I have the biggest problem trying to identify the right staff to order. It took two orders to finally get the correct one on a Vanguard. My latest is for a Hamilton 992, ser#2584923. Double roller. I'll attach a picture but taken from phone so not real clear. Both pivots are gone so I can't measure the pivot size. If anyone can give me advice on getting the right staff ordered I would really appreciate it. I've researched several sites but am still not sure. Thanks T
The balance staff you need is the # 434 these came either with a small collet or large collet ((where the hairspring fits)) pivot will be a 10 or 11 mm..
From the serial number you have a 992E and in my tables there are two types: Factory number 603 or 659. They have different lengths namely 5,34mm or 5,70mm so possibly you can make out which you need by measuring what is left of your old staff. EDIT You seem to have an answer from Samie who probably knows more than me about these watches. Good luck!
I had no idea it was an 992e. I didn't pay that much attention. Bought it off a local guy who deals in watches. There is no way he knew it was an E. What a nice surprise. Thanks T
The staff measures 466 with both pivots broken. Which of the two do you think is the right one. Thanks T
Sorry but I don't know. I don't work on Hamilton very often...... I would guess that the pivots are some 0,3mm so the shorter i.e. #603 might do the job. Personally I would get one of each, just to be on the safe side!
With the cock in place, measure with your micrometer over the cap jewels. Then pop them out and measure the caps in their settings and subtract them from the first measurement. It will be easy to tell which of those lengths is right. I think it probably takes the 603. It's friction, right? 434 is a rivet staff.
yes Skutt50 you are right 434 is for a 992 .... if it is a 992e it will take the friction fit 603 staff either pivot 10 11 or 12 mm. the 659 staff is for the 992b, and will not work for the 992e. Should have looked at he serial # frist before posting glad someone did before you ordered the wrong staff
The 603 appears to be the correct staff for sure. I now have to figure out the pivot size. I had a 10 pivot from another watch and it leaned quite a bit, over the 5 degrees. I'll try to find an 11 or 12 and see how that will fit. T
Suppose you have hundreds of staffs all sorts of sizes in a box, how would you go about sorting/using them?
Hundreds of staffs unsorted and loose in a box? Oh, what a fun time you're in for! Basically, this is going to have to be a brute-force event: you measure each staff carefully (all dimensions), and then look up what staff has those dimensions in a database (and good luck finding a complete database of all staffs). You'll be at it a while.
I have the same problem.... Hundreds of staffs in a tin can as well as an unknown assortment in nice drawers without any table to guide me..... I have sorted a few that were easy. Extra long or some odd dimension to go by, but the majority are just laying there,,, I have no current plans for them.....
Some staffs are unique enough to spot by eye. I measure the length for candidates, then balance seat. Guess I was hoping for miracle answer.
I went through this exercise way back when I started repairing. (I guess everyone does!) What I did was to start out sorting them into piles by size and style. I used those plastic water color paint trays to sort. Then find identical staffs in each of those groups and put them together. Then you are on to measuring to determine exactly what your small groups are. It also helps to readily recognize the 'important' staffs such as the Waltham 4861, the Illinois 1506, the Hamilton 603, etc.
