement to movement.
They always say the hair spring is super delicate yet most watch makers let the balance wheel hang from the balance cock while replacing it. I tend to try when possible during removal to grab the whole balance complete with my tweezers at one time... Am i potentially damaging it by doing that? Or am I ok? Thanks
You make a good point Simon. I think a lot of it has to do with the strength of the hairspring. If you’ve ever pulled the balance out of a ladies watch, do you know those things are about the size of a hair and are extremely delicate, whereas, most pocket watches have pretty substantial hairsprings. I think your method is fine nothing wrong with that just make sure the pivot is out of the lower hole so they don’t get bent
@@watchrepairtutorials thank you as always you are a boon to new and veteran watch makers alike
Hello Alex. I was trying to get into watchmaking. but when i am trying to put in the balance wheel when i press on it it stops...
Hi Alex,
There are several potential reasons why your balance wheel stops when you press on it during assembly:
Pivot Issues: The pivots of the balance staff could be bent, have excessive endshake or sideshake, or be binding in the jewel holes. Check for any visible damage or misalignment.
Jewel Issues: The balance jewels might be damaged or dirty. Examine the jewels under magnification for any defects and ensure they are clean and lubricated correctly.
Endshake: The balance wheel might have too much or too little endshake, causing it to bind when pressure is applied. Adjust the endshake as needed.
Foreign Objects: There could be debris or lint interfering with the free movement of the balance wheel. Thoroughly clean the balance assembly and surrounding area.
Improper Assembly: Other components in the movement might not be correctly installed, putting pressure on the balance wheel. Double-check the assembly of all parts, especially those near the balance.
Remember to handle the balance wheel with care, as it is a delicate component.
Good luck with your watchmaking
F’in awesome video. I like your style.
I appreciate that!