A 13 ligne V-Conic movement and the base of a family: the Model 105 adds a calendar and the Model 106 adds day and date. It is easily confused with the Model 24, and the manual gives the one detail that separates them.
Hand-woundV-Conic13 LigneFamily Base
Factory Service Manual · Model 104 · Dial Side & Movement Side
Ligne13
BearingsV-Conic
ConstructionRugged plate design
ClickFlat metal, in a rectangular hole
Dial fixingTabs A and B through a dial rest
ManualService Manual · Model 104
Size (mm)29.45 mm
Height5.00 mm
Jewels0
EscapementPin lever
Beat rate18,000 bph
Power reserve42 h
Size in mm, height, jewels, escapement, beat rate and power reserve: ranfft.org
Not the Model 24
The TIMEX Model 104 is a 13 ligne movement featuring the “V-Conic” bearing system and rugged plate design.
Telling it apart: The Model 104 has a flat metal click in a rectangular hole, while the similar Model 24 has a rotating click tensioned with a round wire spring.
This calibre also marks a change in Timex’s parts numbering. Where earlier manuals use references like 100, 180/1 and 852/1, the Model 104 family uses a flat four digit scheme: 1152 for the dial plate, 1184 for the sweep second hand, 1401 for the click.
Remove the case back and support ring. This is not always used.
Loosen the screw on the set lever, beside the stem, to release the crown and stem assembly.
Pull the crown and stem assembly out and the movement can then be lifted out of the case. Some case designs require that the crystal be removed with a crystal removing tool, and then the reflector ring and movement are removed through the front of the case.
Straighten the dial tabs so they will pass through the holes in the dial rest. Turn the assembly over and lift off the dial.
Fig. 104.3 · Dial & dial rest
2 · Removing the Balance Wheel
Remove the hairspring wedge pin, being careful not to distort either the pin or the hairspring.
Rotate the balance wheel carefully, turning the wheel and not touching the hairspring, until the hairspring tail is free of the hairspring bracket and the regulator.
Loosen the balance screw assembly counterclockwise until the end of the balance staff is free of the “V-Conic” bearing.
Caution: Only minimum downward pressure must be applied with the screwdriver. Excessive pressure can seriously damage the balance staff points.
Fig. 104.4 · Balance wheel
3 · The V-Conic Bearing
Cross section through the balance, showing the V-Conic bearing, hairspring bracket and regulator.
Fig. 104.4 · V-Conic bearing
Cleaning
The movement, with only the balance wheel assembly and loose parts removed, can be cleaned satisfactorily in standard watch cleaning machines including ultrasonic baths. Place it in the machine with the dial plate down to insure proper drainage of the fluid from the mainspring barrel. The movement must be immersed in two sets of rinsing fluid; the final solution must be absolutely clean. After cleaning is completed, the movement must be thoroughly dried.
The balance wheel assembly must be cleaned separately in order to prevent damage to the balance staff points and the hairspring. Only standard watch cleaning solutions should be used.
Lubrication
The Model 104 should be lubricated using only high grade watch lubricants. The mainspring is permanently lubricated with a dry film lubricant which is not affected by normal watch cleaning solutions, therefore the mainspring requires no lubrication.
Spreading type watch oil, Woods AAAA in the factory, goes at two points at the side of the main arbor having the greater gap between the ratchet wheel washer and the main arbor. Put spreading type oil on the main arbor on the movement plate side, and on the sweep second staff where it passes through the post.
1 · Oil Points, Front View
The intermediate wind and stem wind pinions, wind and set pinion, pallet staff pivot, escape pinion pivot, second and third pinion pivots, the junction of click and ratchet wheel, the minute pinion stud, and the sweep second staff and centre post.
Fig. 104.6 · Figure A
2 · Oil Points, Rear View
The intersection of the rocking bar and set lever, the pallet staff pivot, escape wheel teeth, escape pinion pivot, main arbor, and the second, third and fourth pinion pivots.
Fig. 104.6 · Figure B
3 · The Escape Wheel Teeth
Apply the non-spreading watch oil to the full working surfaces of two escape wheel teeth.
Fig. 104.7 · Figure C
4 · The Escape Wheel in Place
The same two teeth shown on the movement, with the detail enlarged.
Fig. 104.7 · Figure D
5 · The Cannon Pinion
Apply the non-spreading watch oil to the end of the cannon pinion assembly.
Fig. 104.7 · Figure E
6 · The Balance Studs
Use non-spreading oil to fill both “V-Conic” bearings ½ to ¾ deep.
Fig. 104.8 · Figure F
7 · The Impulse Pin
After the balance wheel assembly is replaced in the movement, apply non-spreading watch oil to both edges of the impulse pin where contact is made with the pallet lever fork.
Fig. 104.8 · Figure G
Reassembly
1 · Replacing the Balance Wheel
Loosen the balance screw assembly several turns.
Tilt the balance wheel assembly and carefully insert the dial side pivot, the hairspring end, then the other pivot into the “V-Conic” bearings. Tighten the balance screw assembly enough to hold the balance in place.
Insert the end of the hairspring into the slot in the regulator and then into the hole in the hairspring bracket, by rotating the balance wheel and guiding the end of the spring. Check that the impulse pin is in the slot of the pallet lever, then secure the hairspring with the wedge pin.
Fig. 104.9 · Figure H
2 · The Regulator Slot
The hairspring in light permanent contact with the regulator slot, with the bend area shown enlarged.
Replace the parts on the movement in this order: cannon pinion assembly, hour wheel assembly, hour wheel washer, then the dial through the holes in the dial rest and into the dial plate. Hold the dial securely in place, carefully turn the assembly over and bend the A tabs and the B tabs under the dial plate to secure the dial firmly.
Fig. 104.9 · Figure J
Replace the parts in order: cannon pinion assembly, hour wheel assembly, hour wheel washer, then the dial through the dial rest into the dial plate. Bend the A and B tabs under the dial plate.
3 · Setting the Hands
Turn the assembly over and assemble the hands. Be certain the sweep second hand is set below the chamfer on the top of the staff.
Fig. 104.9 · Figure K
Water resistant models: Special gasket lubrication is required. Apply silicon fluid, Dow Corning 200 Silicon Fluid 200 CS viscosity.
This guide is based on the original Timex factory service manual for the Model 104 movement.
