VR-338 An Exquisite Viennese Miniature Timepiece
This is one of those mechanisms that almost make me think I should pay the owner for the privilege of working on. It truly shows the impact of the training the Viennese received from Swiss watch-makers. A true miniature gem!
I sold this mechanism about 5 years ago. When it quit, after only 5 years, I was fortunate enough to have the owner send it back to be cleaned. When I first restored this mechanism I was still using clock oil on the finer pieces, figuring that they might need the thinner viscosity afforded by commercial clock oils. The oil I used was of the evaporative type – as in it completely disappeared after a while. And the clock stoped.
Whilst it would have likely been enough to have just applied miniscule amounts of 5W40 motor oil and call it good, I did go all the way through the mechanism – and shot a few pictures VR-338-Miniature
Being the anal sort that I am I reburnished all pivots - perhaps they are a little better than when I did them last. I also power-pegged all the larger holes. I like to think my techniques have improved, but it is tough telling. None the less, I lubed it with a fully-synthetic 5W40 motor oil and it is ticking away quietly as I type this. With a 1.6 pound weight, instead of the original 2.5 pounds.
As folks will say, the proof is in the pudding. Or, in this case, the ability to run, with no pendulum, on a weight that is just over 60% of the original weight. Oh, and modern motor oils won't evaporate or polymerize!
Read MoreI sold this mechanism about 5 years ago. When it quit, after only 5 years, I was fortunate enough to have the owner send it back to be cleaned. When I first restored this mechanism I was still using clock oil on the finer pieces, figuring that they might need the thinner viscosity afforded by commercial clock oils. The oil I used was of the evaporative type – as in it completely disappeared after a while. And the clock stoped.
Whilst it would have likely been enough to have just applied miniscule amounts of 5W40 motor oil and call it good, I did go all the way through the mechanism – and shot a few pictures VR-338-Miniature
Being the anal sort that I am I reburnished all pivots - perhaps they are a little better than when I did them last. I also power-pegged all the larger holes. I like to think my techniques have improved, but it is tough telling. None the less, I lubed it with a fully-synthetic 5W40 motor oil and it is ticking away quietly as I type this. With a 1.6 pound weight, instead of the original 2.5 pounds.
As folks will say, the proof is in the pudding. Or, in this case, the ability to run, with no pendulum, on a weight that is just over 60% of the original weight. Oh, and modern motor oils won't evaporate or polymerize!
The design of the crutch is unusual. And very effective. The domed washer that can be seen at the base of the crutch pin is pressed into place - allowing one to very precisely set up the crutch pin so that there is minimal movement from side to side yet still just loose enough to adjust smoothly with the crutch adjustment screw.
