This SIMPLE TRICK Changed Everything for me

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

This just helped me out more than all the books and videos ever did. Thank you. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Man that’s good to hear. Thank you brother

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

​@@watchrepairtutorials got one important question tho: what if my cheap assed phone doesn't record in slo-mo?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@machinistmikethetinkerer4827 you’ll have to use the balance arms position as it’s the largest reference on the balance wheel. No I’m not. I’m fine I’m just.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

​@@watchrepairtutorials will do. Perfect timing too(terrible pun)because I'm currently in a battle of epic proportions with a Hamilton 974 16s that refuses to cooperate. It WILL cooperate if it's the last thing I do. I even had the ol lady check her phone and hers doesn't either. I guess we're getting new phones.😎

[@AnalogDave]

You are always covering topics that I'm interested in. I would definitely want to see the explanation of how beat error impacts rate. Thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you Dave I appreciate that. I try to focus on topics that are actionable things that do you watch makers might be struggling with, so I appreciate your feedback and will see you again soon. Alex.

[@kiteboardkid]

Love the way you explain and show Alex, so cool calm and collected. Learnt so much from you. Keep up the great tuition. Thank you Sir.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks, will do my friend

[@christophermarousek1962]

About 7-8 years ago, I had the EXACT same problem (low amp, bad beat error) with the EXACT same movement. At that time, I really didn't even know where to begin to get the amplitude up. I took it apart over and over (which was probably good practice) and re-cleaned again and again. In the end, I never did figure out what the problem was and ended up selling it. So I'm really looking forward to the next part of this to see where you take it. I have better knowledge now and have an idea of where I'd look to diagnose the problem, but I'm still excited to see how you go through the process. Thank you so much!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Anticipation, anticipation Is makin' me late Is keepin' me waitin'😉

[@perrybucsdad]

Alex, when I stumbled across your videos the first time, I was so impressed by how knowledgeable you were, yet you didn't make me feel stupid when watching. There have been very few people in my life who I can say that about. I started down this hobby to just learn how to maybe fix one of my grandfathers watches one of these days. Never did I think that I would start investing in all these tools, microscopes (oh my, what a game changer that was) and everything else. THANK YOU! On top of all that, I had made a suggestion to you a week or so ago, and here in this video you implemented that. It means a lot to see someone actually listen to a comment and implement that. I am humbled. Thank you for inspiring me to keep at this hobby. Some day I hope to be half as good as you. I have a long way to go, and I really struggle at times. I'm my own worst enemy at times and I keep watching your videos to see what bad habits I may have that you don't have and give those up. Thank you also with your patience with all of my questions... I know I ask a lot at times, and at times, you have given me an answer that possibly I didn't want, but you can't varnish the truth and sometimes it just has to be put that way. God bless and keep up these wonderful videos!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

John I'm the one who has humbled. Your comments mean a lot to me is the greatest gift I get from making these videos. They're not really for seasoned watchmakers who have tons of experience they're made for people just like yourself. I do try to answer all the people who take the time to leave comments about the video that I made, although admittedly it is getting harder because the number of comments are growing and I still get them on pretty much all the videos that I've made. Thank you again we'll see you in the next one

[@drevyek1785]

What I’ve been doing is drawing a rough model of the balance wheel, with screws, and just note where my tool is in relation to the screws. At each stage, I just note in the drawing what the error is, and then binary search down to reduce the error. This has really worked great for me, I can usually get down to under 0.5ms pretty easily within 5 adjustments.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It sounds like you’ve figured away that you understand what you’re doing and track your movements along with the results. Well done🤙

[@andriyzhelekh4266]

Grate video! I think I have watched all your videos and every time I rematch them I find something that I missed last time. Thank you Alex

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@boydsargeant7496]

Great video tutorial Alex! I’ve tried and still not mastered this. I will keep trying! Thanks to your Patrons!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You can DOOOO it. 😊

[@TropicalSpeed]

I found it most helpful if the balance and the cock can be held stationary while working on the upper part of the balance wheel. I combined two different, commercially available tools and modified them to work together to accomplish that. Because the two parts are held stationary, they can also be adjusted on all three axis, the two parts can be slightly spread apart to revel the top of the balance wheel and this makes turning of the hairspring collet and easy task. Here are two images of that combined tool: i.postimg.cc/LsvLs3p7/IMG-3762.jpg i.postimg.cc/zBNFcGkw/IMG-3761.jpg Hope this helps

[@boydsargeant7496]

@@TropicalSpeed thanks! Do you know what this tool is called, brand and where to buy? Cousins?

