So I start the reassembly of the movement up until the broken pallet fork. still have to check to see if I have one in the workshop.
I wanted to reassemble the Setting and Winding mechanism, Train wheels and the Barrel. As this movement has the Ratchet wheel and the click placed underneath, so I need to see how this is done!
Start of assembly, replace setting spring, replace the stem and setting lever, replace Setting and Winding mechanism.
Replace the click, Replace the click spring, Replace the train wheels, the order of replacing train wheels, Third, Escape, Centre and Second wheels. Replace the train bridge.
Now I came to the unusual Ratchet and Barrel layout. The Rachet wheel and click being underneath the Barrel, plus the arbor is also unusual as the mainspring does not attach directly. The mainspring is attached to the Barrel lid!
So I attach the mainspring barrel to the barrel lid by turning barrel until the mainspring attaches to the lid arbor! Then I slide the barrel arbor through the complete barrel and turn it until the on the arbor lines up with the square in the barrel. Attach the Rachet wheel to the barrel lid end of the arbor.
So because the click is under pressure from the click spring I have to move the click up out of the way, and luckily the spring holds it in that position so that I can fit the Barrel and Ratchet wheel. Once fitted release the click.
Now to test the winding, setting and see how the train wheels run, plus I can see how the barrel moves and works.
I videoed the action as the barrel winds round separate from the barrel lid! All working well and you can see the barrel moves independently from the barrel lid.
So the only thing stopping the completion of this watch is the broken pallet fork. I still have to check to see if I have one in the workshop. Plus a new roller jewel!
This watch was brought on eBay as not working, and come with a spare movement ring.
Tested the watch, does not wind (fully wound), pulled out the stem and the time adjustment works ok.
Markings on the inside of the case
English Case
Expressly made for
CYMREX
Patent no 139453
GUARANTEED
To wear 10 years
Deconstruction of Movement to find out as why the movement is not working.
Remove the front bezel and was pleased to find the watch dial in excellent condition, the marks showing are on the acrylic crystal.
Movement is a little loose in the case, remove the bezel and movement rings from the case, will have to adjust the movement ring. Also noticed two screws missing from the movement, which need to be replaced.
Removed hands and dial from movement, note: dial held on by two circlips. Removed the dial washer and Hour Wheel.
Turned over the movement and tried to release the power in the mainspring, but could not unjam the click spring, so removed the balance completely.
Hey presto the answer to why the movement does not work is obvious, the pallet forkhead is broken. Try to move the pallet fork back and forth to the bank pins, and the train wheels seem ok.
Removed the barrel bridge and carefully removed it and held down the barrel. So to release the power in the mainspring I remove the pallet fork while holding the barrel, then release the power slowly, and the train wheels run freely.
So a replacement pallet fork will need to be found, also the pallet fork jewels are chipped and one loose. Plus on close inspection the roller jewel on balance is also broken, so that needs replacing.
Next on the agenda was to remove the complete barrel, this movement is unusual as the ratchet wheel and the click etc are under the barrel! So will need to work out a plan on how to replace the barrel back in the movement while the Ratchet wheel and the click and spring are already in place.
Dismantle the barrel remove the arbour and take out the mainspring. The last person to replace the mainspring must have replaced by hand, and not by using a mainspring winder because the mainspring does not lie flat on the bench. So I will fit a new mainspring.
Remove the click, spring and ratchet wheel and It seems that the last person to work on the movement seemed to use grease on everything, as all the items are covered in it, and stick to the mainplate and to the bench when removed!
Now time to remove the train bridge, and then remove all the wheels, checking the pivots as I do and all are ok.
Video of testing the Winding and Setting mechanism
The last item to remove from the mainplate is the stem and setting mechanism
Now the deconstruction is complete and all parts of the movement and watch case are ready for the cleaner.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
