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.

My "Peaky Blinders" party Pocket Watch project.

My "Peaky Blinders" party Pocket Watch project.

My "Peaky Blinders" party Pocket Watch project.

 I am working on a Silver Albert chain, need to Silver solder the jump rings, etc.

Plus I have an unusual "Braille" Pocket Watch which I will try to renovate.

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

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

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

Love the TV series and the main characters wear Pocket Watches!