Thread: POCKET WATCHES

Thank you for the correction Spendur.

I've decided not to ruin the fine case with daily wear and tear, and got me a beaten size 16 case for lever set movements. It is ugly but that is okay for the initial months before I learn how to live with it w/o hurting it excessively. I can always get something more fancy in stainless steel later. My question is: do I have to visit the watchmaker to install the movement into the other case, or is that something a layman can do?

Not every case and movement are interchangeable. many are though. The movement is held into place by a couple of case screws. You can tell because they look strange like flattened on an end. As long as they match up it should work. You just have to get the pendent or crown out. Some are real easy and some have kind of a lever that has to be worked. Also you have to watch the depth of the movement and thickness of the case and whether the case is set for a lever set if that is the movement you have and of course the case isn't meant for a side winder.

Case screws are also called 'dog screws' for some reason here in the UK.

I have many pocket watches. My prize possession is a solid gold watch and chain including gold sovereign. Will post a few piccies when I get my camera out.

My favourite horological book was written by A.J.Whiten and is called 'repairing old clocks and watches'. I would like to think that this fine gentleman is still alive and enjoying his hobby on the Isle of Wight here off the coast of the UK, but considering the original printing date of this excellent book, I fear my hero may be dead.

Having just picked up my first "real" pocket watch, I reckoned this was a good time to revive this thread. Mine is a Waltham from 1898, beautifully worn (see my sig below for Neil's thoughts on this condition, with which I agree 100%) and working perfectly.

My only real issue with it is that the crystal has completely yellowed. It was sold as having a celluloid crystal, so knowing what I do about razors and cell rot... let's say I'm a little concerned. There is no scent of cell rot and no hint of the watch being affected by cell rot, but I wouldn't mind replacing that crystal sooner rather than later.

Any suggestions for that? I've read that fitting a replacement can be a bit of a hit and miss operation. Were crystals for Walthams at all standardized?




EDIT: did a bit of research into the wacky world of pocket watch crowns, so I now realize how laughable my "standardized" question above was. Have ordered a few plastic crystals in the hope one of them might fit.

I have a Waltham about that old (looks exactly the same, would have to compare mvmts) but it has a glass xtl. Plastic xtls were not common back then. Are you sure it's not the face of the watch that has yellowed. You can try polishing the xtl with some polywatch or even some toothpaste and if the xtl is yellowed it's usually just the surface but that's more with acrylic xtls used later on.

Xtls are common items and they sell them in all sizes plus there are guys on the web who specialize in vintage and antique watch repair who would probably have the exact replacement or a glass substitute.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have a Waltham about that old (looks exactly the same, would have to compare mvmts) but it has a glass xtl. Plastic xtls were not common back then. Are you sure it's not the face of the watch that has yellowed. You can try polishing the xtl with some polywatch or even some toothpaste and if the xtl is yellowed it's usually just the surface but that's more with acrylic xtls used later on.

Xtls are common items and they sell them in all sizes plus there are guys on the web who specialize in vintage and antique watch repair who would probably have the exact replacement or a glass substitute.

The face is a nice bright white, but the crystal (XTL? Oh great... a new set of vocabulary to pick up! ) has yellowed. I'll likely get a glass replacement one day, but for now I figured I'd at least try to get a quick fix to get this one away from the watch in case it is celluloid going bad. Thanks for the suggestion of surface yellowing: I hadn't considered that. I'll try polishing it and see what happens.

I've found a few places that will do proper glass replacements, but so far none in Canada and I'm a bit leery of Int'l shipping at the moment considering I need this for a wedding in the fall.



EDIT: Here's the mvmt if you're curious:

Originally Posted by Cangooner

The face is a nice bright white, but the crystal (XTL? Oh great... a new set of vocabulary to pick up! ) has yellowed. I'll likely get a glass replacement one day, but for now I figured I'd at least try to get a quick fix to get this one away from the watch in case it is celluloid going bad. Thanks for the suggestion of surface yellowing: I hadn't considered that. I'll try polishing it and see what happens.

I've found a few places that will do proper glass replacements, but so far none in Canada and I'm a bit leery of Int'l shipping at the moment considering I need this for a wedding in the fall.



EDIT: Here's the mvmt if you're curious:

So what you have there is a Waltham Grade :P.S. Bartlett - 18s - 17j - Model 1883 - Manufactured around 1898. A nice watch especially if it is working condition. What you should do is look for a Horologist on line that should have parts to help you out. The case is brassing quite a bit but that's normal if the watch was carried everyday. Parts are getting harder to find, but they are out there. Good luck!

Thanks for the info John!

Nelson: no luck with the polishing, so my guess is the seller was accurate in that it's celluloid as the yellowing appears to be right through the material and not just on the surface.

I didn't know that there was a pocket watch thread! I carried one for a few years 'till that ill fated day i let my son look at it in church and he dropped it on the floor. Never did get it fixed because i didn't know where to take it and there were always other things to spend money on. Maybe someday. Anyway, thought you'd like to see it, 17 Jewel Elgin.

No pictures handy but mine is very close to yours just a 4 million number serial number and is an Appleton Tracey model. Probably around 5-6 years older than yours but the mvmt is exactly the same. My case is what they called Silverode which is basically German Silver, mostly Nickel and very thick and heavy. But mine is close to mint condition and works great.

Try some of the watch parts suppliers in the U.S. Many have minimums but you never know. Also check Eboy. If you can get the xtl it's easy to install, just some glue.