Old pocket watch thread

[Retro6]

Does anybody collect old pocket watches?

I have a collection of them mainly from 1800s to WW2 era. Unfortunately none of them actually work very well or at all. They all need a service.

I learned quite a lot about old pocket watches and I had intentions of servicing some but I just don't have the skill to handle all of those fragile fiddly tiny pieces in the movements and sometimes they need a lot more than just taking apart and given a clean in the ultra sonic cleaner. Many will need new main springs and other parts and work. You need quality watch makers tools to work on these old watches as standard screwdrivers not work or could damage them.

I really like these old pocket watches regardless of there working condition. They are just so nice to look at and appreciate.

A lot of my pocket watches I've put away I have many in a draw so I will get them out and upload some photos.

Anybody else like old pocket watches?

 

[Retro6]

I have a pocket watch as an everyday watch. I have my great-grandfather's pocket watch from the 1890s in a bell jar but aside from the brand it's nothing special.

They are reliable and very good watches better than anything you get today regardless of the brand in working condition.

I found a military WW2 pocket watch on the foreshore of the river thames and I've slowly been re-building it. Its complete with the full case and original dial plus all the hands new crystal I just need a working movement replacement now and it will be complete.

 

[Retro6]

Glad I found this thread.

I have one. Which was my late father's.

The glass/ plastic front has popped out of the metal gold rim.

I don't want to try and push it in if I don't know what I am doing.

Anyone have any ideas how to re seat it. Or do I take it to a watch place, if they have some special tool?

What I do is first use a toothpick to clean out the crystal seat on the bezel. Assuming it's a glass crystal, it should just "snap" back similarly to how it came out. You might need to find a watchmaker with a crystal press to put it back in. You might also need a new crystal if it keeps falling out.

 

[Retro6]

Bought an Ingersoll Pocket Watch from 1956 if memory serves me correct from eBay a while back with the intention of having a tinker with it. Needed to buy a mainspring for it but holding off opening it up untill I've got some oil for when it goes back together.



Also recently was given my grandfathers pocket watch, not sure on the brand etc. Solid silver with markings from around 1901. It does work, however when its upright (the way it should be!) it stops after a few seconds. I'll be looking to get this one fully serviced from a local jewellers to solve the issue and give it a spruce up as from the photo there's a bit of debris on the dial etc.

I think I have both of those watches in my collection. I used to buy pocket watches and parts in bulk whole sale auctions as it worked out a lot cheaper so I ended up with some later pocket watches from the 50's 60s as well as early ones.

 

[Retro6]

The bulk of my pocket watches I put away when I cleaned out the work shop but these are the ones I've fished out from random draws.

 

[Retro6]

I almost forgot about my little bargain at the Sunday market. I bought a pocket watch for a fiver, the guy originally wanted 8 pound for it but I got it down to a fiver besides it needs a lot of work anyway. A fiver isn't bad at all considering a lot of people want an arm and a leg for things like this now days. I also found a pocket watch chain which is marked that was 2 pounds. I've already added a clasp to the chain and I've got an old silver 1802 coin token that has a hole in it which I found metal detecting. I may add that to the chain as a fob but I'm not sure yet.

The watch itself has a lot of work to be done. All the parts seem to be there apart from the second hand and minute hand and has tape holding the crystal in place. The watch is not winding so I expect the main spring will need replacing and there is a smell of bike chain oil inside the movement never a good sign.

I haven't done anything with this watch yet and I may attempt to see if I can get it going again besides a watch in this state I don't think I have anything to lose. It will be a good practice watch. I will do what I can. Worse case scenario I'll just replace the movement if I'm unable to repair the movement for whatever reason.

I will need to take it all apart and photograph each stage so I know where things go when putting back together and give all the parts a good wash in the ultra sonic cleaner apart from the balance. That would be the first stage.