Gears, how do watchmakers assess wear & tear?

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by 1MAC

Wow. Definitely a Freudian slip there Bubba.

Scarey slip

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Originally Posted by 1MAC

Wow. Definitely a Freudian slip there Bubba.

Originally Posted by bwalkerVintage

Scarey slip

What? Did I miss something?

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

If you will replace JJ's balance I will be more than glad to pick up the cost as a public service to the members. Now, I will not discuss the other 2 or 3 worn parts!

Are you saying that JJ is "unbalanced"?

[HDHNTER]

Thanks for the great info Vanessa.

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

3 years is a little much IMO but it certainly wouldn't harm the inside of the watch. What I would be worried about is the amount of times the watch gets an exterior polish!

What does this mean? Is it not OK to polish the watch? Take the scratches out of the TT GMT IIc band? Please??????????????????

Terry Newton

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

You guys are funny....

Okay, this is the deal. We use a very specific tool to inspect the gears, jewels and everything else in the watch! It's called .... a loupe!
Seriously, that's all we need. In extreme doubt I might use a jeweler's microscope, that can magnify up to 50X.
Most of the time the great wheel is worn, as well as the third wheel. In some occasions it's the second wheel or very rarely the escape wheel. Or a combination of any of these. The wear is clearly marked by grooves on the pivots, or a "flat" or "mushroom" shape. The balance staff can show the same grooves, and then it is impossible to regulate the watch within standards. The palletfork will in some cases show wear (=grooves) on the pallet stones, and this means the escape wheel teeth are bad as well. On the reversing wheels (the red ones) the wear is first visible on the back side.
Hope this explains it for you!

You need to come around more often,

[lakeros]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

You guys are funny....

Okay, this is the deal. We use a very specific tool to inspect the gears, jewels and everything else in the watch! It's called .... a loupe!
Seriously, that's all we need. In extreme doubt I might use a jeweler's microscope, that can magnify up to 50X.
Most of the time the great wheel is worn, as well as the third wheel. In some occasions it's the second wheel or very rarely the escape wheel. Or a combination of any of these. The wear is clearly marked by grooves on the pivots, or a "flat" or "mushroom" shape. The balance staff can show the same grooves, and then it is impossible to regulate the watch within standards. The palletfork will in some cases show wear (=grooves) on the pallet stones, and this means the escape wheel teeth are bad as well. On the reversing wheels (the red ones) the wear is first visible on the back side.
Hope this explains it for you!

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, I certainly appreciate it as I am sure other here do as well.

[Nods]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

There isn't always a sign that indicates worn parts...
The Rolex movements are so well made, that even when the watch is running dry and parts are getting damaged, it'll keep running! That's why so many people claim "they haven't serviced their watch in 20 years, and it runs perfect!" Yeah right, untill you look at it with a loupe!
I literally cringe when I hear somebody say something like that to me! I swear... It's like telling a doctor you've been smoking for 20 years and never had a physical, but feel fantastic! Once the x-rays view your lungs, it shows a different picture of your "great health"!

Thanks for the info, it makes sense, I will be sticking to the 5 year plan.

[DanP]

What a great thread. Very good information. Especially about JJ's worn parts

[Z-Sub]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Agreed, Vanessa.....just look what happened to my dome!!

At least it'll never wear out

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Z-Sub

At least it'll never wear out

You revived this interesting thread just to laugh at my bald dome, ya tosser??