The Waterbury Co USA Pocket Watch - Part 3

The Waterbury Co USA Pocket Watch - Part 3

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The first item of the day was to remove the two stuck hour & minute wheels from the overnight soaking in WD40 and with extreme care using a staking block and small tap from a watchmaker’s hammer, hay presto the wheels free themselves.

The hour and Minute wheels separated.

Next to remove the case from rust remover and it has freed up the completely stuck stem. Removed the Crown, spring and Stem, another broken part is the "Winding and Setting wheel" attached to the stem as a lot of teeth are missing. This could be the part that makes this restoration impossible as I do not have any gear cutting equipment, so fingers crossed that a replacement part or a "parts movement" comes up for sale!

 Removed the Crown, spring and Stem

Next, all parts given a clean and then check out what else is needed to get the movement up and running.

 All the parts are given a clean

Refitted the crystal, New Mainspring and after a bit reaming with my small broaching set a set of replacement hands fitted.

New Mainspring fitted.

The following items needed:

Setting and Winding Gear (teeth broke) will have to try and source one as it needs replacing, second and third wheels top pinions are broken (Will do them the next time I have my watchmakers lathe set up), replacement Hairspring (Will have to look in the spares box and time hairspring). Replacement regulator arm, click spring and a case bow also needed!

second and third wheels top pinions are broken

Reassembled the movement and placed back in case just to learn how this unusual movement with four “main plates” and the duplex escapement goes together!

Reassembled the movement.

So now watch is back in its box until I find the parts, which could take some time!

Merry Christmas and Happ New Year - VIVA Watch Repairing

Merry Christmas and Happ New Year - VIVA Watch Repairing

Merry Christmas and Happ New Year - VIVA Watch Repairing

The Waterbury Co USA Pocket Watch - Part 2

The Waterbury Co USA Pocket Watch - Part 2

Full project photo album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8dxKS8brVyb33ANj9

Start day one of the cleaning processes today on the Waterbury Pocket Watch series N.

Items removed from the rust remover 

Leaving the items in the rust remover over has freed of the parts and once I had the parts, wheels apart I put them through a cleaning circle in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Put items through a cleaning circle in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Opened up the barrel and found the Mainspring is in many pieces, so another item to add to the list (New Mainspring).

Opened up the barrel and found the Mainspring is in many pieces

While waiting for the cleaner I carefully file and removed the stuck Hour and Minute wheels from the Dial and started to clean up the Dial.

carefully remove the stuck Hour & Minute wheels from the Dial

Finally, I placed the two stuck hour & minute wheels in WD40 overnight to hopefully free them apart.

The Waterbury Co USA Pocket Watch - Part 1

The Waterbury Co USA (1879-1898) Pocket Watch - Part 1

Full project photo album Click here - opens new window

Today I start a very unusual and interesting project as I take on what could turn out to be an impossible task of restoring an antique Waterbury co, USA pocket watch with the movement that has a duplex escapement!

Well rusted and broken duplex escapement movement

This type of escapement is the first time I have come across it, so if I can with a lot of work get this rusted and broken movement back working, it will add another interesting pocket watch to my collection.

Duplex Escapement

Stripped down the movement with care to as far as I could, now left parts soaking in rust remover overnight.

Parts soaking in rust remover

  I still have to figure out how to remove the “hour wheel” from the dial!

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement now completed

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement now completed

Full project photo album - Click here - opens new window

Well, today I completed the revival of the Smiths Braille pocket watch; the last item was to repair the dial. So purchased a “Curator Enamel & Porcelain Dial Repair Kit” from CousinsUK and set to work.

Smiths Braille pocket watch - Before

With the dial being in such a state I knew I was not going to get it perfect, but at least my effort is passable (at a distance).

So with the dial done and fitted along with my repainted hands, movement back in case I am very happy how this completely jammed movement, etc has turned out.

Smiths Braille pocket watch - After

I am leaving the case in the worn state as it brings character to this wartime ex-serviceman timepiece, and will be a conversation piece when I have visitors around.

