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How to Fix a Mainspring in a Watch

The mainspring is the power source of a wound watch, such as a pocket watch or a wristwatch. If the mainspring on your watch is too big, not oiled or just plain old, your watch may not keep proper time. Extra ticks or exceptionally loud ticks are both symptoms of a faulty mainspring. Fixing a mainspring isn't necessary since it is inexpensive to replace. Be sure to get a mainspring the exact size for your watch or it won't work properly.

Things You'll Need

Tweezers
Screwdriver
Cloth
Mainspring oil

Instructions

- 1
  Open the back of your watch by prying it open or unscrewing the screws holding it in place.
- 2
  Place your fingers on the end of the mainspring barrel and press down. Lift up to remove the barrel cover.
- 3
  Use the tweezers to lift out the arbor in the center of the mainspring. Pull out the mainspring. Wipe down the mainspring barrel and the arbor with the cloth to remove any greasy buildup.
- 4
  Lay the new mainspring next to the barrel in the direction the mainspring will wind. This is the same direction the old mainspring was inserted into the watch. Wipe the new mainspring with one to two drops of mainspring oil.
- 5
  Place a new mainspring into the barrel facing the correct winding direction. Slip the end of the mainspring into the slot in the barrel and wind the mainspring into the barrel.
- 6
  Replace the arbor and put the cover back on the barrel.

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