Unveiling the Intricate Process of Disassembling an Elgin 670 Movement
The Elgin 670 movement is a revered mechanical timepiece movement, widely appreciated for its precision and reliability. Whether you’re a seasoned watchmaker or an enthusiast looking to learn the craft, disassembling the Elgin 670 movement is a delicate task that requires patience, the right tools, and an understanding of the mechanics involved. In this article, we will walk you through the process of disassembling this movement step by step, providing troubleshooting tips along the way. With this guide, you’ll be equipped to safely take apart and reassemble your Elgin 670 movement without compromising its functionality.
Understanding the Elgin 670 Movement
Before diving into the disassembly process, it’s essential to understand the structure and components of the Elgin 670 movement. Manufactured by the Elgin Watch Company, this mechanical movement is known for its simplicity and reliability. It’s an automatic movement, meaning it winds itself as long as it’s being worn. The Elgin 670 is a relatively small movement, featuring an array of intricate gears, springs, and pivots that all work together to keep the time accurately.
Key components of the Elgin 670 movement include:
- Balance wheel – the oscillating wheel that helps regulate the timekeeping.
- Escapement – the mechanism that transfers energy from the mainspring to the gear train.
- Wheel train – a series of gears that transfer energy from the mainspring to the hands of the watch.
- Automatic winding system – a rotor that winds the mainspring as the watch is worn.
- Mainspring – the spring that powers the movement.
Knowing these components will help you understand the purpose of each part during disassembly. Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide for disassembling your Elgin 670 movement.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disassembling the Elgin 670 Movement
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Before you start, ensure you have a clean, well-lit workspace with all the necessary tools. You will need:
- Watchmakers screwdrivers
- Loupe (magnifying glass)
- Case opener tool
- Movement holder
- Blower (to remove dust and debris)
- Tweezers
- Soft cloth or mat to work on
A clean, dust-free environment is critical when disassembling a watch movement to avoid any contamination or damage to delicate parts.
Step 2: Remove the Case Back
The first step in disassembling the Elgin 670 movement is to remove the case back. This will allow you to access the movement. Use a case opener tool to carefully pry open the back of the watch. Be sure to work gently to avoid scratching the case. If the case is screw-down, a case wrench will be necessary to loosen the back.
Once the case back is removed, carefully place it aside in a safe location, as you’ll need it for reassembly.
Step 3: Remove the Hands and Dial
Next, you’ll need to remove the hands of the watch. Using a pair of fine tweezers or a hand remover tool, gently lift the hour, minute, and second hands off the movement. Be careful not to bend or scratch them, as the hands are fragile and can be difficult to replace if damaged.
After removing the hands, you’ll need to lift the dial off the movement. Typically, the dial is secured with small screws or retaining springs. Use your screwdriver to carefully remove any screws and gently lift the dial off. Place the dial in a safe location to avoid any damage or scratches.
Step 4: Remove the Crown and Stem
Now, focus on removing the crown and stem from the movement. This step is crucial, as it will allow you to continue disassembling the movement. Locate the release lever or screw that holds the stem in place and gently disengage it. Pull the crown and stem out of the movement carefully, ensuring not to damage the internal mechanism or the stem itself.
Step 5: Remove the Movement from the Case
With the crown and stem removed, you can now remove the movement from the case. Place the movement in a movement holder to keep it secure while you work on it. Gently lift the movement from the case using a pair of tweezers or your fingers, taking care not to damage any components.
Step 6: Disassemble the Movement
With the movement safely removed, you can begin the process of disassembling the internal parts. Start by removing the screws that secure the plate to the movement. Carefully lift the plate off, exposing the gears and other components inside. As you continue disassembling the Elgin 670 movement, take note of the order of parts and how they are assembled to avoid confusion during reassembly.
- Remove the automatic rotor: This is the component that winds the mainspring when the watch is worn. It’s typically secured with screws or a central post.
- Disengage the escapement: The escapement is a delicate part, so handle it with care. It’s connected to the balance wheel and is crucial for the movement’s timekeeping accuracy.
- Remove the balance wheel: The balance wheel is one of the most critical parts of the movement. Carefully lift it off the movement and store it in a safe place.
Step 7: Clean the Parts
Once the movement is disassembled, it’s a good idea to clean the individual parts before reassembling the watch. Use a soft cloth or a brush to remove dust and debris. For deeper cleaning, you may want to use a special watch cleaner solution or ultrasonic cleaner to ensure all parts are free of contaminants. Make sure everything is thoroughly dry before you begin reassembly.
Troubleshooting Tips
Disassembling a watch movement can be a complex task, and it’s not uncommon to encounter issues along the way. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you avoid or resolve common problems:
- Parts stuck together: If parts seem stuck, never force them apart. Use a fine, non-abrasive tool like a plastic pry bar to gently separate the components.
- Difficulty removing hands: If the hands are difficult to remove, ensure you’re using the proper hand-removal tool. Applying too much pressure can damage the dial or the hands themselves.
- Lost screws: Small screws can easily get lost during disassembly. Use a magnetic tray or a dedicated parts tray to keep track of screws and small components.
- Damaged components: If you discover that any components are damaged, such as the balance wheel or escapement, it may be necessary to replace them. Contact a reputable parts supplier for the Elgin 670 movement to source replacements.
Conclusion
Disassembling the Elgin 670 movement is a rewarding, yet intricate process. By carefully following the steps outlined above and using the right tools, you can successfully disassemble and reassemble the movement, ensuring it remains in optimal working condition. Remember to take your time, and if you encounter any issues, refer to troubleshooting tips to avoid damaging delicate components.
With practice, your skills as a watchmaker will improve, and you’ll be able to confidently handle mechanical movements like the Elgin 670. Whether you’re maintaining an existing watch or restoring a vintage piece, understanding how to disassemble the Elgin 670 movement is an essential skill for any horology enthusiast.
For more information on watch repair techniques, check out this comprehensive guide on disassembling mechanical movements.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Elgin Watch Company, visit this Wikipedia page.
This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by TheFixitLab Team