Far from an expert, but always searching for knowledge.

[Skx007]

Hello all,

I am a novice at tinkering. I’ve built and modded a few seiko skx’s and have really enjoyed them. That being said, I’m stumped. After replacing the crystal with a flat sapphire one and regulating the time over the weekend, as it was about six minutes fast per day, I now have a stuck movement. I’ve tried reseating the crown a few times. Tighten the counterweight screw and still no change. I perform the drill shuffle and nothing unless I wrap it with a little force and all hands advance rapidly for a short time then stop. Any and all advice welcomed.

[rjenkinsgb]

Could the rather large regulation adjustment have distorted the hairspring & caused it to bind?

Other than that I'd take the movement out & remove the hands and dial again, then see if it runs OK? If so, you know it's something binding or catching when assembled.

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, Skx007 said:

Hello all,

I am a novice at tinkering. I’ve built and modded a few seiko skx’s and have really enjoyed them. That being said, I’m stumped. After replacing the crystal with a flat sapphire one and regulating the time over the weekend, as it was about six minutes fast per day, I now have a stuck movement. I’ve tried reseating the crown a few times. Tighten the counterweight screw and still no change. I perform the drill shuffle and nothing unless I wrap it with a little force and all hands advance rapidly for a short time then stop. Any and all advice welcomed.

At what point did the movement stop running ?

[AndyGSi]

What's the movement and what exactly have you done?

[watchweasol]

Hi As we assume all was ok in the first place and the watch was running THEN you had a problem do as @rjenkinsgb suggested remove the crystal and start again, if it runs ok the crystal is binding the hands.returning to the status quo.would give you a starting point

[oldhippy]

Take the movement out of its case and see how it runs. If it works you know it is something to do with the case is the glass the correct one is it seated right. If it stops you then need to find the reason, start by just have the basic running and work from there up so that you end up with the complete movement working. 

[Skx007]

The stoppage started day three after crystal replaced. Final adjustments made prior to stoppage were as followed: 1 made minor adjustment to move the rate lever to the negative side in effort to slow it a bit. 2 closed the watch back up. 3 did the Seiko wobble and noticed a different sounds of metal on metal. 4 reopened the back and found a screw had backed its self out. Tightened the screw and now stopped or stuck movement. All was in working order prior. 

[AndyGSi]

When you say stuck movement, does the weight still rotate and wind the barrel (don't try too hard if it doesn't want to move)?

It could be the fourth wheel that's moved so you may need to remove the bridge or at least loosen the screw again to re-engage.

Edit

Maybe best just to remove the bridge if you can and check the pivot or teeth aren't damaged.

Edited July 1, 2024 by AndyGSi

[Skx007]

Great question! The weight appears to move freely without obstruction and appears to be winding…

[Skx007]

[AndyGSi]

So if the barrel is winding but you've got no movement then it's got to be something on the drive train.

[Neverenoughwatches]

2 hours ago, Skx007 said:

The stoppage started day three after crystal replaced. Final adjustments made prior to stoppage were as followed: 1 made minor adjustment to move the rate lever to the negative side in effort to slow it a bit. 2 closed the watch back up. 3 did the Seiko wobble and noticed a different sounds of metal on metal. 4 reopened the back and found a screw had backed its self out. Tightened the screw and now stopped or stuck movement. All was in working order prior. 

Something under that auto has probably moved out of position 

[AndyGSi]

1 minute ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Something under that auto has probably moved out of position 

Fourth wheel more than likely.

[Skx007]

Thanks to all for your help! I’m going to crack it back open, remove the weight and take a look. Admittedly, I’m a little apprehensive as I’ve haven’t yet disabled beyond that. Previous experience has been more of the cosmetic sort; face, hands, crown, crystal, chapter ring & bezel replacement. I fancy myself pretty mechanically inclined, so going to give it a go. In your experience, is there something I should avoid doing or be looking for? Any chance there is a pic of the fourth wheel location? Once again, sending all a large and humble Thank you.

[HectorLooi]

I would remove the auto bridge, let down power, remove the balance and pallet fork and check the train wheels for problems.

[RichardHarris123]

If one of the wheels has moved out of position, then tightening the screw may of broken a pivot. 

[AndyGSi]

If you've not done anything like this before then take your time, keep all the parts you remove together and in order.

This may help.

 

[rossjackson01]

Skx007

Good questions and advice from members.

Take the advice from AndyGSi as paramount. 

Do as I did. Movement in front of you. Video in front of you. Play/pause the video. Do it as Mark does. Your personal tutor. 

 

[watchweasol]

Hi all the speculation in the world is not going to fix the problem it’s going to have to come apart carefully checking as we go. Hectors advice is best followed first as it’s the least invasive. Just power down the movement remove balance and pallet then check the train for freedom , if still stuck the bridge will need to come off to go further. Take pictures at every stage and ant notes that may be aplicable

[Waggy]

I would follow @oldhippy advice and remove the watch from the case and see if it will run, if yes then it's the case/crystal. If it will not run it's something to do with the movement. I would then remove the hands and dial, again if it runs or not will tell you if it's the dial/hands, if it runs then its the movement. Next remove the cover plate on the dial side and then the cannon pinion this separates the front of the watch from the back, if it runs without the cannon pinion then the issue must be on the dial side and vice versa. So with these few steps you can home in relatively quickly where the error lies.

[JohnR725]

On 7/1/2024 at 10:46 AM, Skx007 said:

All was in working order prior. 

can we have a picture of the front of the case? how long have you own this watch in other words how long has it been running perfect?

On 7/1/2024 at 4:13 PM, Skx007 said:

is there something I should avoid doing or be looking for? Any chance there is a pic of the fourth wheel location?

based on your level of expertise it sounds like this is going to be your first possibly complete servicing of a watch. Because if you're going to have to disassemble very much of it and based on what I'm seeing it probably should be completely serviced. Where it's always nice to start learning about watches with something that you don't care about and is disposable. Also nice to start with something a little simpler and maybe a little bigger. but with all the helpful answers it looks like this is your first watch the service as soon as you figure out what the problem is. then it would be helpful probably to have the service sheet so I'm attaching.

Seiko 7S26A&7S36A-2.pdf