The fake free sprung balance look

[WatchSmith.US]

Fake free sprung balance


Removing the jewel and spring reveal...nothing...they are just for show.


The extra parts added to the balance to make it look free sprung.


What it looks like with the junk removed. A proper balance jewel.


Servicing a new VR3186 with the fake free sprung balance. Here's what it is.

A cap jewel and spring are placed on the top of the balance. They do nothing. They serve no purpose other than to attempt to make the balance look like a Rolex balance.
Removing these stupid parts reveals a proper jewel and spring, and the adjusters are placed on the opposite side making it awkward/impractical/impossible to adjust timing without removing the auto wind.

When I'm done I will not re-install these parts as they seem foolish to me. The good news is I have a cap jewel, spring, and a screw to add to the spare parts bin.

 

[Oascom]

I remove them as well... Most of the time i remove all deco plates or glued "screw/jewels" on my customer movements.
I don't know why factories spend $ and time to make those ugly deco plates. So many times those glued on "parts" end up locking the movement once they fell off....

 

[WatchSmith.US]

I remove them as well... Most of the time i remove all deco plates or glued "screw/jewels" on my customer movements.
I don't know why factories spend $ and time to make those ugly deco plates. So many times those glued on "parts" end up locking the movement once they fell off....

I wonder why they don’t put that effort into making an actual free sprung balance?

 

[KJ2020]

Free KIF spring and jewel, sweet!