This SIMPLE TRICK Changed Everything for me

In this video, I will guide you through the process of adjusting the beat error in a vintage watch movement. After reinstalling the roller table on Hamilton 917 Project, We need to adjust a major beat error.
I will take you through the step-by-step process of measuring and adjusting beat error in your vintage watch movement. You'll learn the tools and techniques required to perform this important adjustment, and gain a greater understanding of the inner workings of your vintage timepiece.
Whether you're a seasoned watch enthusiast or just starting with watchmaking, this video will provide you with valuable insights into adjusting beat error in a vintage watch movement. Don't miss out on this essential skill for any vintage watch collector or repairer!

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MY MICROSCOPE SET-UP

** FULL LIST OF TOOLS & SUPPLIES I USE **

[machinistmikethetinkerer]

This just helped me out more than all the books and videos ever did. Thank you. Keep doing what you're doing.

[AnalogDave]

You are always covering topics that I'm interested in. I would definitely want to see the explanation of how beat error impacts rate. Thanks!

[christophermarousek]

About 7-8 years ago, I had the EXACT same problem (low amp, bad beat error) with the EXACT same movement. At that time, I really didn't even know where to begin to get the amplitude up. I took it apart over and over (which was probably good practice) and re-cleaned again and again. In the end, I never did figure out what the problem was and ended up selling it. So I'm really looking forward to the next part of this to see where you take it. I have better knowledge now and have an idea of where I'd look to diagnose the problem, but I'm still excited to see how you go through the process. Thank you so much!

[perrybucsdad]

Alex, when I stumbled across your videos the first time, I was so impressed by how knowledgeable you were, yet you didn't make me feel stupid when watching. There have been very few people in my life who I can say that about. I started down this hobby to just learn how to maybe fix one of my grandfathers watches one of these days. Never did I think that I would start investing in all these tools, microscopes (oh my, what a game changer that was) and everything else. THANK YOU! On top of all that, I had made a suggestion to you a week or so ago, and here in this video you implemented that. It means a lot to see someone actually listen to a comment and implement that. I am humbled.

Thank you for inspiring me to keep at this hobby. Some day I hope to be half as good as you. I have a long way to go, and I really struggle at times. I'm my own worst enemy at times and I keep watching your videos to see what bad habits I may have that you don't have and give those up.

Thank you also with your patience with all of my questions... I know I ask a lot at times, and at times, you have given me an answer that possibly I didn't want, but you can't varnish the truth and sometimes it just has to be put that way.

God bless and keep up these wonderful videos!

[kiteboardkid]

Love the way you explain and show Alex, so cool calm and collected. Learnt so much from you. Keep up the great tuition. Thank you Sir.

[andriyzhelekh]

Grate video! I think I have watched all your videos and every time I rematch them I find something that I missed last time. Thank you Alex

[lawrencetoddverrnier]

i have done this probably hundreds of times, pain in the butt job. i have never heard it explained so well. i find it amazing how you make it make sense. i know how to do it, but i couldn't teach it. bravo. big fan.
todd in montreal.

[drevyek]

What I’ve been doing is drawing a rough model of the balance wheel, with screws, and just note where my tool is in relation to the screws. At each stage, I just note in the drawing what the error is, and then binary search down to reduce the error. This has really worked great for me, I can usually get down to under 0.5ms pretty easily within 5 adjustments.

[dekim]

That skill for finding out the lift angle is just awsome. It is quite simple, but I never thought of that.
This video just blow my mind. I thought you are going to talk about adjusting beat error of etachron or some other movements that have easier way to adjust.
I remember the time when my instructor in my country said 'the beat error of the vintage watch isn't adjustable'. I just think 'Ok, people in the old days may thought that beat errors couldn't happen at all.' that time.
Watching your video made me realize for the first time that beat errors can be corrected! I also learned for the first time today that the balance wheel holder, which I sometimes see while shopping for watch repair supplies, is for beat error adjustment.
So many useful information you are telling, I have no idea how can I express my thank in words. I think I'll watch this for multiple times because of the English terms that I'm not used to..

[boydsargeant]

Great video tutorial Alex! I’ve tried and still not mastered this. I will keep trying! Thanks to your Patrons!

[susanh]

Thanks for the video! Very interesting! You and “Watch as I Learn” are very informative!

[itzhaccroitoru]

You are always covering topics that I'm interested in. Happy New Year.

[cristobalosuna]

Hi, I think you are a cool teacher, thank you for sharing your videos!

[bolgerguide]

Investing in a timegrapher is one of the best things ive done. Learning how to calibrate the lift angle removes any doubt from the results.

[uniqnamesure]

Thank you! With your tutorial I was able to correct beat error on my project Poljot 2416 movement from 9ms down to 0.3! I had to disassemble balance from cock and mount/dismount everything at least 20 times :) Was too afraid to work through hairspring. I found using a marker on a balance ring to point position of an impulse jewels very helpful in identifying its position.

[loungebiddle]

Hello again Mr Hamilton, thanks again, another great lesson. I think I have graduated in terms of learning how to adjust to reduce beat error. Being careful needs to be emphasised. The balance wheel, shaft, roller, collet and hairspring are so so delicate. I found this out, my practice seiko balance wheel and the one arm through the middle are easy to push out of flatness. It only takes one heavy handed (and I am being relatively gentle) press to do what is against the mantra - "do not create issues". So lucky I am a hobbyist but know there are no excuses for this. I have learnt. So, I now have a reasonably OK working main spring (properly lubricated and I mean the Hamilton method), no issues with end or side shake, good powertrain all the way to the fork'n balance wheel. (play on words)

Previous update we discussed my over aggressive cleaning routine, first time. Found it was easy to source Ultrasonic cleaner and rejected using dish washer stuff. Now I really do have beautifully cleaned parts and amazing how new the Seiko 6139 looks. I have Hexane for the real delicate stuff. Taking out the jewels and getting the correct lube applied gettin better and just a joy to try to master. I am the guy who likes to tackle the hardest stuff as it adds a spice to the process.

Staking set is getting a work out. I must share a photo of this one day. She is GEM Dreadnought and I french polished the other day. All bits in perfect nick. Don't know when they made these tools but the curved glass is a real eye catcher. So on that, my first real vintage watch is a Moeris 1958 Grands Prix I got from Japan. Balance shaft broken pivot. Have replaced following Hamilton method but found that it is not rivetted to the wheel. Just pressure fitted. Had to be very careful with this especially during full reassembly. Still need to do the overhaul and that will be my next update. I am at the point where I can apply everything you have shared. It gets exciting. T h a n k y o u A l e x, enjoying your channel, Brett

[sachin-hpxt]

Thank you father, for imparting this information

[WristwatchMedic]

Some great information as always. I appreciate your videos. Thank you

[johnhannon]

That guy shaking at the beginning looks like me trying to remove a incabloc spring. Another great video Alex. I am trying to catch up watching them all.

[ThMrnnghw]

Great stuff. When I think about guys like George Daniels who had to make these adjustments thousands and thousands of times without a microscope it truly blows my mind. Gotta be so disciplined (or completely insane)