Fitting a new balance staff to a vintage 1940s cyma www military watch. Repair series
Watch Repair Course Level 1: goo.gl/kbZRSu
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This 1940's Cyma WWW vintage military watch had a broken balance staff, both top and bottom pivots. This video shows how I removed the old balance staff and replaced it with a new one.
The principle tools used on this job are a Bergeon Platax tool for removing the old staff and roller, and a staking set to rivet the new staff onto the balance wheel and re-seat the roller and hairspring.
The method of poising, which is not shown in the video, is "Dynamic Poising" which is done with the balance in the watch working with enough wind to achieve 100 degrees of amplitude, then measuring the rates with the watch in different vertical positions. This allows me to find the heavy point and adjust as needed.
The end result was a +70 year watch keeping time to within 10sec/day.
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I can't thank you enough for showing all your vids. I was a Nurse aide for 25 years and 3 years ago I broke my leg and had 3 operations on it. Because of that I can no longer be an Aide because of the lifting that's involved. So I had no other job skills but watch restoration was my hobby, but now I am stepping up my game and plan to sell some good quality vintage watches on ebay and some other places. Whenever I have a question about anything I know I can come here and learn what I need to know. Everything I have learned about this has been self taught from books and cd's. My father owns an office building and is giving me an office to set up a shop and leave the limited space of my man cave. But if I was asked who my mentor was I would have to say you. You have helped me a great deal, it has quite literally been a life changer. Thanks again! Link..... And yes that is my real name lol.....
Good luck with your new venture, hope you are successful.
Five years later and I hope that you’re doing better Karin 😊
You truly are a MASTER at what you do. I'm amazed at the amount of precision components and work necessary to service them. It is an art. Thanks Again.
There's something enormously appealing about the "old" watch & clock maker/repairer. It fascinates me over again to return to this which was one of my very first engineering interests. The snag back then was that you can't let a kid loose amongst expensive movements. The necessary tools cost "loadsa money" - UNLESS you are going to use them to make some money and pay for themselves. Thanks for the superb videos and the honest comentary. You're Mark - right? Lovely job Mark!
When I see how well crafted these videos are, along side of your extensive knowledge, I realize how lucky we are to share in your knowledge. Thank you so much for not only your fine skill in horology but the file portrayal of your skills imparted upon us. Thanks many times over!!
I have no training in watch repair, but I am very mechanical. It is a joy to watch you work and makes perfect sense.
I don't know a single thing about watches but these videos are fantastic. Very relaxing, well made, and educational. It's a great way to learn about such a fascinating world of such precise engineering.
It is fascinating seeing all being prepared and the new parts sequentially being put back, making sure that the tools are well lined up for such accuracy. Congratulations for your skills .
Can you touch more on what side of staff holds Jewel vs spring and what side goes where when installing back into wheel.
Please, make a tutorial how to use PLATAX tool. Thank You for your videos.
Many years ago I operated my own clock repair shop. Very rewarding work, but I moved on to other things. However, during the course of time, I have collected lots of watches. But unlike clocks, I cannot perform maintenance on these watches. Your videos have motivated me to learn watch repair. I hope to find a watch-maker who will take me under his wing and show me the trade.
I been repairing watches since I was 14 I now I am into my mid 70s first time I've watched a video on watch repairing thank you done a marvellous job showing people how it's done in my day the only way to learn was to be taught by other watch makers well done
A fantastic video, thanks Mark. I can't believe how well you film these videos. I am grateful to have found your channel.
Great camera work, and just the right length and details. Your addvice as when to use the hammer and when not is great, Good woork.
I have been putting it off for far to long to try and learn the PROPER WAY to perform a lot of repair techniques that I really needed to learn how to do. Now that I have seen this Gentleman's videos, I am ashamed that I put this off so long. He makes everything so crystal clear that I am finding it to not be as difficult to do these more difficult repairs as I once thought. A BIG thumbs up for ALL of this Gentleman's watch repair video's. Thanks a lot, Mike
As a lot of your viewers, I have to take the time to thank you for sharing your knowledge and producing such excellent vides. After watching your videos on cleaning a mainspring I finally did it on my grandfathers 70's gold Roamer that was gaining 2hrs in 24. A tricky process but after 20minutes it is now running perfectly and more accurate than I could ever have imagined. Please keep up the excellent work I thank you for your videos.
