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  1. jwk1 Feb 22, 2020

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    Hello all and good morning,

    So, I have a lovely Omega Constellation rail dial that I got a good deal on BUT it needs a new regulator screw (the screw you turn to adjust it, as the one on the current balance is broken off and stuck in place. I came to the conclusion that finding the replacement screw and removing the stripped one would be difficult so I thought I could just replace the whole swan neck part of the balance wheel. Is this easy to do?

    Most importantly, I have found many complete balances for sale but all of the swan necks have a ball on the end of the curved neck.... however, multiple people on ebay have told me of the following :

    "all family 550 560 and 750 have the same balance wheel.

    family/generations:
    automatic:
    550: 17 jewels
    551: 24 jewels, chronometer
    552: 24 jewels
    560: 17 jewels, date
    561: 24 jewels, date, chronometer
    562: 24 jewels, date
    563: 17 jewels, quickset date
    564: 24 jewels, quickset date, chronometer
    565: 24 jewels, quickset date
    750: 17 jewels, day, quickset date
    751: 24 jewels, day, quickset date, chronometer
    752: 24 jewels, day, quickset date "

    However the swan neck portion on my 551 is definitely different than some of those movements as it does not have the "ball" on the end of the curved neck. Is this truly interchangeable despite looking different? I am skeptical and have included pics. Any help would be appreciated, including advice as to whether this would just be a simple cheap repair for a watch maker and I should just leave it to them.

    Many Thanks!
     
    551 balance.jpg possible replacement .jpg
  2. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Feb 22, 2020

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    I think I have one for you. Let me check my stuff.
     
  3. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Feb 22, 2020

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    The swan neck with ball, for Connies, appears towards the end of the 60s.
    I have it on 564s (but not all 564s)
    it may have appeared on late 551s but definitely not on one of your era.
     
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  4. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Feb 22, 2020

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    Here it is
    IMG_20200222_120441__01.jpg
    It is from a 551 in 19 mil serial # and the adjusting screw is moving smoothly .
    You can have it free but you have to pay for postage from Canada .
     
  5. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Feb 22, 2020

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    All you need to change is the adjusting spring for the regulator. This really has nothing to do with the balance itself. The second photo you show is of the entire balance cock with the balance installed on it, and you don't need to buy all that to solve this problem.

    Note that the flat style without the ball is the only one Omega still sells, and if Omega were repairing this, that is what they would install on your watch. From a functional standpoint, it makes no difference if it has the ball or not.

    Cheers, Al
     
  6. jwk1 Feb 24, 2020

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  7. jwk1 Feb 24, 2020

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    Thanks for all the help! I should have come here sooner as my search for that screw and swan neck separately had me going insane!
     
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  8. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Feb 24, 2020

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    It is in the mail to you today. Hope you will have it soon.
    Cheers.
     
  9. jwk1 Feb 25, 2020

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    ::psy::
     
  10. jwk1 Mar 3, 2020

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    The part arrived today in the mail. Again, I can’t thank you enough. I’ll see you when I eventually do my road trip to Alaska!

    Cheers!