How to repair a twisted hairspring. Watch repair techniques

[@jorgerd909]

5 and a half years later and this video is still giving confidence to beginners. Big thanks!

[@juaquimgustavo4712]

beginners? twist an hairspring?? keep trying... if its not correctly made, watch will never be precise... my professional watchmakers he has 30 years of work, and hes ateacher in a horogical school refused to repair n ahirspring, he always put a new one,,, told him the old ones look better and stonger antold him just to bent it, he refused,,,he say too much twists are not good.

[@hectormontes123]

​@@juaquimgustavo4712 Of course, as a beginner or horology hobbyist, try going to the corner store and asking for a 1960 hairspring, maybe they sell them by the dozen, come on, that's why it's important to know this, you're not always going to find pieces, especially if are vintage watches.

[@illuminatii604]

I never would have had the courage to do this without this video

[@vincenttarnier9773]

Mike, the quality of both video and commentary is just fantastic! Can’t thank you enough for this wealth of knowledge!

[@juaquimgustavo4712]

my professional watchmakers he has 30 years of work, and hes ateacher in a horogical school refused to repair n ahirspring, he always put a new one,,, told him the old ones look better and stonger antold him just to bent it, he refused,,,he say too much twists are not good.

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Amazing work, it's like surgery on a micromechanical level. I've learned so much from these vids, thanks so very much for your time and effort in putting these together. As a newbie, I have no shortage of junk movements to practice on. What I get from your work is a lot of patience and extreme care which is, in itself, a discipline. We don't want a movement dying on the bench. Thanks again.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Echo every word you said there. Very inspiring indeed. Junk movements are best to learn with. I find things can go wrong from the smallest twitch! My biggest snag is the tweezer grip. It's probably better to drop things than have them fly off under power from a tight grip. I'd like some lessons on these aspects too. For instance, does coffee/tea make you shake more?

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Berry J. Greene what works for me is breathing right. Coffee has no effect, and practice does make perfect. I spent hours shaping tweezers so that I was sure to get a grip on the spring every time. I can't overemphasize the importance of becoming proficient with tweezers. You might also try this: use an ordinary pin to hold the spring in place. You need to taper it with a file or Dremel, stick through a sheet of white paper cut to about 4" square into a rubber mat 1/4" or so under the paper. That way you have MUCH more control over the spring and you can focus more on manipulation of the spring and less on chasing it around the room. It works well for me.

[@berryj.greene7090]

My dear sir you cannot have any idea how valuable it is to me to have had this exchange. I was beginning to lose heart, to say, well son you just aren't up to it. I will persist and see where I end up. Nevertheless I am in awe of those who have mastered work like this.

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Berry J. Greene My drawer is lined with microminiature scouring pads that represent disastrous attempts at hairspring manipulation. Use wooden chopsticks (not bamboo type) and then cut a pin to jamb into the flat end. Leave about 1/2" exposed and then bend half way the pin to about a 45 degree angle. Make two of these. The stick gives you a long reach so you can keep your fingers out of the way. Also, when using the pin in the paper method mentioned earlier, push through the collet into the paper to the rubber underneath. You can then rotate the whole thing around as needed, the pin holds the spring secure. Most of my problems have been associated with keeping the spring stable while I work on it. This solves that and now I am making excellent progress. So it is possible to learn how to do this, it is possible to become good at it. It takes hours of practice, breath like a shooter and watch the excellent videos here by searching "hairspring manipulation.". These guys are amazing and inspiring.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Thanks Orville so very much both for your honesty and your technique. I will be copying these exchanges into a documant for later use. Do you belong to any Forums? I have joined the NAWCC which has proved to be very useful. They also have stuff on KZbin. There's a lot of information on the net - but you cannot beat experience and confidence. I am practising holding my breath but I have to let go now! Sincerely BJG

[@ric12000]

Thank you Mark! I just dropped the balance bridge while the balance wheel was stuck on the other wheels. The hair spring stretched completed and got rolled on the movement’s holder... almost cried 😄 big lesson there. I’ll have a go

[@robertgoidel]

Excellent demonstration on this subject. Your videos are wonderful and instructional for all of us watchmakers/ watch-techs.

[@Robert-xp4ii]

You're an amazing watch repairman. If I had a high-end mechanical watch, you'd be the one I'd choose to service it.