[@lawrencetoddverrnier302]

i have done this probably hundreds of times, pain in the butt job. i have never heard it explained so well. i find it amazing how you make it make sense. i know how to do it, but i couldn't teach it. bravo. big fan. todd in montreal.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you for recognizing the effort that it takes.

[@dekim4866]

That skill for finding out the lift angle is just awsome. It is quite simple, but I never thought of that. This video just blow my mind. I thought you are going to talk about adjusting beat error of etachron or some other movements that have easier way to adjust. I remember the time when my instructor in my country said 'the beat error of the vintage watch isn't adjustable'. I just think 'Ok, people in the old days may thought that beat errors couldn't happen at all.' that time. Watching your video made me realize for the first time that beat errors can be corrected! I also learned for the first time today that the balance wheel holder, which I sometimes see while shopping for watch repair supplies, is for beat error adjustment. So many useful information you are telling, I have no idea how can I express my thank in words. I think I'll watch this for multiple times because of the English terms that I'm not used to..

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It’s very useful when either the lift angle information that you found is questionable or unavailable altogether. Just make sure to remove whatever product you put on the balance wheel as your reference dot.

[@dekim4866]

For beginners who are not familiar with clock adjustment, how long will it take to learn the technique of restoring the shape of the hair spring and adjusting it to the right shape? I have a monumental clock, which I first successfully serviced and repaired, and unfortunately, unfamiliar with the assembly process, I did quite a lot of damage to my hair spring. The clock is working, but the hair spring is moving arbitrarily to the extent that the time graph does not recognize it. My instructor said this can't be fixed, but I really want to fix it if I can eventually make it.

[@dekim4866]

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks. Enjoy a cup of coffe I bought for you!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@dekim4866 OK thank you was that you today? Let me know if you need anything else.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@dekim4866 thank you my friend. Let me know if you need anything.

[@bolgerguide]

Investing in a timegrapher is one of the best things ive done. Learning how to calibrate the lift angle removes any doubt from the results.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You're right, and I'm glad you feel that way. I think a lot of people, especially new watchmakers. Put off buying a timegrapher because they don't really want to know how well or bad they're actually doing.

[@brunotulliani]

Thank-you again for helping me out. I really learned a lot and would love to learn more about the mysteries of the hair spring. I would like to learn more about something called "asymetrical hair spring". Thank-you again!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Could you be a little more specific about exactly what you’re looking for?

[@brunotulliani]

@@watchrepairtutorials Basically when the hair spring is "bunched" up to one side while the balace wheel is rotating.

[@brunotulliani]

Thanks again

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@brunotulliani OK I got you now. You’re talking about an issue when the coils are incorrect or something is pulling the Hairspring to one side. I haven’t done anything dedicated on that subject yet. But I did touch on it in the video that I did about adjusting the etachron regulator.

[@brunotulliani]

@@watchrepairtutorials Okay Thank-you again for taking the time to help me out. I will look into that video.

[@austin73]

Love to see you also go through dynamic poising. Pretty sure I understand it and the process, but would love to see you go through it. You do a great job of explaining all the nuance and the "why's". Great video!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hey man, I really look forward to that one because I’m sure you have never seen it done the way I do it. It’ll make 100% sense when you see it.

[@itzhaccroitoru4082]

You are always covering topics that I'm interested in. Happy New Year.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Happy new year you you as well.

[@uniqname4sure]

Thank you! With your tutorial I was able to correct beat error on my project Poljot 2416 movement from 9ms down to 0.3! I had to disassemble balance from cock and mount/dismount everything at least 20 times :) Was too afraid to work through hairspring. I found using a marker on a balance ring to point position of an impulse jewels very helpful in identifying its position.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That is really awesome to hear. Every time you do it it’ll just get easier I love. Keep studying and learning and then practice what you learned, and you will be a master

[@kevinstenner8836]

Had ago at adjusting beat on my digital microscope and it's a nightmare just can't do it. Going to invest in microscope like the one you use. Fantastic KZbin channel for a beginner like me .

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You can do it! Seeing what you are doing definitely helps.

[@susanh7938]

Thanks for the video! Very interesting! You and “Watch as I Learn” are very informative!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks for watching!

[@cristobalosuna3106]

Hi, I think you are a cool teacher, thank you for sharing your videos!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I think you’re pretty cool too. Thank you buddy.

