WATCH FAULT FINDING

Here is a full summary of all the modules and lessons found in Level 3 of this course,
Watch Fault finding and basic repairs.

OVER 4 and a half HOURS OF CRYSTAL CLEAR HD VIDEO TEACHING

Level 3 of the Watch Repair Course provides more than 4 and a half hours of teaching with 36 full high definition videos.

All the images you find below, and on this whole web page are actual screen shots from the lesson videos. Once you have gained access to the course level, you will have access to it for as long as you need – there are no time limits. This will allow you to go over and review all the course content as many times as you like, even after you have completed the course.

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Level 3 – Fault Finding

36 High Definition Videos
Over 4 hours of video lessons
1 Certificate of Completion
All Pricing in USD
  • Enrollment Cost$119.00

This course level gets quite intense and so each lesson and topic is presented to you in full high definition 1080p video. To allow you to fully grasp the information we have ensured that there are no time limits, you can pause your learning and pick up from where you left off at any time in the future. You have instant access to the course once you have enrolled.

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What you will learn in Level 3

Level 3 of this course introduces you to watch fault finding within a mechanical watch movement. This level will help you understand how the various components and sections of the watch movement interact with each other. Along with some horological theory, you will be shown practical examples of how to drill down throughout the movement in order to track down issues.

IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY DIAGNOSE FAULTS WITHIN A WATCH MOVEMENT, YOU NEED TO FIRST UNDERSTAND HOW IT OPERATES

Watch Fault finding is a constant in watch repair. As discussed briefly in level 2, a watch repairer will be continuously inspecting, testing and perhaps even adjusting as he or she proceeds through a watch service. But what if a watch is presented where it has completely stopped? Or is running but at an excessive rate? The watch repairer will need to have a procedure for tracking down the faults and an understanding on how to rectify them.

Level 3 Course Content

Please find below a detailed description of all the lessons and topics found within Level 3 of the Watch Repair Course.

c3.0.0 Introduction

This video lesson serves as an introduction to Level 3 and introduces the topics being discussed.

c3.1.0 The Initial Inspection

The initial inspection of a watch movement when fault finding

When you receive a watch for service or repair, you may be given an indication from the owner of the watch as to the symptoms of the fault. And this information can help you zone in on the cause. The topics within this level will discuss the initial inspection of the watch movement.

c3.1.1 Check The Motion Work

Checking the hand setting mechanism is an essential step when you are performing your initial inspection.

Check the motion works
c3.1.2 Check The Keyless Work

In this lesson we look at some initial tests with the winding mechanism.

CHECK THE WINDING
c3.1.3 Check Bearings & Pivot Holes

In order for the train of wheels to turn smoothly and uniformly the pivot holes (or jewels) need to be in perfect condition.

Check Bearings & Pivot Holes
c3.1.4 End and Side Shake

Side-shake is the amount of movement a wheel pivot (or the barrel arbor as in the previous lesson) has from side to side within it’s bush or pivot hole. There should be some movement....

END & SIDE SHAKE
c3.1.5 Check The Balance And Escapement

Continuing with the initial inspection of the watch movement, this lesson focuses on the Balance and Escapement.

CHECK BALANCE & ESCAPEMENT
c3.1.6 Summary

This video lesson serves as a summary of the above lesson topics.

c3.2.0 Fault Finding Pathway

The watch repair fault finding pathway

The process of focusing in on the cause of any fault in a watch movement will depend largely on which kind of fault you are presented with.

The methods for finding the causes of either of these kinds of faults will vary slightly but you can make the process easier by following a basic path whilst inspecting the movement.

c3.2.1 The Strategy

This lesson contains a breakdown of the strategy behind the Fault Finding Pathway including some demonstrations on how to implement your checks.

The fault finding pathway strategy
c3.2.2 Practice

Quite often, a watch is presented to you for a basic maintenance service with absolutely no complaints of faults or poor performance. This may be because the watch owner simply does not have high expectations for a watches timekeeping or has grown accustomed to it’s ‘quirks’.

PRACTICE
c3.2.3 Performance

Assessing a watches current performance before you start work on it, assuming the watch is running, can also lead you to potential faults.

