Vanessa's Parts Insp. #2... Mainspring And Barrel

[Tools]

The Mainspring is the muscle that makes the watch run. If it breaks, your watch stops... Likewise, if it becomes weak from time, temperature, or the elements, it will not give your watch the energy it needs to run properly.

Mainsprings are a hardened spring steel, and as such, can rust or become magnetized. Any suspect mainspring should be replaced during an overhaul..

Here is a mainspring out of it's brass barrel, and one loaded in a 2135 movement barrel:

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas%20Tech/Mainsprings%20and%20Barrels/Cal2135Mainspring.jpg

The mainspring is loaded with the small end coiled as shown, then the large end is wound in reverse of it's natural (formed) shape. The small straight metal piece welded to the end pushes out against the inside of the barrel and "slips" along detents inside to keep the mainspring from being overwound:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal2135Mainspring3.jpg

You will notice that the barrel is also a gear. The inner mainspring coil is attached to an arbor and hook and then to the winding piion and gears.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal2135Mainspring2.jpg

The cal. 2135 mainspring, used in the ladies models and the mid-size Rolex, is small but it is good for about 35 hours of power:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal2135Mainspring4.jpg

Here is the cal 2135 barrel along with the much larger cal 3135 barrel that we are used to. This barrel gives the typical Rolex men's watch a 42-48 hour power reserve. If you look closely at the upper right inside of the empty 3135 barrel, you will see one of the three detents that the "slipping bridle" part of the mainspring slips into and out of when the spring is fully wound.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal2135Mainspring5.jpg

The barrel is inspected for any wear on the teeth that could interfere with smooth operation.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal3135Barrel2.jpg

This one was replaced because of the wear on the outer gear teeth.........Can you spot it:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas Tech/Mainsprings and Barrels/Cal3135Barrelcopy.jpg

[chriseskew24]

cool thanks for the explanation.

[Kokyuryoku]

Thanks for the informative post. :thumbsup: A great read. :cheers:

[JF23]

Awesome, I am loving these!

[buz-lh]

It looks like the teeth are worn in the 4 0'clock position of the picture. Great info again. I really enjoy these threads. Thanks to all involved.

[Skutt50]

Great, love to see more, much more.

Just a small question. Are the teeth on the barrel referred to as Winding Teeth? I would assume the winding is made via the Ratchet Wheel on the Barrel Arbor.

Anyway I am looking forward to the next posting. Are we seeing the formation of TRF Miniature Watchmaking School.....? I surley hope so!

[Tools]

Great, love to see more, much more.

Just a small question. Are the teeth on the barrel referred to as Winding Teeth? I would assume the winding is made via the Ratchet Wheel on the Barrel Arbor.



No, they are not winding teeth......... I did not proofread good enough but have changed it to gear teeth that are around the circumference of the barrel..:cheers:

To clarify, the Mainspring Barrel contains the mainspring and mainspring arbor (which is not depicted in this series), and serves as the first wheel in the geartrain..

[JJ Irani]

Thanks, Larry.....as always, very informative and interesting!!!

Cheers - JJ :cheers:

[Vanessa]

Good job Larry!:thumbsup:

[lakeros]

This is awesome, please keep this type of info coming. Thank you!

[karmatp]

I dig this stuff, keep 'em coming Larry. :thumbsup:

[Latrodectus]

Great information! Thank you very much!