HOW TO RELEASE A LOADED MAINSPRING INSIDE YOUR MANUAL WIND OR AUTOMATIC WATCH

[@INSTRUCTORGOD]

thanks just bought an old russian watch (I have got some omegas too!) and it stopped 1 day after buying it .watched your video and works again fine,so thanks for posting this!

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Glad I could help!

[@dontai05]

You just saved me £150, thank you so much! Your video was incredibly helpful and guided me through the release process perfectly. Can now wear my favourite watch to my wedding so thank you, so much :)

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Great to hear!

[@itzhaccroitoru4082]

Thank you! This was very instrumental! I needed that.

[@PanzergrauModels]

I was stuck with a Pobeda with a fully wound spring - the click not giving enough space to release the ratchet wheel. I was thinking to remove the balance and pallet fork as well, but I wasn't sure. Now I have the answer. Thank you!

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Nice! Plan A doesn’t work, then plan B it is. 😉

[@JulioMo]

Bro. Thank you! This was very instrumental! I needed that.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You're welcome.

[@carentanbr]

Thank you! This was very useful, especially the part on the automatic watch.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Always happy to hear that this video has helped someone.

[@unclejoeslifeadvice210]

Thank you! I was able to release the spring tension on a tiny ladies Guen. Now to fix the non moving balance wheel

[@matijamodric1435]

Try wining and then shake to trigger wheel

[@NoBody-hz4po]

Wow I just found a old Volkswagen steering wheel watch that wouldn't wind stuck. I did the first one exactly and then rewound it. Started right up. Thank you so much.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Awesome stuff! Glad this video has helped.

[@gustavhultgren4767]

Thank you!

[@keithwilliamson7642]

Much appreciation for doing this Tutorial 👍👍

[@francisoneill3784]

Very useful, well filmed and clearly described. Thank you 😊 👍

[@dogduckchikin7588]

thank you i am trying to learn this was very helpful.

[@Distoideas]

Awesome demo. thank you.

[@lerosh2226]

Hi,I have an hmt,,it will only move the pointers in the forward direction,,what's wrong,,pls advise,, rgds

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

What pointer are you referring to?

[@gregs7519]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@terencejamesmusic4126]

Thank you for the warning.Excellent video.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You’re welcome. Thank you for commenting.

[@arinasan247]

Very nice video!

[@serafsup99]

Thank you great info!

[@teotirn1]

what can I do if the spring isn't even winding exept for taking it to the clocksmith? great video btw

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Mainspring cannot unwind means your watch is really dirty. The movement is gummed up and should have a service.

[@marks184]

Excellent video! Vey well done! I may have missed it, what make and model Omega is that? Once again excellent video!

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

One is a Seamaster which will hit the site this weekend. More info available then. The mid piece is a Pocket watch 38.5 caliber movement. And the last is an unsigned model CK 2639 Omega which I've made a video about this model in the past if you scroll through my old videos.

[@bridiejane-heartofheavencr4829]

is this a repair that must be done by a professional or is this something I could attempt at home? thank you ~

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Do not attempt to do it on your own without the proper tools. And if it is an expensive watch and you have no experience working on watch movement in the past, better to let a professional do it for you. But, most likely a professional will require you to service the watch.

[@ZoranSretenovic]

Thanx man. My father's old Darwil is ticking again!

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Glad to hear :)

[@niklassuomela315]

Hey! I bought a cal 268 Omega for cheap and the crown only moves a little bit. It starts to work for a bit of time and then stop. Could this maybe fix the issue if its just wound up too much or will it just break it?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

it's difficult to say. Most likely the crown will not break that easily. But it sounds like a very dirty watch or the crown needs a new gasket/replacement.