[@johnhannon]

That guy shaking at the beginning looks like me trying to remove a incabloc spring. Another great video Alex. I am trying to catch up watching them all.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Lol I think what they were illustrating is that a new person coming into the Hamilton watch factory might be nervous but for them to relax because everybody starts off not knowing much. But you learn and get better. Good lesson.

[@Th3M0rn1ng5h0w]

Great stuff. When I think about guys like George Daniels who had to make these adjustments thousands and thousands of times without a microscope it truly blows my mind. Gotta be so disciplined (or completely insane)

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Well, make no mistake about it. George Daniels had microscopes and they were microscopes even in the earlier years just not as good as the ones we use today with that said, we have many advantages that the early watchmakers did not have, primarily their guidance.

[@JDRichard]

A great video by the way. I don’t think I’ve ever taken the balance off to do the final adjustment on beat error as you have done.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks, my video, making brother. That’s not something I normally would do but in this case, I was doing it to keep the balance perfectly still so the slight adjustment could be seen on camera.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks, Alex. I have a nice, cased set of Bergeon screwdrivers with the Beryllium tips. They are so smooth to use, like a dream. I broke one of the small tips on purpose just to see how strong they were. The tip took a lot more force before it broke than I thought it would. I ordered another set of the tips so that I have extras. I'm keeping the broken tip in case I need to make a special tool out of it someday.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Ewwww nice set. Butter

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

@@watchrepairtutorials They are very nice. I don't use them on anything else except watches. I have other precision screwdrivers that I use for electronics and other things.

[@loungebiddle7922]

Hello again Mr Hamilton, thanks again, another great lesson. I think I have graduated in terms of learning how to adjust to reduce beat error. Being careful needs to be emphasised. The balance wheel, shaft, roller, collet and hairspring are so so delicate. I found this out, my practice seiko balance wheel and the one arm through the middle are easy to push out of flatness. It only takes one heavy handed (and I am being relatively gentle) press to do what is against the mantra - "do not create issues". So lucky I am a hobbyist but know there are no excuses for this. I have learnt. So, I now have a reasonably OK working main spring (properly lubricated and I mean the Hamilton method), no issues with end or side shake, good powertrain all the way to the fork'n balance wheel. (play on words) Previous update we discussed my over aggressive cleaning routine, first time. Found it was easy to source Ultrasonic cleaner and rejected using dish washer stuff. Now I really do have beautifully cleaned parts and amazing how new the Seiko 6139 looks. I have Hexane for the real delicate stuff. Taking out the jewels and getting the correct lube applied gettin better and just a joy to try to master. I am the guy who likes to tackle the hardest stuff as it adds a spice to the process. Staking set is getting a work out. I must share a photo of this one day. She is GEM Dreadnought and I french polished the other day. All bits in perfect nick. Don't know when they made these tools but the curved glass is a real eye catcher. So on that, my first real vintage watch is a Moeris 1958 Grands Prix I got from Japan. Balance shaft broken pivot. Have replaced following Hamilton method but found that it is not rivetted to the wheel. Just pressure fitted. Had to be very careful with this especially during full reassembly. Still need to do the overhaul and that will be my next update. I am at the point where I can apply everything you have shared. It gets exciting. T h a n k y o u A l e x, enjoying your channel, Brett

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Wow Brett what an update. Thanks for taking the time. Sounds like you’re moving along quite well and it’s great to know that I might’ve had a small part in that. Keep up the good work, my friend and update me again when you can. Alex.

[@loungebiddle7922]

@@watchrepairtutorials ... you are also the master of the understatement. Love it. ...small part... hmmm in watch movement terms I guess they are small

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

Some great information as always. I appreciate your videos. Thank you

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate you Darryll. See you again soon.

[@andrewwebster437]

Another good video with a good explanation, hairsprings always cause me to sweat. Will you be showing how you convert the watch to a wrist watch H as that would be interesting.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hey Andrew, I sure will buddy. That’ll be the last part of this project.

[@rockbod]

Great videos and I like the way you present the info.!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate that

[@sachin-hp7xt]

Thank you father, for imparting this information

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You are most welcome my son.

[@PMELKUS]

Great video Alex. I had to do this more than one time in the past.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It's just part of the game, right Paul?

[@PMELKUS]

If the Watch Guy lift angles page don't have it then this is the only thing left to do.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@PMELKUS I don't think he has any vintage American pocket watches does he?

