Alex Hamilton’s fifth lesson addresses the high-stakes task of removing and installing the balance wheel and pallet fork, the most delicate components of a watch movement. He details the technical process of releasing mainspring power before disassembly to prevent jewel damage and provides specific guidelines for safely extracting the balance cock without stretching the hairspring. The tutorial also covers the critical alignment of the impulse jewel within the pallet fork slot during reassembly, emphasizing the use of professional tools like air blowers instead of fingers or breath to avoid introducing moisture or physical damage.
