My introduction to Horology

My introduction to Horology

It all started when I dug out of a dusty box, one of my late Grandfathers Waltham Pocket Watch - Model 1883 - Sterling Silver case and Sterling Silver Watch chain. He used it when on footplate of the Steam trains he drove as Train Driver out of Shrub Hill Yard, Worcester, UK

So as one of my Live Steam Locomotive’s models I have built is a 3 ½ gauge model loosely based on Sir Nigel Gresley designed 4-4-2 Locomotive Engine and Tender, which is one my Grandfather drove, I thought if I can clean and repair the watch it would look good in a display case next to my model locomotive.

Now the learning journey begins  

First I research information on the Waltham Silver Pocket Watch movement serial number: 15247509. From the Data Research at pocketwatchdatabase.com which uses the 1954 Waltham "Gray Book" List I find the following information.

Manufacturer: Waltham, Manufacturer Location: Waltham, Massachusetts

Movement Serial Number: 15247509 is a Model: 1883, Estimated Production Year: 1906

Run Quantity: 1,000, Size: 18s, Jewels: 7j, Movement Configuration: Open face

Movement Setting: Pendant, Plate: Full Plate, Hairspring: Breguet.

From the stamped marking on the case I found the following information.

Lion Passant – Sterling Silver, Date letter i = 1908 – 1909

Anchor = Birmingham Assay office, ALD = Aaron Lufkin Dennison

Aaron Lufkin Dennison (March 6, 1812 – January 9, 1895) was an American watchmaker and businessman who founded a number of companies.

On close inspection of the watch I find Hour and minute hands missing and the crystal has a couple of chips in it.

Chipped crystal on 1883 Watham pocket watch

After buying a couple of watch repair books and watching some YouTube videos, brought a few watch repair tools. I put my model engineering experience to use and disassemble the watch.

After finding the main spring let down lever and letting down (unwind) main spring carefully. First I removed The Cock, Balance Wheel and Hair Spring. Next Main spring winder and let down lever removed then The Barrel "Main spring" 1st Wheel removed. Top plate removed so The Train (2nd, 3rd, 4th wheels), Escape wheel and Cannon Pinion could be removed.

Watch is now fully taken down (Disassembled)

The watch is now fully taken down (Disassembled) and again on close inspection after cleaning parts, some shafts are showing signs of rust!

So now it’s time to search Ebay and see what parts I can find. Bingo! I could not believe it when I found a brand new Gold hour hand for the watch for sale in USA. So my first purchase was completed. Next found a new 48mm crystal to replace the chipped one.

Brand new Gold hour hand for the watch

Start of the rebuild of pocket watch. Parts acquired: From USA a brand NEW Gold Hour hand for watch! New 48mm crystal to replace cracked one. Replaced crystal and stuck back on Crown, with case cleaned, case is completed and in the display case along side Steam Train model looks great..

Case is completed and in the display case along side Steam Train model looks great.

  

Grandfathers Watch photograph album - opens new window

While searching found a lot of Waltham pocket watches movements for sale, some working, some for parts, it seems the cases are worth more melted down, place bids on a few, and win some. These I can use to practice on.

Now the watch repair bug has taken hold its time to build a custom watch repair workshop to carry on with this very interesting hobby, so Arreton Amateur Timepieces is born!