Suggestion Department

From Horology magazine, December 1937

Suggestion Department
Checking Train
By Jos. B. OLIPHANT

I am a Philadelphia watchmaker, but not personally acquainted with Leonard P. Coggin. I can't express my gratitude enough far the valuable information that the watchmaker is going to receive through the suggestion of Leonard P. Coggin.

Here is my first suggestion, and contribution to this valuable cause and may be the answer to. L. W. S. problem of "watches balk." After watch is properly cleaned, ailed and assembled as far as the escape wheel, don't have the cannon pinion attached, but have the main spring barrel ratchet wheel attached. Take a screw driver, insert in the screw slat, turn as if winding and the train wheels will back lash, the better the watch is jeweled the greater the back lash. Of course this takes a little experience as to how a watch in good condition will back lash and one that is defective and not to forget to bear in mind the amount of jewels this particular watch may have. If the watch does not have the proper back lash the trouble is in one of the train wheels; if an the other hand the watch has the proper back lash the trouble is to be traced from there on.