Level 3 - Watch Fault Finding
Here is a full summary of all the modules and lessons found in Level 3 of this course,
Watch Fault finding and basic repairs.
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What You Will Learn...
Level 3 of this course introduces you to watch fault finding within a mechanical watch movement. This level will help you understand how the various components and sections of the watch movement interact with each other. Along with some horological theory, you will be shown practical examples of how to drill down throughout the movement in order to track down issues
IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY DIAGNOSE FAULTS WITHIN A WATCH MOVEMENT, YOU NEED TO FIRST UNDERSTAND HOW IT OPERATES
Watch Fault finding is a constant in watch repair. As discussed briefly in level 2, a watch repairer will be continuously inspecting, testing and perhaps even adjusting as he or she proceeds through a watch service. But what if a watch is presented where it has completely stopped? Or is running but at an excessive rate? The watch repairer will need to have a procedure for tracking down the faults and an understanding on how to rectify them.
COURSE CONTENT
C3.1.0 INITIAL INSPECTION
When you receive a watch for service or repair, you may be given an indication from the owner of the watch as to the symptoms of the fault. And this information can help you zone in on the cause.
But even if the watch has no noticeable faults and has simply been presented to you for a maintenance service, an initial inspection should be the first priority
c3.1.1 Check Hand Setting
Checking the hand setting mechanism is an essential step when you are performing your initial inspection
c3.1.2 Check The Winding
In this lesson we look at some initial tests with the winding mechanism.
c3.1.4 End & Side Shake
Side-shake is the amount of movement a wheel pivot (or the barrel arbor as in the previous lesson) has from side to side within it’s bush or pivot hole. There should be some movement. If the pivot fits too perfectly or if there is too little side-shake then the train of wheels may very well seize up or not run down uniformly
c3.1.5 Check Balance & Escapement
Continuing with the initial inspection of the watch movement, this lesson focuses on the Balance and Escapement
C3.2 FAULT FINDING PATHWAY
The process of focusing in on the cause of any fault in a watch movement will depend largely on which kind of fault you are presented with.
The methods for finding the causes of either of these kinds of faults will vary slightly but you can make the process easier by following a basic path whilst inspecting the movement
c3.2.1 The Strategy
This lesson contains a breakdown of the strategy behind the Fault Finding Pathway including some demonstrations on how to implement your checks
c3.2.2 Practice
Quite often, a watch is presented to you for a basic maintenance service with absolutely no complaints of faults or poor performance. This may be because the watch owner simply does not have high expectations for a watches timekeeping or has grown accustomed to it’s ‘quirks’.
c3.2.3 Performance
Assessing a watches current performance before you start work on it, assuming the watch is running, can also lead you to potential faults.
C3.3.0 TESTING THE ESCAPEMENT
After performing the initial inspection, if the cause of any faults was not detected then we should proceed with fault finding and we shall start with the balance and escapement
c3.3.1 Pallet Banking
In this lesson we will be focusing on pallet banking and the amount of shake (or distance) between the guard pin and the safety roller
c3.3.2 Drop, Draw To Lock and Impulse
In this lesson we are looking closer at the operation of the pallets as they interact with the escape wheel
c3.3.3 The Escapement Parts
In this lesson we are taking a closer look at the parts which make up the escapement
c3.3.4 The Balance Wheel & Staff
The balance wheel is just that, a wheel which is balanced in it’s weight when it is first manufactured so that there are no heavy spots, the balance wheel is riveted to the balance staff
c3.3.5 The Hairspring
The hairspring is a very fine flat spiral profile coil made from metal, the length and thickness of which affecting the oscillations of the balance wheel
c3.3.6 The Safety Roller
This video discusses the safety roller and how it plays a roll in keeping the watch movement running.
c3.3.7 The Balance Cock Assembly
In this lesson we discuss the components of the balance cock assembly and we demonstrate the stripping down of the balance
c3.3.8 Balance End-Stones & Pivot Holes
This video lesson discusses the differences between regular pivot holes and balance pivot holes, and demonstrates the strip-down of a non-shock balance jewel assembly
c3.3.9 The Pallets
In this video lesson we discus what to look for when inspecting the pallets for potential faults
c3.3.10 The Escapement Operation
In order to effectively troubleshoot an escapement, it is important to know exactly how it operates. This video discusses the interaction between the balance assembly and the escapement
C3.4.0 THE TRAIN & POWER SOURCE
The next step in the fault finding pathway will be to examine the train of wheels and the power source
c3.4.1 Power Retention
This lesson discusses the various potential points of failure in and around the power source
c3.4.2 The Mainspring
This video lesson discusses the mainspring within the context of fault finding, and also details how to measure the spring in order to find a suitable replacement
c3.4.3 Train Speed
This video lesson discusses the train speed or movement frequency and reduction ratio’s within the train of wheels
c3.4.4 Investigating The Train
In this video lesson we are taking a look for potential problems with the train
c3.4.5 End & Side Shake plus Jewelling Tool
In this lesson we take a look at the train wheels and demonstrate how we can adjust end-shake by using a jewelling tool
C3.5.0 KEYLESS AND MOTION WORKS
This video lesson introduces the next chapter in level 3 of the Watch Repair Course which discusses the Keyless and Motion works in the context of fault finding.
c3.5.1 Problems With Winding
This lesson discusses some of the causes of problematic winding of a watch movement.
c3.5.2 The Setting Lever Spring
This video lesson discusses the setting lever spring and the symptoms that can appear should it fatigue or break.
c3.5.3 Rough Winding
Rough winding can be cause by quite a few different factors, this video lesson will help you to drill down to a specific cause
c3.5.4 Problematic Hand Setting
This video looks at the motion works in closer detail and discusses various faults which may cause issues hand setting.
c3.5.5 The Cannon Pinion
This video lesson discusses the cannon pinion and how it can affect the movement should it not be adjusted correctly.
FREE BONUS VIDEOS
As a commitment to giving you continuous value for money, you now get these extra bonus videos for FREE when you complete Level 3. This is an on-going project and there will be more coming, again – at no extra charge when they are available.
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Recent Reviews for Level 3
Very well put together. Good information and easy to understand.
I recommend this course to any one starting.
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