Jaeger-LeCoultre 889 successfully serviced

[Kalanag]

My JLC Heraion with caliber 889/1 needed a service. Having gained experience with several other (cheaper) watches I decided to try it myself. Being totally aware that I wouldn‘t get any spareparts if something might go wrong I was willing to let it serviced by JLC (about €800,-) if an accident should happen.

Preparing my work I found a technical guide for the partially identical 928/2 at cousinsuk and a workthroug by the WatchGuy (AP Royal Oak with JLC 889/1). I designed a movement holder with a free CAD program and 3D printed it with my Ender 3. This holder supports the movement much better than my vice type holders.

I didn‘t put me under time pressure in any way and just worked on the movement when I felt totally relaxed. A week later I had successfully disassembled the movement. Some screw hads unfortunately showed that I was not the first being inside this watch. The jewels of the fast reving wheels were totally dry and clean (!) showing that modern oils don‘t gum up but do eventually evaporate.

I successfully cleaned the parts in pharmaceutical petroleum ether 40/60 and One Dip. The escape wheel and the pallet fork got epilamed.

What happened to be the most challenging task was handling and oiling the super tiny capstones (0,9x0,12mm). One of them slipped out of my tweecers. My heart stood still for a moment. After hours of searching I gave up. I suspect the tiny particle landed on my clothes, skin or hair where it couldn‘t be seen. After some research I found that it is a standard KIF 508 which I could order with Boley. This time I was lucky 

For oiling the combined stones (fixed cap) of the escape wheel I found help in this forum.

Meanwhile the watch is ticking healthy again and shows good results on the time grapher.

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Kalanag

[watchweasol]

A creditable job a a total sucess well done , approached in the right way and attitude.  great.

[grsnovi]

Good job @Kalanag! I want to get to a place where I'm comfortable enough to service my Zenith. It's going to be a while...

[Knebo]

Hi @Kalanag

I wonder if you still remember how you lubricated the ball bearings of the rotor? Strangely, the 928 service guide (still available at WatchGuy) doesn't indicate any lubrication. 

Cheers 

 

PS: just clicked on your profile @Kalanag and saw that you're located in Stuttgart. I studied in Tübingen  . Servus!

Edited June 20, 2024 by Knebo

[Kalanag]

Hi @Knebo

The same with the service guide for the JLC889!
I followed the recommendation for the ETA2892 with a similar bearing. Interestingly Dr. Roland Rannft proposed not to oil these bearings at all. He argued that the oil compromises the function by catching dirt particles and a ball bearing could live without lubrication.

 

I grew up in Konstanz at the Swiss border

Edited June 20, 2024 by Kalanag

[Knebo]

I was also leaning towards a tiny bit of 9010.

But interestingly, the guide for cal 916 (which I'm working on) is suggesting Moebius 941 !!

And the guide for cal 918 recommends an immersion in a mix of benzine and D5. 

I started a thread about the latter because I suspect it could be something like Lubeta V106 (which is the alternative to 9010 that I'm considering for the ball bearing). 

 

 

PS: Konstanz! Nice. I went there several times, too. Lovely place. 

[Kalanag]

Interesting!

The 941 has an even lower viscosity (105cSt) than the 9010 (150cSt).

Edited June 21, 2024 by Kalanag