[@Midlothian-Media]

very helpful thanks

[@bethmahoney5713]

Hello I have a Sheffield necklace watch. I did release click and unwind. When I wind up watch again, it still doesn’t work. Any suggestions? Thank you

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

It looks like the watch requires a complete overhaul and lubrication

[@nowiemesina4045]

Hey is my watch broken bc i think i over wind it and when i shake it, it wont work

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

It maybe broken or your watch is too dirty inside. You’ll need to service it regardless

[@richardbarth9296]

Briliantly simple explanation - Thank you

[@pattyfaling-davis634]

I have a 1971 Star-Kist winding watch. The hands are not moving at all. I wonder if it was wound too tight? The watch is not working? Should I manually unwind the watch? What can I do please?

[@weirdness3065]

My grandfather's pocketwatch wont wind anymore and I looked up the issue and this video came up as a maybe solution. I looked and the click is hidden under the plate and i cant access it. Any ideas?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

If you wind the stem a slight bit, the click may stick out a bit where you can use the tweezers to secure it. From there you'll be able to release the power the same way. Or as a second option is to remove the balance complete, and the pallet bridge and pallet. Let the mainspring unwind itself this way. Some watchmaker dislike using this method, but to me it is perfectly fine.

[@weirdness3065]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel Okay I finally found the click and have unwound the mainspring. I am now able to wind the pocket watch as if it were working. The issue now is that even when the mainspring is wound the watch still doesnt tick. Do you have any idea why?

[@weirdness3065]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel also if I wind the mainspring a small bit and move the balance wheel the seconds hand does move for a couple seconds

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

@@weirdness3065 When a watch has an issue like your to begin with. It is a sign that the watch is very dirty and the old lubrication is gummed up. The movement is begging you to please take it to service. Service it and apply new lubrication and the watch will run smoothly once again. Trust me

[@gaborm4767]

what if for moving the click you have to wind a little bit more the main spring which is not possible if it is fully winded already?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

The movement is made so that you can still wind it a slight more allowing you to move the click.

[@savannahbaker4134]

thank you

[@jackieboy6383]

Hey, my current railroad watch has the same problem, but I'm not sure how to go about fixing it since it has a Swing Out case. This detaches the wind, meaning I wouldn't be able to unwind the spring Slowly. And I'm worried it would spin out of control. Any tips/ideas on what to do?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Is there a piece of stem left? If there is, you can use a pin vice to grab hold of it.

[@jackieboy6383]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel When I swing open the back, the stem stays attached to the crown, meaning there isn't any in the watch it self. Would it be safe to stick a pin vice in the watch to act as the stem?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

@@jackieboy6383 It is not a split stem? If it is a split stem, there should be a small piece sticking out where you can use the pin vice to grab hold of it.

[@JimboJones2022]

I pulled my crown out to wind my watch and the roder started to spin very fast as if it was discharging all if it's power. Any idea what could be wrong? I've never had a watch do this.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

It sounds like the automatic reversing wheel is dirty or require proper lubrication.

[@PirateAdmiral-bx6sx]

I need help of how to fix my wind crown i pulled the crown on my wind up pocket watch and it does wind up anymore plz help

[@lilymcalister1825]

I did not see any "click" or "stop" but as I went deeper into the watch, finally the main wheel unscrewed slowly as I held my thumb on it. Now, I put all the parts back together and it spins as I try to wind it. It spins too freely...lol. I'm thinking I need to go back in to find the click or stop to make certain it in "ingaged" again, yes? I'm not sure.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Sounds like the click is below the barrel bridge. Without a click the watch will not be able to hold its wind. You may need to remove the balance wheel and pallet and let the trains run down its energy

[@vadimwalter4078]

Hey my Prefect Super Deluxe Swiss Move Hand Winding Watch dont working more :( i cant fix it... its not spining. do you have a tip?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You'll need to take it to your repair shop and let your watchmaker take a look at it.

[@vadimwalter4078]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel i want learn it self its to expensive

[@vadimwalter4078]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel in germany watchmaker are very expensive you can often buy a new watch there

[@fithermuskopongfither3202]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@ra1nmaker001]

what if it's only automatic, and not hand wound?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You’ll need to remove the automatic bridge first as explained in the video.

