| Author | Message | ||
     AlexBoesenberg Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I recently picked up a 1970's Timex Self-Wind at a flea market for $2. It runs, but it runs fast. Since it was only $2, I went ahead and gave a try (several tries really) at adjusting the speed by tweaking the regulator arm position, but it isn't doing the trick. As an uneducated user, I have simply tried moving the regulator a little and seeing what happens. Sadly, I haven't detected a pattern to the effects of moving the reg. one way or the other (besides that it's always too fast, by varying degrees). I am bothering with this at all mostly because I really like the style of the face, simple as it is, and I like to learn new things. My local watchmaker charges $225 for a cleaning, and while I have given him nicer watches (mostly bought through CW years ago when it was FinerTimes) I don't want to pay $225 to clean and calibrate a $2 Timex. I'm eccentric, not crazy. Would anyone mind taking a few minutes to offer some advice? I am completely prepared for "Nope, you can't get there from here, it's more than just moving the reg. arm back and forth", but I figure I'll ask. Don't worry, I will still take my Triple Stop Calendar '62 Movado, 46&47 Bulovas, 37 Welsbro Chrono and my Borel Cocktail to my local watchmaker! Many thanks, AlexB | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2115 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If moving the regulator is having no impact on the timing, perhaps it isn't grabbing the hairspring when you move it. Basically, slowing down a watch, you add hairspring length and to speed it up, you reduce hairspring length. So make sure that, when you do move the regulator stick, the hairspring length is changing. If it is, and you still have timing issues, it is most likely a coil that is binding causing a short hairspring length making the watch run fast. | ||
| AlexBoesenberg Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the reply Zaf. The hairspring does move and speed does change, but it does not slow down enough. It seems a bit erratic as well when I adjust the regulator arm, meaning it might speed up even though I move toward the slow side. Is it a write-off, given the cost of a cleaning? I would like to wear it (and know roughly what time it is naturally, I'm funny like that) but as I said, it's not a fancy watch and has no centimental value per se. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2119 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Not sure what something like that is worth, I've never had one, I'd imagine it isn't worth much. Sounds to me like it needs an overhaul. You can continue tinkering with it with the objective of lengthing the hairspring or you can experiment with the balance screw if it has any, but it does sound like it needs a cleaning. |