Bravo! The level of precision at this scale is mesmerizing! Inspired by your channel, many thanks!
Superb, absolutely superb. The close up photography is wonderful, and not easy! Thank you
I have to say that of all the content on you tube this is without doubt my favourite channel .
Incredible work. Thank you so much for sharing!
You, sir, are a craftsman and a genius. You inspired me to attempt to repair my brother's 1022 calibre Omega Seamaster which had been dead for many years. While I spent many unhappy hours face down and ass up looking for components, I managed to repair the many faults. I just wish my brother had still been around to see it. Thank you so very much.
many thanks for sharing your knowledge.on watches, I just love watching a good tradesman/woman at work.
What a great help your vids provide. Thanks so much for your continuing support of the novice watch repairer. 👍
Wish you would do a video on poising and adjusting the way you did for this watch. I mainly wish you would start posting vids again. You have such a mellow voice and I love your technique. Adjusting watches for positional errors has been the hardest thing for me to pick up on.
Beautiful work. Always enjoy watching your craftsmanship.
Exceptional quality videos, Mark! I enjoy your wonderfully methodical workflow as you work with these old clockworks. I'm a newbie to the clock repair world, although an experienced mechanic on motorcycle and automobile engines in the past. It's delightful to see the same processes of analysis and approach to problem solving at work on such a diminutive scale! Wonderful work, thank you for sharing it!
I really love your work! I'm just a beginner, and your demonstrations are really helping me.
Wow, so inspiring to watch your videos, so much passion and dedication in what you do.
Hello Mark, thank you so much for bringing your expertise to even newbies like me. I've taken all 3 of your online courses and i feel like I'm ready to begin work on scrap movements, bringing them back to life. I also am creating an ETA 6478 watch based on your classes. I would love to see a tutorial on how to use the Bergeron Platex tool! Thank you for everything you do for the community!
Thank you for your exceptional tutorials!
Great videos, perfect filming and great commentary! Would love to see a playtex video and or a staking set video!
15.58 the new balance staff has a bent pivot, who else noticed? Indeed great tutorial!
...if the pivot is bent, you might as well start all over again!!
It's people like you we need around. I am still looking for someone to apprentice with, but so far, I haven't been successful
Unbelievable job ! Yes, some genius can do this perfect job. I really love you Sir !
Breathtaking open heart operation. ❤ .. thanks.
This KZhead channel is changing my life.
I would love to see a video on how you did the dynamic poising / positional corrections. Thanks for this one!
Your channel is great! I am learning watch repair online and I find your channel the most useful tutorial by far! I especially like the troubleshooting videos. Please keep them coming and thanks!
hi Are you success in learn watch repair online please give me advice in this filed
Thanks for your great share. Your video is very expert and helpful for me to understand how the balance wheel working and assembly.
Absolutely fascinating came from wristwatch revival and went to many other watch repair sites but you are absolutely spot on being a union ironworker it's just incredible how the same tools are used in machining/mechanical situations, it's incredible❗️ good job sir, thank you‼️®™️ ☑️☑️
Subscribed and inspired. Really like your calm,easy going and very knowledgable manner.Thank you.
Thanks Andrew :)
Mark,Ive watched everyone of your videos .Sir You are a True Jedi Master at your work!
Appreciate the precise skill, guidance and information.it’s really a genius work.
Outstanding as always. Thank you Mark!
The Bob Ross of watch repair :)
Thanks for this and for a timely tuition... Just about to do one.. My first one..
Bravo, great video great passion and great work . Thank you for this video and GOD bless you, your family and your country.
Very nice & clean work. ..Thank you very much for sharing the video.