[@PMELKUS]

@@watchrepairtutorials That would be right. Lift angles of pocket watches are usually lower than those of wrist watches. Range is about 36 - 42 degrees. If you enter a number in that range, you are much nearer to reality than with a pleasing but wrong 52 degrees.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@PMELKUS you gotta be careful with that Paul, because I’m go up to 60

[@amandagelien9612]

😃A time saver as it took me at lest two years by myself GOOD JOB!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Hey there, Amanda. It’s always good to see you and hear your feedback. I wish more of the women watch makers would stand up. I don’t think enough people realize the contributions that women made in the world of watchmaking which is evidence and the opening video I showed from the Hamilton watch factory.

[@etteila7]

Amazing!!! Just waiting the next episode!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I love your profile picture. I was just there a couple days ago.

[@norbertcccp9089]

Dziękuję za super filmy. Pozdrawiam z Polski z radzieckim zegarkiem na ręku.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Uwielbiam słuchać moich przyjaciół z innych krajów, więc dziękuję za miłe słowa. Mam nadzieję, że w Polsce wszystko w porządku.

[@tomholloway7566]

Another very informative and interesting video Alex. Thank you so much for what you are doing.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It's always nice to see you here, Tom.

[@vesselingenadiev2526]

Excellent video again, great thanks, Alex!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thanks for following what I’m doing my friend.

[@carlosgomis9033]

Great tutorial. Thanks a lot, love your videos and teachings

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate you saying that Carlos.

[@AWDTurboPOWAH]

Another great video Alex! Extremely helpful information in this one, and BTW, I would personally love a video with you explaining the way a beat error over 1ms impacts time keeping, like what you're talking about at 15:05. I have wondered about it since you told us that back in a much earlier video. 👍

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Ok, I’ll work it in to a video. Keep watching my friend

[@watchrepairworld1203]

You are a legend and amazing Alex , God bless you ❤❤❤

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate you so much. Thank you.

[@sylvainster30]

I’m pretty much new to the hobby but can’t wait to receive all my tools and stuff! ✌🏼😎👍🏼

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That's pretty exciting. Let me know if you need any help.

[@sylvainster30]

@@watchrepairtutorials I got my time grapher and tried to adjust my Seiko Srpd with 4R movement and screwed up big time! The very small brass part on the adjustment fell off the movement 😢 I think its called the index…where the hairspring passes thru the brass part. Anyway I tried the balance complete from another Seiko but 7s26 and it fit right in! Got it to run 0.1 beat error and +2 to +5 sec per day 🤯 I didn’t think that would work but it really does work! Gonna keep track for a few days and get back to you…Thanks for taking the time to read me 😂

[@sylvainster30]

@@watchrepairtutorials I got my time grapher and tried to adjust my Seiko Srpd with 4R movement and screwed up big time! The very small brass part on the adjustment fell off the movement 😢 I think its called the index…where the hairspring passes thru the brass part. Anyway I tried the balance complete from another Seiko but 7s26 and it fit right in! Got it to run 0.1 beat error and +2 to +5 sec per day 🤯 I didn’t think that would work but it really does work! Gonna keep track for a few days and get back to you…Thanks for taking the time to read me 😂

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@sylvainster30 good job. Let me know how it turned out after you let it run for a while.

[@sylvainster30]

@@watchrepairtutorials fingers crossed 🤞🏼 almost 24 hours and so far +3 seconds 👍🏼

[@kayeb7809]

You make a great teacher.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you my friend. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

[@tommusikauswahl1066]

Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your knowledge. May i ask about finding the lift angle: What could i use best to mark the balance wheel with the reference dot? It has to be smthing, that can get removed easily.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I use liquid white out, the same stuff that they used back in the day when people typed on typewriters. I find that it’s easier to see a white dot. Then it literally just flakes right off. It’s very easy to clean. I’ve tried sharpies, both red and black, and I find it a lot harder to see that.

[@tommusikauswahl1066]

Sounds like tipp-ex….im gonna give this a try. Thanks man

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Great Protocols! Thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you so much.

[@clockboy4615]

Another great vid Alex.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

When you need it comes in handy.