[@mauricecohen23]

You are a genius. You explain compex stuff clearly I admire what you do

[@kevinfox3875]

Excellent lesson......solves a problem I have with a repair I've been dreading to tackle Many thanks....Congrats and thanks for sharing

[@tonygram5414]

You always make it look so easy. I was recently given wrong information from a fellow on the NAWCC AND BENT THE HAIR SPRING. I'm a novice at it so it is difficult to repair. Your videos are awesome thank you.

[@rajshah7918]

Yes. This guidance is extremely helpful to the repairer. It requires patience too and good tweezers.

[@walther9161]

Wow! First vid I’ve watched on this topic and have learned a ton!! Thank you for posting!!

[@PRNadh]

Excellent demonstrate, and useful to the people who are interested in the particular field.many many thanks.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Excellent video well edited with a clear audio text. Thanks for this. My problem isn't so much hand shake as eyesight. What sort of magnification do you use? I was wondering if a USB microscope would help me? One might think these delicate springs could never be so shock resistant. My problems are often self inflicted. It's hard to know how best to grip the balance when removing/replacing it. Your skills are fabulous. Thanks so much for it all. Very clear indeed. You deserve fame!

[@jurivlk5433]

The most difficult job on watches. I hate it especially when it's twisted on several spots and in several directions

[@paulpadilla6913]

Hello Mark, Are you actually pushing down on the spring at 5:06 or twisting the spring towards you?

[@t8283287]

I think I'm getting addicted to your videos I'm in awe of your skill and ID like to take this up as a hobby, I'm lucky​ in that I own two high end watches (omega speedmaster professional and Rolex datejust) and lots of mid low end timepieces, my favourite at the moment is my grandfathers old Raketa....and an old pulsar p3 led, .it's beautiful inside, so for now thanks for the videos

[@berryj.greene7090]

Yes some timepieces exhibit wonderful artistry. How did / do they do it? This video is really excellent. What a clever chap he is. Have we got a name for him? His skill extends beyond pure horology to the technical aspects of making a good video. I'll make the tea!

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

Hi. Really good information you are passing on with your videos. Thanks for sharing it. I know this is a 4-year old video, but I would like to know how you reference the angular position of the collet before pressing it in the axle

[@chetanpanchal5517]

Very very happy to see such techniques, fantastic

[@gilbertdavies]

Thank you very much. A very good instrucional video. Balance springs make me nervous! I may now press on with my Fathers "yeoman" watch that's been waitng for me 60+ years

[@perks1993]

Great video's very help full. Any chance you have one about removing and fitting the tapered pin from the hairspring stud? Thanks,

[@berryj.greene7090]

Oh golly that's a tough call. Don't even breathe lest you inhale it or blow it into outer space. I can tell you not to grip it too tightly lest it ping off under power. I can say work on a surface that will capture it rather than allow it to bounce/roll. Sit down with the bench near to eye level. Get an eyeball transplant from a younger person, and pray. That is what I have to do. Ask for help & guidance from above. Cut out the coffee and other drugs you are using which will reduce the tremor unless you're hooked in which case it will be worse............ Good luck! Two year old post. Did you do it?

[@billhammonds4930]

Great video! Very useful and well edited.

[@janm1482]

Velmi šikovný majster,ktorý rozumie robote.

[@flymoracer]

I'll be attempting my first hairspring repair soon, thanks for sharing

[@atourdeforce]

I'm not a watch repair technician or maker, but @8:10 once the hairspring has been lifted over the stud, should you not have moved the Index back to a central or neutral position before clamping down on the hairspring? Giving you the ability to speed up the watch as well as slow down the watch should it ever need those adjustments. Surely the watch can only be slowed down when you clamp the spring with the Index fully in the fast position?

[@seamusgraham1257]

Hi there, I gather from what you said that you're slightly confused. When he lifts the hairspring over the pin (aka regulating pin or curb pin) and then uses the screwdriver to turn the "boot" 90 degress, to close the hairspring in. That isn't locking the hairspring in that position. The hairspring is free between the small gap between the pin and boot. When the pointed index seen ontop of the balance cock (where fast and slow is) is moved, that moves the pin and boot effectively changing the length of the spring. I hope this is clear

[@Genegenedtb]

every time that i try that the hairspring looks worse than when i started. lol you make it look easy. nice job

[@rolandgallone6513]

Superb craftsmanship! And easy tutorial, to watch that is, he makes it look sooo easy

[@sfirakiskwstas4993]

Great video !! Thank you very much ... one question: how thin tweezers (size) is needed?

[@Memyselfandvan]

Thanks again as always Mark, good to see you back uploading great tutorials :)

[@Tonyv1951]

Brilliant clarity in your explanations. Thanks.

