Tick Talk
[Moderator Emeritus]
2361
A balance-spring vibrating tool
otherwise known as a vibrator...but don't Google that! I was inspired by our visit to Montblanc Minerva and the demonstration by one of their two in-house Poseuse de spiraux (often, although incorrectly, called a régleuse as the female form of régleur; someone who times the watch).
So I was very pleased with the opportunity to acquire this circa 1930 tool by F. Schneider-Robert of Chaux-de-Fonds, in the original fitted box.
Traditionally, the work has been performed by women, just as régleur was traditionally the job of men. The Poseuse de spiraux had a rather delicate job with many tasks, including selecting and fitting the balance-spring to the balance staff, forming the terminal coil, and pinning it to the stud and collet. The English would refer to the same worker as a "springer".
This vibrating tool was used to "count" the balance-spring; that is, to determine the point where it oscillates in harmony with the reference balance of the tool. This one is for 18,000 vph. She then cuts away the excess and, amusingly, I found many tiny snips of hairsprings at the bottom of the case.
A wonderful description of the process is provided by our fellow Purist ei8htohms in his post, A Day in Watch School Part 6: Hairsprings: http://www.tp178.com/jd/watch-school/6/article.html.
Along with ephemera such as period boxes and literature, collecting vintage horlogical tools provides an interesting sidebar to our hobby. HAGWE 
A Little Game for the Weekend
Anyone care to have a guess at what is hiding within the box? Hint, it is vintage and inspired by spring......
I am guessing it is....
The tool that Monique used to regulate balance wheels... Am I close?
A clue
Sorry, I should have asked for the name it is known by, otherwise I fear that I'll have to guess your meaning. My wife calls it a "thingamabob"... Here is a further clue: ...
Easy.
It's a "counting tool", for vibrating hairsprings. It is a tool for determining the correct pinning point of a hairspring at the stud, using a master oscillator balance. Do I win anything? I'll take a Moser Mayu Fume :)
And we have a winner!
"Easy", he says ;-) Your prize is the esteem of fellow Purists!
A balance-spring vibrating tool
otherwise known as a vibrator...but don't Google that! I was inspired by our visit to Montblanc Minerva and the demonstration by one of their two in-house Poseuse de spiraux (often, although incorrectly, called a régleuse as the female form of régleur; so...
Nice one Dean!
I never grow tired of watching the Montblanc Villeret youtube videos especially the part where Monique regulates the spring. I would love to visit their manufacture one day when I can travel more... 3 young kids plus lots of business travels are making it...
I hear ya Robin
Life tends to get in the way at times, but sounds like you have family as your No. 1 priority :-) I believe we will target Watch & Wonders for 2014.