Job Number 180040

This balance wheel from a older 18 size has way too many timing screws on it. Not a good sign..

These old ratchet mechanisms are wonderful to see. However, these parts are virtually non-existent now if anything happens to them.

I have been asked of photos like this what holds these parts down. Simple... There's a cover (clamp in watch parts terms), not shown.

This Elgin is a grade 57, 18 size, 11 jewels, made about 1870. 

See the entire album here.

On the underside of the balance cock we find that in the past, someone has made divots with a graver to increase the balance end-shake (not a great practice). Later someone else has filed them down again. Perhaps they fixed the original problem (or not, who knows).