This Seamaster 565 has had the hairspring mangled pretty bad, I have a donor balance, but think I might as well try and repair the old mainspring if it’s possible.
I have removed the osculating weight.
That hairspring looks pretty mangled.
The movement was held in place with rubber bits.
I remove the dial and hands.
I take the date mechanism apart.
That hairspring looks pretty nasty!
I used the potential donor balance as reference.
I start getting the hairspring somewhat in a position so I can work with it.
After a couple of hours.
The hairspring looks pretty good compared to the donor.
I fit the balance back into the movement to see how it preforms. Dial down looks good.
Turn the movement around dial up. That’s a promising start!
I take apart the autowinder mechanism.
The movement coming apart nicely.
I remove the old mainspring.
Movement has been cleaned and is ready to be put back together.
I see that the balance moves freely after fitting the shock jewels.
I fit a new mainspring.
I start putting the movement back together.
Put the setting/winding mechanism back together.
Date/setting mechanism back in place and the movement is ready for dial and hands.
Dial and hands back on the movement.
Movement back in the case.
I fit the osculating weight.
Another nice Seamster ticking again!:)
6 Responses to Repair: Omega Seamaster hairspring trouble.
did you use the donor or the original balance?
I used the original balance after reshaping the hairspring.
Ah… the ancient art of knitting, with tweezers, under a microscope! You’re a bit of a wizard I think M 😉
Hi Mitka,
I have the same Seamaster but in chrono version, with a 751, are those rubber bits the original fitting/shock system? Mine came with some cable insulating material surrounding the holder to fill that gap.
Masterful work with that hairspring btw, I’m still trying to get some aproximation, but many hours in the scope with limited success still. But will not surrender!
Best regards.
Miguel
Hi Miguel,
Yes thats the original cushion material. For your one i would just look for a rubber rope in the right diameter and make new bits.
Yes hairsprings can drive you mad!
Best regards,
Mitka
Bravo!