Micro Stella vs Spirate

[Smobews]

A question for the watchmakers…

How precise can the adjustments on the Micro Stella be? Omega’s new Spirate system boasts 0.1spd micro adjustability.

[fsprow]

I’m just an amateur, but have become somewhat skilled in adjusting free sprung balances. For example, the Microstella weights on modern Rolexes. I have also had the chance to adjust the Omega Spirate. To me, the advantage of the Spirate is that it is simpler to adjust. The problem with normal adjustment of a free sprung balance is that you have to be quite careful to make sure that weight adjustments are made on both sides of the balance equally, and the exposure of the hairspring places a bit of a risk of damage to the spring, which is not there with the Spirate. In any case, I think it’s more a question of ease of adjustment than precision, because the precision of both is significantly better than the normal variations of wearing a watch from day-to-day with different activities and temperatures.

[Smobews]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I’m just an amateur, but have become somewhat skilled in adjusting free sprung balances. For example, the Microstella weights on modern Rolexes. I have also had the chance to adjust the Omega Spirate. To me, the advantage of the Spirate is that it is simpler to adjust. The problem with normal adjustment of a free sprung balance is that you have to be quite careful to make sure that weight adjustments are made on both sides of the balance equally, and the exposure of the hairspring places a bit of a risk of damage to the spring, which is not there with the Spirate. In any case, I think it’s more a question of ease of adjustment than precision, because the precision of both is significantly better than the normal variations of wearing a watch from day-to-day with different activities and temperatures.

Thank you for the great info.

Yeah, daily wear differences, even the difference between weekend wear and work week wear is going to show a spd difference greater than Spirates 0.1spd adjustment increments. I was just curious how small of an adjustment can be made with the microstella system. If one full turn on the small screw is a full second, I would imagine that quarter turn increments of 0.25 spd can be made with consistency.

The Spirate system was devised for ease of adjustment at any Omega boutique. I sure hope they dont intend the general staff at these locations to be opening up the watches and getting their Spirate screwdrivers out to do adjustments.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Smobews

Thank you for the great info.

Yeah, daily wear differences, even the difference between weekend wear and work week wear is going to show a spd difference greater than Spirates 0.1spd adjustment increments. I was just curious how small of an adjustment can be made with the microstella system. If one full turn on the small screw is a full second, I would imagine that quarter turn increments of 0.25 spd can be made with consistency.

The Spirate system was devised for ease of adjustment at any Omega boutique. I sure hope they dont intend the general staff at these locations to be opening up the watches and getting their Spirate screwdrivers out to do adjustments.

Having destroyed a couple springs on my way up the learning curve, I agree!!