[@davidwall6020]

excellent info- nowhere else can you find this hands on information

[@rossjackson3670]

Thank you Mark. On the final run. Balance repair.

[@courtfarm1]

Hi, i have an 1861 pocket watch with a hairspring that is slightly twisted out of shape; it runs fine except for the fact that it gains time because of the hairspring, would you be willing to take a look at it? thanks for the great vids.

[@rogers531]

You are very well endorsed in my book.. Thankyou so much for taking the time... In one of your vides could ou show me how to take a cap Jewell out and the brass harp.. The older ones are different..

[@colingraham3415]

Excellent tutorial. just love them and always try to put what I learn into practice. Thank you VERY much.

[@wadehampton1534]

Valuable information, Mark, and much appreciated! Thank you!

[@richarddeleon3558]

Perfect camera work and you did help me thanks 😮

[@bobdejager4121]

if the hairspring is loose from the stud on the tip can it be fixed?

[@ronerx]

How does that even happen? Shock? GREATE video as always !

[@marcusho7483]

Wow! Those are some steady hands. What brand tweezers do you use?

[@josepheirman4987]

do you ever do work on Dial indicators?

[@Josias647]

Good afternoon. I am Brazilian and would love it if you could guide me with the regular automatic watch. I'm an apprentice watchmaker. I can not put hair in the automatic. Also I can not regulate the clock balance by timegrapher 1000 as regular. And how to swing swing axles and others. Would you have tips? thank you.

[@itzhaccroitoru4082]

Thanks again ,You explain very clear

[@gkloner]

This demonstrated the basic techniques very well. But it would also be very helpful to see how you deal with a balance cock and spring from an ETA 2824, which are a bit trickier.

[@douglasrivera3892]

I would like to fix my rolex 1500 it seems to have problems I am from Puerto Rico if I have to send the watch let me know thank you

[@jcacciap]

what size tweezers are you using? are they specific for hairsprings? Love your tutorials. Thanks!

[@sfirakiskwstas4993]

Hello, this is what I'm wondering too ... do you know anything?

[@rizaldolah3655]

Where i can buy this Spring?

[@JanBinnendijk]

How do you make sure that the ruby is in the right position with respect to the pallet fork?.. i know you can adjust that to compensate beat error, but i think you must be approximately in the right place to start with?

[@cynic150]

I have a hairspring which is not parallel with the balance wheel and fouls it, and the watch does not run. I do not know how to remedy this and the collet seems permanently attached to the balance - there is no gap in the collet - so I dare not try to remove it. Can you tell me where to bend it to make it straight again?

[@jimtruesdale7522]

Hi, thanks for your brilliant videos. Very helpful and informative. Am trying to source hairsprings for platform escapements. One I'm trying to repair at moment has only 29146 written on it. Platform from Swiss barrel movement but no makers name. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Two year old post. Did you get a satisfactory outcome?

[@5RustyBin]

just took delivery of a nice vntage watch - pretty cheap purchase so I don't mind going inside it to sort an issue it has. Its running 3 seconds fast a minute (!) so I have heard this could be due to the hairspring being "overlapped" and it can be fixed by "tickling" with a needle - do you know what that phrase means and perhaps could you put it into a few words - does it mean using the point of a needle to gently spiral round the spring from centre to outside gradually going in larger circles?

[@berryj.greene7090]

The balance is an oscillator with a resonant frequency. Among other things like the weight and diameter of the balance wheel, the hairspring is of a certain elasticity, weight and length. Shorted coils - if they don't stop the mechanism will speed that resonance up and the escapement time with it - which is referred to as "gain" or "advance." So that hair spring is very critical to the correct operation. You'll be lucky to untangle it if this is your very fist venture into watch repair. It will likely have to come apart and it may well be damaged beyond a good repair. Perhaps practice with an old cheap movement first -eh - then amass the tools & knowhow you are going to need before getting on to specimens of value that matter. Good luck. Let us know how you get on. BJ

[@jurivlk5433]

When a watch is running very fast, like 10 minutes per hour, usually the turns of the spiral spring touch. They touch because a little oil makes them stick together or because the spring is torn as in the video. So first, the spring must be cleaned, checked and eventually rectified. But don't try this without supervision! You will destroy your spring and your watch! It's the hardest job in the watch repair business and even me needs to be fit to rectify spiral springs! Look for a watchmaker that is honest, not a shop, since they only send it to watchmakers and will charge you the double -unless the owner isn't a watchdoctor himself!

