The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I currently have a set of 7 screwdrivers and a x5 loupe.

I'm not entirely sure if the mainspring is broken, but isn;t there supposed to be a proper procedure to take out the crown and letting down the mainspring? I highly doubt that the movements I received had that done.

Also, I just took apart two movements and put one of them back together. Unfortunately....I was left with 5 extra pieces and I don't know where they fit!

Sorry, that's just very funny.

A few basic tips:

1) Take a photo before you start taking it apart, and preferably at each step

2) Don't take more than one apart at a time

3) Keep parts grouped together as you take them apart - wheels in order, plates / bridges and screws together, etc


In terms of the mainspring, you'll need a set of bench keys to let down the mainspring properly - more money. If the watch runs then let it run down completely. You'll still have some reserve left in the mainspring, but it won't be too bad. If the watch isn't running then you have to assume that the mainspring is fully wound so just be very careful - you don't want to be hit in the face by a launching mainspring barrel! Try and let the mainspring down before you start disassembly, by lifting the click away from the keyless works.

I am really enjoying this thread and it has me thinking....

A few pictures would be nice for us to learn a bit while we're reading.

Keep on keeping on

I didn't take them apart simultaneously! I am not THAT crazy. I did think of taking picture but I guess I got lazy...

Denison mainspring is 10 x 5 x 19 1/2

Stem is 561F

Thank you very much!

Also, the hairspring is pretty rusted. At least the outer part where the screws are, not the actual spring. I don't exactly know how to take the spring out without damagin at this point so I think I would have to purchase that too. On Bergeon's website I looked up the model number and one of the products listed was: "Staff, Breguet" (Staff, Regular was an option too). Is that the entire hairspring part (hairspring and the outer part w.e its called)?

This thread is like radio when we could have television.





C'mon let us all in on the fun. Pictures pleeeeeaaaaaasssseeee.

I'll post pictures when I start the repair and restoration of the longines movement. Right now I'm trying to I guess "hone my skills" before I do anything irreparable to the one movement that's actually worth something. I promise!

No.

The easiest thing is to buy a 'balance complete' - hairspring, staff, balance wheel, etc - it's more expensive but with the tools and experience you have it is a million times better than trying to replace part of the balance assembly.

However, there is no part number in Bestfit.

Is that by Width x strength x length?

I searched bergeon and couldnt find anything with those numbers.

Yes - standard dennison measurements. Bestfit has a Samson part # 10330, no idea on Bergeon.

I have this one question that I really can't seem to find an answer for. How does the mainspring power the hairspring?? I know the mainspring slowly releases power when its wound up, but looking at the escapement, theres the escape wheel, pallet fork and balance complete. I do understand how timing works, the pallet fork moving back in forth, stopping and allowing the escape wheel to move in 1 second intervals. But I am seriously stuck on how the power keeps the hairspring consistently running!

Mainspring causes the mainspring barrel to rotate which in turn drives the entire running train that ends in the escape wheel that is stopped by the pallet fork.


Edit - that brings another point on the mainspring if you replace it. Make sure that you get the right kind of hook on the mainspring so that it does connect properly in the barrel. Otherwise it won't work!