Analyzing the Causes of Mechanical Watch Stealth Stopping
Stealth stopping is a common malfunction among watches, affecti
Analyzing the Causes of Mechanical Watch Stealth Stopping
Stealth stopping is a common malfunction among watches, affecting both quartz and mechanical types. However, the reasons behind stealth stops in mechanical and quartz watches can significantly differ, necessitating accurate diagnosis for effective repair.
Causes of Mechanical Watch Stealth Stops:
1. **Insufficient Energy**: Inadequate winding leads to insufficient power. This is especially true for automatic mechanical watches, where the efficiency of the self-winding mechanism depends heavily on the wearer’s physical activity. Minimal wrist movements, such as typing on a keyboard, result in low winding efficiency. Manual winding can compensate for lack of movement.
2. **Gear Faults**: Faults in the gear train, such as issues with the escape wheel or center wheel, can cause the watch to stealth stop. Other issues like the pallet fork touching the guard pin, the balance wheel touching the hairspring outer coil, or deformation of the pallet fork’s arms can also lead to stops. These problems are often difficult to detect and require careful inspection and testing to resolve.
3. **Lack of Maintenance**: Mechanical watches should undergo maintenance every 2-3 years. Without regular maintenance, a significant amount of sludge can accumulate, increasing friction between gears and potentially causing slipping. This neglect can lead to the watch stealth stopping and underscores the importance of regular upkeep.
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