Christian from watchguy.co.uk gave me this Dubois Depraz module, driven by an ETA 2824-2 movement, for a service.
Some of you may know, that Christian actually is the hidden uk-watchmaking champion and could easily service the assambly by himself. He just had no time. So it is a great honor for me, to do the job. Thank you, Christian!

Although every thing looks good, the movement runs very slowly or stops completely. No chance to get any indication on the timegrapher.

First of all, I took dial and hands off, and seperated the module from the movement. That allows me to check, if the movement would be likley to move without the module docked on. As you might see on the picture below, the ETA 2824-2 is performing without module – but not very well. The urgent need of a service is out of the question.

Now I turn my attention on the module again. I try carefully to turn the module-mechanism by hand and notice, that something brakes it down. My idea is, that the free canon pinion might be rusty inside. I take it off, and now the mechanism turns. Not really free and easy – but it does.  Anyway. In order to service the whole unit, I now start off by stripping the module.

After removing the chronograph cover, the first view into the mechanism shows a undamaged and complete unit. It`s a bit dirty and the lubrication is almost gone. As you will see on the pictures below, I`ll now strip it down part by part, put all the parts into the watch cleaning machine to get them all clean, nice and shiny.

The Dubois Depraz module is a complicated, fiddly construction, which must be carefully assembled and acurately lubricated. In order to do so, I use the manufacturer`s step-by-step- manual, espacially to bring exactly the right sort of oil/grease in the correct amount to the right place.

Once the cover is refitted, the hammer must be adjusted, following a special procedure described in the manual. After that, I check if “on” “stop” and “reset” is working and if the mechanism turns freely. For now it`s time to lay the module aside, and to proceed with the ETA  movement.
The ETA 2824-2 is a work horse with uncomplicated design and solid construction. Nevertheless it also must be serviced carefully.  After serviceing so many of these movements, I know the whole procedure by heart, and can do it without manual.

Once the movement is back together again, I dock it back onto the module and check everything. After adjusting beat error and beat rate, I`m really happy with the performance of the assambly. That is exactly how it is supposed to be !
Last but not least, dial and hands are going on, and the watch is ready for testing.