Re: This Waltham 83?--WalthamGuy you out there?

Frank Adam wrote:

> On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 11:32:55 -0500, Paul Raposo <paulmr_ca@xxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> >So are parts easy to come by, or is a re-staffing in order?
> >
> Parts are getting very hard to find for those oldies, but LaRose and
> Frei still have some stock of American parts.
> They are not cheap.
>
> >> I've done an Elgin pocket watch for a client just recently, one that
> >> he bought off an auction. The watch looked good with just a smidgen of
> >> rust on the case screws. All wheels and other screws were fine, but
> >> the hairspring and the hairspring alone was covered thick with rust.
> >> Couldn't clean it for no money and ended up having to replace it.
> >> Good news is, i now remember again that i really, really hate Breguet
> >> hairsprings. :)
> >
> >Ok Frank, you've piqued my curiosity--why do you hate Breguet hairsprings?
> >
> Short answer : because they are not flat.
>
> Long answer :
> I think Breguet springs come in at about the same level as that famous
> mountain. You knew the one which was there, so it had to be climbed.
> Why make them ? Because we can. Any other reason ? Nope.
>
> I've never met a watchmaker who enjoys them, because they are all blue
> steel and if they get bent, they are a bitch to work with. On a pocket
> watch it's not too bad, they are nice and big and the coils are
> strong(er), but try it on a ladies watch where every little bend has
> an equal and opposite reaction.
>
> If that last bit sounds familiar, then E=mc2 can be neatly
> cannibalised to suit. Where 'm' is the adjustment made, 'c2' is the
> resultant movement of other parts of the hairspring out of whack with
> 'E' returning the watchmaker's blood pressure..
>
> --
>
> Regards, Frank

That's a pretty good analogy, Frank.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: This Waltham 83?--WalthamGuy you out there?
    ... > a watch that looks prety good, most bits look clean and shiny and then ... > the hairspring and the hairspring alone was covered thick with rust. ... Ok Frank, you've piqued my curiosity--why do you hate Breguet hairsprings? ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: This Waltham 83?--WalthamGuy you out there?
    ... The watch looked good with just a smidgen of ... >> the hairspring and the hairspring alone was covered thick with rust. ... >Ok Frank, you've piqued my curiosity--why do you hate Breguet hairsprings? ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Choosing a project watch
    ... >>Thanks for the input, Frank. ... Is it easy to find replacement levers for the lever set movements? ... i'd make sure the balance is in good condition. ... > watch was mishandled; and if so, it's likely the balance will also be ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: adjustment of old Mido?
    ... >>> than making the adjustment. ... >>> proper measure of how far off the watch is. ... >>> lever to advance or slow the movement. ... Don't move the lever attached to the end of the hairspring. ...
    (alt.horology)
  • Re: Elgin watch question
    ... Thanks, Frank, I figured that out on my own just ... not too comfortable removing the hands myself, ... the watch is shaken, the time can be advanced or retarded. ... I have acquired some basic knowledge (from reading) but ...
    (alt.horology)
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