To Burnish Or Not To Burnish...

[nboyer]

Not trying to be a Shakespeare . How many of you are polishing or burnishing escape wheel arbor pivots and/or balance pivots? I am working on a project watch where the pivots look a little flat-ish and is likely to be causing some reduced amplitude. Are you good folks replacing the pivots, or burnishing them to put more of a dome on them? Any preferences or best practices. While I do have the tools to do either, I have not burnished the pivots on a wristwatch, just a pocket watch balance staff. The balance staff is so dang tiny on a wristwatch, I think I'm more inclined to just replace the staff. As for the escape wheel arbor pivot, not really sure how easy or feasible it will be for me to find a replacement arbor. Thoughts or comments? Cheers! -Norm

[SearChart]

I'd just place a new balance staff, don't bother with polishing pivots. It's not that hard.

[nboyer]

Yep, that was what I was thinking, Bas, though it's always with trepidation that I work on anything remotely close to the hairspring. -Norm

Originally Posted by SearChart

I'd just place a new balance staff, don't bother with polishing pivots. It's not that hard.

[J!m]

Assuming you can get a new one, I suggest replacement as well.

If you can't get one...