Smiths Braille pocket watch. Repainting the worn hands.

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement. Repainting the worn hands.

Time spent in the workshop lately was all about repainting the well-worn hands on the “Peaky Blinders” Smiths Braille pocket watch.

Full photograph album on watch  Click here - opens new window

As half the chrome on the hour hand has worn away, I need to repair the hands.

 Half the chrome on the hour hand has worn away

The hands are much thicker and shorter than a standard watch when you got a replacement watch from Smiths the hands where Mat Black. So I decided to paint them, Mat Black.

After rubbing down the hands using my jewellers wet & dry sticks

After rubbing down the hands using my jewellers wet & dry sticks, I apply a mat grey primer coat.

Applied the Mat Grey primer coat.

Next day I apply the Mat Black paint, so I think the job is well done!

Job is done!

Now on to repairing the damaged dial......

Information on SMITHS Braille Watches

Information on SMITHS Braille Watches

I have been searching the internet for information on the SMITHS Braille Watch and I have to thank Roger Waters who is on the Watch Lessons Facebook group for the following information.

I have a number of the Braille pocket watches and wristwatches they belonged to my late father who was blinded in WW2. 

The watches where issued to blind servicemen and women from the 1st and 2^nd WW. The watches where issued free by the Ministry of War Pensions via an organisation called St Dunstan’s now rebranded Blind Veterans UK

The watch dial is in the correct place (12 in 9 positions).

You were taught to open the watch using your right hand and use the left hand to tell the time. The biggest causality of the Pocket and wrist was the face lid breaking off. Broken or damaged Watches where returned to Smiths and reissued on a one for one basis. Issue of the Braille watches ended in the late 1970s when the talking watches became available.

You will see Braille pocket watches with RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) on the face, You had to purchase these because you did not come under the war pension criteria.

The hands are much thicker and shorter than a standard watch when you got a replacement watch from Smiths the hands where mat Black.

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement. Reassembly

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement. Reassembly

Full photo album of the Project  Click here - opens new window

Time spent in the workshop yesterday was all about reassembling the “Peaky Blinders” Smiths A1866 movement.

I am well happy, I removed the jammed Train, Escape wheels without damaging any pivots, and the completely jammed train wheels are now running smoothly before replacing Pallet Fork.

And as you can see from the video all went well, it’s up and running.

.

Now have to decide what to do with the hands, as there is a lot of chrome missing on them.

I now have to thank Watch Repair Lessons Facebook group member Roger for all the information on the SMITHS Braille Pocket Watch he has put in a comment on my last post.

I was thinking that I may paint the hands black, and Roger informs me that “The hands are much thicker and shorter than a standard watch when you got a replacement watch from Smiths the hands where mat Black”. So Black, they will be.

Plus do a bit of research on how to make the Dial presentable!

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement. All watch parts cleaned.

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement. All watch parts cleaned.

For the full "Peaky Blinders" project photo album  Click here - opens new window 

Time spent in the workshop today was all about cleaning the Smiths A1866 movement parts ready for reassembling.

All watch parts cleaned.

The dirty and oily parts needed plenty of cleaning, three turns in the ultrasonic cleaner plus using peg wood to clean the jewel holes etc.

All watch parts cleaned.

Now the Jewels are back there shiny ruby colour and clean. The pivots on the train wheels cleaned up ok, and the pinions look fine.

All watch parts cleaned.

 Also, the Balance and hairspring now look in good shape, along with the pallet fork.

 

All watch parts cleaned.

All the rest of the parts are nice clean, so pack up the parts for tonight in the sandwich box ready for reassembly tomorrow.  

All watch parts cleaned.

My "Peaky Blinders" Pocket Watch project - deconstruction

My "Peaky Blinders" Pocket Watch project

I have named this project "Peaky Blinders" watch after the popular TV series in the UK. Where the gang wear flat hats with razor blades sewn into the peak, using them to blind their enemies. Plus all the main characters wear Pocket Watches.

