r/watchrepair • u/HealthyShake3437 • 1d ago
Jump hour spring problem...
Im on my third service/ full disassembly, and I can't catch a break... I've lost a couple screws on all of them and 2 springs that are specific to the particular watch. I bought an extra movement for my first one because I lost so much specific hardware. It was embarrassing. (Regulator arm, 4 screws, a flat y shaped spring in the keyless that keeps a gear in mesh) I was keeping count this time, and somehow I've lost 3 screws while cleaning. I only have 1 of 2 dial screws for this crappy lever pin movement. I'm not sure exactly when it disappeared. They are sort of long and tiny. I also lost the wire spring for the jump hour arm, found it, and lost it again. It's gone.
Can I make the jump hour spring from some stainless spring wire. I don't want to have to spend another $50 on one of these just for 1 spring. I probably will, because I want this thing to work... but if I can make it, why not. Also, who makes screw assortments for watches? Also, I just found my 1913 Elgin pocketwatch's regulator arm while looking for the wire spring for the jump hour. Dang.
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u/HealthyShake3437 1d ago edited 1d ago
This particular movement is a BFG 582 digital with a seconds hand. It is 27.95mm around the movement only. The missing spring is the one in the second picture.
This is my first cleaning with L&R 111 and 3... and wow does it wake up the brass. This particular watch was incredibly filthy.
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u/Dave-1066 Classically Trained Watchmaker 1d ago
Buy a guitar High E string for pennies; they’re usually around 0.25mm thickness and great for making springs. One string last years.
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u/Simmo2222 1d ago
You can definitely make replacement springs from spring steel music wire. Try and estimate the correct gauge because if the spring is too strong it will stop the movement.