Regulating Cal.565

Got a 2x lens in the mail today and it’s still a challenge to see the damage on the end of the staff, but it still looks like it’s shot. No idea how it would have gotten like this. It’s really difficult to photograph with a phone down one of the eye pieces. But viewing it at many angles it definitely looks squared off on a few angles. The other end looks fine.



So now to figure out a way to fix it. I could source a replacement balance staff, buy the tools to repair it myself (staking set, Horia tool, roller remover) and know it’s good. I’m sure I’ll need to tweak something after like the hairspring.

The other option is just to buy a replacement balance. That doesn’t seem in the spirit of repairing watches, plus I don’t end up with tools afterwards. So I think I’m leaning to the first option right now.

That staff is toast. You can use alum to safely remove the staff (don't punch it out!) and then it's very straightforward from there.

I've written a post on doing this specific job here:

Thanks Archer! Confirmed what I thought and I was very worried about enlarging the hole by pushing the staff out. Hadn’t even considered Alum so that’s a perfect and safe solution for an amateur like me. Very much appreciate the excellent write up, plus I’ll go through all the other ones you’ve written too.

This stuff I assume which appears to also be used in pickling?



@Archer I noted you mention it tarnishes the balance wheel. I only have shellite/turps as my wash solution (in ultrasonic cleaner). Will that be enough to bring the shine back to the balance wheel or do I look in to the proper watch cleaning solutions?

Yes, for pickling.

I don;t use those solutions, so do not know if they will work or not. The tarnish (if it happens) is never hard to remove so I think you will be fine.

I got my second bridge in this week and have taken the old one apart. My plan was to use the Omega incabloc spring on the underside so the colour matches and it’s OEM Omega. But weirdly it doesn’t fit. It’s slightly too big. So for now I have the aftermarket one from Cousins in.

I got 1 good bridge built from the 2 sets of parts I have. Very happy with how it’s turned out as I had to build a frog to polish all the steel parts as they were corroded.

Whilst I’m waiting on some parts to come for the balance rebuild. I thought I’d build up the train of wheel and barrel to check the side and end shakes. They all look fantastic except the center wheel. There is quite a bit of side shake on the center wheel and it seems excessive. Plus there is essentially no end shake, whereas the entire train of wheels has a very similar (small) amount with the escapement wheel having slightly less than the others.

The jewel looks great for the center wheel so I assume it’s either normal to have a bit of side shake (I doubt it), or mine is worn and a replacement should be sourced.



I tried to video the side shake. It’s about the same on both sides.

A few updates. I’ve purchased more equipment. Bit silly when I only have 3 watches but I’m enjoying the process of fixing this 565, plus it’s about the same cost as buying a complete balance, but I then have the equipment to maintain my watches in the future.

Today’s job was to seperate the balance wheel. I took plenty of photos so I can ensure I put the hairspring and roller back in the exact same place. Plus I marked the location of the balance wheel using a sharpie.



I bought some dedicated hairspring levers and gingerly set about taking the hairspring off. I was exceeding gentle and took my time and eventually it popped off with a satisfying action.



Next I did the same with the roller. Carefully straddling 2 arms of the balance wheel. I also did this in a giant plastic bag as I’d heard about rollers pinging off into another dimension. Again took my time and was rewarded with the same result.



So now I need to mix up some Alum power in water and get this staff out. I’ll go back to @Archer guide to understand how long I need to leave it in the solution for.

That’s a job for tomorrow and I’m hoping to polish up my punches to have the new staff in the balance wheel ready for a test fit in the new balance bridge.