[dasferg]

Hi all - Fairly new to this so please be patient! I have a Seiko Helmet 6139 that gains about 8 minutes a day. Is there a way to easily adjust (regulate?) the watch or is it a specialist job. Thanks in advance.

 

[isupsyclone]

If it's gaining 8 minutes per day it's beyond an "adjustment." It will most likely need a service. Lot of times when a watch gains time it is because the balance wheel isn't going through it's full range of motion due to being gummed up, being magnetized, rubbing on some other part, having a messed up hairspring, etc. Best-case scenario would be that it's magnetized since a simple demagnetization would fix it. If it's a messed up hairspring or balance in general, you could always swap it from parts watch (if you have one). You may have to have a professional check it out.

 

[dasferg]

Thanks for that. Pretty much as I figured. Off to the doctor it goes!

 

[JohnWN]

Good luck!

Thanks for that. Pretty much as I figured. Off to the doctor it goes!

 

[curtisjf]

If it's gaining 8 minutes per day it's beyond an "adjustment." It will most likely need a service. Lot of times when a watch gains time it is because the balance wheel isn't going through it's full range of motion due to being gummed up, being magnetized, rubbing on some other part, having a messed up hairspring, etc. Best-case scenario would be that it's magnetized since a simple demagnetization would fix it. If it's a messed up hairspring or balance in general, you could always swap it from parts watch (if you have one). You may have to have a professional check it out.

What about 4.5 minutes slow per day? Do you know what the limitation of adjustment is, +/- how many minutes per day? I just received my 6139-6002 and see its running slow. Seller offered a refund. Any info you have on this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Curt

 

[clockworks]

Take the back off and have a look at where the regulator is set, but it's unlikely.


Has the watch recently been serviced? It's possible that the incorrect oil was used on the balance staff pivots, possibly a dunk in Sololube or similar. Less drag on the pivots can cause the balance to swing too far, making the watch run slow.
Another possibility is that the balance and hairspring (or just the hairspring) have been swapped, and the hairspring is too long, or the wrong type.
It's also possible that the pin on the regulator was bent when the spring was removed for cleaning, and then not bent back on reassembly.


Although I've been repairing clocks for 15 years, I'm new to repairing watches, so there may be other causes.