• Probably the mainspring is dead. The looseness or high tension of the winder is a clue here. If it feels like it winds fine then it could be a dead balance wheel. There are many things that will make it worse, and very few things that will make it better. Traditionally a firm tap can free up a seized part, but I don't recommend this with a sentimental timepiece.

    My one a few pages back cost me £100 (or maybe (£110) a few years ago because of a busted mainspring (after falling 3ft onto gravel), + a couple months for parts to arrive to the watchmaker. I would say if anyone quotes you more than £120 then shop around, because typically the watch needs a strip, rebuild and oiling during service. Busted mainspring isn't that expensive if the correct size is available. General service should not be more than £50, my watchmaker wants £40 for a CLA.

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