I have seen most of your videos and i like the way that you deal with them they are first class videos and can only say keep them coming well done ,full marks
This guy is awesome, just love the professionalism. This watch repairing is just like my job as a motor technician on a micro scale, started buying some tools just slightly smaller than I usually do and might buy a project watch that’s not running next time. Made a cracking pillow from a lorry bearing race. Funny how making hand stitched leather watch straps got me hooked.
Gracias muy buena clase, lo recordé de nuevo y eres un gran instructor, felicitaciones. 👍
In our class, at watchmaker's school, we were told to use the lathe to remove the old balance staff. I prefer this method.
There is also a small machine the size of a poising tool, which I don't believe is made anymore, called the "Mofres" from Bergeon which can be used to grind off a broken staff to facilitate removal with a staking tool. It has a very high speed motor and can be a bit scary to run as it throws sparks everywhere.
excellent demonstration.
Truly one awesome video and so educational! Thank you!
i am old enough that i use a meiji scope on acrobat microscope stand to get close some timess and i catch myself running a camera to a big screen video tv. i love this video you do great work with what you got to work with
Superb job! Congratulations Mark, learning and enjoying a lot with your exceptional videos cheers
Thanks for the encouragement :)
Mark Thankyou for all you have helped me with over the last six or seven years.. I have learnt so much... now to changing balance staff. Lovely job you are very gifted.. had one yesterday with the lump under the arm holding balance wheel in situ.. worked just as you said.. perfect time... can you use a staking set to remove balance staff.
Wonderful, Nice steady work
Thanks for the superb videos and the honest comentary.
Lovely video. Thanks for filming.
Sorry! but I suscribe all " ...Mark, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your knowledge, you are a first rate watchmaker. I read a chapter out of Henry Fried's book and then you give the visual instruction. This is the next best thing to sitting in a classroom. Great camera, great tools, great instructions... Thank you, "
Looking at the balance again there is a lot of Wobble. Jewel holes? Shake? Runs well anyway. Thanks Mark. Old watch I know.
Such expertise!Great video!
Hi Mark. Great Video, as are all of yours, would it be possible for you to do an in-depth one explaining the poising process. Both aspects if possible, the theory and the practical aspect, i have watched others but your style is much more watch able (no pun intended) than some others out there.
Amazing skill! There are some smart people in this world!
Thank you for posting this video I commented asking if anybody knew where to get the roller for this and I got to messages so I have to on their way right now. Thanks for posting this now I know out of replace the roller
Always making great videos. Thanks.
Great job! I suspect the previous balance staff was taken out using a lathe, that's how you get the countersink.
Hi Mark Very nice work and I have learned a lot. Please give us a video on how to dynamically poise the balance wheel. Thanks very much Hap Cardwell
Watching you work on watches is like doing heroine for me. It's such a pleasure learning from you. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this great video
Nice work. Congrats & Thanks
thank you Mark!
You ara a excelent professional!!! Congratulation!!!
Watching from Philippines brother, thank you for sharing.
Could you please do a video on correcting hair spring, such as bending outer coil, bending, concave, convex correction. Thanks
Another masterpiece!
Mark, By all means please make a tutorial on the Platax Tool. I was so impressed with your video I just bought one. I have had rollers fly across the room never to be seen again using other tools. david
Yes - the Platax tool is very useful. I will try to schedule this in :)
it is an exceptional video! thank you very much.
Always was wondering what a staking tool was used for in watchmaking and now I know.as a person getting started in the hobby of watchmaking I don't think I'd ever have a need for tools such as this being I think any repairs on this level would be far beyond my skill set.im basically to where I'm somewhat comfortable with a simple disassembly,cleaning,oiling and reassembly of mechanical and automatic movements.think being that all my movements in watches are more common eta 2824 or sellita sw200 movements id just buy a whole new balance assembly if any type of work like this was ever needed to any of mine.lol.awesome work though.definately was a great lesson in watchmaking especially for a person like me learning as much as I can in order to work on my own watches.
Hi Mark. I replace the balance staff on an Illinois 12s 21 J PW this weekend and actually needed to hit down a bit harder than you did in this video. I used your, and the written technique and it turned out good. the only problem I had was when I replaced the Hairspring collet, I tapped down too hard with the stake and it bent the arm of the balance. I then needed to true the balance. btw, I had also replaced the impulse jewel successfully on this watch.
