Job Number 180027

Part of the setting mechanism under the dial on this watch is a lever with a post at the underside, for a gear. The post is a short, threaded rod section that occasionally I have seen come loose. I have made one of these parts a few time due to striped threads.

At some time in the past someone fixed the problem with a punch. There are divots around the edge on the top side.

Loose pallet stone... It's a quick job to heat it again with a little extra shellac. It has not moved moved much at all, so I don't think I'll have to adjust the depth (I hope).

 Next, a balance staff is needed.

As is often the case, I will have to reduce the pivots on the replacement staff some to work with the jewels.

The hub of the old staff is cut almost completely away in the lathe, then broken out using a staking set.

With the roller table installed on the new staff, now riveted to the balance wheel, the assembly can be put in the ultrasonic cleaner for just a couple of minutes (not too long, you don't want to loosen the timing screws). Then it's time to install a new roller jewel, held in place by melting shellac using a special warmer and an alchol lamp.

The complete balance assembly, trued to flat and round...

I was hoping it wouldn't be a problem, stemming from the loose pallet stone, but it was. I had to disassemble the whole thing again to adjust the depth of the formerly loose stone. Unfortunately this is basically a trial and error process on at 18 size Elgin. It took a couple of tries.

Also, as though the make sure I keep in practice on all things escapement, the guard pin was way off, bent back away from the roller, and the guard pins were wrong. I got it ticking with a few adjustments

I have seen this style of engraving before, but  couldn't tell you when. It's rare. The font is interesting, and the labeling is in different places (the serial number is on the barrel bridge for example).

This movement is a grade 165, 18 size, 17 jewels, made about 1896.

The entire album for this project is here.

Find more horological content here.