Regulating Cal.565

neevo · Jun 16, 2026

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.

Archer · Jun 16, 2026

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:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/basic-watchmaking-tips-replacing-a-balance-staff.96778/

Thread 'Basic watchmaking tips - replacing a balance staff' ·

I admit this thread/task might not be as basic as some of the other watchmaking tips I’ve posted in these other threads...

Archer · Jun 13, 2019

neevo · Jun 16, 2026

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.

neevo · Jun 16, 2026

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?

Archer · Jun 16, 2026

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.

neevo · Jun 25, 2026

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.

neevo · Jun 28, 2026

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.

neevo · Jul 11, 2026

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.

neevo · Aug 24, 2026

Thought I would update everyone on where I’ve landed with this movement. My attempts to repair the balance staff ultimately ended in disaster. I managed to get the staff out without any issues but riveting the staff back in was where it went wrong. My inexperience made me not realise when to stop trying to rivet the new staff and I damaged the wheel.

So I bit the bullet and sourced a balance wheel from eBay that was NOS. I likely should have done this to begin with, but I’m happy I gave it a go, even though the results were not successful.

With the new balance wheel in and after all the work to clean and adjust end shakes I’ve managed to get the following results after letting it run for 24 hours (this is with 24 hours running on the main spring too).

Position - Amplitude - Rate - BE
DD - 227 - 10- 0.4
DU - 218 - 10 - 0.3
CR - 193 - 0 - 0.2
CL - 193 - 14 - 0.6
CU - 199 - 11 - 0.1
CD - 195 - 9 - 0.7

ChatGPT was suggesting this is well within the acceptable range for a 565 after 24 hours. So I think I’m going to button the movement up.

The only thing I need to solve is where/if this washer came out of the movement. It was in the movement holder underneath the main plate when I found it, but it seems to be too big or too small for all the posts on the main plate. @Archer I don’t suppose you would know would you?

JimInOz · Aug 24, 2026

neevo
I also did this in a giant plastic bag

I just noticed you're using Hercules sanger bags. Aussie at all? Or are Hercules bags global?

neevo · Aug 24, 2026

JimInOz
I just noticed you're using Hercules sanger bags. Aussie at all? Or are Hercules bags global?

Yeah! I’m based in Sydney 😀

Archer · Aug 24, 2026

neevo
The only thing I need to solve is where/if this washer came out of the movement. It was in the movement holder underneath the main plate when I found it, but it seems to be too big or too small for all the posts on the main plate. @Archer I don’t suppose you would know would you?

If this was not a date version it might be a dial washer, but that's not used on the date versions typically.

The only other washer is the one under the crown wheel...

neevo · Aug 24, 2026

Archer
If this was not a date version it might be a dial washer, but that's not used on the date versions typically.

The only other washer is the one under the crown wheel...

Thanks Archer. It’s a date version, so not a dial washer and it’s way too small for the crown wheel (plus I definitely installed that one). I thought I could be under the setting lever but it doesn’t fit that post. I’ve left it out and the watch is running beautifully.

lenndon · Aug 25, 2026

Hey neevo, firstly, great effort and great work going deeper into your watch than most people would 😀

If those are your final readings:
Position | Amplitude | Rate | BE
DD | 227 | +10 | 0.4
DU | 218 | +10 | 0.3
CR | 193 | 0 | 0.2
CL | 193 | +14 | 0.6
CU | 199 | +11 | 0.1
CD | 195 | +9 | 0.7

I would have to disagree with ChatGPT and say that those aren't really acceptable for a cal. 565. Even when reusing the old mainspring, after a service I would expect higher amplitude across the board and little to no beat error.

neevo · Aug 25, 2026

lenndon
Hey neevo, firstly, great effort and great work going deeper into your watch than most people would 😀

If those are your final readings:
Position | Amplitude | Rate | BE
DD | 227 | +10 | 0.4
DU | 218 | +10 | 0.3
CR | 193 | 0 | 0.2
CL | 193 | +14 | 0.6
CU | 199 | +11 | 0.1
CD | 195 | +9 | 0.7

I would have to disagree with ChatGPT and say that those aren't really acceptable for a cal. 565. Even when reusing the old mainspring, after a service I would expect higher amplitude across the board and little to no beat error.

Those were the readings after 25 hours running. Does that change your opinion? That is probably useful information to have posted with the readings, apologies!

With a fresh wind I get closer to 257 in the DU/DD positions which I know isn’t great but I assumed was acceptable on the original mainspring.

I’ve also worn the watch on the wrist for a full day and the timekeeping is fantastic so far.

lenndon · Aug 25, 2026

neevo
Those were the readings after 25 hours running. Does that change your opinion? That is probably useful information to have posted with the readings, apologies!

With a fresh wind I get closer to 257 in the DU/DD positions which I know isn’t great but I assumed was acceptable on the original mainspring.

I’ve also worn the watch on the wrist for a full day and the timekeeping is fantastic so far.

Indeed, that makes a significant difference. I thought you meant those were the readings after running the watch in and letting the oils settle.

neevo · Aug 25, 2026

Yeah sorry, poor writing on my part. I oiled the train of wheels, balance end stones and the pallet fork stones. Then ran it for 25 hours and those were my readings after letting each position settle for 60 seconds.

On a full wind I got the same rates but amplitude in the 250 range in the DD and DU positions, so I called it good at that point.

I kept checking the amplitude as I assembled the watch and lost a tiny bit when I put the seconds hand spring on. So I relieved the tension a bit and ensured it didn’t cause seconds hand stutter (it didn’t) and got the full 250 amplitude back. I checked a last time with the watch in the case after demagnetising and got the same 250 amplitude so have been wearing it since then.

Regulating Cal.565

neevo

Archer

neevo

neevo

Archer

neevo

neevo

neevo

neevo

JimInOz

neevo

Archer

neevo

lenndon

neevo

lenndon

neevo

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