Pocketwatches

[Shangas]

Using two pairs of pliers, some leftover hardware from old, cheap, broken chains, and a length of brass chain that I bought at the local thrift-shop, I made myself my own Double Albert watch-chain yesterday, complete with a fob-drop.

 

[Feraud]

I'd love to see it Shangas!

 

[Shangas]

Absolutely!

I'll show you photos later today. I need to get new batteries for my camera, first!

Here it is!:

The two chains are 10 inches long. The drop in the middle is two inches. That's my railroad watch, a coin, and my 1920s vest-pocket fountain pen hooked onto the chain. The drop-chain has a teardrop clasp on the end, so I can chop and change my fobs as I wish.

 

[Feraud]

Great job on it!

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Very nice work as always, Shangas. I think I`m going to rework my antique chain at home when I get back to make the fob drop longer. I think it`s meant to be about that long, but I chickened out and made it too short; your chain has emboldened me. I also think I may incorporate a larger medallion that has the coat of arms for Canada on it, although I am fond of the gold chinese coin.

 

[Shangas]

Here we have a beautiful 15-jewel, three-adjustment 1920s dress-watch:

It is 1.75 inches across the case.

I would like to have it serviced in time for the wedding I have to attend in Scotland. But part of the servicing will have to involve the watchmaker removing and discarding the swan-neck regulator inside the movement:

As you can see, the adjustment-screw snapped off. And the screw is so small that I wouldn't be able to regulate it myself anyway. Once the swan-neck is gone, I can regulate the watch's time myself with no problems.

Fiddly little things, watches...Especially pretty dress-watches from the Roaring Twenties...

 

[jamespowers]

Here we have a beautiful 15-jewel, three-adjustment 1920s dress-watch:

It is 1.75 inches across the case.

I would like to have it serviced in time for the wedding I have to attend in Scotland. But part of the servicing will have to involve the watchmaker removing and discarding the swan-neck regulator inside the movement:

As you can see, the adjustment-screw snapped off. And the screw is so small that I wouldn't be able to regulate it myself anyway. Once the swan-neck is gone, I can regulate the watch's time myself with no problems.

Fiddly little things, watches...Especially pretty dress-watches from the Roaring Twenties...

Interesting Swiss watch from the era. Interesting how Tacy is like Appleton Tracy.

If you get the right screw drivers, those screws come out easily. You should get a set as you have enought of a collection to warrant it now.

 

[Shangas]

I have a set of micro-screwdrivers, but even THEY are too big for this job! And they fit all my other watches...

I'm speaking to the chap who does my watches, and hopefully we can sort it out.

 

[jamespowers]

I have a set of micro-screwdrivers, but even THEY are too big for this job! And they fit all my other watches...

I'm speaking to the chap who does my watches, and hopefully we can sort it out.

I could do it but you are a little far away.

 

[St. Valentine]

A good watchmaker should be able to supply you with a spare adjustment screw and to remove the old one. A service includes much more than just the regulation of the balance. A thorough cleaning and oiling of the movement might be sufficant, but sometimes the mainspring has to be replaced too.

 

[Shangas]

I'm well aware of what's entailed in having a pocketwatch serviced. I've had it done several times before. This one requires the adjustment screw, another missing screw, a new mainspring and a complete overhaul. But all those little details are useless, if, after the watch is serviced, I can't regulate the time by myself, which I insist on doing, since I don't trust the watchmaker to do a thorough-enough job on it. Everything else, yes, but not that.

 

[jamespowers]

I'm well aware of what's entailed in having a pocketwatch serviced. I've had it done several times before. This one requires the adjustment screw, another missing screw, a new mainspring and a complete overhaul. But all those little details are useless, if, after the watch is serviced, I can't regulate the time by myself, which I insist on doing, since I don't trust the watchmaker to do a thorough-enough job on it. Everything else, yes, but not that.

I kind of figured that.
That reminds me that I have to adjust my Bunn Special as it is a bit too fast after being cleaned and repaired.

 

[Shangas]

It's not that I DON'T trust the watchmaker to do a good job. It's just that I know he has a lot of work to do, and that he can't waste a month just regulating a watch. It's something that I can do at home easily, so that's why I prefer to do it myself...I dunno...We'll see.

 

[jamespowers]

It's not that I DON'T trust the watchmaker to do a good job. It's just that I know he has a lot of work to do, and that he can't waste a month just regulating a watch. It's something that I can do at home easily, so that's why I prefer to do it myself...I dunno...We'll see.

Yes, it can take a month to get it right. You are right about that.

 

[William Stratford]

Evening all,

I'm trying to date a pocket watch of mine but am unsure how to go about doing so. Its an openface Thomas Russell in an Illinois case, with serial number 30213 on a swiss movement. Any ideas?

 

[Shangas]

Photographs would be of a help immeasurable in words.

 

[William Stratford]

I have tried to, but they wont seem to upload

Aha.....

Here is the movement...I'm still trying to get the case image sorted

Ok, face as well.....

aaaand case

 

[Shangas]

I'd say this is early 20th century. I'm only vaguely familiar with Thos. Russell. I have heard of the name before, and in England I believe it's a name held in respect in British watch-collecting circles.

It's an English movement cased in an American case. The Latin on the dial: "Tempus Fugit" - "Time is Fleeting" or "Time Flies".

It's a beautiful, decent-quality watch which should keep alright time. I'd say 1890s-1910s. In my experience, British watchmakers were slower than American watchmakers, to adopt the crown-wind, crown-set movements (I've seen British watches of the 1900s which were still keywound and key-set, while American switched over to crown-wind & set watches, as early as the 1870s).

So I'd say it's early 20th century. Probably pre-WWI.

 

[William Stratford]

So I'd say it's early 20th century. Probably pre-WWI.

That would be what I am hoping for, as I'm teaming it with my grandfather's 22crt 1918 albert watch chain. Thankyou.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Gorgeous watch, William! You are blessed to own such a lovely piece.