Do I need to demagnetize it? If it carried a magnetic charge, would this be a symptom of it?

Thanks all in advance.

 

It never hurts to demagnetize; however, magnetism is unlikely to be the cause of the stoppage. A worn mainspring barrel, barrel arbor, or barrel bridge can cause the barrel to tilt between the plates and rub causing the watch to stop.

 

Ok. That makes a lot of sense.... especially since it runs beautifully... but then it stops altogether... frustrating, but it makes sense haha. looks like I might need to disassemble and inspect again. I'd guess it's the mainspring barrel since movement of the barrel causes it to come back to life.

 

With the movement out of the case, the problem, if it is the barrel, should be obvious without additional disassembly.

 

When I try to kick it back up again with a shake the balance rotates a little but the palette jewel doesn't want to move...

Did you check if the pallet was snapping freely back and forth before reinstalling the balance?

If not, I would pull the balance and start there.

 

yes, and it was really strongly snapping back and forth but I'll pull the balance anyways and check again.... if it saves me from having to lift the bridges it will be a blessing. haha

 

And, if you really suspect the second hand, you could remove it and see what happens.

 

Ok so I ended up strategically redoing some of the jewels... especially the cap jewels... and I went and added small touches of extra lubrication at friction points... demagnetized the movement.

It hasn't stalled since... BUT not I noticed that it runs way way to fast. Like almost an hour per day.... and it's at the slowest setting on the balance... this watch has been full of surprises thus far.

Any suggestions on what to do beyond the weight adjustments on the balance wheel? I don't have a great setup for balance modification.

 

It is almost assuredly not the balance, unless someone has modified it or replaced it (separate from the hairspring). Inspect the balance spring closely. Something is touching it, maybe there is oil between some of the coils, or it is possible you inadvertently magnetized it while attempting to demagnetize it.

 

I think you may be hitting the nail on the head. I bet that is the culpret... THANK YOU! I'm guessing it is lubricant related. I will clean it and reassemble.