FOOTNOTES:[C]See Chapter IX, on Regulator Pin Alterations.
[C]See Chapter IX, on Regulator Pin Alterations.
[C]See Chapter IX, on Regulator Pin Alterations.
In submitting the previous chapters it is assumed that the average ambitious watchmaker will gain enough knowledge from the various details to enable him to understand the meaning of the adjustment of watches, the causes of variations and the principal alterations for obtaining corrections.
There are many features covered that will enable him to develop in practice and to experiment in individual points of importance, without running up against mathematical deductions that halt and discourage further interest in the subject.
To understand the principles constitutes a large percentage of the qualifications required and to be able to execute the practical alterations and corrections required in different kinds of variations completes the general qualifications. It would hardly be sufficient, however, to conclude the work at this point without giving more definite examples for comparison, together with some indication as to the approximate time that may ordinarily be utilized in doing the work and also showing some instances of a possible choice of several alterations and why a particular alteration is advisable. For this reason the following examples will be found to have an important part in fulfilling the mission of this book.
In selecting these examples the fineness of results has not been the principal consideration. The deciding factor was the differences in variation andalterations, and the fact that they cover the widest field for general instruction that could be selected from hundreds of equally good rates among various models of watches which, with three exceptions, were put in order for railroad service.
The method of computing the variation from one position to any other is similar to that used in temperature adjusting as described in Chapter 3, No. 13. The watch should first be timed closely and then rated for twenty-four hours in each position. It should be wound before being started in each position but should be set only on the first day so that the time is never disturbed.
The first position to be rated is universally Dial Up, then in succession Dial Down, Pendant Up, Pendant Right and Pendant Left. The daily total number of seconds fast or slow should be entered in the first column of the rate card after each twenty-four hours run. This column then constitutes the progressive rate from which the actual variation between the different positions is ascertained.
The figure in the upper square is first carried out to the adjoining column at its full value and then the difference between this figure and that of the second square is entered in the second square of second column, and so on until the difference between each of the succeeding squares of first column is registered in the second column.
If the figure in a square of first column is greater than that in the preceding square the carried out figure would be entered in second column as + If the figure is less than the preceding square it would be carried out as-.
The total variation in positions is obtained from the figures entered in second column. If these figures are all entered as either plus or minus it is necessary to merely subtract the lesser figure from the greater. If, however, some figures are entered as plus and others as minus it will be necessary toadd the greater figure of each of the two denominations.
Columbus, No. 358846, Open Face, 17 Jewels.
Repairs Made. New balance staff, two balance screws changed, hairspring trued and cleaned.
After timing the watch closely it was tested in three positions and found to have a variation of eleven seconds fast pendant up as per second column, Fig. 16.
Fig. 16No. 358846 Make: ColumbusD U+ 1+ 1+ 4+ 4D D0- 1+ 7+ 3P U+10+10+14+ 7114
Investigation showed the hairspring to be pinned nearly correct, true level and in circle; balance true; regulator pins closed and motion satisfactory. A correction could have been made in one of several ways; either by making a slight alteration of the pinning point at the collet; correcting a possible slight error in poise or by slightly spreading the regulator pins.
As the extent of variation did not indicate any serious error at any particular point for a watch of this description the possible poise error and the slight variation in the pinning point were waived and the regulator pins were spread just enough so that slight equal vibration of the coil could be seen with a double eyeglass. After this alteration the mean time was found to be one second per hourslow which was corrected on the mean time screws and the next test showed that the variation had been reduced to four second as per fourth column, Fig. 16. The time consumed in making the alteration aside from the repairing was less than ten minutes.
Ball No. B060816, Open Face, 17 Jewels.
Repairs made. Refinished balance pivots and cleaned. The first test in positions disclosed a variation of thirty-five seconds as per second column Fig. 17.
Investigation found the balance true; hairspring true, level and circle; regulator pins very nearly closed and the motion one and one-eighth turn. This rate like example No. 1, was also fast in the pendant up position, but the greater extent of the error indicated that there must be some serious poise error, and upon investigation this was found to be the case. A screw on the roller jewel side or at the bottom when the balance was at rest was found to be heavy. This was corrected and the next test showed a much improved rate although there was still a variation of eight seconds fast pendant up as per fourth column Fig. 17.
Fig. 17No. ...B060816.......... Make...Ball............D U+ 2+ 2+ 7+ 7+ 7+ 7PD D+ 20+14+ 7+14+ 7P U+37+35+29+15+24+103583
A better rate than this was desired and further examination proved that the locking of the palletstones and escape teeth was quite strong and caused the pendant up motion to have a shorter arc than would have been entirely desirable. An alteration was made by pushing the receiving stone further back into the slot and rebanking the escapement. The third position test showed an improved motion and a variation of three seconds as per sixth column. The total time required for making the alterations was about three quarters of an hour.
Elgin No. 7457488. Open Face, 21 Jewels.
Repairs made. Cleaned; polished pivots and new mainspring fitted. The first position test showed a variation of nineteen seconds as per second column, Fig. 18.
