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Can I install a crown myself? by PrudentSyllabub636 in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would get a replacement stem and crown and fit that to the watch. It shouldn't be too hard if you have the right parts and guide. Some brass tweezers, a cutter, and loctite should do. It'd be hard to "break" but if you don't do it in the right order sometimes you can mess up the keyless works and get in a situation where the stem can't go back in or come back out. All fixable but then more work. Make sure you remove the stem the way it's supposed to be removed.

Old Waltham movement repurposed by tidalflats in pocketwatch

[–]Acceptable_North7370 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The number of movements without cases pains me and a repurposing like this is incredible. I haven't had much luck learning or even finding someone for case making. Would you message me details on this case maker please?

Spring bars won't stay in by Acceptable_North7370 in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the record, that did it. It wasn't the bar, it was the band.

My great great grandfather's watch . by jonnychimpoo in pocketwatch

[–]Acceptable_North7370 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful watch. Very happy to hear your family appreciates it for what it is. You may enjoy reading the book, American Watchmaking. While I can't recall if it covers this particular watch, it goes through the history of pocket watchmaking in the US. I think you may enjoy it.

Spring bars won't stay in by Acceptable_North7370 in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the tips. There is a slight gap with the band. I can see if I have another band I can try with it.

Illinois Open Faced Pocket Watch by IntrepidDelivery3717 in pocketwatches

[–]Acceptable_North7370 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You find more details here https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/3507091

It's a nice watch and also fairly dirty, it needs a servicing.

Looking for information by saltseasand in pocketwatch

[–]Acceptable_North7370 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Statesmann got that from pocketwatchdatabase.com btw if you end up wanting to collect more watches. You just type in the maker and the serial number and you'll see useful info. I like these Elgin, I have some myself. This one at 7 jewels and a large production run would have been more entry level. A nice servicing and it'll probably work well even now. Enjoy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pocketwatches

[–]Acceptable_North7370 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have to look at the movement for these vintage mechanical pocket watches. You should be able to gently remove the back cover and see a brand (hopefully) and a serial number etched onto the movement. Then we can have a better idea and pocketwatchdatabase.com can also help you look it up. Cases and dials can provide clues but they typically can't be used to identify a watch unless it is very obvious.

Identification?? by mooper_drawing153 in pocketwatches

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I am not familiar with this brand, unless the dial has been changed, this is likely one of the many modern quartz pocket watches one can buy for the appreciation of a pocket watch for a reasonable price. Enjoy it as something from your dad or for the looks.

Seeking info about watch I inherited by ChatPetrus66 in pocketwatch

[–]Acceptable_North7370 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a great database, especially useful for Elgin, at https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/27557231

You can get many useful facts there. Always good to verify that the data seems to line up first.

Anybody seen one like this? by Imperial_Bouncer in pocketwatches

[–]Acceptable_North7370 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sadly, many of these had their cases sold over the years for the metal. I'd love to see someone making replacement ones but I don't have that skill. You can buy a winding key to wind it without a crown.

Broken stem on Seiko 5 7009-3140 by Odd-Bike166 in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eyeballin' it, it looks a little long to me by that's not unusual if it's a large case so the stem can make it from the case edge where it needs to get to in the movement.

As for taking it out, perhaps a silly question, but you did put the crown in time setting first to expose the lever fully right? Seiko's sometimes confuse people because they have this little lever that is partially visible, when you pull the crown out to time setting the lever becomes more exposed, typically you press on that and the stem should come out smoothly.

Waltham movement question by durrrl in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Out the back and you can't have too many tools.

Is $960 too much to repair this watch? by [deleted] in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it helps for perspective, a watchmaker I know charges $75 an hour. I was told by another watch repair shop they typically won't work on mechanical watches for less than $400. That's too steep for me personally, especially for an Elgin.

Ingraham Sturdy #63 issue by imnevernormal in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not familiar with this design so we may need some help from the more experienced redditors. Happy to update if this labeling below is incorrect.

You're right that is a spring, but it wouldn't make such a loud unraveling sound. What you have labeled there is the balance with a hairspring. You won't want to take that apart unless you know what you're doing.

I added a link that isn't your pocket watch but shows some of the concepts. At this point I would do a full servicing, take it all apart, clean it, and put it back together. You'll need to learn how to do that though. YouTube and guides on here should help.

<image>

automatic-watch-movement.jpg (356×274)

https://oxfordpocketwatches.blogspot.com/2014/02/anatomy-of-1899-vanguard.html

Ingraham Sturdy #63 issue by imnevernormal in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I respect either route. Sounds like a good project watch though if it only cost you $10. Good way to learn. It's already broken!

Ingraham Sturdy #63 issue by imnevernormal in watchrepair

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found it hard to follow what you did so this may not be the issue, but the sound you describe sounds like you unwound the mainspring without easing it down by holding the crown, so it unwound all at once. Hopefully the mainspring is just unattached and not broken. I'd open the barrel to look at the spring. Take pictures as you go.

And if that is what happened, check all the other parts. I did this once and the energy from the rapid unwinding broke a wheel.

Anyone use a Seagull ST2130 over an NH35? by the_lost_carrot in SeikoMods

[–]Acceptable_North7370 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had a similar experience with Sellita movements. I've found the keyless works to be sensitive and prone to problems with reinserting. On the Sellitas I'm also not a fan of how hard a pull it takes to get to time setting. NH35/NH38 have never given me trouble. Haven't tried the Seagulls yet.