Jaeger LeCoultre – Cal. 834

This elegant ladies Jaeger LeCoultre watch was dropped off recently, and it needed some good ol’ TLC.

It’s always nice when all the original parts are there. Great looking buckle and crown!

There are many different types of cases. In this particular case, it’s a two part case. All you need is a case knife and pry it open at the right place.

Back of the solid silver dial.

A quick look at the dial side of the movement before I turn it over and get started.

After turning it over, the first order of business is to remove the oscillating weight and bridge.

As I mentioned, needing some TLC 🙂 And no, it wasn’t magnetized.

As always, for safety reasons, it’s best to remove the balance.

Then, I remove the ratchet wheel followed by removing the crown wheel bridge then the intermediate wheels.

Then, I turn the movement over, and remove the keyless and motion works.

Again, turning the movement over to the bridge side, it’s time to remove just that, the bridges then train wheels.

Oy!

Now, that’s a very well constructed oscillating weight bridge.

With having the parts cleaned and organized, it’s time to start putting it all together.

First, the mainspring and barrel. That’s a lot nicer, isn’t it 😉

Next, I install the barrel and gear train.

Followed by very carefully installing the bridges. Keep in mind, this movement is smaller in diameter then a Canadian dime. Don’t let my great photo taking techniques throw you off. These wheels and pivots are so small, and can very easily be broken. Much care is taken!

Next, I install the click and click spring. I must say, I don’t think I have ever worked with a smaller click spring. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a photo of it, but, take my word for it 🙂 , it’s small, very small. Then, I install the pallets. Speaking of small pivots. First, you install the palets, then you install the bridge. But, you have to really slowly rock it from edge to edge being extra careful to not breaking either of the pivots.

After carefully installing the above, it’s time to reinstall the ratchet and intermediate wheels and it’s bridge.

Again, turning the movement over, time to install the keyless and motion works. First, I start off with properly oiling all the pivots for the gear train, then I install the cannon pinion, minute wheel, intermediate wheel, sliding pinion and the rest of the components.

Next, I turn the movement over and install the balance and then oil the cap jewels. But, before
oiling them, I have to remove them obviously, dip and let soak in some one-dip cleaner. Take them out, dry them and carefully oil the center of the stone with Moebius 9010 oil.
See how small that jewel is. The smallest of tweezers movement, and that jewel is pinging across the room.

Next, I regulate the movement. Not bad 🙂

Put the automatic bridge and gear train back together,

then, I reinstall it back onto the movement.

Lastly, I install the dial, hands and re-case the movement.

Great looking watch, isn’t it 🙂

Well, that’s it for this fella. I hope you enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures as much as I did servicing this watch.

Cheers

Chris