Valjoux 7733

[CKelly]

Hi all,

   Thanks to Mark's videos I have finally decided to try my hand at chronographs. My first attempt was on a 7750 which went well. The earlier models have always looked so complicated that I hesitated. There were lots of levers and adjustments that just bothered me. After watching the six part series I decided to give it a try. Bought two 7733 valjoux movements each with different problems. One was pretty rusty and other had a stem problem. Yesterday I tore into them. The rusty one had some broken parts but I went ahead and started cleaning. The other movement looked as if it had been cleaned but had been over oiled by far. I only wish the pictures would show the amount of oil present everywhere. These first two pictures I am posting were taken as I was disassembling movement. I have watch running and keeping time now. I have another picture or so I may post later as I was putting it back together.

 

Charles K

[autowind]

Well done,  doing is the best/only way of learning how to do something,  you are well on your way to becoming a competent watch repairer.  

[bobm12]

I only find one fault: not enough pictures! :pic:

 

Good job Charles!

Edited September 6, 2014 by bobm12

[Geo]

Excellent Charles, I really like working on these. Just remember not to disturb the eccentrics!

Edited September 6, 2014 by Geo

[bobm12]

Hi Geo, I hope you are not talking about me! Just kidding, check out the clock I saw today at the museum!....sorry for the hijack!

 

Charles, I believe it will be a great improvement to place a clear color mat under your work so you can have a better visual of the parts (contrasting view?). At least it works for me, hope it helps.

Edited September 6, 2014 by bobm12

[CKelly]

Hi,

   Thanks for the replies. I have a few more pictures. To Geo you are right about the eccentrics. One of the reasons I decided to work on the movement I did was that they were almost worn away on the rusty movement and very loose. Bobm12 is right about the contrasting view. I took the pictures on my kitchen table by moving them off my bench. Just seem to be able to take better pictures there. Speaking of pictures I will include another I took last night as I was putting things back together. If you notice the hammers you will see what looks like oil still on the surface. That particular part I had put back in my parts tray which I later noticed was very oily. It had oil on it from where I had placed the parts before cleaning. May demonstrate how oily the movement was. If you look under the hammers toward the center of the picture you will see an intermediate wheel which moves the minute counter. There is a spring there that was a real bear to put back. There I loosened the screw that holds so I could get enough play to put it in place. Not sure if there is an easier way but after several different attempts that's what I came up with. You also may notice that the balance isn't installed yet. I did install it to check the running of the watch and then took it back out. Just seems that if I ever drop a screw it always heads toward the balance and I have to take it back out anyway.

Thanks,

Charles

[Geo]

I have two Poljot 3133 versions of that movement that I have yet to make into one good one. As I've said before they are great 3D jigsaws!

[CKelly]

Hi,

  I have said many times that watches are like a puzzle. First off there is the jigsaw part of what goes where then there is the puzzle of what is making it act the way it is.

 

Charles

[CKelly]

Hi,

   Just wanted to follow up to what Geo said about not disturbing the eccentrics. I started assembling the rusty movement that has some broken parts. Movement will run and keeps time but some chronograph parts are damaged. Earlier I mentioned that some eccentrics were loose and when I removed the chronograph coupling gear part 8080 the eccentric at the end of the arm came out. I put it back and forgot about it. Anyway I cleaned watch and as soon as I put the coupling back the watch would stop. Puzzled over that a bit until I remembered the eccentric coming out. Turned it a bit and watch began running again. The teeth were meshing too tightly between that wheel and the driving wheel. Have gone about as far as I can on that movement without parts. Probably will just put it in a tin and save it for parts. 

  Working on the 7733 has been a fun learning experience and I would like to thank Mark for making the videos that encouraged me to try.

Charles

[bobm12]

Very nice work Charles, I bet this could be quite an experience. I haven't worked on chronographs movements yet, only on little stuff that doesn't require a complete overhaul. In any case, I'm warming up to the task myself!