This platform was given to me in quite a sorry state. Unfortunately someone had decided to oil the hairspring. Please do not do this! They need to be dry. And for good measure it was slightly out of alignment too.
The oil had seeped into everything, dried up, and needed clearing out.
You can see the hairspring out of line on the right. Also some debris from something along the top left coil.
It also did not sit quite flat, but this was more to do with the weight of the stud (the brass pointy uppy thing on the left). It was however slightly off center.
After the removal of the hairspring from the balance wheel, I set to making it better again. Nice and aligned!
I think we can all agree that this looks better than before.
Cleaned up and ready to go.
Watch hairspring adjustment is the process of altering the length and shape of the hairspring in a mechanical watch to ensure its accurate timekeeping. The hairspring is a small, delicate spring that is an essential component of a watch's balance wheel, which regulates the watch's timing.
The adjustment of the hairspring involves carefully bending or shaping it in such a way that it will maintain an even and consistent rate of oscillation, regardless of the watch's position or the level of winding. This adjustment requires a skilled watchmaker and a great deal of precision, as even the smallest adjustment can have a significant impact on the watch's accuracy.
There are several methods used to adjust a watch hairspring, including the use of specialized tools like collets, pins, and tweezers. The process can be time-consuming and requires a great deal of patience and attention to detail.
The ultimate goal of hairspring adjustment is to achieve a watch that keeps accurate time, with a consistent rate of oscillation and minimal deviation. This is a critical aspect of watchmaking, as accuracy is one of the key factors that determine the quality and value of a mechanical watch.