It will be noted that this example differs from Nos. 1 and 2, in that the rate is slow in the pendant up position. Examination showed all points satisfactory except that the regulator pins were spread considerably and allowed too much freedom of vibration for the coil.
Had this vibration been slight it would have been advisable to examine the poise. As it was considerable, however, the alteration made was to close the pins so that only slight vibration was visible with a strong glass.
Fig. 18No. ...7457488.......... Make...Elgin...........D U- 9- 9+ 5+ 5PD D-18- 9+ 8+ 3P U-46-28+ 9+ 1194
This watch was not equipped with mean time screws and it was therefore necessary to fit a pairof thin timing washers because closing the pins caused a gaining rate of two seconds per hour in the mean time. The next position test showed a variation of four seconds as per fourth column Fig. 18.
The time consumed in making the alteration and fitting the washers was about ten minutes.
Hampden No. 1438676, Open Face, 21 Jewels.
Repairs made. New balance staff and hole jewel fitted and cleaned.
The first position test showed a variation of twelve seconds slow pendant up as per second column Fig. 19.
Fig. 19No. ...1438676.......... Make...Hampden.........D U+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2PD D+ 4+ 2+ 6+ 4P U- 6-10+ 9+ 3122
Investigation found all points such as balance true, hairspring true, level and circle and the regulator pins reasonably satisfactory. The motion, however, was not as good as it should have been when the spring was nearly wound up. It was let down to where it would ordinarily be after about twenty-hours run and found to have barely one turn pendant up and a trifle over one turn in the flat positions. This proved that the motion was not satisfactory for a watch that had just been put in order and all pivots were examined for close end or side shake; they were found to be satisfactory and the mainspring was removed for examination and found to be somewhat set and about 0.01 mm. thinner than those generally used forthis grade watch. A new mainspring was fitted and the motion was improved by about one-fourth of a turn and the next position test showed a variation of two seconds as per fourth column Fig. 19. The time consumed in examination and changing the mainspring was about twenty-five minutes.
The three position limit of variation allowed by most manufacturers and railroad inspectors is seven seconds from one position to any other. Records of thousands of watches on which the work has been carefully done in putting the watches in order, show that about seventy per cent of the watches will rate within five seconds in the three positions without making alterations and that only ten per cent will be close to the limit of seven seconds, while about twenty per cent will require alterations such as shown in the four examples above. (See Chapter XII, No. 60.)
One or two more examples might be introduced to show variations and corrections between dial up and dial down; this feature has been pretty well covered however in Chapter XI, and five position example No. 9 also shows a variation of the horizontal rates with correction.
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.
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 discloseda 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. 20No. ...248027........... Make...Hamilton........D U+ 1+ 1+ 3+ 3PD D+ 2+ 1+ 7+ 4P U+ 4+ 2+ 8+ 1P R+22+18+12+ 4P L+20- 2+ 8- 4208
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.
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. 21No. ...248027........... Make...Hamilton........D U+ 8+ 8+ 2+ 2PD D+16+ 8+ 3+ 1P U0-16+ 2- 1P R+ 4+ 4+ 2- 3P L- 1- 5- 6- 5247
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.
Fig. 22-23Fig. 22-23
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.
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. 24No. ...10504112......... Make...Waltham.........D U00- 2- 2- 1- 1PD D00- 5- 3- 10P U+14+14-21-16- 4- 3P R+ 4-10-19+ 2- 5- 1P L+16+12-25- 6- 3+ 224185
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 metricmicrometer 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.
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. 25No. ...272854........... Make...V. & C. ........D U+ 2+ 2- 4- 4PD D+ 5+ 3- 8- 4P U- 1- 6-14- 6P R- 8- 7-21- 7P L-17- 9-15- 4123
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, whichindicated 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.
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 fastwith 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. 26No. ...1116735.......... Make...E. Howard.......D U+ 2+ 2- 5+ 2+ 2+ 2PD D- 3- 5-10- 5+ 4+ 2P U+ 1+ 4- 6+ 4+ 9+ 5P R+ 7+ 60+ 6+10+ 1P L+ 9+ 2+ 2+ 2+14+ 411114
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.
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. 27No. ...1483023.......... Make...Illinois........D U- 3- 3- 1- 1PD D- 8- 5- 2- 1P U+ 4+12- 6- 4P R0- 4- 4+ 2P L- 6- 6- 7- 3- 4+11
Now if these rates were reversed and the P. D. rate was in the place of the P. U. rate the watchwould 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.
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 arcof 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.
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 apiece 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.
In the general overhauling of watches, changing staffs, retruing and repoising of balances it is often necessary to make corrections of several minutes per day in the mean time.
For this reason and for the convenience of the future some manufacturers have provided from two to four mean time screws in the balances. A complete revolution of these screws either in or out, generally corrects any variation that may be required and frequently considerably less is all that is required in bringing the watch to time.
