Level 5
Servicing Chronograph Watches
Here is a full summary of all the modules and lessons found in Level 5 of this course,
Servicing watches with chronograph complications.
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What You Will Learn...
Level 5 of this course provides you with the information required to dive right in to the practical aspects of servicing complicated chronograph movements. You will learn how a chronograph operates, including how all the individual components interact with each other in order to provide the user a display of elapsed time.
THREE very popular movements...
There are many different kinds of chronograph designs that have been manufactured over the years, but the principles of operation remain very similar among all of them. This course level will demonstrate the differences between three of the most popular kinds of chronograph movements and show you how each one works along with a demonstration of a full strip down and re-assembly. You will then be shown how to adjust the chronograph components so that the mechanism functions optimally.
Level 5 CONTENT
All images below are actual screenshots of the course content.
C5.1.0 The Chronograph Mechanism
The ability to record intervals of time independently of the running of a mechanical watch, is made possible with the inclusion of a chronograph complication.
C5.1.1 The Chronograph Components
An overview of the chronograph and the distinction between the different kinds of operation.
C5.1.2 Driving The Chronograph
A look at how a chronograph mechanism is commonly driven.
C5.1.3 The Chronograph Train
We take a closer look at the chronograph train of wheels and how they interact together.
C5.1.4 The Pillar Wheel
Discussing the Pillar Wheel method of operation.
C5.1.5 The Coupling Clutch
The coupling clutch is the main interface between the chronograph train and the regular train of wheels.
C5.1.6 The Return Hammer
Many chronograph mechanisms are designed to cause a component called the Return Hammer, to interact with the chronograph running wheels and cause them to return to a particular position.
C5.1.7 The Sliding Gear
The Sliding Gear acts as an intermediary between the Chronograph runner and the Minute Recording Runner.
C5.1.8 The Blocking Lever
Another component directly influenced by the Pillar Wheel is the Blocking Lever.
C5.1.9 Hour Recording
Along with Seconds and Minute recording you will also find that some chronographs also have an hour recording indicator and this is usually provided with some additional components commonly situated on the dial side of the movement.
C5.1.10 Summary
A summary of all discussed above
C5.2.0 Servicing Chronograph Mechanisms
Now that we have discussed the Chronograph watch movement, taken a look at the individual components and how those components interact with each other in order to provide a record of elapsed time when the user operates the Chronograph, we can now take a look at several common calibers of chronograph movement and demonstrate how they should be serviced.
C5.2.1 Lubricants & Tools Required
Before we start dismantling our chronograph movement, we should briefly discuss any tools and materials that may be required.
C5.2.2 Chronograph Disassembly
The movement we will be using is manufactured by Sea-Gull and is caliber ST19
C5.2.3 First Steps
Preparations before attempting disassembly.
C5.2.4 Removing Chronograph Components pt.1
Detailed instructions on the safe dismantling of the chronograph.
C5.2.5 Removing Chronograph Components pt.2
Continuing the detailed instructions on the safe dismantling of the chronograph.
C5.2.6 Removing Chronograph Components pt.3
Continuing the detailed instructions on the safe dismantling of the chronograph.
C5.2.7 The Base Movement Disassembly
Disassembly of the chronograph base movement.
C5.2.8 Rebuilding The Base Movement pt.1
Detailed assembly and lubrication of the base movement.
C5.2.9 Rebuilding The Base Movement pt.2
Continuing the detailed assembly and lubrication of the base movement.
C5.2.10 Rebuilding The Chronograph pt.1
Detailed assembly and lubrication of the chronograph components.
C5.2.11 Rebuilding The Chronograph pt.2
Continuing the detailed assembly and lubrication of the chronograph components.
C5.2.12 Rebuilding The Chronograph pt.3
Completing the assembly and lubrication of the chronograph components.
C5.2.13 Completing The Rebuild pt.1
Continuing with the rest of the rebuild and lubrication.
C5.2.14 Completing The Rebuild pt.2
Finishing the rebuild and lubrication.
C5.3.0 The Cam Based Chronograph
So far during this course, we have been concentrating mainly on the Pillar, or Column wheel based chronograph movements. Specifically the Sea-Gull ST19 which is based on the now vintage Venus 175.
For this section of the course we shall be using a watch movement based on the design of the Valjoux 7734, the Poljot 3133.
C5.3.1 How It Operates
We take a look at how a typical cam based chronograph operates and for this we shall examine our example movement, the Poljot 3133.
C5.3.2 Removing The Chronograph Components
We start to dismantle the Poljot 3133.
C5.3.3 Stripping Down The Base Movement - Part 1
We take apart the base movement of the Poljot 3133.
C5.3.4 Stripping Down The Base Movement - pt 2
We continue to take apart the base movement of the Poljot 3133.
C5.3.5 Rebuilding The Base Movement
We rebuild and lubricate the base movement of the Poljot 3133
C5.3.6 Rebuilding The Chronograph Mechanism - pt 1
We rebuild and lubricate the chronograph components of the Poljot 3133
C5.3.7 Rebuilding The Chronograph Mechanism - pt 2
We continue to rebuild and lubricate the chronograph components of the Poljot 3133
C5.3.7 Rebuilding The Chronograph Mechanism - pt 3
We complete the rebuild and lubricate the chronograph components of the Poljot 3133
C5.3.9 Completing The Rebuild - Pt 1
We start to finalize the base movement rebuild and lubrication.
C5.3.10 Completing The Rebuild - Pt 2
We now complete the rebuild by installing the rest of the dial side components.
C5.4.0 The Valjoux 7750
The next movement we shall demonstrate is the Valjoux or ETA 7750.
This is a very popular movement that’s been around since the early 1970’s and is still being used by many watch manufacturers today.
The 7750 is a cam based chronograph movement which also features an automatic mechanism as well as a calendar and so there are a lot more components to work with. In fact, this is a fairly complicated movement and should be dis-assembled in a certain order so as to help prevent damage. In the lessons to follow we shall demonstrate an optimal strip down and re-assembly procedure to help reduce this risk.
C5.4.1 How The Valjoux 7750 Operates
Detailed tutorial on how the Valjoux 7750 components interact with each other.
C5.4.2 Removing The Chronograph Components
We start to dismantle the Valjoux 7750 chronograph components.
C5.4.3 Removing The Dial Side Components
We dismantle the dial side components such as the calendar and hour recording mechanisms and provide more information on how those components interact with each other.
C5.4.4 Completing The Stripdown
Moving back to the train side, we continue to strip the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.5 Rebuilding The Base Movement - Part 1
We start to assemble and lubricate the base movement of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.6 Rebuilding The Base Movement - Part 2
We continue to assemble and lubricate the base movement of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.7 Rebuilding The Chronograph - Part 1
We start the rebuild and lubrication of the chronograph components of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.8 Rebuilding The Chronograph - Part 2
We continue the rebuild and lubrication of the chronograph components of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.9 Completing The Rebuild - Part 1
We complete the rebuild and lubrication of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.4.10 Completing The Rebuild - Part 2
We continue to complete the rebuild and lubrication of the Valjoux 7750.
C5.5.0 Chronograph Adjustments
The final process of performing a maintenance service on a chronograph movement is to ensure that it is well adjusted and running as expected whether the chronograph function is engaged or not.
C5.5.1 Return Hammer Adjustment
We test the operation of the Return Hammer and make any adjustments needed.
C5.5.2 Adjusting Depth Of Engagement
Testing and correcting the depth of engagement between the chronograph train wheels.
C5.5.3 Minute Runner Wheel Adjustment
We take a look at the Minute Counting section and see that it is performing correctly.
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