The document is a service manual for the TIMEX Model 33 Movement, a self-winding watch movement featuring day and date complications.
Function Description
The TIMEX Model 33 is a 13 ligne (28.96mm or 1.140 in.) self-winding movement designed to power a watch with both day and date displays. It builds upon the basic construction of the Model 31 movement by integrating a day and date mechanism. The self-winding capability is achieved through a planetary gear winding system, which is compactly located on the Front Frame. This system efficiently reduces the gear ratio between the self-winding weight and the mainspring. When worn by a normally active person, the watch's mainspring stores enough power to run for a full day.
The day and date mechanism itself is similar to that found in the Model 27. The date ring indexing operates with a tab on the underside of the Date Wheel engaging the Date Lever. This action moves the Date Lever tab backward by one tooth on the Date Ring. At a predetermined time (around midnight), the date lever is released, advancing the date ring by one space. A Date Click Spring then engages the Date Ring to prevent any backward motion while the Date Lever is being moved.
For the day dial indexing, a tab on the upper side of the Date Wheel engages the Day Dial Pinion. Rotating this pinion moves the Day Dial forward by one position, typically around 1 o'clock in the morning. The Day Detent Spring ensures the correct positioning of the Day Dial.
Important Technical Specifications
- Movement Type: Self-winding with day and date.
- Ligne Size: 13 lignes.
- Diameter: 28.96mm (1.140 in.).
- Winding System: Planetary gear winding system located on the Front Frame.
- Day/Date Mechanism: Similar to Model 27.
- Power Reserve: Sufficient for a full day when worn by an active person.
Usage Features
The manual primarily focuses on service and maintenance rather than end-user usage. However, it implicitly describes how the day and date functions operate:
- Setting Time/Date: The crown is pulled out to the set position for adjustment.
- Day/Date Change: The day and date automatically advance at specific times, with the date changing around midnight and the day around 1 AM.
- Hand Positioning for Proper Day/Date Change: For accurate hand positioning, the watch assembly is held with the movement side up and the crown and stem at the three o'clock position. The crown is pulled out. The crown and stem are then rotated slowly, observing the date lever at the nine o'clock position. The date lever will move, a click will be heard, and then it will snap back. This indicates the correct point to stop rotating. Finally, all hands are replaced at the 12 o'clock position.
Maintenance Features
The service manual provides detailed instructions for disassembly, lubrication, and reassembly of the Model 33 movement.
Disassembly Procedures:
- Case Back Removal: The case back is removed first.
- Rotor Assembly Removal: Two Rotor Frame Screws are loosened and removed. The rotor assembly is slightly lifted to free the dowels. The rotor weight is positioned as shown in Figure 2 of the manual, and the assembly is slid along the movement plate (towards the balance wheel) until it is free of the rocker arm, then lifted out. A caution is given: attempting to lift the weight before it is free of the Rocker Arm will damage the movement.
- Crown and Stem Removal: The crown is pulled out to the set position. The Set Lever Screw is loosened, and the lever is raised to release the stem, allowing the crown and stem assembly to be pulled free.
- Retaining Spring Removal: The retaining spring is carefully removed from the Bezel using tweezers, taking care not to damage the Balance Wheel Assembly.
- Dial and Movement Removal: The watch is turned over, and the Dial and movement assembly will fall out. The crown and stem assembly are replaced, and the set lever screw is retightened.
- Dial Removal: All hands are removed. The assembly is turned over, and four dial tabs are bent to free the dial from the Date Frame. The dial is held in place, the assembly is turned so the dial is up, and the dial is carefully lifted off the movement. The positions of parts under the dial should be noted.
- Rocking Bar Spring: The end of the Rocking Bar spring is lifted free from the end of the Rocking Bar using tweezers.
- Date Frame Assembly Removal: The movement is turned over so the date frame is up. Two pillar screws are removed. The Date Frame Assembly is lifted off, being careful not to disturb loose parts underneath. The long pillar screw is then replaced in the Rocking Bar.
- Hour Wheel Components Removal: The Hour Wheel Washer, Hour Wheel, and Cannon Pinion Assembly are lifted off.
- Letting Down Mainspring: The stored power in the mainspring must be released before servicing. The click in this movement is partially hidden by the plate holding the planetary gear assembly.