[@ஓம்நமசிவாய-ட9வ]

Very helpful even after 8 years

[@andrewwilson8317]

Since you have worked on the hairspring would you return the index to its previous location or would you start calibration from scratch? How much difference could working the spring potentially make?

[@UltimatumNo5]

Hi, great video. I have a hairspring which seems to wind back on itself. I'm not sure whether that is by design but it doesn't look right and I'm worried I'll break it when trying to repair it. My watch keeps stopping or goes really fast, so I think the hairspring is touching or I applied too much oil. Can anyone please help me with this?

[@samking73]

+UltimatumNo5 Too much oil is definitely a no-no. If there is oil on the hair spring it will cause the spring to stick, also if it is magnetized, it will stick. This will cause your watch to run very fast. If you have determnined the hairspring is touching, you should try demagnetizing it first. If it's still sticking, you will need to dip your hairspring in some onedip or naptha lighter fluid.

[@matabogmbc]

Thank you, thank you! And I didn't even start to watch the video yet :) I'm sure it's a treat!

[@roadrunner6372]

Merhaba... Tıssot Seven automatic(1976) saatimin pndül yayı yok. tamir için help please.

[@bessiebraveheart]

nice to see a pro work.now i have to attempt something similar.

[@mssteveyt]

Hi mark Brilliant video could you help with my JLC twisted hairspring watch works but gains an hour a day I am not confident in doing work myself could you suggest anyone who would undertake this job for me Keep up the great video s Steve

[@berryj.greene7090]

Read above reply to HextyVision above.

[@traummusik9]

Hi i have a Question it would be so kind if someone will answer me ,i have an old automatic watch watch works fine ,the only problem is that when i wear all the day it would last just 5-7 hours what could be the reason

[@julianbarg2]

Wow thanks! I’m going straight back to my bench with this!

[@MIGASHOORAY]

How could this spring become bent? After all its secure inside the watch case.

[@Manga2limaelimao]

Já tinha visto este vídeo, mas cada vez que olho novamente aprendo novas dicas

[@nateblubaugh729]

Also is that an old Unitas pocket watch movement?

[@kennethkong4104]

Nate Blubaugh cancell

[@ericalbert6954]

Mille merci pour toutes vos vidéos !

[@larryrichards3668]

Great video, I just got a cheap vintage watch and the hairspring is all out of whack.

[@AutomotiveEvangelist]

So I started off watching the video about oiling a balance jewel without shock protection, then ended up here trying to figure out how to put the balance back onto the cock. That done, it's time to thank you for such great videos.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Excellent demonstration. Thanks

[@moza260]

how about the japanese hairspring? is it the same shape?

[@nateblubaugh729]

If you aren't already using them I know of some great tools for the purpose of hairspring repair, they're called hairspring tweezers they work great for me and are finer than the average tweezers for the purpose.

[@ron2271993]

Mad skill!! Respect!

[@ryu-yuta9259]

My seiko 5 Lost the bolt. So how do I replace it?

[@boytan2913]

its a big help thanks for the instructions sir.

[@nigelm.steele9329]

Delicate precision 😊

[@ionzaharia5078]

You’re fantastic !

[@juaquimgustavo4712]

Entertainening video

[@jonyhopkins1]

Really cool and fantastic what your are doing

[@X-VoodooKing-X]

Interesting. How do hair springs bend or twist? Gravity?

[@WatchRepairChannel]

Gravity? - I suspect possible sarcasm there. Some watch owners may attempt to regulate the watch themselves, slip and damage. A less experienced repairer may catch the spring on the centre wheel when attempting to remove the balance. It does not really matter, the video is showing some techniques to resolve the problem either way.

[@X-VoodooKing-X]

Oh thanks. I'm actually quite new to watches and I just like the various movements. Sorry if I sound sarcastic. I was thinking of how the spring could get damaged on its own. I didn't think of outside interference.

[@WatchRepairChannel]

Zulhardy Rahim lol - no worries, I see what you mean now :) These springs are very fragile and easily bent or damaged, even an experienced watch repairer is just one slip away from disaster so we never rush these jobs and always take a few deep breaths before starting the job.

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Hairsprings and disasters. I could write a book on it. Where is the incredible shrinking man when you need him? I decided to start my watch repair journey by learning everything I possibly could about balances. I figured it was the most difficult part of watch repair and if I could get a solid foundation with it, It would be very helpful later on. I've come a long way, learned a lot of things and one of them was how delicate they are. These videos are priceless and can save a lot of money and time. I am grateful that these masters are so willing to share their knowledge and experience.

