Okay, so I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and let me tell you, those tiny parts are a whole different world. Today, I dove into the balance wheel, which is basically the heart of a mechanical watch. It’s the thing that swings back and forth, making the watch tick at the right speed.
First, I got my tools together. You need super-fine tweezers, tiny screwdrivers, and a loupe (a magnifying glass for watchmakers) to even see what you’re doing. I also used a movement holder to keep the watch’s guts steady while I worked.
Taking it Apart
I carefully removed the case back, exposing the movement. The balance wheel is usually pretty easy to spot – it’s the biggest wheel that’s constantly moving. Then, with the tiniest screwdriver I own, I loosened the screw holding the balance cock (the bridge that holds the balance wheel in place). This part was nerve-wracking because one slip and you could damage something expensive!
Once the balance cock was off, I could gently lift out the balance wheel. It’s connected to a super thin hairspring, which is what makes it oscillate. I made sure not to touch the hairspring with my fingers because even a tiny bit of oil can mess it up.
Inspecting and Cleaning
With the balance wheel out, I examined it under the loupe. I was looking for any dirt, dust, or old, gummy oil that could be slowing it down. I used a tiny brush and some special cleaning solution to carefully clean the pivots (the tiny points where the balance wheel rotates) and the jewels (the little ruby bearings that reduce friction).
- Carefully brush the balance wheel.
- Cleaning the pivots is necessary.
- Clean the jewels,too.
Putting it Back Together
This is where things get tricky. I carefully placed the balance wheel back in its place, making sure the pivots were aligned with the jewels. Then, I re-attached the balance cock, tightening the screw just enough – too tight and it won’t swing freely, too loose and it’ll be * is really hard to do.
Once everything was back together, I watched the balance wheel swing. It should move smoothly and evenly. If it’s not, something’s wrong, and you might have to go back and adjust something. Fortunately, it is moving evenly!
Finally, I put the case back on, and that’s it! It’s a delicate process, but it’s super satisfying to see that tiny wheel ticking away, keeping time. I’m definitely still learning, but each time I tinker with a watch, I understand a little bit more about how these amazing machines work.
