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The complete watch balance consists of the balance wheel, the balance spring and the balance staff. The watch balance mechanism is one of the most important precision mechanisms in the entire watch. When you need to replace or repair a balance, make sure you are getting all three parts, and make sure they are quality parts.

The balance wheel is the watch’s pendulum. It regulates the mechanical movement of the watch. Fine tuning the speed of the balance wheel vibration is important for getting an accurate time on your watch. One can fine tune the balance wheel’s oscillation time by lengthening or shortening the balance spring to which it is connected.

The balance spring is a spiral hairspring that regulates the oscillation time of the balance wheel. By either lengthening or shortening the balance spring, you control the speed at which the balance wheel rotates. As you can imagine, any slight variation in the balance spring can have drastic changes for your watch. So make sure to get a good balance spring that is protected from things like changes in temperature.

The last part of the complete balance is the balance staff. The balance staff is the axle of the balance wheel. The balance wheel rotates on the axis of the balance staff.

The key to finding a good watch balance is finding a quality balance spring that will not expand due to fluctuations in temperature. One of the most difficult tasks in all of watchmaking is fine-tuning the relationship between the balance wheel and the balance spring to get maximumly accurate timekeeping. This can be enhanced by the use of appropriate watch jewels.