I have a Unitas 285 497 running slow in a recent build. It loses about 5 minutes an hour. I adjusted the +/- lever, it really did not help.
I purchased the movement for a clock/pocket watch dealer on ebay. He said he fully serviced the movement. It is apparent that the movement was serviced, cleaned and oiled. I never tested the movement before my build.
I changed the 4th wheel to a "lower" no seconds hand. Added higher cannon pinion and hour wheel. I messed up the keyless works and took apart and re-installed.
The movement winds well and feels solid.
Any ideas where to start on diagnosis? I do not have a timograph. Is there an app for a cell phone that would help?
Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
Is it very easy to set the hands? In that case you have a cannon pinion with too low friction.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
It is not unusual to set the hands. If anything it is slightly firm to set hands but not in a bad way.
One thing that is a little strange, when I wind the watch and stop. The crown reverses about 1/4 turn.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
That may be because of the click and ratchet wheel, nothing to worry about.mountaineer wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 8:17 amIt is not unusual to set the hands. If anything it is slightly firm to set hands but not in a bad way.
One thing that is a little strange, when I wind the watch and stop. The crown reverses about 1/4 turn.
The issue remains, I wonder if it really was serviced and what else has been done.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
You say that you changed the 4th wheel. Where did the replacement wheel come from? The 285/497 and 6497 are 18000 beat per hour movements. The 6497-2 is a 21,600 beat per hour movement. If you used the 4th wheel from a 6497-2 that would be a problem.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
I was thinking it might have to do with me messing with the movement... At first I thought maybe the 4th wheel pinion was different for a 6497 vs 285/497. (maybe larger diameter creating friction). The bridge was a bear to fit.unreformed66 wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 2:32 pm You say that you changed the 4th wheel. Where did the replacement wheel come from? The 285/497 and 6497 are 18000 beat per hour movements. The 6497-2 is a 21,600 beat per hour movement. If you used the 4th wheel from a 6497-2 that would be a problem.
I do think the 4th wheel is for 6497-1. I got it from Otto Frei and it looks like that is all they have.
I might put the original 4th wheel back on and see what happens.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
Do that and be careful!mountaineer wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 3:26 pmI was thinking it might have to do with me messing with the movement... At first I thought maybe the 4th wheel pinion was different for a 6497 vs 285/497. (maybe larger diameter creating friction). The bridge was a bear to fit.unreformed66 wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 2:32 pm You say that you changed the 4th wheel. Where did the replacement wheel come from? The 285/497 and 6497 are 18000 beat per hour movements. The 6497-2 is a 21,600 beat per hour movement. If you used the 4th wheel from a 6497-2 that would be a problem.
I do think the 4th wheel is for 6497-1. I got it from Otto Frei and it looks like that is all they have.
I might put the original 4th wheel back on and see what happens.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
Last I checked they were out of the -2 wheels also. But it still sounds like a plausible culprit.mountaineer wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 3:26 pmI was thinking it might have to do with me messing with the movement... At first I thought maybe the 4th wheel pinion was different for a 6497 vs 285/497. (maybe larger diameter creating friction). The bridge was a bear to fit.unreformed66 wrote: ↑April 2nd, 2021, 2:32 pm You say that you changed the 4th wheel. Where did the replacement wheel come from? The 285/497 and 6497 are 18000 beat per hour movements. The 6497-2 is a 21,600 beat per hour movement. If you used the 4th wheel from a 6497-2 that would be a problem.
I do think the 4th wheel is for 6497-1. I got it from Otto Frei and it looks like that is all they have.
I might put the original 4th wheel back on and see what happens.
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Re: Unitas 285 497 running slow ?
5m/hour is too much. I would bet on cannon pinion loose...
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