Repairing a common calendar fault in 218 and 224 series Accutrons


This series of photos illustrates how to repair a common fault in 218 and 224 series Accutrons.  The movement shown is a 2181, and it is very difficult to quickset the date after it has been changed by setting the hands, but not necessarily the second quickset advancement. 

Let me explain.  Say the battery died and you have just replaced it.  Now to reset the watch, you pull the stem out and rotate the hands until the date changes.  Now that you know where midnite is, you set the time for AM or PM.  Next you push the stem in and prepare to quickset the date.  The crown is now very difficult to turn but it finally rolls over and advances the date.  You now try to advance it again and it moves easily (it may also be very difficult to advance every time). 

This can be caused by the surface of one of the tuning fork screw bushings becoming damaged from repeated impact from the Calendar Trip Arm at the location indicated in the picture above.  This causes the motion of the Trip Arm, during the quickset of the date, to be severely impeded.  It is important that this be verified by inspection and that other causes, such as debris or other damaged parts, are ruled out first.
Once the damaged bushing has been identified as the cause of the problem, complete the disassembly of the movement so the repair can be undertaken.  This is a dial side view with the problem bushing indicated by the tweezers.