Replace second wheel on gen 3235

[Perpetuum]

Hi,

I have a Gen 3235 from a Datejust, where the shaft of the second hand broke (the entire watch was involved in an accident, want to rebuild it as Franken with cf case).

The movement has no other damage and runs great on the weishi... just with two hands

Are there instructions for replacing the wheel, or to put it another way: is it very different from the 3135?

A few years ago I broke the shaft of the second hand wheel on a VS3135 when I was assembling the hands and "simply" replaced the wheel. The wheel cost $12 and the whole movement $100, so experimenting (try & error) wasn't as painful as it was with the Gen movement. The good news - The 3135 runs stil good these days.

I have gained experience over the last few years mainly with Vx3135, but a little help, preferably with pictures, would make it easier to start the work.

Thank you guys

 

[KJ2020]

Bro the 3235 gear train is a bit different from the 3135 but nothing you can't easily figure out. I usually take pics prior to each part removal which makes reassembly easy.

On the 3235 the great wheel goes in first and has the minute pinion connected to it. It has its own little bridge anchoring it, along with the canon pinion on the dial side. You shouldn't need to mess with this wheel at all.

Then the fourth wheel goes in. (Escape wheel is actually next but you can wait til later as it usually gets bumped out of place anyway).

Then the third wheel

Then the train bridge. (Note escape wheel in place).

Note that if using a rep part you will need a VS/DD3235 fourth wheel. The VR/SH3235 parts are shaped slightly differently (not gen-spec), and the two upper wheels go in reverse order.

VR/SH on left, VS/DD on right

 

[Perpetuum]

Wow - Thanks for the super detailed instructions and the nice pics

That doesn't look impossible.

I bought a "gen" wheel on ebay, should arrive this week. I'm curious if it's really gen

 

[KJ2020]

Wow - Thanks for the super detailed instructions and the nice pics

That doesn't look impossible.

I bought a "gen" wheel on ebay, should arrive this week. I'm curious if it's really gen

Hopefully the pinion leaves sit on top of the gear wheel in the orientation above.

 

[Perpetuum]

Yes, the pictures in the offer look good - Correct orientation.

 

[KJ2020]

BTW if you didn't know you can leave the rotor attached while removing the autowind device and keep both parts together.

There are 3 screws holding the autowind on, just don't loosen the 2 that take the autowind itself apart.

 

[Perpetuum]

@KJ2020 Great, now my wife is in a bad mood because we are on vacation and since your pictures have motivated me to go home and do some crafting

Thanks for all the good and hobby-watchsmith-friendly information

 

[Perpetuum]

Big thanks @KJ2020

It is alive ! With the good instructions it was a 1 hour job with a glas of wine for a steady hand

The patient - A gen 3235 with broken shaft on the second wheel


autowind removed (just 3 screws)


open heart


broken second wheel next to the new one


wheels removed


everything in place


finished and alive - for demonstration the old second wheel on the tweezers


It needs several attempts to get the train bridge back in place - the escape wheel has to be perfectly placed, all other wheels "flush" in position when you mount the train bridge.

Thanks to RWI and @KJ2020 for the help

 

[KJ2020]

Big thanks @KJ2020

It is alive ! With the good instructions it was a 1 hour job with a glas of wine for a steady hand

The patient - A gen 3235 with broken shaft on the second wheel


autowind removed (just 3 screws)


open heart


broken second wheel next to the new one


wheels removed


everything in place


finished and alive - for demonstration the old second wheel on the tweezers


It needs several attempts to get the train bridge back in place - the escape wheel has to be perfectly placed, all other wheels "flush" in position when you mount the train bridge.

Thanks to RWI and @KJ2020 for the help

That is such a beautiful movement - the golden hues in your pics don't hurt either haha.

Congrats on the surgical success, no doubt the prognosis is for a long and healthy life!

 

[Perpetuum]

...the golden hue is due to the glass of wine, my oldschool cellphone and the oldschool me

 

[Jackster]

Great thread.... i haven't tinkered with movements for about 3 years now, too busy with work and other commitments, I am about to retire very shortly and this thread has got me all fired up again to get back into the 'real' aspect of this hobby!
Beautiful photos and I like the idea of a glass of wine to steady the hands!