Quick question. Regulate.

Dan S

I agree that it's not likely to be helpful for the OP to mess with the regulator, but he does have a point when he says that it's his watch, and it's his choice if he wants to tinker with it. Obviously if would be best to do this with an inexpensive watch.

My suggestion to him is to do things in a very careful way to avoid any damage. We often see scratched balance cocks because something metallic was used to adjust the regulator; this looks ugly and is a clear signature that the watch has been tampered with. So maybe use a wooden toothpick or something like that, but not a delicate tip that will break off and enter the movement. Also, he might want to hold the watch in a case holder so that everything is very steady, because it's very easy for the tool to slip and seriously damage something delicate in the movement. Along the same lines, unless he is young with excellent eyesight, it can be helpful to wear a magnifying visor so one can really see where the tool is going .Finally, when you open the case, it's very easy for debris and dust to enter the movement, which can end up causing more problems than the regulation will solve. Watchmakers work in a very clean place and have ways to gently remove debris with gentle puffs of air, but not from their mouths obviously. Nothing in the movement should be touched with the fingers.

If the OP can avoid damaging the movement and he can keep it clean, then any changes he makes should be reversible.

JimInOz

OK, so you have a bee up your nose.

It's the internet.

If we were in our local pub together having a beer, and you happened to say, "hey mate, how do I regulate this little watch I have?".

I'd probably say "don't be stupid, do a little study about watchmaking and then do it, now buy me another beer!"

You seem to be a person who can adapt, improvise and overcome, but while engines and other big stuff are easy (even my local mechanic can do them), watches are totally different and require a new level of thinking, dexterity and skill.

Just stick with us, ask questions and we can help, but don't jack up when we respond with well founded feedback based on many many many years of experience (and in my case, a few fuckups because I didn't listen).

Canuck

It is not a question of “you can’t change it yourself”. You can. The question is can you “improve” the accuracy of a watch that likely shows varying rates at varying times. You may change it, but can you improve it?

Canuck

None so deaf as those who refuse to hear!

Canuck

None so deaf as those who refuse to hear!