Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
boredpanda

Changing out "complete balance" ?

Recommended Posts

boredpanda

Wanted to check how complicated is it to change out the part below of an A2836 movement

 

My watch smith told me it was broken and had to order this part to replace.

The part + work comes out to about $140 and this is on top of servicing the watch

 

Seeing how this part is about 25 pounds online.. I'm curious, is it very complicated to change out watch parts?

 

Is this article relevant to the part I'm about to replace here?

http://blog.watchdoctor.biz/2015/01/18/replace-balance-staff/

 

replacement-eta-2836-complete-balance-p27-683-p.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe

If it is sold with its hairspring it is a 15 min work at most.

Remove rotor (1 screw), remove autowind bridge (2 screws), detach the hairspring stud, unscrew the balance cock (1 screw) and lift it. Take away the broken balance, put the new one and do the opposite to assemble everything.

The only difficult part is when (if) the hairspring has to be shaped to fit correctly in the middle of the regulator.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
boredpanda

Hmm icic, I'll check with the watchsmith again. Seems unusually expensive to replace this part.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ShovelnTC

If it is sold with its hairspring it is a 15 min work at most.

Remove rotor (1 screw), remove autowind bridge (2 screws), detach the hairspring stud, unscrew the balance cock (1 screw) and lift it. Take away the broken balance, put the new one and do the opposite to assemble everything.

The only difficult part is when (if) the hairspring has to be shaped to fit correctly in the middle of the regulator.

 

It sounds easy when you tell it mate :giggle:

 

I wish I had your skills and confidence.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BadPickle

whats the real issue here?

 

Full service and hairspring change for $140, seems like a bargain to me for a few reasons.

 

1, real watch fixers who work on reps (not to be confused with the fucking idiots who claim they can, mentioning no names but I'm sure if you skim through threads like these they always offer shitty advice) are thin on the ground.

 

2, oh, that's it.... :lol:

 

You could always attempt it yourself and see how much it really costs you..... :lmao:

 

 

 

 

 

Let's look at it another way.... Picture the scene....

 

 

"Fuck!! My house is on fire!!"

 

Option A- call the fire service who will deploy a team of full trained professionals to secure the area and tackle the blaze in a safe manner

 

Option B- call "Gary" who I know from the pub, he once told me he has a few buckets of water in his shed.

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ShovelnTC

Nothing wrong with trying it yourself, the only drawback is that you will fuck it up, get depressed, sell it for peanuts then buy a new one. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
boredpanda

Well, I will only have this done by professionals. Not good enough to do it myself.

The cost is actually closer to $240 ($140 is to change the balance only, another $100 for full service)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ShovelnTC

Then it doesn't sound like it will be economical to do.

 

It may be time to order another Rep.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
RepGuy
Well, I will only have this done by professionals. Not good enough to do it myself.

The cost is actually closer to $240 ($140 is to change the balance only, another $100 for full service)

 

I could be wrong, but for $240 you could easily buy a new A2836 movement and get it installed. I would look into that option as well... you may even save some money. Or you could probably get a new rep for that price

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ShovelnTC

Also sounds a touch dodgy as I believe the balance would have to be pulled out during a full service so there would only be minor additional work to set up the new balance but as most here know I'm no watchmaker.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe
Well, I will only have this done by professionals. Not good enough to do it myself.

The cost is actually closer to $240 ($140 is to change the balance only, another $100 for full service)

 

I could be wrong, but for $240 you could easily buy a new A2836 movement and get it installed. I would look into that option as well... you may even save some money. Or you could probably get a new rep for that price

 

In effect, a brand new Seagull A2836 is 75$: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221532982206 or (in gold): http://www.ebay.com/itm/221980531211

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Stuvetjee
Well, I will only have this done by professionals. Not good enough to do it myself.

The cost is actually closer to $240 ($140 is to change the balance only, another $100 for full service)

 

I could be wrong, but for $240 you could easily buy a new A2836 movement and get it installed. I would look into that option as well... you may even save some money. Or you could probably get a new rep for that price

 

In effect, a brand new Seagull A2836 is 75$: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221532982206 or (in gold): http://www.ebay.com/itm/221980531211

 

Exactly like Gentle says!

 

who spends that kinda amount on fixxing a Asian2836 when a new one from seagull (which are better than the hangzhou ones) is cheaper! :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×