Ron,

First is the easy answer. The "+/- adapter" is generally referred to as the “regulator”. One end has two pins that sit on either side of the last coil of the balance spring (sometimes called hairspring). These pins keep the balance spring from vibrating behind them and constitute the effective terminus of the spring. By adjusting the position of the pins, the effective length of the balance spring, is changed. Lengthening the spring slows the watch and shortening speeds it up. Generally, the regulator is not changed from the factory set position.

Temperature changes should not affect timing to this magnitude. It sound like your watch has a problem with the balance spring and needs service. You said it was not exposed to a shock, how about a magnetic field?

Michael