It is of course necessary that these screws be turned in opposite pairs as well as equal distances and that they be fitted with enough friction to prevent looseness and not too tight to cause bending of the pivots when they are turned.
If properly used for the purpose for which they were intended they are of inestimable value to the repairing fraternity in producing results.
The manufacturers of some watches do not supply mean time screws with the balances and the repairer is obliged to depend entirely upon timing washers for fast corrections, for it is, of course, not to be expected that repair shops will carry an assortment of all different kinds of screws such as the factories are able to maintain.
Occasionally a jeweler or watchmaker will be found who has strenuous objections to the use of timing washers in any sense, but unless they are supplied with a large assortment of the various makes and weights of screws and are willing to usethe extra time required for properly changing the screws it is difficult to see just what legitimate alternative they can adopt. Investigation of this point disclosed the fact that the method employed by some watchmakers was to spread the regulator pins, which would of course make the mean time slower but would certainly destroy the adjustment to positions and make it practically impossible to obtain results from the regulator.
It is admittedly poor workmanship to use ill-fitting washers and poor taste to use brass washers on high grade gold screw balances, but the fact should not be overlooked that the manufacturers of many fine watches use washers to a limited extent, even when an abundance of balance screws are available and very fine Swiss models are often supplied with a pair of thin platinum washers which are not easily detected. The regulator should not be moved from the center of the index in correcting the mean time but should be used for minor final regulation only. The length of the hairspring should also not be disturbed in correcting the mean time of an adjusted watch and while a slow rate can be corrected by reducing the weight of a pair of balance screws it is necessary to use either heavier screws or washers for correcting a fast rate.
Final regulation of watches is necessary after making repairs regardless as to whether they have been adjusted to positions or not. Position rating does not necessarily suggest that the timing has been completed as the object is only to limit the variations from one position to any other and a test of three or four days should always be made in one position after the position rating has been completed. This additional timing has for its purpose the close regulation of the watch either in the pendant up position or in the position it is carried. The last column on the rate card is reserved for this purpose.In this respect the repairer who comes in contact with the customer may gain considerable advantage by noting in which pocket the watch is usually carried and then being guided in the final regulation by this knowledge. The method of doing this regulating consists generally of moving the regulator which requires certain attention to be effective when it is moved.
The regulator should be carefully fitted around the dome and all attachments in connection should be tightly fitted to the plate or bridge so that they will remain rigid when regulation takes place.
The tension around the dome should be even and if a tension spring is used in connection it should be strong enough to keep the regulator against the screw constantly without sticking at any point as the screw is moved forward and backward.
It should also be closely examined to see that there is no shake. This can be determined by lightly taking hold of the segment holding the regulator pins and moving it up and down and side ways before the tension spring is fitted. This should be examined with a glass and a correction made if any looseness is noted.
In the final regulation of watches it is important that the middle temperature error receive due consideration. This error is always a few seconds fast as explained in temperature adjusting Chapter V, No. 21, and is of some consequence in the larger number of complaints regarding losing rates in the pocket, compared to complaints of gaining rates.
The position rating as well as the final regulation is generally done in normal temperature which produces a rate from two to four seconds faster than the heat extreme and it is to be expected that the pocket rate will be slower because the temperature will be higher than normal. This loss may not bethe full amount of the middle error as it would depend upon the actual temperature encountered for the entire twenty-four hours and the watch may only be subjected to the pocket temperature for a part of this period. This works in exactly the same way in a lower temperature, as the variation is a loss in either direction from the middle or normal temperature and in case that the watch should be subjected to a freezing temperature at night the result will be a loss during that period.
As an example we will assume the regulation of a watch in which the temperature rate at the extremes of 40° and 90° Fahr. is perfect, while at the temperature of 70° it will time four seconds fast.
Now if this watch is regulated to no variation in the normal temperature it will be plainly seen that there will be a loss of four seconds per day if the watch is placed in service at either of the temperature extremes. If it had been regulated to run four seconds fast in the middle or normal temperature it would time more nearly correct in the pocket.
It is safe to assume that the watch will lose its proportional rate with a lesser change in temperature and for this reason it is of advantage to finally regulate all watches from two to four seconds fast in the rack rather than to time them just correct.
There are additional reasons for the suggestion of timing watches a few seconds fast rather than just correct. Among them may be mentioned the fact that many watches are carried in the left vest pocket, and that in this instance they very often assume the pendant right position which is generally a trifle slow compared to pendant up in most watches of close adjustment. Magnetism to any extent whatever always causes a slow rate and this will have its effect whenever the balance, hairspring, regulator, regulator spring or pallet are slightly effected orwhen the mainspring, large winding wheels or case springs are considerably charged and experiments have shown that in no instance has a fast rate been produced from this cause.
The gradual weakening or loss of elastic force of the hairspring is also a factor to be considered.
There are some influences which cause a gaining rate that to some extent may offset these losses, although in the absence of necessity for cleaning or other repairs these influences are slight in comparison to the natural and possible causes for a slow rate.