Thread: POCKET WATCHES

I have an old Bulova pocket watch. I rarely carry it. I don't think it's valuable or anything but it was my grandfather's. To me, it's a thin body for a pocket watch.

Got a picture?

After 30 hours or so, mine pootered-out. Seems that is normal and winding should be done daily.
I have learned some have an up-down winding indicator (rare) which tells you when to wind.
Another daily chore is not what I need now, so am happy to know it works. Back into the display case.
Will try another one soon to see how it works!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Got a picture?

After 30 hours or so, mine pootered-out. Seems that is normal and winding should be done daily.
I have learned some have an up-down winding indicator (rare) which tells you when to wind.
Another daily chore is not what I need now, so am happy to know it works. Back into the display case.
Will try another one soon to see how it works!

You have to understand that times have changed. Back in the day pocket watches and straight razors were the norm. We have advanced (or have we?) to a different set of norms.

Anyway, glad your watch works. It's a beauty! I remember as a kid hanging around my grandfathers watch shop. All of his buddies had pocket watches and still went to the barber shop to get a shave. That was back in the early 60's. People thought they were obsolete then. Shaving with a srtaight razor and wearing a pocket watch.......What do you think the snowflakes would think of us now?

The truth! Still, will shine it up a bit and wear it on some occasions. Old things which still work are cool.
Yes, like straight razors!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

The truth! Still, will shine it up a bit and wear it on some occasions. Old things which still work are cool.
Yes, like straight razors!

And some of us!

My two replacement crystals arrived today. This is the smaller of the two:



Looks good, but...



So close!! That's as far as it will screw down. So... question for you pocket watch guys about what next. My plan is to go back to the site I ordered these from and order possibly two more:

1) if they have one that has a flatter profile, I'll try that in the same size as this one
2) and if they don't have a flatter profile option, just get the next smaller size.

Does that make sense? They're so cheap I don't mind the scatter gun approach, but if from your experience either of the above options is doomed, please let me know.

Also, does anyone need a size "449 - 51" crystal? I'll leave the one in the pics on the watch for now, but the other one will be just sitting here. I'd much rather see it being used, so if you want it, it's yours.

Something's not right. The bezel should screw down flush. It's hard to guide you on this because you have to know the crystal size. I'm not sure how to measure for that.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Something's not right. The bezel should screw down flush. It's hard to guide you on this because you have to know the crystal size. I'm not sure how to measure for that.

I think I'll take a closer look at it tomorrow with some magnification. I might just not have seen something keeping things from settling in together. Eyes aren't what they used to be close up, you know?

Get the magnification going and see it is not falling into the last level.
Might be misalignment, Might be too big to fall-in? Certainly thickness is not the issue?
Some prejudiced technique involved with a very fine grinder stone may well-work.
A little goes a long way!

I suspect the xtl is too thick. You could try sanding it down. Some of those old plastic type xls were very thin.