Hi Members,
Just to ask, how can one tell if the main spring is broken?
Does it is still able to wind and how does winding feel if the main spring is broken?
Just curious to know. And all knowledge shared is much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

If you can wind your watch without the crown stopping at one point, that would be a clear indication combined with a "clicking" feel where the main spring is broken. Also a short power reserve is also a giveaway.

Cheers

 

Agree with @Faz. If winding does not have a stopping point as normal, just continues to turn, it’s broken.

 

Noted. Thanks guys for the information.
So to summarize;
• watch can still turn with clicking sound even with broken spring.
• but doesn’t come to a stop and still turn.
• losing precious time

Thanks guys

 

if you pay attention, you can usually also hear the tension releasing after a couple of winding turns.

 

That is if the main spring is broken?

 

Yes, you hear it clicking and it unwinds itself again. Your power reserve will be very low as well

 

Phew... yes, there’s the normal lovely clicking sound when I turn, and I am still able to feel the tension that stops me from giving it one more turn. So I hope my watch is safe.

 

Why were you concerned it was broken initially?

 

Yes in a way. Coz am not sure to what extend does the winding comes to a stop. So just to be cautious before I brake the main spring.

 

Let the watch run down so the spring is fully unwound.

Then wind with your preferred hand (normally right fingers) and get the feel for the first few turns of the crown. Listen for, and get the feel of the "click" (the little "ratchet" that keeps tension on the barrel).

As you wind further (over 30 "winds") you will feel the tension increasing and then there should be a definite stop. Your watch is fully wound and the mainspring isn't broken.

However.............

If you start to wind from dead stop, and as you progress you hear or feel an unusual click, or sometimes it may be a small "whizz", then that could indicate a broken mainspring.

 

That’s cool advice and noted all good and clear

 

Only one symptom you need to check - if the crown keeps winding forever, the spring is broken.

All the other stuff mentioned is not nearly as certain, so the winding may or may not produce clicking or whirring wounds, the power reserve may or may not be shorter, etc. It all depends on where the mainspring breaks. I've had watches come in with broken mainsprings where the balance amplitudes were all good, and the watch ran for the full power reserve, and the spring had broken at the tang end rather than at the barrel arbor.

If it breaks at the barrel arbor, the watch likely won't run at all.

Cheers, Al