[@ra1nmaker001]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel if it's only automatic wind (not by turning the crown), will the crown turn as you let go the main spring?

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I’m just learning to be my own watch repairman 👨‍🔧. I’ve got a junk pocket watch that I plan on scrapping for the parts. I cannot power down the mainspring (because the crown 👑, and stem are busted off, and yes, the mainspring is fully wound). This allows absolutely no regulation of how the mainspring is going to unwind, using the “click” method. I also cannot remove the balance wheel, for I may dislodge the pallet fork, and the whole movement will, once again, unwind at something beyond full speed. Removing the balance wheel would involve me wedging apart the movement “sandwich”, or “cookie” (best I can explain it) apart, to get the balance wheel out. I’ve done this in my past with junk watch movements (yes, they unwound). I want to save these gears ⚙️ for future watch repairs 👩‍🔧, or rebuilds. Please get back with me as soon as possible, I really want to know how to power down mainsprings. Your friend, Jeff.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Sometimes you have no choice but to remove the balance wheel and pallet fork and just let the train system run down the mainspring. Otherwise, you will need to carefully use a flat head screwdriver to turn the ratchet wheel a slight bit to unlock the click, then use your tweezer to shift the click aside, and now you can slowly unwind the ratchet wheel by slowly releasing the screwdriver. Do not just release or the mainspring will just skip to the end and that can break everything.

[@RonRose-b3o]

You did not show the ending of how to release it you didn't say nothing you pointed with your tweezers that doesn't explain much to me appreciate the

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Did you actually watched the video? Haha I showed twice, 2:43 and 3:23. Noticed how u wind the crown with my left hand, and I shifted the click using the tweezer before slowly releasing the crown to allow the mainspring to unwind.

[@bridiejane-heartofheavencr4829]

How does someone go about learning how to mend manual watches professionally? this is fascinating :))

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

I'm sure several watch repair channels on KZbin will teach you how to service a manual wind watch. You can also search on google to see if a watch repair school is near you. Learning how to service a watch is one thing, but buying the right tools can be expensive.

[@HaroldMC63]

I wish i watched this earlier i was poking around in a pocketwatch and did the first method (i had no clue what i was doing) and I broke the ruby jewel which i didn’t even know was possible

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

I am sorry to hear that. Hopefully it wasn't an expensive pocket watch.

[@HaroldMC63]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel I have replacements and things, it was old and cheap but still entertaining, thank you

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

@@HaroldMC63 That's great to hear

[@MonetteCastillo-ue6nb]

I broke my watch and when I shake it, it still won't work

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

If you broke your watch, how can it work? It’s broken

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You’ll need to take it to a repair shop to have it fixed

[@lizardtalks8636]

How do you put back in a stem and crown when it doesn’t click into place while putting it back in as well as pushing the button down

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

When I get the opportunity will make a video about that.

[@rage8kage]

Ah i have to remove the auto works first. That's why my watch wouldn't unwind when I lifted the click. I knew it within me but it just didn't register somehow~ I'm such a dufuss

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You have evolved to Dr Ivysaur now. 😉

[@rage8kage]

@@TimelessHistoryChannel can you do a video on how to unwind an automatic without manual wind?

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

@@rage8kage No secret trick, you must remove the automatic system first in order to unwind.

[@Dootium]

Hey, do you need an example of what not to do? I broke my 1959 Bulova cuz I didn't have the right tools. EDIT: Or any experience with watches whatsoever EDIT EDIT:The watch now has minimal resistance when attempting to wind it, and I think it's only worth parts anymore sadly. I know, I am a dumb fuck, and should have spent to 1200$ to fix a 50$ watch.

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

Best to pay a watchmaker to do get the job done right.

[@pornstarlivesmatter3319]

i over wound my 1950's ladies 14k omega diamond bezel watch.... im so upset lol

[@TimelessHistoryChannel]

You probably did not have it serviced for a while, so the mainspring inside is dirty or gummed up.