Eta date wheel tip...

[automatico]

I posted this  on TRC but do not remember if I put it on here or not.

 

When installing Eta 2824/36/46 etc date wheels there is no need to fight the dw because the overlay hides part of the screws.

 

Put all the date changing pieces on the movement...every last one.

Make sure the date flipper arm on the date changing wheel at 10 o'clock is turned away from the dw teeth.

Study the notches in the dw keeper at 8 o'clock and you can see how the dw is able to slip into place with everything installed...the keeper is notched for the dw teeth to pass by when half way between dates.

Set the dw over the movement and let it catch under the rounded keeper on the 2 o'clock side

Turn the dw by hand until it is half way between dates at 3 o'clock. 

Take a razor blade etc and push the little leaf spring that indexes the datewheel out of the way and push the dw down in place while slowly pulling the blade out (you may have to turn the dw a few degrees back and forth to get it to drop in place).

 

It may take a few tries but after you get the hang of it you can install a dw with overlay in 3 minutes. 

 

[cjjoyce1]

A very good tip I employ myself.

 

Another tip in doing this is to be careful with that razor to not push too far in.  If you de-arch the spring even slightly, it won't put the necessary force on the dw and you'll start to have date change issues.

 

Great explanation automatico!

[preacher62]

Also...if you press down too hard with the spring not in the right position you can bend the little spring downward.