[@richp5321]

How does a hairspring get twisted or damaged inside the watch?

[@szbalogh]

Excellent helpful video! Thank You!

[@Patrick-pl8wv]

You do amazing work.

[@Miguelito63No1]

Hi, thanks to this video, I have fix 7 watches, thanks a lot

[@berryj.greene7090]

Now that is a real accreditation for the skills of the video maker and your own ability to assimilate the information and then get a result. You must feel made up over this. Well done sir! Come here - help me now!

[@Limou551]

Are you sure you fixed them? left them perfect??? If you "fixed" them for you i think its all right, but you should not fix for business cause you would be scamming others your not certificated.

[@romeboymomo2075]

very nice..it helps a lot

[@Pindi44]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@alexharris8500]

Excellent vedios. 👍🥃🥃🥃

[@boydsargeant7496]

Thanks Mark!

[@afiqalbawah4039]

Hey, i just broke my watch just a while ago... the hairspring twisted somehow because I wanted to regulates it... How much the cost if seiko rejects the warranty? Some body know?

[@berryj.greene7090]

I think Seiko will reject you if there is expensive damage. After all they're in it to make money. Do they still make mechanical watches? I'm a bit surprised if they do.

[@PedroPauloAmorim]

just buy a new one from ebay lmao

[@tempoantigo-RJ]

Muito bom! Obrigado por compartilhar seu conhecimento.

[@ryu-yuta9259]

Thanks for the tutorial !

[@larryrichards3668]

My hairspring works and the watch keeps good time as long as it is laying with the face down on a table. As soon as I turn it over, the watch stops running. Any idea what the problem might be?

[@rpgggjdmsmkw8]

maybe you have a crooked balance wheel

[@SPWD1198]

Excellent thank you.

[@TomTom-up1kz]

very good work thanks for you

[@RollingCinemar]

Fantastic tutorial Keep it up

[@daleburrell6273]

...that takes a LOT of practice!!!

[@ricardojorgemarques6014]

Excelente trabalho

[@k.miyamoto8183]

Thanks so much !

[@matabogmbc]

no comment.... except: those are two very steady pairs of tweezers!!!

[@coffeeisgood102]

How is it possible for a hairspring to get bent. It seems to me that unless someone was to take the back off the watch and mess with the escapement, the hairspring should stay the same regardless if it is 1 day old or 50 years old.

[@watchandjewelryloft4713]

There's always the customer that says, "It's never been opened." lol. I love those. But, the only thing that could cause a problem if it truly hasn't been opened is some other part that broke and got into the spring. But, that would have to be pretty serious. That or a bad drop. But, yeah still, an outside source is usually the cause.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Shock! Or a time fairy! People often deny culpability. It's almost natural to the fight or flight syndrome. "Not me guv; I'm gone; I'm outa here!" Blame it on the wife/partner.- that's what I do.

[@laser31415]

@@berryj.greene7090 Or a 10 year old little brother.... /cough cough I was 10 once.

[@berryj.greene7090]

From now on I am going to blame you! I shall say "Lewis Burmeister has struck again!" I see another 11 months of incompetence has passed me by! Ah but it does me good to watch Mark here. He not only makes it look easy, he makes a very good video of it too. I'll bet you that when I retire they give me a clock! Wanna know what I'm gonna say to that? "Does it strike or shall I do it!" Rgds, BjG

[@castotoro5166]

Muy bueno excelente...

[@dineshsrikar8758]

How to repair fully spoiled one

[@NikaBoyce]

you make it look so easy peasy lemon squeesy

[@VamsiMohanKrishnaVadrevu]

Wouldn't it be easier and better to replace the hairspring? After all it's the most important part of watch... Any defect should have a huge impact on it's accuracy right? Not that fixing the bent spring won't fix the watch... It's just that, for such an important part, wouldn't you rather get a new hairspring than risk trying to repair it

[@berryj.greene7090]

Well you make a good point. The thing is that parts for mechanical watches have dried up since the advent of the quartz watch. They are so functional - although not pretty I grant you. Rugged, reliable, accurate, no winding and cheap to make. Not that I don't love the mechanical masterpieces because I do but the greater world and his dog don't care. They'd rather have a quartz. Somehow we should try to keep as many samples of the old mechanical specimens alive & well if only for posterity to see something very special that humanity was able to do way back in the daze..

[@kali223laron]

wow best watch so ever

[@frat7939]

Thanks!