CHAPTER XIV

CONCRETE EXAMPLES SHOWING DEFINITE FIVE POSITION ALTERATIONS AND LABOR UTILIZED

66. _What Five Position Adjusting Consists of--Detailed Allowances._

Five position adjusting consists of a further refinement of the condition of the watch. The fact that a very close rate is shown in the first three positions is not an indication that the watch will be an excellent timepiece under all conditions.

In fact there are instances where there may be an excellent three position rate and a further test in the pendant right and left positions may disclose some error that would positively prevent close timing in service. Even under the five position test the limit of allowance must be reasonably close or unfavorable conditions may exist and cause irregularity in timing.

A popular allowance for very fine watches among Swiss and some American manufacturers is six seconds variation for the five positions as an extreme limit, and for medium high grades ten seconds extreme variation is considered a fair allowance. These allowances are graduated, however, and a six seconds extreme allowance watch would have an allowance not exceeding three seconds in the horizontal positions, with two seconds additional in the pendant up position and one second additional in either the pendant right or pendant left positions.

Watches having an extreme allowance of ten seconds may be permitted to have not more than five seconds variation between the two horizontal positions, with two seconds additional for the pendant up position and still three seconds additional in either the pendant right or left positions.

It will be noted that there is considerable difference between six or ten second allowances of this description and straight limits of six or ten seconds.

Some manufacturers have greater limits of allowance, sometimes as great as twenty-five seconds for the five positions, but as a rule the first three positions are required to rate within seven seconds and the difference of eighteen seconds is divided between the right and left positions.

Under limits of this description a watch that would not be tolerated under the six or ten seconds class would be considered as good. Watches having such large allowances, however, and rating close to the limit are hardly justified in being considered as adjusted to five positions. The fact that they are so considered however, is the reason why watchmakers will sometimes fine wide variation in new watches before they have been damaged or mishandled. The following five position examples were selected with the same care as were the three position specimens and will be found to cover a wide field of variation for comparison with rates that the adjuster may desire to correct.

67. _Example No. 5._

Hamilton, No. 248027; Open Face, 21 Jewels.

Repairs made. New balance staff and cleaned. The first test in five positions showed a variation of twenty seconds as per second column Fig. 20. It will be noted that in four of the positions the rate was quite close and that the pendant right position had an extremely fast rate.

A casual investigation indicated that all points relating to the spring, regulator pins and balance were reasonably satisfactory but that there was a slight falling off in motion in the pendant right position. Further investigation of this feature disclosed a slight striking sound when the watch was held to the ear in this position. The dial was removed and the bankings were closed to drop whereupon it was discovered that the fork was long on the inside, or when the receiving stone was locked on the escape teeth. This prevented the roller jewel from passing through the fork freely as it did on the opposite side.

The balance pivots had the limit of allowance for side shake which aided the cause of the roller jewel in striking.

Fig. 20

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _248027_ Make _Hamilton_ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | + 1 | + 1 | + 3 | + 3 | | | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | + 2 | + 1 | + 7 | + 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | + 4 | + 2 | + 8 | + 1 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P R | +22 | +18 | +12 | + 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P L | +20 | - 2 | + 8 | - 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 20 8

After correcting the roller jewel shake and readjusting the slide and guard pin freedom the next test showed a variation of eight seconds in the five positions as per fourth column Fig. 20. The side shake of the balance pivots was not detrimental after the real cause of the variation had been removed and therefore no correction was required in this respect.

If the error in the escapement had not existed and if the watch had shown the same rate with all points appearing to be satisfactory, the trouble would most likely have been found in the poise of balance with the upper side heavy in the pendant right position.

The time consumed in making the correction was about one half hour.

68. _Example No. 6._

Elgin. B. W. Raymond. No. 4,109,543, Open Face, 15 Jewels.

Repairs made. New fourth pinion; new end stone; mainspring; refinished balance pivots and cleaned. Note that this was only a 15-Jewel watch.

It belonged to a railroad engineer, however, who wanted it placed in first class condition, as it had not been satisfactory. The first five position test showed an error of twenty-four seconds as per second column Fig. 21.

Examination of the motion, pivots, regulator pins, escapement and poise proved them to be satisfactory.

The hairspring however, was found to be pinned at the slow pendant up point as per illustration in Fig. 22.