[@PiotrekTrek]

Witaj, twoje filmy są niesamowite. Uczę się od ciebie, dziękuję 😊

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Bardzo dziękuję za komentarze i miłe słowa

[@rafaelfranciulli]

🙏 At first, thanks a lot for your time your content and your knowledge is amazing how "to the bone" you go and how simple is your explanation. ✌I have a very technical question: How does the Timegrapher calculates the amplitude ? I´ve found some partial answers on forums but nothing clear. I can´t figure it out by myself and would be great if you can put some light on that. Thanks again and cheers from Córdoba, Argentina.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I appreciate that! The timegrapher listens to sounds from the escapement. The first noise it hears is when the impulse jewel strikes the corner of the pallet fork. This noise is very precise and is therefore used by the timegrapher for calculating the rate and beat error. The second noise it hears is when a tooth of the escape wheel meets the pulse area of a pallet stone as the pallet fork touches the impulse jewel. This is a low quality irregular noise and it's not used for any evaluations. The 3rd and most powerful noise happens when a tooth of the escape well meets the locking plane of the pallet stone and the pallet fork lever hits the banking pin. This is the noise that's used, along with the imputed lift angle that’s used for the calculation of amplitude. The lift angle is figured like this. The pallet fork is resting on the banking pin when the impulse jewel strikes the pallet fork. If you could freeze that moment and draw a straight line through the center of the impulse jewel that is one side of the lift angle. When the balance wheel swings the other way the pallet fork is now resting on the opposite banking pin and the impulse jewel strikes the pallet fork again from the opposite direction, if you could freeze that moment and draw a straight line through the impulse jewel again that is the second line of the angle. Hope this helps -Alex.

[@rafaelfranciulli]

You arte the Master !! now I get it perfectly. Thanks a lot for your time and your generosity 🙌🙌🙌@@watchrepairtutorials

[@JDRichard]

Great job

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Mr. Richard. It is a pleasure hearing from you. I have been an admirer of yours for many years. Keep up the good work. One question that I have for you is, of all the blues guitarist who is your favorite?

[@JDRichard]

@@watchrepairtutorials I would say Stevie Ray as he played without thinking and simply expressed himself. I missed him in Ottawa in 85?? And said I would see him the next time; darn. I also like Buddy Guy and did see him live; now he is entertaining. The rest are good and technically better but not as entertaining and that’s what counts. I’ve been playing since I was 8 and am now 64. I really enjoyed your beat error lecture and especially the finger demonstration. Are you professionally trained?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@JDRichard yea I remember where I was when I heard on the radio he died. Amazing natural talent. Yes, I went to school in the 80’s, then worked as an independent watchmaker up until I sold my shop a couple years ago. Keep on keeping on man.

[@Yeastherder]

Alex, when adjusting the collet, say with a screwdriver, are you twisting the blade to open the collet or are you using the taper of the blade to open the collet by pushing the blade into the gap?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

No, you’re not trying to open the Collett at all. The last thing you wanna do is loosen it. You’re just using the opening like a screw slot to be able to move the Collett.

[@keithstarling8244]

I always look forward to your video's Alix, another great one. My question for this one is, to save removing the balance from the bridge why not turn the roller jewel collet to adjust the beat error? My thinking it's such a small amount it shouldn't affect the balance much, you always stimulate my curiosity. Thanks.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You would have to hold the collet when you turned it. Much higher chance of damaging hairspring. It wouldn’t be as accurate. No short cuts here. 😜

[@keithstarling8244]

Thank you,

[@JamesCatanzaro]

Great video...after restoring wristwatches for a while I recently started to restore pocket watches. I have to wonder why there isn't a complied list of lift angles for at least the more popular grades, like the Hamilton 992B. Do the lift angles vary between production runs of a grade like this? I can't find any reference for a lift angle for the 992B, certainly someone has calculated it using the observation method. After I serviced my 982B it ran with such a flat and stable trace I didn't bother to calculate the lift angle and used the amplitude as just a "figure of merit" (as in, that's pretty darn strong and I don't need a new mainspring). So, why are pw lift angles complied someplace?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It's weird. There's not as many professional watchmakers that work on pocket watches anymore and I think the ones that do just haven't had the time or the inclination to put together a list. I do not believe that lift angles change from model to model within a grade but to be honest I've never really tracked that. Anyway here you go Hamilton 992 16 size 48° & Hamilton 992B 51.5°

[@JamesCatanzaro]

@@watchrepairtutorials Super big thanks again! I appreciate that you are so generous with your information...J.

[@Silviu.]

Great video! Love the in depth explanations. Could you make a video about the analyzer, maybe compared to a timeghrapher (I know you used it in testing the accuracy of the timeghrapher, but would like a more detailed video on the analyzer)?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Ok. I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@rehajm]

Very helpful. I struggle with having to go back multiple times to get the beat dialed in. Each time is a big risk. I have a Waltham military that was b.e. just under 1 and acting great until I went back one more time and spread the collet too much. Now after closing the collet back up the breguet doesn’t sit flat. I also have another movement where too many cycles and now the overcoil is off. I guess I could really use some tips on how go restore those overcoils to the flat 🥺

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Yea sounds like it. I don’t think I have sever seen videos on correcting Breguets

[@rehajm]

Show us the way!

