How to Regulate a Mechanical Watch Movement

ID: 184951

Description: Making repairs on your watch can be...

Steps:

1. Identify the case back tool you need. Snap-off backs will be completely smooth. If your watch has a snap-off back, simply slide a case back knife under the side of the backplate and apply upward pressure to snap it off.
2. Screw-off backplates will have small indentations, as seen on my watch. I am using a wrench to twist the backplate off. Use the round slider to adjust the width of the tips, then tighten them into the indentations on the watch back and twist until it loosens. This exposes the mechanical movement.

3. Locate the balance wheel. It will have a small +/- sign, or sometimes an F/S. The regulator is the small metal prong accompanying these sings.
4. Be careful not to touch the gears or other moving watch aspects. This can cause damage to it.

5. Use a non-magnetic screwdriver or other small, pointed tool to gently move the regulator arm left or right (negative or positive) to speed up or slow down the movement.
6. The '+' or the 'F' indicate making the watch 'faster', and the '-' or the 'S' indicate making the watch 'slower'.

7. Return the back plate to its original place.

8. Last, observe the watch over a period of 24-48 hours to see if it gains or loses time, then make adjustments if needed by repeating the process. You can do this by leaving it beside a watch or stopwatch which is correctly regulated, then comparing them after waiting 24-48 hours.