Fig. 21

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _4109543_ Make _Elgin_ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | + 8 | + 8 | + 2 | + 2 | | | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | +16 | + 8 | + 3 | + 1 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | 0 | -16 | + 2 | - 1 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | P R | + 4 | + 4 | - 1 | - 3 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | P L | - 1 | - 5 | - 6 | - 5 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 24 7

The alteration made was to break out one-half of the inner coil at collet so that it was pinned at the fast point as illustrated in Fig. 23.

A pair of balance screws were removed and a heavier pair fitted to correct the mean time, which would have been about ten minutes fast in twenty-four hours because of shortening the spring.

The balance was repoised and the next test in positions showed a variation of seven seconds as per fourth column Fig. 21.

The time required for making the alteration was about one half hour.

This watch was a full plate model with the train developing to the left from the center and illustrations No. 22 and 23 are given to show that, while the train follows the Swiss development, the spring follows the American method and develops to the right from the collet even though it is located to the left of the watch center. The principle remains the same as that illustrated by Figs. 9 and 11 and explained in Chapter VIII.

69. _Example No. 7._

Waltham. No. 10504112. Open Face, Vanguard model, 23 Jewels.

Repairs made. Cleaned and new hole jewel.

First five position test showed a very erratic rate as per second column Fig. 24.

Investigation proved that the motion dropped off considerably after a few hours run and that the mainspring was too weak for this grade of watch. A proper mainspring was fitted which in turn corrected the motion, but the next test in positions proved that there was still a variation of eighteen seconds as per fourth column Fig. 24.

Fig. 24

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _10504112_ Make _Waltham_ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | 0 | 0 | - 2 | - 2 | - 1 | - 1 | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | 0 | 0 | - 5 | - 3 | - 1 | 0 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | +14 | +14 | -21 | -16 | - 4 | - 3 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P R | + 4 | -10 | -19 | + 2 | - 5 | - 1 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P L | +16 | +12 | -25 | - 6 | - 3 | + 2 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 24 18 5

The balance and spring were removed and considerable poise trouble was discovered. The trouble was at different points of the balance and no one location seemed to be heavy at all times. The balance pivots were carefully gauged with a metric micrometer and found to be out of round, or to be exact, more oval in form than cylindrical. A new staff with round pivots was fitted, after which the balance was easily poised and the next test showed a variation of five seconds as per sixth column Fig. 24. The total time required for making the examination and alterations was about one hour.

70. _Example No. 8._

Vacheron and Constantin. No. 272,854, Open Face, 21 Jewels.

Repairs made. New balance staff, hole jewel, cap jewel, glass, and cleaned.

The first test after making the repairs showed a variation of twelve seconds as per second column Fig. 25.

It will be observed that the rates in the horizontal positions are on the fast side and those in the vertical positions are on the slow side. In this instance the hairspring developed to the left from the collet similar to the illustration shown in Fig. 10, page 45.

Fig. 25

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _272854_ Make _V. & C._ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | + 2 | + 2 | - 4 | - 4 | | | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | + 5 | + 3 | - 8 | - 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | - 1 | - 6 | -14 | - 6 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P R | - 8 | - 7 | -21 | - 7 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P L | -17 | - 9 | -25 | - 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 12 3

Investigation found the escapement, regulator pins and pinning point satisfactory; the motion was one and one-fourth turn in the vertical positions when fully wound and only a trifle less when partially let down. In the flat positions, however, the motion was very little better than in the vertical, which indicated either pivot or end stone trouble as under normal conditions the flat motion would be about one-fourth turn greater than that of the vertical.

Inspection of the end stones proved that they were satisfactory but the ends of the balance pivots were found to be somewhat flat and not perfectly polished.

The ends of the pivots were slightly rounded and highly polished, the jewels and end stones cleaned and reoiled and the balance replaced, after which the motion in the flat positions was one and one-half turn with the mainspring fully wound and only slightly less when partially let down.

The motion in the vertical positions was also slightly improved and the next test in position showed a variation of three seconds as per fourth column Fig. 25.

Time required for making the above alteration was about one-half hour.

In the study of this example it should be clearly understood that when the ends of balance pivots are flat, burred or not well polished, or when the end stones are dry or dirty the motion in the horizontal positions will be shorter than normal and this will always cause the rate to be faster than it should be. Acceleration of the motion in such instances by means of refinishing the pivot ends or by cleaning and reoiling the jewels and end stones will always produce a slower rate through causing a longer arc of motion.

