| Author | Message | ||
     Toyzs New member Username: Toyzs Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2009 Rating: N/A |
Hello, some time back I inquired on a Fururematic that I had that was missing part of the crown setting parts. I thought that the crown used gaskets of some sort but found out by further research that what I was missing was the crown spring which I found and that problem is solved. Now for the more difficult part. This watch I purchased some months ago as a partially disassembled project from a watch person that couldn't fix it with some extra parts-mainspring , screws ect. I managed to obtain a copy of the " How to repair " the Futurematic booklet. After going through that booklet and by other feeds on this site I came to the conclusion that the watch had been partially taken apart without letting the mainspring down. I had to replace and repair a couple of parts that indicated damage that would be caused by not letting down the mainspring. I am now ready to assemble the watch but I am at a loss as to how the mainspring functions . I followed the book instructions on the mainspring barrel and removed the two screws to unwind the spring but the spring was already unwound. I then followed the instructions and held the outside barrel end with a pin vise and wound the spring approx. 1 1/2 turns and then replaced the screws. I did try to unwind the small disc ( left handed ) but it was so tight on the threads I couldn't get it to loosen-I didn't want to damage it. The mainspring appears to be fine because I can fully wind it up with the disc screws removed. I replaced the barrel back in the movement correctly and then tried to wind up the unit with the winding pinion screw and it would turn just a fraction and then stop-lock up. I really don't get it because with the disc and screws the arbor seems to be locked into the barrel. I would think the arbor would need to turn to wind up the mainspring. I am so confused. Was internal damage done possible to the barrel by the previous person? I guess I could get the arbor out by removing the barrel back plate ,disc and 2 screws as one unit but I though best to ask before I did that. I am sorry for this being so lengthy and I know it's a lot to ask but please HELP. This watch has turned into a true money pit! I am also including three pictures of the barrel. Thank you , Anthony     | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4017 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The mainspring is really no different than a conventional mainspring. The 2 screws seen in your photo, allow you to "pre-load" the mainspring, by a couple of turns so that, in thoery, the watch starts right away when you shake it. I'm not convinced those are the original screws, so maybe they're rubbing against the main plate? | ||
| Toyzs New member Username: Toyzs Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2009 Rating: N/A |
Thank you. With the barrel out of the watch and the small screws in place should any part of the arbor section be able to be turned such as the winding gear on the top side of the barrel not shown in my pictures? With the barrel intact as shown I cannot rotate any part of the barrel assembly. Thank you again for any help. Sincerely, Anthony | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4019 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
You should be able to take a pin vise, and secure it to the arbor (on the side that does not have the plate with small screws) and rotate it clockwise, and feel yourself manually winding the mainspring. The disk on the small screw side should not move. | ||
| Toyzs New member Username: Toyzs Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2009 Rating: N/A |
Thank you again. Are you saying with the two small screws in place I should be able to turn the arbor with a pin vise attached? If so I have already tried and it won't turn. Is there anyway that the arbor could be jammed and therefore stuck and won't turn ? Should I try to disassemble the barrel to see what is hanging up the arbor. Thank you again , Anthony | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4022 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The arbor, on the side of the barrel opposite the plate w/the 2 small screws should turn and wind the mainspring with a pin vise attached, in the clockwise direction just like a normal mainspring. If it doesn't something is jammed, for example, if the small screws are too long, they may be interfering with the mainspring. Maybe try removing them first and see if you can wind the mainspring with the vise, by hand first. Once you can do that, you can "pre-load" the mainspring by 1-2 turns (as in the repair guide) via the 2 small screw setup. (Message edited by admin on June 13, 2009) | ||
| Mariosf12 New member Username: Mariosf12 Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2007 Rating: N/A |
I have come across this problem several times by repairing Futurematics. I am pretty sure that the only problem is that the mainspring is stuck because the movement was improperly unwound. Even if you don�t remove the small screws, (they look original to me), try to rotate the arbor clockwise. When this is the problem, you must give unusually much force in order to unstuck the mainspring. Be very careful thought not to break the arbor. | ||
| Mariosf12 New member Username: Mariosf12 Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 Rating: N/A |
Anthony, I read your text again carefully. What seems to be stuck is not the mainspring but the small disc. One way to solve the problem is by rotating the arbor us I mention above. A more safe way for the arbor would be remove the two screws and unwind the small disc (left handed). It is not easy because it is stuck but when to manage to make it move you will solve the problem. After screw it gently back and follow the rest instructions from the manual. | ||
| Toyzs New member Username: Toyzs Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2009 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the help. I did manage to loosen finally the screw plate from the arbor with the 2 screws removed. I was afaid of putting too much strain on it and damaging the arbor or the screw plate.I haven't done anymore on it at this time. It seems to me that with the plate screwed all the way down against the barrel backplate and with the 2 screws attached that the screws would hinder the mainspring from being wound as the screw plate,barrel backplate and the arbor would make up a rigid assembly when the 2 screws are attached!!! How can the arbor be turned when it is attached to the screw plate and the screw plate is then held ridig by the two small screws??? Please look again at my pictures as this is the way I received the unit as shown. Does it look correct guys? Sincerely, Anthony | ||
| Mariosf12 New member Username: Mariosf12 Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2007 Rating: N/A |
Since you manage to loosen the plate everything must work now. Put back the two little screws (Part. List.59504). This must be done very carefully. They must attach tight on the barrel cover, (If they are loose they will be unwind), because as the mainspring winds, the small disk (Part. List. 9504) as it moves, puts some side force on the screws head. On the other hand the small screws are so small that can be easily damaged if you force them to much and they are very, very difficult to be replaced. Of course without them nothing works on the watch. So put the little screws back and rotate the arbor clockwise. You will see the disc moving on the arbor and the screws head. When you need to unwind the movement again, be very careful with the instruction manual. I know my advises are a little complicated but this movement is over engineered. I hope you will not face any more problems with the rest of the movement service, but I am afraid this is very possible. I am studying the Futurematics for years and I still come with new problems. |