Scripto & Mertik
Mertik
A broken watch is the perfect playground for us—chaos locked in gears, a mess that still has a heartbeat. I’ve been tinker‑ing with one, and the cogs keep doing their own ballet, no matter how many times I set them straight. Want to dive into the mischief and see how order can be coaxed out of that mess?
Scripto
I’m intrigued by the notion of coaxing order out of a watch’s rogue rhythm. Let me know the make and model, and which gears have abandoned their prescribed paths; together we can draft a precise restoration roadmap.
Mertik
Got a Seiko 5 SNK809 on the table. The second pinion’s out of place, and the third gear’s wobbling like a lazy dancer. Let’s line up a plan to tighten, re‑grind, and set ’em straight.
Scripto
First remove the watch from its case and clean the movement thoroughly, then examine the second pinion—use a magnifier to see if it’s out of registry, and if it is, loosen the screw, straighten it with a small flathead, and tighten it to the manufacturer’s torque. Next, check the third gear for wobble; a small file can gently remove any burrs, then re‑grind the tooth profile lightly with a precision file to restore proper contact. Finally, re‑assemble, test the run‑down, and adjust the escapement to ensure a smooth, rhythmic motion.
Mertik
That’s the skeleton, but watch out for the little screw on the escapement—if it’s too tight it’ll fry the hairspring. Also, when you file the third gear, take a millimeter screw gauge, keep the profile symmetrical; a single missed tooth can throw the whole rhythm off. Once you tighten the second pinion, give it a quick back‑and‑forth test with the power reserve lever; if it hesitates, that’s the sign the torque was off. After you re‑assemble, run a 24‑hour trial on a time‑keeping bench, and tweak the escape. Simple, but the devil’s in the tiny gaps. Good luck, and remember: a watch is a puzzle that loves a good mess.