This point is covered in Chapter XI, No. 47.

71. _Example No. 9._

E. Howard. No. 1,116,735. Open Face, 23 Jewels.

Repairs made. New balance staff; hole jewel; mainspring and cleaned.

The first test in positions showed a variation of eleven seconds. The rate in all positions was fast with the exception of the dial down rate, which was slow. See Fig. 26.

At first glance it might appear that by causing a faster rate of six or seven seconds in the dial down position the watch would have a very good rate. This, however, would not be consistent unless the rate was due to the exception referred to in Chapter XI, No. 50.

Examination of the motion in the horizontal positions proved that it was about one fourth turn better in the dial down position than it was in the dial up position which rate compared very closely with the vertical positions. It was therefore evident that the dial up rate was not true and investigation found the oil in the upper jewel had become thickened by the entrance of dirt which caused the short motion and fast rate when the balance was running on this end stone.

Fig. 26

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _1116735_ Make _E. Howard_ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | + 2 | + 2 | - 5 | - 5 | + 2 | + 2 | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | - 3 | - 5 | -10 | - 5 | + 4 | + 2 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | + 1 | + 4 | - 6 | + 4 | + 9 | + 5 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P R | + 7 | + 6 | 0 | + 6 | +10 | + 1 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P L | + 9 | + 2 | + 2 | + 2 | +14 | + 4 | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 11 11 4

After thoroughly cleaning the jewel, end stone and pivot, the motion in the dial up position was improved and equaled that of the dial down position.

The next position test showed the horizontal rates to be equal but the variation of eleven seconds in the five positions still existed as per fourth column Fig. 26. The vertical rates were all fast compared to the horizontal; the regulator pins were found to be slightly open which prevented a correction at this point. The locking of the escapement was examined and found to be satisfactory, so the balance was again removed and tested for poise which was also found satisfactory.

The hairspring was pinned at the usual fast point as per illustration in Fig. 9, Chapter VIII. The most positive alteration to be made under the circumstances was to break off the spring at the collet and repin it at about 45° above the horizontal line. This would be slightly approaching the slow point as explained in detail in Chapter VIII, No. 35.

The mean rate of the watch would necessarily be faster after shortening the spring; the mean time screws were found to be turned in close to the rim and were each turned out about one full turn to compensate for the gain. The poise was tested and found to remain correct and the next position test showed a variation of four seconds as per sixth column Fig. 26.

The total time required for the alterations was about one hour.

72. _Example No. 10._

Illinois. No. 1,483,023, Open Face, 21 Jewels.

Repairs made. Trued and poised balance, new balance jewel and cleaned.

This example has been selected for the purpose of illustrating a test in the sixth or pendant down position and to give a practical demonstration showing that the rates in the pendant down and pendant up positions can be reversed, with positive results, through reversing the collet pinning point of the spring, as covered in "Relative Pinning Points" Chapter VIII.

This alteration can be undertaken with assurance of results even though there may be serious errors of construction in the watch.

The first five position test proved that the rate pendant up was extremely fast compared to all other rates as per second column Fig. 27.

Investigation proved that the hairspring was properly centered and pinned at the fast pendant point and that the regulator pins were slightly spread with equal vibration of the coil between them. The motion was about one and one-fourth turn pendant up and over one and one-half turn in the horizontal positions when the mainspring was nearly full wound. The ends of balance pivots were found to be perfectly flat, which was no doubt due to an effort to produce a faster rate in the flat positions to cause them to compare more favorably with the pendant up rate. This, however, was unsuccessful as indicated by the rate.

It is quite possible that if the watch ever was closely rated it was due to counterpoise of the balance as with the present rate the poise, escapement and regulator pins were satisfactory and did not admit of further corrections that would be of advantage.

By examining the P. U. rate in second column Fig. 27, it will be found to be twelve seconds fast and then by referring to the separate P. D. (Pendant Down) rate at the bottom, it will be found to be four seconds slow. Adding these figures gives a total variation of sixteen seconds between these two positions.