[@Algaze]

Alex, could you explain the reason why, when the two dots meet, the balance is at 180 degrees? I see the effect, but I can't understand why is that. Thanks for your content!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

When the balance wheel makes one full rotation that’s 360° right. So half of that rotation would be 180° correct? So since the dots are directly across from each other when the first dot rotates enough to line up at the second dot thats 180. Remember that amplitude is measured by how far the balance wheel rotates.

[@quaarjet]

Alex - Have you ever discussed what it means a watch is adjusted to X positions? I know its DD, DU etc.... but what do you do in those positions to say you have adjusted the watch to those positions? Thanks!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Not really. I will be talking about it when I get to the regulation of this watch.

[@robcarnaroli269]

Prior to having these electronic pieces of test equipment, what would the method of determining adjustment have been? Just by eye???

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Prior to timing devices. Watch movements went into what was known as the “finishing room”. Here the watches would be set to a master clock and allowed to run for 24 hours. Then they would change the position. Reset the time and run it for 24 hours. Once they had timing rates for all positions being tested, they would make the adjustments and then go through the entire process again. Depending on how many positions were being adjusted. This whole process may have taken two to three months.

[@milivojmilosevic1172]

I am an absolute beginner in watch repair as a hobby. I have a question. I have been using a smartphone app to check rate and beat error. For amplitude I do a super slow mo recording of the balance wheel and visually estimate the amplitude. I assume doing it this way obviates the need of a dedicated timegrapher and the lift angle value. Am I wrong in doing it this way ?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

It’s not a bad way to learn because the way you’re doing it will give you a good understanding of how the balance wheel moves. Remember before timegraphers were even available they had to do everything by eye. What you’re doing now will work not 100% accurate but close enough for now.

[@Donnybrook10]

wow...great tip. TY

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elmermendez3480]

Hi Sir do you have a book recommendation for a beginner. Watches are my passion and I want to learn how to take good care of my collection.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Books on watching repair?

[@testchannelone6616]

G'morning. I have a watch with the hands not aligned, so when the minute hand points to 12 the hour hand is between the 4 and 5, for example. Is it OK for me to remove the crystal and just push the hour hand so that it is aligned with the hour index? Or do I need to remove the hands and replace them using pushers? Thanks.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

As far as moving the Crystal, it depends on the type of crystal, right, some movements need to come out the back. You absolutely do not want to push the hands while they’re installed. That is how you damage the teeth on the wheels and then you have to replace them. Remove the hands as you seen 1 million times probably and then they need to be reinstalled with pushers.

[@testchannelone6616]

Thank you - I appreciate that.@@watchrepairtutorials

[@bwhog]

I didn't quite follow what you said up front about figuring out the lift angle. Can you restate that process?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

What don't you understand?

[@bwhog]

@@watchrepairtutorials Well, you got to "180 degrees" and it wasn't clear what you were trying to do. Now, after scanning a few other videos, I understand you were trying to apply one clock of power at a time until the impulse on the balance wheel was just enough to put it at roughly 180 degrees of rotation. So, got it. While we're here, I have a watch that isn't giving audible signs of overbanking but seems to have ~410 degrees of amplitude on a full wind. Do you have an video addressing how to deal with that? (In this case, original spring and all that. Cleaned, but original.) Need to add weight to the screw balance or something?

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@bwhog Exactly. Once your wind the movement so that the balance wheel is making 1/2 rotation, (180) then you set the tift angle on your machine until it displays 18 degrees. Whatever lift agle is displayed is then correct for that movement. To your second point, think about what you are saying. That's impossible right? these are on 360 degrees in a full circle and the impulse pin can not pass by through the end of the pallet fork. Just be clear, amplitude is the maximum travel or displacement in one direction or one vibration.

[@bwhog]

@@watchrepairtutorials Yeah, realized I wasn't thinking right. It *is* moving the amount I said, but that's extreme left to extreme right. So divide by two to get angle from center, which becomes ~220.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@bwhog there you go. Now you got it.👍

[@Galileo430]

Wonderful video. What 1940s video is the opening from? That poor guy looks like he's about to have a nervous breakdown.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

LOL. That was a welcome to Hamilton Company Video shown to new employees.

[@Cooodi1]

Wish i would have watched this video before i adjusted my omega watch BE to bellow 1ms. My turns where sooo big!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

LOL. yea, it doesn't take much does it.

