Perpetual Function

[TyCoon53]

How does the winding mechanism prevent itself from becoming overwound and breaking the spring?

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by TyCoon53

How does the winding mechanism prevent itself from becoming overwound and breaking the spring?

The mainspring in any automatic watch is not attached to the barrel but rides on indents in its inner diameter. Whey the spring is fully wound, it slips inside the barrel. Here are a Rolex mainspring and barrel, and an exaggerated diagram of how they work together.

[Tools]

The grease used inside the barrel for a self-winding watches "slipping bridle" is one reason why you should practice preventive maintenance and regularly service your watch...

When the grease dries out, or migrates out of place, the mainspring will wear right through the brass mainspring barrel, or at least wear the indents that hold it in place smooth. When this happens, your mainspring cannot catch itself when wound and your amount of wind can be reduced to half, or less.............

[TyCoon53]

Thank you, gentlemen, for the lesson.