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Hairspring adjustment.

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Hiren Watch Enthusiast

Hiren

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Okay... Every now and again I get a desperate customer who really doesn't want to send his very expensive watch back to it's respective workshop. 

Apart from needing a full service, the hairspring is definitely in need of adjustment. Can this be tweaked back into the centre? Where on earth do you start?

It looks like someone else has had a go as the bridge connection/regulator pins doesn't look right.

Let me be clear, I'm not terribly efficient in hairspring adjustments but if this is an easy fix, I'm willing to give it a go.

Your advice always appreciated. Even if you tell me to put it back and close the case, I shall do so.

PXL_20241220_210659886.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL~2.jpg

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Knebo Distinguished Member

Knebo

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1 hour ago, Hiren said:

Okay... Every now and again I get a desperate customer who really doesn't want to send his very expensive watch back to it's respective workshop. 

Apart from needing a full service, the hairspring is definitely in need of adjustment. Can this be tweaked back into the centre? Where on earth do you start?

It looks like someone else has had a go as the bridge connection/regulator pins doesn't look right.

Let me be clear, I'm not terribly efficient in hairspring adjustments but if this is an easy fix, I'm willing to give it a go.

Your advice always appreciated. Even if you tell me to put it back and close the case, I shall do so.

PXL_20241220_210659886.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL~2.jpg

Hi mate, 

It's always good to tell us which movement this is. You'd then also probably be able to find pictures online of a balance/hairspring and how it should look. 

That being said, I think this hairspring is only bent in the area of the regulator pin (most common location) :

 

Screenshot_20241220_234903_Chrome.jpg

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Hiren Watch Enthusiast

Hiren

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Hi there,

Thanks for your help.

The watch is Fabergé and the movement is by FP Journe (calibre not yet known). It's a lovely watch as you can imagine!

A small update. The hairspring had a tiny fracture right at the adjustment stud. Just a tiny nudge and it snapped! 

Due to it being a gold case, I can see a dent on the side meaning it's had a fall and quite possibly caused more damage than the hairspring.

It's out of my remit now so I'm returning to customer undone.

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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2 hours ago, Hiren said:

Hi there,

Thanks for your help.

The watch is Fabergé and the movement is by FP Journe (calibre not yet known). It's a lovely watch as you can imagine!

A small update. The hairspring had a tiny fracture right at the adjustment stud. Just a tiny nudge and it snapped! 

Due to it being a gold case, I can see a dent on the side meaning it's had a fall and quite possibly caused more damage than the hairspring.

It's out of my remit now so I'm returning to customer undone.

Hairspring work is a big part of watchrepair and hairspring issues are undoubtedly the most common of all faults in a movement. Searching the word hairspring in the forum archives I bet will show more results than any other enquiry. You haven't said what your role is with watches but I see you have been a member of the forum since almost its creation. Learning to repair hairsprings is really a must with watch repair.

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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51 minutes ago, Knebo said:

Whoa, are you serious!? Please share more pictures!

That must be a 5 to 6 digit price tag. 

 

The balance assembly didn't look anything special, in fact the underside of the cock looked very plain and a bit scuffed up ??

If thats the quality of a 6 figure watch...then I'll stick with BFG s 😂 

🤔 its not even an overcoil, looks dodgy and fake tbh.

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Knebo Distinguished Member

Knebo

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11 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The balance assembly didn't look anything special, in fact the underside of the cock looked very plain and a bit scuffed up ??

Yes, I thought the same! 

Hence me request for more photos. 

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VWatchie Distinguished Member

VWatchie

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10 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The balance assembly didn't look anything special, in fact the underside of the cock looked very plain and a bit scuffed up ??

I took for granted that the information we received was correct—typical Swedish behaviour 😒 But I remember thinking that Rolex movements must be very affordable in comparison. (Free-sprung, overcoil, microstella screws, etc.).

 

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Hiren Watch Enthusiast

Hiren

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11 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

Journe doesn't supply movements to anyone, I'm guessing this is an F. Piguet movement.

Yep, you're right. My bad on that one.😣

13 hours ago, Knebo said:

Whoa, are you serious!? Please share more pictures!

That must be a 5 to 6 digit price tag. 

 

Sorry, my mistake.

F. Piguet... 🤦🏽‍♂️

14 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Hairspring work is a big part of watchrepair and hairspring issues are undoubtedly the most common of all faults in a movement. Searching the word hairspring in the forum archives I bet will show more results than any other enquiry. You haven't said what your role is with watches but I see you have been a member of the forum since almost its creation. Learning to repair hairsprings is really a must with watch repair.

During my initial venture into horology, I wanted to study mechanicals. I started moving away from it only because of time and expenses.

I'm actually more proficient in polishing and refinishing on jewellery and watches now. I do the odd quartz service too and this is a nice balance between watches and jewellery. I'm happy where I am at the moment as my two passions are monetising and I'm quite content.

My daughter seems interested. She's got a couple of years before deciding a direction. Perhaps BHI or WOSTEP may be her calling?

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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7 hours ago, VWatchie said:

I took for granted that the information we received was correct—typical Swedish behaviour 😒 But I remember thinking that Rolex movements must be very affordable in comparison. (Free-sprung, overcoil, microstella screws, etc.).

 

I expected to see something of that nature on the balance, although there is an interesting screw on the stud holder , like another position for the stud set further in ? Sometimes, quite often even , a product only needs an exclusive brand name attached to it to command a high price tag.

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