PERFORMANCE

c3.3.0 Testing The Escapement

Testing the watch movement's escapement

After performing the initial inspection, if the cause of any faults was not detected then we should proceed with fault finding and we shall start with the balance and escapement.

c3.3.1 Pallet Banking

In this lesson we will be focusing on pallet banking and the amount of shake (or distance) between the guard pin and the safety roller.

PALLET BANKING
c3.3.2 Drop, Draw To Lock and Impulse

In this lesson we are looking closer at the operation of the pallets as they interact with the escape wheel.

DROP, DRAW TO LOCK AND IMPULSE
c3.3.3 The Escapement Parts

In this lesson we are taking a closer look at the parts which make up the escapement.

THE ESCAPEMENT PARTS
c3.3.4 The Balance Wheel And Staff

The balance wheel is just that, a wheel which is balanced in it’s weight when it is first manufactured so that there are no heavy spots, the balance wheel is riveted to the balance staff.

THE BALANCE WHEEL & STAFF
c3.3.5 The Hairspring

The hairspring is a very fine flat spiral profile coil made from metal, the length and thickness of which affecting the oscillations of the balance wheel.

THE HAIRSPRING
c3.3.6 The Roller

This video discusses the safety roller and how it plays a roll in keeping the watch movement running.

THE SAFETY ROLLER

c3.4.0 Train And Power Source

The next step in the fault finding pathway will be to examine the train of wheels and the power source.

The next step in the fault finding pathway will be to examine the train of wheels and the power source.

c3.4.1 Power Retention

This lesson discusses the various potential points of failure in and around the power source.

POWER RETENTION
c3.4.2 The Mainspring

This video lesson discusses the mainspring within the context of fault finding, and also details how to measure the spring in order to find a suitable replacement.

THE MAINSPRING
c3.4.3 Train Speed

This video lesson discusses the train speed or movement frequency and reduction ratio’s within the train of wheels.

TRAIN SPEED
c3.4.4 Investigating The Train

In this video lesson we are taking a look for potential problems with the train.

INVESTIGATING THE TRAIN
c3.4.5 End & Side-Shake

In this lesson we take a look at the train wheels and demonstrate how we can adjust end-shake by using a jeweling tool.

END & SIDE SHAKE PLUS JEWELLING TOOL

c3.5.0 Keyless & Motion Works

This video lesson introduces the next chapter in level 3 of the Watch Repair Course which discusses the Keyless and Motion works in the context of fault finding.

c3.5.1 Problems With Winding

This lesson discusses some of the causes of problematic winding of a watch movement.

PROBLEMS WITH WINDING
c3.5.2 The Setting Lever Spring
c3.5.3 Rough Winding

Rough winding can be cause by quite a few different factors, this video lesson will help you to drill down to a specific cause.

ROUGH WINDING
c3.5.4 Problematic Hand Setting

This video lesson looks at the motion works in closer detail and discusses various faults which may cause issues hand setting.

PROBLEMATIC HAND SETTING
c3.5.5 The Cannon Pinion

This video lesson discusses the cannon pinion and how it can affect the movement should it not be adjusted correctly.

THE CANNON PINION

c3.6.0 Summary

This video lesson follows the Level 3 assessment and summarizes the topics discussed.

Free Level 3 Bonus VIdeos

As a commitment to giving you continuous value for money, you now get these extra bonus videos for FREE when you complete Level 3. This is an on-going project and there will be more coming, again – at no extra charge when they are available.

Recent Reviews For Level 3

Here are some of the most recent feedback comments we have received for Level 3 of our Watch Repair Course. If you are enrolled on any of our course levels, you can send us feedback via a link found on your account dashboard.

Trouble shooting

Submitted on: January 26, 2024
By: rclaudet54 on Level 3: Fault Finding

I can tell this man has done this work and thoughtfully for a long time. What a gold mine of information.

Great courses

Submitted on: January 24, 2023

I’ve completed the first 3 levels, I’m very satisfied and I’m looking for the 4th level course! I hope to see some glass setting tutorial in future. Thank you Mark…

Excellent instruction

Submitted on: December 15, 2022

I have completed Levels 1,2 and 3 and found the instruction very helpful. As I progress with my watchmaking hobby, I’ve found Mark’s courses to be a constant and invaluable…