For all the project photographs  Click here - opens new window

The Pocket Watch is an unusual one being a Smiths "Braille" watch with an "A1866" watch movement, which I will try and renovate.

Notice that the 12 o/c on the dial is at the 9 o/c position.

 12 o/c on the dial is at the 9 o/c position.

It also has a Silver Albert chain, which I need to Silver solder the jump rings, etc.

Put the two together and you have a “Peaky Blinders” watch.

Smiths Braille pocket watch A1866 movement deconstruction

Order of deconstruction: Remove case screws. Release the stem buy undoing setting screw next to "15 Jewels" marking. Remove the front bezel to release movement from the case. Hands removed, Dial removed, Dial washer and hour wheel removed. Remove Keyless works. Remove the Pinion, Minute Wheel and intermediate wheel. Remove the Clutch and Setting wheel. Turn movement over and undo the setting screw to release the setting lever.

 Keyless works

Turn movement over: Remove the complete bridge. Remove the click and spring. Remove Pallet Cock and Pallet Fork. Remove the Train Bridge. Remove Escape and Third wheels. Remove Train Bridge with the stuck Centre wheel attached. Remove Crown wheel from the Train Bridge. Ease out the stuck centre wheel from the Train Bridge. Remove Third wheel, Ratchet wheel and complete barrel. Remove the Setting screw from the mainplate. Remove Arbor from the mainspring. Remove the mainspring from the Barrel. 

 Deconstruction completed and all the parts ready for the cleaner.

All the parts ready for the cleaner.

TIM Lever 7 Jewels Shock Protected Stopwatch. Part 7 Completion

TIM Lever 7 Jewels Shock Protected Stopwatch. Part 7 Completion

Completion of the repair and upgrade to my 1970 stopwatch.

Full project photo album Click here - Opens new window 

Set up the Dremel rotary tool with the Flexi-drive attached, put the pusher I manufactured yesterday in a pin vice. Using the Jewellers bench peg to hold the work steady, I give the pusher and case a quick polish with rouge.

Set up the Dremel rotary tool with the Flexi-drive attached

Next, replace the pusher in the watch case, a small amount of Loctite 638 on the thread to hold the crown and a couple of drops of oil on shaft.

Replace the pusher in the watch case

Replace the movement in case and then holding the pusher fully in to lock the hearts in place, I replace the seconds and minute hands.

Replace the movement in case

 Test the stopwatch out and everything works ok. Replace the front bezel with the crystal attached.

So my 1970 stopwatch is repaired and upgraded with the Breitling Dial.

Just one more thing to do is fit a “BMW WilliamsF1 Team Race Club” neck strap and the watch is ready to join my watch collection.

Fit a “BMW WilliamsF1 Team Race Club” neck strap

Two Lathe Sunday as I manufacture a new Fly-Back Pusher.

TIM Lever 7 Jewels Shock Protected Stopwatch. Part 6

Two Lathe Sunday as I manufacture a new Fly-Back Pusher.

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Two Lathe Sunday

Stage 1: Start off by bringing out my Unimat SL 1000 Lathe to first turn down the 4mm stainless steel rod to 2.5mm at length of 11.5mm.

Stage 2: Turn down to 2.mm for a length of 10.5mm, check that the pusher fits into the fly-back pendant tube, which it does snugly.

Stage 3: 3mm of the end of work turn down to 1.7mm for the tapping the thread for the crown.

Stage 4: Tap the (No17) thread with threading plate and check the crown fits correctly.

Stage 5: Turn the workaround in the chuck and part off.

Time to get out of its box is my vintage G. Boley "Bevelled-bed" Branded "Telco", T.C. & M. Ltd

 6.5mm watchmakers lathe.

I needed this lathe so I could use the file rest and also set spring-loaded indent arm to lock the spindle.

Filed a Screw slot using a number 6 cut slotting file, now time to see if my manufactured pusher works,

So time to fit it in the watch case and then temporary replace the movement, and all works well.

Time to clear up the workshop and put the lathes away and set the bench for completing the stopwatch tomorrow!