[@Supercruze]

Another great video Alex. I noticed some watchmaker scribe marks on the underside of the balance wheel in this video. Is this a common practice and dose it convey any information or simply a mark to identify a particular watchmaker? What are your thoughts on applying watchmaker marks in a case back or other parts of a watch? As a hobbyist watchmaker, it is a sense of pride for me to put my mark and the date of service on a watch case back as long as it is done with care and kept to a minimum. I have seen other watchmakers put marks on bridges, barrels, etc, which I think is overkill and defaces the movement or watch case in question. Would love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments or in a future video. John

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Most watchmakers marks are done inside the case. Not on the actual part itself. Today, with computers and tracking software, watchmaker marks are not really needed. Although they are nice to see when you open a vintage watch. I personally don't see an issue with you leaving a mark inside the case.

[@loungebiddle7922]

Really interesting question regarding watchmaker marks. Very personal I think. I sent my 1965 Seiko to my local watchmaker for a general check. I am building my skills to overhaul myself. I asked him not to mark, a piece of paper stating the work done is all I need. He was very courteous and acknowledged my request. And still went above and beyond to return my watch in good working order. I think the owner gets the say on this.

[@Supercruze]

@@loungebiddle7922 Some watchmakers will mark the case back with an ink pen sharpie or something similar which is not permanent. I service and work on watches as a hobby and I know I appreciate knowing if a piece has ever been serviced in the past.

[@ikawaymanloloko9353]

what could be the reasonif there is a 5 seconds difference in dial up dial down position in a 7750 movement? I cannot see a significant issue on pivot and flatness of the hairspring. thank you.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

About 100 different reasons. Describe what you have already done to the movement. Step by step

[@romanmechetnerful]

I'm a bit confused, you said that the centerline for 0 beat error is from balance center to escape wheel center. I heard it being from balance wheel center to fork pivot center. Which is it ? Because I have been adjusting to fork pivot center. I don't have timegrapher. Thank you.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

I’m sorry for your confusion. Technically, the escape wheel pivot is part of the escapement. Not the escape wheel itself just the pivot. So the escape will pivot, the teleport pivot, and the balance pivot are all in a straight line. But now I’m confused what do you mean when you say you adjust to the pallet fork pivot?

[@romanmechetnerful]

@Watch Repair Tutorials the line from center of wheel balance to the center of fork pivot is the one I use to set the impulse jewel in beat

[@romanmechetnerful]

@Watch Repair Tutorials escape wheel pivot, balance wheel pivot and fork pivots are not in a straight line always. Look at some English pocket watches, those 3 pivots are in a curve most of the time. So which 2 pivot centers would I use in that case to align the impulse jewel? Thanks.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@romanmechetnerful I see what you're saying you're talking about when you're doing it by eye. It's the same line it just extends to the escape wheel pivot that's all

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@romanmechetnerful Sure I mean if you go back even further than that and the rule wouldn't even apply either. I’m not talking about the exception to the rule. In that case you would use the balance pivot to the pallet fork pivot as your line of center

[@quaarjet]

Where did you get the clip videos from? What factory is that? Thanks

[@watchrepairtutorials]

That’s from a video shown to new Workers coming into the Hamilton Factory probably around the 40’s

[@cyberbillp]

I've watched this like five times and I still don't get it. How do you decide where to put the dots? What makes that 180 degrees versus some other arbitrary number like 120 or 270? Swish... went right over my head.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Can you be more specific about what you are confused about ? Then I can answer your question.

[@cyberbillp]

@@watchrepairtutorials Sure; how can you pick the right spot to line up at 180 degrees? Clearly I'm not understanding something. Example, you could make two marks 2mm to the right, or 2mm to the left, that's got to equate to a 60 degrees or more difference.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@cyberbillp OK I see you are talking about finding a lift angle. So first it doesn’t matter where you mark the wheel as long as your other mark is directly across from the wheel mark. that’s 180° . With that said you want to mark the wheel where you can see it and at the same time be able to see your reference mark which is your second dot. We use 180° as the angle because it’s the easiest angle to determine because it’s exactly half of the diameter of the wheel. So, with the wheel at rest, not moving, I marked the wheel in a place where it’s exposed, and I can see it. Then I make another mark directly across from the mark on the wheel, which tells me that when the mark on the wheel hits this reference mark on the other side the balance wheel is turning 180°. Once you know that the balance wheel is turning at 180°, then you adjust the lift angle on your time Grapher so that the amplitude shows 180° and you have correctly determined the right lift angle. Finally, don’t forget to clean off the mark on the balance wheel in the movement.

