I'm interested in more details...

I know from bitter experience that hand winding an ETA 2824 movement regularly will cause major problems with the reverser wheels jamming prematurely. I've had several of these movements and each one died in approx just under one year after hand winding daily (I rotate my collection and don't use a winder). My 3035 and 3135 equipped Rolex have endured several years of regular hand winding with no user-visible adverse effects so far.

How resilient is the Patek wig-wag setup to hand winding? I've tried in vain to get either an exploded diagram or more detailed explanation of exactly how it works and I'd love to know more about the finer points of this mechanism. It's the unseen things like this that really set apart the different calibres by high-end manufactures.

Many thanks

John

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Experts, please !! (5159 perpetual)

By: ulysse.barrau : February 12th, 2012-02:34

Dear all, I just see on my brand new 5159 that this circular piece is not "centered" in the circular hole. Is this a problem ? Thanks for your help !!!...

Not a problem

By: w220 : February 12th, 2012-02:43

That piece works like a clutch (not sure of the correct horological term) that engages and disengages the winding rotor and manual winding. It is supposed to move; it would actually be a problem if it never moved! Try winding the watch manually, and you w...

Great, thanks ! (nt)

By: ulysse.barrau : February 12th, 2012-02:50

Wig-wag pinion

By: CzapekWatchmaker : February 12th, 2012-20:40

This is a wig-wig pinion. A small pinion (toothed gear) is rivited to the underside. It will move inwards when you wind the watch by hand and will be pushed out of the way by the rachet wheel when the automatic mechanism is winding the watch. Try winding ...

I'm interested in more details...

By: johnswatch1 : February 13th, 2012-00:25

First off, hand winding automatic...

By: CzapekWatchmaker : February 13th, 2012-05:02

First off, hand winding automatic watches daily should not be done. Period. Hand winding any auto watch causes part or all of the auto to spin very fast in a way they are not designed for. I have often recommended against watch winders because they cause ...

THANK YOU !!!!!

By: Bruno.M1 : February 13th, 2012-05:34

and please post more here Reading your post and knowing your login name I'm sure we can learn a lot from you ! Thanks again

Wig-wag pinion

By: w220 : February 13th, 2012-07:00

Very interesting, thank you! So this should be the Wig-wag pinion in my 5140 with 240Q movement, exposed so it is easier to see....

Similar but different;) This is...

By: CzapekWatchmaker : February 13th, 2012-08:03

Similar but different;) This is an uncoupling yoke (M1165.31-1A.A) This performs a similar function but instead of disconnecting the the rachet wheel from the hand winding mech, this disconnects the rotor from the auto mech. This is because this calibre, ...

Thanks for your very valuable input!

By: amanico : February 13th, 2012-07:08

And I am looking forward to reading you more often, here. Best, Nicolas

Thanks for the insight! A few more questions..

By: johnswatch1 : February 13th, 2012-08:31

Thanks for the insight! I wish manufacturers made it clear that daily winding could be a problem. I rotate my watches daily so my automatics do not have along enough power reserve between wearing occasions. I have been hand winding my calatrava for the la...

Great info and welcome. Glad you're here.

By: masterspiece : February 14th, 2012-17:21

I was told by the Rolex tech guy that he usually tells people if your Rolex has been sitting on a desk for a day or two, to give the crown about 60 turns. When he first told me 60 turns, I thought that was too much but then he explained that most people u...