- Planetary Gear Assembly: There is no need to remove the planetary gear assembly from the frame of the movement.
- Balance Removal: Procedures for removing, cleaning, lubricating, and reassembling the balance from the Model 24 movement (pages 24.5, 24.6, and 24.7) should be followed for the Model 33.
- Caution: A critical warning states that the day and date ring are printed dials, and some watch cleaning fluids will strip the printing.
Lubrication Procedures:
The basic movement lubrication follows Model 24 guidelines (Elgin M56b oil is used in the factory). Additional lubrication specific to Model 33 includes:
- Rotor Mechanism: Moebius Special Lubricant #206 is applied to the outside surface of the rotor cam, forced beneath the rotor staff head, and between the rotor frame and the rotor cam.
- Ratchet Wheel and Pivots: Fine watch oil is applied to the ratchet wheel teeth and three pivot points (shown in Figure 2).
- Planetary Gear System: Fine watch oil is applied to the seven bearing points of the planetary gear system (shown in Figure 3, page 33.5).
- Date Lever/Wheel Junction: Fine watch oil is applied to both sides of the junction of the date lever with the date wheel stud, the junction of the date lever with the guide stud, and the bearing between the date wheel and the date wheel stud.
- Day Detent Spring/Pinion: Grease (Hamilton PML is used in the factory) is applied to the junction of the Day Detent Spring and the Day Pinion.
- Date Click Spring/Ring: Grease (Hamilton PML) is applied to the junction of the Date Click Spring with the teeth of the Date Ring and to the junction of the tab on the Date Lever with the teeth of the Date Ring.
- Warning: Crucially, the junction of the Day Pinion with the Day Frame must never be lubricated, as this may cause failure.
Reassembly Procedures:
- Cannon Pinion Assembly: Assemble the Cannon Pinion Assembly onto the Center Post. Apply a small amount of fine watch oil to the center hole. Assemble the Hour Wheel and Hour Wheel Washer onto the Cannon Pinion Assembly.
- Date Frame Assembly: Remove the short Pillar Screw (if assembled) and the long Pillar Screw. Ensure the bushing is in place in the rocking bar. Position the lubricated Date Frame Assembly on the movement (as shown in Figure 3 and Page 33.2). Hold it in place and check proper Date Wheel engagement with tweezers. Secure the Date Frame assembly with the long and short pillar screws.
- Rocking Bar Spring: Reengage the Rocking Bar spring (as shown in Figure 2). Check the proper engagement and function of the crown and stem assembly. Rotate the crown enough to move the finger on the Date Wheel away from the cut-out at the center post.
- Date Ring: Position the Date Ring on the Date Frame, ensuring it engages with the finger on the Date Lever and the Detent Spring.
- Day Frame Assembly: Test the lubricated Day Frame Assembly for free rotation of the Day Pinion against the Day Detent Spring. Note the two small locating holes, the boss, and the cut-out on the underside of the Day Frame Assembly. Position the lubricated Day Frame Assembly over the center of the movement and orient it on the Date Ring so the left end of the cut-out clears the tab on the Date Lever. Apply light pressure and move the Day Frame Assembly slightly until the two holes and boss seat on the corresponding bosses and hole in the Date Frame Assembly. Centralize the Date Ring under the Day Frame Assembly.
- Dial Attachment: Orient the dial over the assembly, hold it in place, turn the assembly over, and bend the four tabs to secure the dial to the Date Frame.
- Hands Positioning: Follow the specific procedure for positioning hands for proper day and date change (detailed in Usage Features above).
- Movement in Bezel: Loosen the set lever screw and remove the crown and stem. Position the Dial and Movement assembly in the bezel, insert the crown and stem through the bezel, and retighten the set lever screw.
- Retaining Spring: Reassemble the Retaining Spring as shown in Figure 2. Insert the end of the spring into the groove near the stem at the balance wheel end of the movement, then insert the rest of the spring into the groove, being careful not to damage the balance assembly.
- Rotor Assembly: Reassemble the rotor assembly by sliding it into the movement under the rocker arm (as shown in Figure 2). Secure the rotor to the movement with two screws (as shown in Figure 1).
- Case Back: Position the case back with the "T" on "Timex" toward the crown and snap it into the bezel.
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