Fig. 27

+--------------------------------------------------+ | No. _1483023_ Make _Illinois_ | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | D U | - 3 | - 3 | - 1 | - 1 | | | P | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | D D | - 8 | - 5 | - 2 | - 1 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P U | + 4 | +12 | - 6 | - 4 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P R | 0 | - 4 | - 4 | + 2 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | P L | - 6 | - 6 | - 7 | - 3 | | | | +--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ | P.D. | - 4 +11 | +--------+-----------------------+

Now if these rates were reversed and the P. D. rate was in the place of the P. U. rate the watch would have shown a very good position rate in the first five positions and the greater part of the sixteen seconds variation would have been in the pendant down position where it would be of the least disadvantage. In order to obtain this condition the collet pinning point was changed from the fast to the slow point, or from "E", Fig. 9, to "G", Fig. 11, Chapter VIII.

A pair of heavier screws were fitted to the balance to compensate for the difference in time caused by shortening the spring and the next five position test showed a variation of six seconds. A separate pendant down test proved that the pendant up and pendant down rates had been practically reversed as shown in the fourth column.

73. _Causes of Extremely Fast Vertical Rates._

Extremely fast pendant up rates are not particularly unusual, although the causes and corrections may be widely different.

For instance, the poise and motion feature, No. 28, Chapter VII, may be responsible, or the balance may be in poise and the collet having a wide slot may cause out of poise and be responsible if the slot is located at the proper point. A defective escapement or regulator pins tightly closed may also be responsible. Should these points be found satisfactory, however, the rate is generally due to one of three causes.

1. Excessive side friction of pivots because of being too large in diameter.

2. Train wheels and pinions being of incorrect proportion and causing irregular motion and affecting the vertical positions mostly.

3. Centrifugal force, which would cause the balance rims to spring outward in the longer arcs of vibration and thereby produce an abnormal slow rate in the horizontal positions where the arc of motion is always longest. This is due to the balance rims being too heavy in proportion to the arms or center bar.

* * * * *

When either of these three conditions are found there will be others among the same lot of watches, but as a rule they are only found on older watches made before correct proportions were firmly established.

Train depthings can often be improved if the workman is equipped with a rounding up machine and knows how to use it. Otherwise the watch can be sent to the factory for correction and the only alternative of the repairer is to cut the spring to the slow point, or counterpoise, with the intention of eliminating expense and getting as good results as can be expected for the financial returns that are to be received.

74. _How to Locate Defective Gearings._

Defective gear or depthing of wheels can be detected in two ways, one by observing the engaging surfaces of the wheel teeth and another by testing the engagement of wheel and pinion.

If the gearing is correct, observation will show that the engaging surfaces of the wheel teeth are smooth and either dark or possibly polished from wearing away of the plating. If the gearings are not correct the engaging surfaces will have cuts or ridges crosswise which have been produced by the pinion leaves.

The cause of this cutting is due to either a faulty construction of the teeth or to the fact that the pitch circle of the wheel is too small while that of the pinion is too large.

Testing the gearing in the watch is accomplished by placing the engaging wheel and pinion in the watch so that they are free to turn without engaging with any other wheel. A piece of ivory or celluloid several inches long and about the diameter of a piece of peg wood should be pointed at one end and this end should be held between the upper pivot and oil cup of the jewel, with enough pressure of the left hand to cause friction in turning the pinion. The larger wheel should then be turned in the direction in which it revolves when running; this is accomplished with a piece of peg wood held in the right hand.

If the gearing is perfect there will be smoothness as the wheel and pinion turn and if it is imperfect there will be a butting effect in the action. Should there be a slight intermittent stepping action due to drop of the wheel teeth on the pinion leaves it should not be mistaken for butting as this is not detrimental and will not cause cutting of the teeth.

Watches that have below standard train gearings require considerably stronger mainsprings than do those which have correct gearing and they will seldom take a reasonably good motion without a strong spring.

A safe way to judge gearings if in doubt is by the motion and the engaging surfaces of the wheel teeth. If the motion is steady and the teeth are not cut by the pinion leaves they may be considered as satisfactory. If the motion is steady for a time and then suddenly drops off there is generally something wrong in the gearing. The wheel and pinion in error can be determined by noting at what particular intervals the motion decreases. In nearly all instances this condition will cause a gaining rate in the vertical positions because of the fact that the vertical arcs are shorter and comparatively more easily affected than the horizontal arcs.