Making an Index Spring for a Watch

This series shows the steps for making a new falt index spring for a vintage wrist chronograph.  This is another example of what has to be done when a piece has been mishandled.  Most parts do break from wear or usage,  they are broken from rough handling when removed from the case. 

It may seem odd, but I do use superglue in watchmaking.  As shown below, I use it when I can use the old part as a template for cutting out the new piece.  I also use superglue to hold small parts on larger steel plates that can be held in the magnetic chuck on the surface grinder.  However, superglue has no place in timepiece itself.

Below is the filed index spring being fitted for trial.  You can see the old foot provided me with a jig for drilling the steady pin and screw clearance holes in the new spring's mounting foot.

Checking the fits before hardening.

Wrapped for hardening.

After hardening, tempering and polishing, the piece is now fitted to the watch.