Special tool?

[steaksauce]

I was given this National Watch Co. pocket watch as a non runner.  I dove right in, got it all cleaned up, applied (definately) appropriate amounts of oil to what I supposed were all of the (definately) appropriate areas.  Now, the watch is running - how well is to be seen, as my timegrapher is in the mail- and it seems to keep better time than any of my new Seikos.  My question is, is there a special tool/method to getting the pallet fork through the access hole to the balance?  Jeepers it put up a fight!  I won in the end, but goodness did i ever struggle!  I assume I'm missing something to simplify the process?

[jdrichard]

1 hour ago, steaksauce said:

I was given this National Watch Co. pocket watch as a non runner.  I dove right in, got it all cleaned up, applied (definately) appropriate amounts of oil to what I supposed were all of the (definately) appropriate areas.  Now, the watch is running - how well is to be seen, as my timegrapher is in the mail- and it seems to keep better time than any of my new Seikos.  My question is, is there a special tool/method to getting the pallet fork through the access hole to the balance?  Jeepers it put up a fight!  I won in the end, but goodness did i ever struggle!  I assume I'm missing something to simplify the process?

I think I show the technique in one hour f my many videos.

www.YouTube.com/JDrichard

[steaksauce]

I think I found your video now... you werent kidding about your many videos, there was a lot to look through!  But, yeah, I did it with Rodico as well, just held from the top, through the hole.  Took a great many tries!

[KarlvonKoln]

This is how I replaced the balance in a full-plate Hamilton movement as well.  So I'm taking a moment to thank jdrichard for his many videos.  His video explained the process so well that, after trying with brass tweezers for much of an afternoon, I watched the video and got the balance in and seated correctly inside of about ten minutes.  (I think I got rather lucky on the final try, but I'm okay with that.)

[spectre6000]

Anyone want to post a link to the specific video? I don't have an actual internet connection up here, so pouring through that many videos is not a thing within the realm of feasibility.

[steaksauce]

On 1/3/2022 at 11:19 AM, spectre6000 said:

Anyone want to post a link to the specific video? I don't have an actual internet connection up here, so pouring through that many videos is not a thing within the realm of feasibility.

Pretty sure this is it.  Different movement, but same concept.

 

[jdrichard]

2 hours ago, steaksauce said:

Pretty sure this is it.  Different movement, but same concept.

 

This is the video where I show how you hold the pallet fork in place with rodico  on the top plate with the fork opening in the hole.

Edited January 4, 2022 by jdrichard

[spectre6000]

Thanks!