Sounds good, start soft and you will get a feel for it. For example, I tapped too hard on one occasion and the staff cracked in two right down the middle :)
Thanks
I've just learned more in 18 minutes and 33 seconds than in the scores of hours I've spent reading about these repair techniques...... thanks. I'm 58 and just getting started in watch repair.... any suggestions? I live in the philippines where these tools you mentioned like the staking set are hard to come by. joe
I would love to see a tutorial on the platax tool!!
Totally awesome 👌
عمل متقن رائع ...استمتع جدا بمتابعة اعمالك ...احسنت نوفك
Great work. In my land I have to use watches until they are terminated or not using it at all..no watchmakers. Thank you.
Hello Mark, thank you so much for the very detailed video. one questions: how do you set the location of the roller to be in the right place towards pallet forks? (same question to the balance spring...) and again, thank you so much!!! uzi.
I am taking a baptism of fire with a pair of very old Vostok movements, one being late forties the other early fifties, both have the top pivots broken on, seems to be a common thing with these Russian ones, re markedly well built for a Soviet item and the older has 17 jewels, the younger 18 jewels. I do love the Soviet stars on the bigger of the showing gear wheels and very gingerly dismantled the younger movement and giving it a clean with the only issue being the balance staff's top nib has long gone.
BrilliantWatching this has given me the confidence to have a go. I have a Fond inoxydable watch with a broken balance shaft. I do not yet know the calibre. I have stripped the watch and now need a staking set. Can you recommend one?I will video what a I do.
Very good work thanks for you 👍👏
Thanks mate.
beautiful job end professionally from Grigoriy
Ok, you lost me on the "poising" of the spring. I have no idea what that means or how to do it. BUT, this video was fascinating none the less! Thanks.
Lee, poising is attaining neutral balance. The balance wheel is balanced between two points and allowed to swing freely. If poised it should stay where positioned and not swing down to the bottom. Basically balanced
Hi Mark! First of all; Thanks for sharing. It's highly appreciated. I have just replaced the first balance staff myself. An AS1188 had a worn out one. Using my K&D staking I think my first shot at it was kind of successful. Better than anticipated. The balance seems to be well poised and so on. I actually learned some nice tricks from your video that I used. Thanks for that. However; It seems that I got some issues with the hairspring (why does it always comes back to this?! :( ). Looking at it as a standalone part I would say that it's true and well shaped. But just placing the spring over the regulator I can clearly see that the collet is not centered over the regular pivot hole when installed. Should it always be centered?
When using a platax to remove a staff, I rotate the top part 90 degrees so the smaller relief in the base is below the hole in the disc; this provides more support to the disc. Additionally, if you keep the disc in place after roller removal, and rotary the top 90 degrees, the corresponding hole for staff removal will be lined up. Nice video.
Good tips Andy :) thanks for watching.
@@WatchRepairChannel I was wondering if you could help me sir. I have a pocket watch from the 1900 elgin I purchased a watch offline and it has several issues which I was able to fix thanks to your videos. Balance staff, table Jewel, balance itself out of alignment, and hair spring. Now that the watch is cleaned and assembled and oil properly. Watch has come to life. I do not have a timing machine but I started timing the S hand with a stopwatch. I'm losing about four seconds every minute. I checked to make sure nothing was rubbing or touching or any crack jewels. All is good. The hair spring that I put in there is a number4 strength hairspring. My question to you sir if I put a hair spring that has less strength a 3 2 or a 1 would that speed up the watch
I'd love a Platax tool, but used on Ebay they go for up to $780. I use my staking set and so far, so good.
Your videos are the best good stuff
very good work thanks for you
Well Done!!!!!!
now thats the reason why i love mechanical watch
Thanks for your comment :)
Thank you for a really valuable video, I admire your workmanship and gentle/relaxed approach. I was wondering which loupe of choice are you using to look at the balance staff rivetting ?