The Breitling Watch Source Forums

The questions:

I just bought a broken Oris pocket watch. The part that is broken is the balance staff. Is it absolutely necessary to have the proper tools to be able to take apart the balance to replace the staff? Or is there, even if it takes a long time, a way to do it without the special tools (the ones that come in large sets and cost a mini fortune).

Second, I actually really like the look of the Oris pocket watch, and if I could get it to work, I'd like to do even more work on it to have it look nice. One of these would be to "customize" the movement. I have noticed that a neat feature of the high-end watches usually have parts that are "shaven" on the edges so its smooth rather than a perfect 90 degree angle. It makes it look more refined. If someone understands what I am trying to get at, what tool is used to achieve such a finish?

The suggestion:

I recently started watchmaking, and Idk if it is because of that or not, but I am starting to notice a lot more questions in the general watch discussion forum on watchmaking. Maybe there could be a new subtopic purely devoted to watchmaking?

Crasian1030

If you don't want to repair the balance (balance complete), just replace it - far easier than anything else. there's no easy way to bevel the edges - a dremel will do it, but they'll leave very rough edges that will then need to be polished - it's not a 'one tool' job.

I don't think that we need a watchmaking topic as it's still very specialised interest. I'm working on a couple more technical items for this section but it still tends to be very reactive to specific questions rather than active discussion.

I would buy a balance complete but.... theyre discontinued for the watch model that I need it for.

Trying to replace a balance staff without a staking set is not going to be easy - can't say that I have ever tried, and not sure how I would. I know that they aren't cheap, but staking tools have hundreds of uses. If you are going to get into watchmaking you are going to need one (along with a lot of other not cheap tools!).

for a staking tool

Would you have a suggestion for staking tools? Like a set? Since theyre expensive, I'll probably have to find some watches to repair that don't require one and work my way up to purchasing it.

The grail is the K&D 18R, but you can get smaller K&D sets for under $100 - just try to make sure that it's complete. You can also add additional stakes later on. If you can get an Inverto set then in will give you more flexibility.

Thanks!