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GlennB
02-13-2002, 09:51 AM
Hello all-
I had a stupid newbe question.
Are all the balance screws in the wheel supposed to be turned in tight to the wheel surface? I have an 1888 model (thanks Jim for the ID!) Waltham that I noticed 2 of the screws are not fully seated. Is this supposed to be this way? They are exactly opposite of each other (180 degrees apart).
Just curious, should they be screwed back in?
Thanks
Glenn
GlennB
02-13-2002, 09:51 AM
Hello all-
I had a stupid newbe question.
Are all the balance screws in the wheel supposed to be turned in tight to the wheel surface? I have an 1888 model (thanks Jim for the ID!) Waltham that I noticed 2 of the screws are not fully seated. Is this supposed to be this way? They are exactly opposite of each other (180 degrees apart).
Just curious, should they be screwed back in?
Thanks
Glenn
GlennB
02-13-2002, 09:59 AM
Sorry about that previous post giving credit to Jim. It was actually Barry G who ID'd my watch.
(Sorry Barry) :-)
doug sinclair
02-13-2002, 10:49 AM
GlennB,

Those screws are intended to be that way! There are often two sets of them. One pair at the ends of the balance arms, and another pair closer to the free ends of the balance rim. They are called "meantime screws", and are used for adjusting middle temperature error and/or final timing adjustments to bring a balance wheel to rate with its particular hairspring. In other words, adjusting to time without using the regulator index.

Regards,
Doug S.

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GlennB
02-14-2002, 07:35 AM
Thanks Doug.
I alway's wondered how they got the rate set up initially so that the regulator lever was set nominally within it's range.
Glenn
doug sinclair
02-14-2002, 07:45 AM
GlennB,

The two screws at the ends of the balance arms are used to bring the watch to time with the regulator in the middle. If the balance wheel has screws further towards the ends of the cut balnce wheel rim, they are used for middle temperature error adjustments and should generally be left alone unless you can duplicate the factory testing conditions. Poising a wheel can also be done with the meantime screws. If it happens that a meantime screw is on the heavy side of a balance wheel, turn it IN a bit, and turn the opposite one OUT a bit and re-test for poise.

Regards,
Doug S.

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