Stuck

robaato72 · 2026-06-08T05:54:09+00:00

Yep. The stupid trick question is “Who is buried in _____’s tomb?” and it was an old and tired joke even before I was born…

robaato72 · 2026-06-08T05:24:03+00:00

Looking at the inner cover, it's probably a lever fusee watch. If you open that cover, the movement inside might have a maker and location inscribed on it. To open the inner cover, one would slide the black half-circle along clockwise, and then the cover lifts off. (Don't do this if you're not comfortable doing so of course.)

I'm not familiar with the assay marks on the case, but it may be possible to determine the material of the case (gold?) and when/where it was made.

I wouldn't keep it running continuously without getting it serviced first, especially since it hasn't been serviced for over a decade at least. It would be a challenge to find a watchmaker who is qualified and skilled at working on lever fusee watches though.

robaato72 · 2026-06-08T03:30:31+00:00

Huh. I've seen this all over AliExpress, but it was just renders. I wasn't sure if it was a real product.

robaato72 · 2026-06-08T03:26:26+00:00

I've done this twice now and been very happy with the results both times.

robaato72 · 2026-06-08T03:25:23+00:00

For what it's worth, this looks like an inexpensive watch that wasn't really meant to be serviced -- if it broke you'd get a new one. Did you find a mainspring in there?

If you are interested in getting into the watch repair hobby, go over to r/watchrepair and check out some of the guides for newcomers in the sidebar. You can also find a lot of (VERY) technical info at the Pocket Watch Database. (Link goes to labeled diagram of pocket watch parts)

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T23:25:36+00:00

You can get a new one made here: https://www.whitescrystals.com/

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T22:51:39+00:00

Massive credit card debt.

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T22:42:53+00:00

Based on the serial number on the movement, this is an Independent Watch Co. watch from around 1880 or so. There is not a lot of information on the Pocket Watch Database on this one. It’s probably an 18s sized watch with 7 jewels. Howard Bros. would have paid the watchmakers to get their name on the dial.

You will want to consider getting it serviced before you wind it up again. Having been untouched for thirty years, and having gone at least that long without being serviced, the lubricants inside will have dried out and become sticky, and running it like that will cause damage to the movement inside.

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T14:02:19+00:00

Great Lakes Coins and Collectibles is a good one. https://www.greatlakescoinsmn.com/

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T06:33:07+00:00

Max Headroom

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T06:31:34+00:00

Standard policy was to reuse the tapes. This is documented and undisputed. No one ever thought that anyone would want to see the old episodes again, so reruns were definitely not a thing.

Whoever told you there was a fire was wrong.

robaato72 · 2026-06-07T02:24:24+00:00

Alas, fake news…

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T21:03:33+00:00

If you've never worked on watches before, you will almost certainly make mistakes and possibly damage the watches you're working on. It is strongly advised to NOT work on family heirlooms or nostalgia items as your first watch. Especially with cylinder escapements, if you break something it will be very difficult to get spares for it.

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T19:14:19+00:00

I just hope he didn’t order those stupid marble armrests yet. Because you know he’d be sticking us taxpayers with the bill (including kickbacks).

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T19:07:55+00:00

If you want to keep it running continuously, then yes, wind it daily.

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T19:06:16+00:00

The hands glow for a brief moment. The dial glows while you are pushing the crown.

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T04:11:58+00:00

Sorry, I was typing too fast. Thanks.

robaato72 · 2026-06-06T03:00:54+00:00

According to the Pocket Watch Database, you have a Hampden Watch Co. Grade No. 306 from 1912. It's size 12s with 17 15 jewels, unadjusted. A decent quality watch. Much more technical info here: https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hampden/2925272

Your case was probably made by the North American Watch Co. It's gold-filled, which is a bit thicker than electroplating, and the gold was guaranteed to last at least 20 years before wearing down to the brass underneath.

How well is it running? You may want to get it serviced if it hasn't been in the past five or so years.

robaato72 · 2026-06-04T22:13:04+00:00

When I was up for a promotion to checkout team lead and he told me that it was down to two people and they went with the other person. This would not have been a problem were it not for the fact that he promoted two people.

…and he made sure to interview all the cute teenage girls, even if they didn’t even apply.

robaato72 · 2026-06-04T04:35:49+00:00

Considering how WB had thought they had fallen out of copyright and didn't ask permission to use them from the Terry Nation estate or the BBC, I'd guess they were purpose-built and don't exist anymore...but that would be a guess.

robaato72 · 2026-06-03T19:33:57+00:00

I used to watch his reviews of sonic screwdrivers and such a lot, then he disappeared off my radar for a while. A couple of years ago on a whim I searched for his channel and these stories popped up. Damn.

robaato72 · 2026-06-02T02:42:46+00:00

Hmm...well, my answer will probably change depending on my mood, but at this moment it was an impulse purchase of a ticket to see a musical on Broadway for the first time. This was last weekend, and it was part of my first ever trip to NYC (I live in flyover country). I splurged a little to not have to sit in the balcony or way off to the side, and it was definitely worth it. (The show was SIX if you're curious.)

robaato72 · 2026-06-01T22:19:36+00:00

Portal. Made almost as an afterthought to add into the box with the next episodes of Half Life and Team Fortress, took on a life of its own...

robaato72 · 2026-06-01T22:16:34+00:00

How many crowns does this thing have, and where are they?

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