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Tools · 17 March 2009, 01:57 AM

The Mainspring is the muscle that makes the watch run. If it breaks, your watch stops... Likewise, if it becomes weak from time, temperature, or the elements, it will not give your watch the energy it needs to run properly.

Mainsprings are a hardened spring steel, and as such, can rust or become magnetized. Any suspect mainspring should be replaced during an overhaul..

Here is a mainspring out of it's brass barrel, and one loaded in a 2135 movement barrel:

The mainspring is loaded with the small end coiled as shown, then the large end is wound in reverse of it's natural (formed) shape. The small straight metal piece welded to the end pushes out against the inside of the barrel and "slips" along detents inside to keep the mainspring from being overwound:

You will notice that the barrel is also a gear. The inner mainspring coil is attached to an arbor and hook and then to the winding piion and gears.

The cal. 2135 mainspring, used in the ladies models and the mid-size Rolex, is small but it is good for about 35 hours of power:

Here is the cal 2135 barrel along with the much larger cal 3135 barrel that we are used to. This barrel gives the typical Rolex men's watch a 42-48 hour power reserve. If you look closely at the upper right inside of the empty 3135 barrel, you will see one of the three detents that the "slipping bridle" part of the mainspring slips into and out of when the spring is fully wound.

The barrel is inspected for any wear on the teeth that could interfere with smooth operation.

This one was replaced because of the wear on the outer gear teeth.........Can you spot it:

chriseskew24 · 17 March 2009, 02:00 AM

cool thanks for the explanation.

Kokyuryoku · 17 March 2009, 02:04 AM

Thanks for the informative post.

A great read.

JF23 · 17 March 2009, 02:05 AM

Awesome, I am loving these!

buz-lh · 17 March 2009, 02:05 AM

It looks like the teeth are worn in the 4 0'clock position of the picture. Great info again. I really enjoy these threads. Thanks to all involved.

Skutt50 · 17 March 2009, 02:13 AM

Great, love to see more, much more.

Just a small question. Are the teeth on the barrel referred to as Winding Teeth? I would assume the winding is made via the Ratchet Wheel on the Barrel Arbor.

Anyway I am looking forward to the next posting. Are we seeing the formation of TRF Miniature Watchmaking School.....? I surley hope so!

Tools · 17 March 2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skutt50

Great, love to see more, much more.

Just a small question. Are the teeth on the barrel referred to as Winding Teeth? I would assume the winding is made via the Ratchet Wheel on the Barrel Arbor.

No, they are not winding teeth......... I did not proofread good enough but have changed it to gear teeth that are around the circumference of the barrel..

To clarify, the Mainspring Barrel contains the mainspring and mainspring arbor (which is not depicted in this series), and serves as the first wheel in the geartrain..

JJ Irani · 17 March 2009, 02:34 AM

Thanks, Larry.....as always, very informative and interesting!!!

Cheers - JJ

Vanessa CW21 · 17 March 2009, 03:49 AM

Good job Larry!

lakeros · 17 March 2009, 05:06 AM

This is awesome, please keep this type of info coming. Thank you!

karmatp · 17 March 2009, 06:29 AM

I dig this stuff, keep 'em coming Larry.

Latrodectus · 17 March 2009, 12:34 PM

Great information! Thank you very much!

17 March 2009, 01:57 AM	#1
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,459	Vanessa's Parts Insp. #2... Mainspring And Barrel The Mainspring is the muscle that makes the watch run. If it breaks, your watch stops... Likewise, if it becomes weak from time, temperature, or the elements, it will not give your watch the energy it needs to run properly. Mainsprings are a hardened spring steel, and as such, can rust or become magnetized. Any suspect mainspring should be replaced during an overhaul.. Here is a mainspring out of it's brass barrel, and one loaded in a 2135 movement barrel: The mainspring is loaded with the small end coiled as shown, then the large end is wound in reverse of it's natural (formed) shape. The small straight metal piece welded to the end pushes out against the inside of the barrel and "slips" along detents inside to keep the mainspring from being overwound: You will notice that the barrel is also a gear. The inner mainspring coil is attached to an arbor and hook and then to the winding piion and gears. The cal. 2135 mainspring, used in the ladies models and the mid-size Rolex, is small but it is good for about 35 hours of power: Here is the cal 2135 barrel along with the much larger cal 3135 barrel that we are used to. This barrel gives the typical Rolex men's watch a 42-48 hour power reserve. If you look closely at the upper right inside of the empty 3135 barrel, you will see one of the three detents that the "slipping bridle" part of the mainspring slips into and out of when the spring is fully wound. The barrel is inspected for any wear on the teeth that could interfere with smooth operation. This one was replaced because of the wear on the outer gear teeth.........Can you spot it: __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

17 March 2009, 02:04 AM	#3
Kokyuryoku "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Rye Location: Japan Watch: Sundial Posts: 2,156	Thanks for the informative post. A great read. __________________ 'The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited'*- Morihei Ueshiba -* Omega 3570.50 (77mil) Rolex 16610 (V) Rolex 1601 (1966) Seiko BM

17 March 2009, 02:05 AM	#5
buz-lh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Buz Location: Atlanta Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam Posts: 5,108	It looks like the teeth are worn in the 4 0'clock position of the picture. Great info again. I really enjoy these threads. Thanks to all involved. __________________ Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis

17 March 2009, 02:34 AM	#8
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Thanks, Larry.....as always, very informative and interesting!!! Cheers - JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

17 March 2009, 03:49 AM	#9
Vanessa CW21 TechXpert & 2016 Patron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mx Posts: 1,572	Good job Larry! __________________ Member# 5731 Instagram: @vanessa.cw21 Watch my Rolex repair video: https://youtu.be/jDnaotCTpTA

17 March 2009, 02:00 AM	#2
chriseskew24 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Christopher Location: fort lauderdale Watch: Bunches Posts: 1,860	cool thanks for the explanation.

17 March 2009, 02:05 AM	#4
JF23 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S Florida Posts: 1,899	Awesome, I am loving these!

17 March 2009, 02:13 AM	#6
Skutt50 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Steven Location: Sweden Watch: Old English Fusee Posts: 246	Great, love to see more, much more. Just a small question. Are the teeth on the barrel referred to as Winding Teeth? I would assume the winding is made via the Ratchet Wheel on the Barrel Arbor. Anyway I am looking forward to the next posting. Are we seeing the formation of TRF Miniature Watchmaking School.....? I surley hope so!

17 March 2009, 05:06 AM	#10
lakeros "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Jason Location: AZ, USA Watch: Sea Dweller M Posts: 386	This is awesome, please keep this type of info coming. Thank you! __________________ Sea Dweller M SS Sub Date - gone but not forgotten Member NYLON NATION! #12188

17 March 2009, 06:29 AM	#11
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	I dig this stuff, keep 'em coming Larry. __________________ My grails:

17 March 2009, 12:34 PM	#12
Latrodectus 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,032	Great information! Thank you very much! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

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