[@cyberbillp]

@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks, I think I get it now.

[@soundmindtv2911]

I think something may be wrong with my tomegrapher? I change the lift angle setting, but the amplitude reading barely changes, even with pretty extreme changed in the lift angle setting. 🤷‍♂️

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Probably something in the settings. I’m not sure bud.

[@soundmindtv2911]

@@watchrepairtutorials thanks for the reply. Great video and very helpful info, as always!! Surely appreciated. 🙏

[@kurkkobain]

ould be great t adapt a lever ajustment systemm..

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Absolutely

[@mikbastani]

Hello master watchmaker Please teach how to replace a broken ballance staff in Nivatronic collet hairspring for example eta2824 off-centre ❤ thanks for professional teaching 🙏

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Noted

[@rossjackson3670]

Alex. You will have to stop this!!! I'm a beginner and would have liked to stay that way. However, because of you, I am able understand what you are talking about. I can do 90% of what you show. My skill level is not yet there to make it practicable, still a long way to go, but hey, I can practice what I see. And, I have a tutor that is just for me. What a guy. Thank you.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

You made my day brother. I wish I could sit down with you while you work and watch you. I’m sure you’re doing better than you think.

[@weerobot]

Poor guy with the Shakes...in Vintage Film...

[@markclelland3510]

Might not have been the best career choice for him 😁

[@watchrepairtutorials]

LOL that was hilarious when I saw it but I’m sure there are people watching that feel that way.

[@crashandburngaming5103]

Ya I am 59 and taking up pocket watch repair. But mostly because I love the engineering in them. But I shaky shake a lot too. Have most of what I need now except for a timegrapher and a roper wash machine. I just use my ultrasonic for most except the balance and pallet fork. Cheers

[@weerobot]

@@crashandburngaming5103 Have Fun lol

[@robertbrown576]

He’s got shaky hands… next scene she’s all smiley. Coincidence? 😏

[@billyg736]

perfect....

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Is that grandpa Billy G?

[@orgazmick]

Alex this is perfect timing (play on words ) i have messed up 3 Seiko NH35 movements trying to adjust the beat error and i have somehow caught the Hairspring and completely buggered them as in they don't even tick let alone tok i am determined to learn how to fix them as it will be a valuable lesson learned on the heart of the watch i could easily just chuck them in the bin and not tell any person but on A personal level i want to learn how to fix them i consider the balance and hairspring the most delicate parts of the watch thank you so much Alex for making these educational videos ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Thank you for making my day my friend. This is exactly why do this

[@sugmasigma]

Great video. But this is overkill for most situations.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

In what way?

[@sugmasigma]

@@watchrepairtutorials by creating the monsters who plague watchmakers every day… customers who want a 100 year old pocket watch to keep time like a quartz watch that just came out of the factory

[@watchrepairtutorials]

✨✨ Get Your Copy of my eBook, The Secrets for Adjusting Watch Rates ✨✨ ➡➡PDF DOWNLOAD watchrepairtutorials.com/ebook/ ⬅⬅ ➡➡Available on Kindle & Soft Cover @ geni.us/4x8C (Amazon) ✨✨Watchmaking Courses and Training ✨✨ ➡➡ watchrepairtutorials.com/watchmaker-course/ ⬅⬅

[@mescobar1824]

This method apply for new modern eta movements like 2000-1

[@watchrepairtutorials]

@@mescobar1824 the ETA 2000-1 uses the Etachron regulator so no these methods don’t apply

[@JDRichard]

That was the worlds highest beat error on the Timegrapher. Likely due to the very low amplitude that you placed on the movement.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

lol worlds highest? No doubt.

[@Donnybrook10]

that first dude looked like he was gonna have a nervous breakdown...hands shook like a leaf

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Yes he did.

[@JDRichard]

Excellent video my friend. It’s funny how you grabbed the balance cock from the back and I grab it from the side. As well, I think I’m more anal retentive when it comes to moving the balance cock out of the movement., Although we use the same technique. The other funny part of this video is, I can hear your voice in the background making all kinds of noise, and that is an assumption that it is your wife. Thanks for all the great advice and professional training over the years. Would love to interview you as part of my series where I have folks like Chris Spinner, and others or Sunday evening Chat. It’s your call.

[@watchrepairtutorials]

Haha, yea you are probably right. Sure, I would love to do that sometime.