Elgintime Vintage Horological: Waltham

Showing posts with label Waltham. Show all posts

Job Number 220016, of Setting and Cannon Pinions

The owner noted that the lever does not lock in out position when setting, you have to hold it. Many lever mechanisms have a second spring that pushes the lever out for this purpose. This watch does not. I thought I'd try to improve it anyway. It is the tension of the setting action itself that pulls the clutch (and thus the lever) back.

What a can of worms that turned into...

Nothing is worn or broken on this movement. The only way to alter setting tension is the friction of the cannon pinion. But it turns out there is a *very* narrow range of tightness wherein the clutch will not slip in setting, and the the hands will still turn when running. There's nothing I can do to make it better, and it took too many attempts just to get it working - back to where I started.

You can only adjust a cannon pinion so many times.

I really should have left well enough alone. I just hope it will be alright now.

If the cannon pinion is loose enough that the setting action does not disengage the lever from setting mode then the cannon pinion slips when the watch is running and the hour and minute hands do not move.

The clutch and the intermediary gear it turns in setting do not fully line up in the vertical. That's just how the movement is designed. It slips there easily, when setting, if the cannon pinion is too tight.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

Job Number 220016

This watch was returned to me. The dial has somehow lifted up causing the setting lever to retract fully under the dial, and popping the second hand off. Fortunately the second hand was not lost.

All I can to is set the dial back in place and snug the screws again. Nothing is broken.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

New Arrival, Job Number 220035

See the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fJd8dKwvAvW7t11f9

Job Number 220016, Slipping Cannon Pinion

It seemed alright for awhile, but the cannon pinion is slipping. The watch ticks, the second hand moves, but the hour and minute hand are still.

The hands ride on the cannon pinion, which is friction fit over the center wheel shaft. The cannon pinion has to be snug enough so that the hands move with the center wheel, but it also has to slip when the time is being set.

The cannon pinion often has to be tightened a little after a watch is cleaned. Unfortunately, now I have to start the testing cycle all over.

I also went ahead and tightened the second hand. Its fit was OK, but since this it a lever-set watch it's a good idea to make sure it won't get knocked off easily.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

Job Number 220016, Waltham Vanguard

This one is a Waltham Vanguard model, 16 size, 23 jewels, made about 1948. It's one of Waltham's best railroad grade products.

This is Waltham's motor barrel, jeweled on a 23 jewel watch. The bearing is literally a full depth cylinder for the arbor. Beautiful bit of work there...

No problems with this one.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

Job Number 210160

Broken roller jewel... Interestingly, the roller table appears to be copper? It has the tone in color anyway.

Roller jewel replacement... That roller table sure looks like copper.

Which way should the ratchet wheel go? The visible did has the decorative finish. The underside is plain.

Running nicely... I like to leave movements running overnight after a repair like this, before timing ang casing up.

One missing case screw replaced and it's ready for testing for a few days.

Album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fw9jQ9Ru9Pyf2jTZ7

Job Number 210155, Waltham 1883 Model

Up next is this Waltham 18 size, 17 jewel, 1883 model, P.S. Bartlett.

I got caught up in what I was doing and forgot to take photos of the train on this one.

I find it interesting to look over the keyless works on early stem-setting movements. It's usually a pretty simple modification of a lever design.

Running nicely...

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QZvPRAvCVjLTts3C6

I had some unexpected last minute problems with the banking adjustment. Not sure how it got out of sorts, but it's fine now, I think, and the watch is ready for a few days of testing.

New Arrival, Job Number 220016, Waltham Vanguard

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

New Arrival, Job Number 210160

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fw9jQ9Ru9Pyf2jTZ7

Project link (all the posts):
https://pluspora.com/tags/210160_et

Follow all the projects in detail here:
https://pluspora.com/tags/elgintime

New Arrival, Job Number 210155

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QZvPRAvCVjLTts3C6

Project link (all the posts):
https://pluspora.com/tags/210155_et

Follow all the projects in detail here:
https://pluspora.com/tags/elgintime

New Arrival, Job Number 210143

See the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FvnQapg2UhVFYB8z9

Project link (all the posts):

https://pluspora.com/tags/210143_et

Follow all the projects in detail here:

https://pluspora.com/tags/elgintime

New Arrival, Job Number 210082

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aLdtfed3g13VbXJ4A

Project link (all the posts):
https://pluspora.com/tags/210082_et

Follow all the projects in detail here:
https://pluspora.com/tags/elgintime

Do you have a vintage watch to be serviced?

Maybe I can help. Take a look here for information - specializing in Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham and other antique American makes.

http://www.elgintime.com

Elgin National
American Waltham
Rockford
Hamilton
New York Standard
Illinois Watch Company
Hampden
And Others

Jeff,
I received my grandfather's watch which you restored for me yesterday. It is gratifying to see this watch in action after many years. It has probably not been working since 1912.
R. Z.

Hi Jeff!
Thank you so much! My watch looks great! The CD is great too…again,
Thanks so much,
Anna

Hey jeff. I got the watch safe and sound and the cd today. The watch looks better than I had anticipated. Another good job again.
Steve

Thanks Jeff, I am so happy I found you for repairs on my watches.
A. T.

Hello Jeff
The watch came today works great, it`s neat to hear it run. I wonder how long its been since it ran, my great grandfather who owned the watch died in 1925. I want thank you for bringing it back to life
J. S.

Dear Jeff,
My Elgin pocket watch arrived today. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. My family will treasure it.
D. L.

Jeff,
Just a quick note to let you know the watch is back home. It is an absolute joy to see and hear it run again after all these years. It was extremely emotional for me. I remember playing with it as a small boy, and never known it to work. My father would be very proud and humbled to know it was working again. I'm sure he knows. Thank you.
S. Welsh

Jeff,
Watches look fantastic, run great. I can see why you're in high demand, you're a class act. You provide detail historical summary and preliminary review of watch prior to work, fair estimate, provide post work summary, along with high res images of watches to boot. Thanks again and will certainly share your name around.
Thanks!
D. H.

Jeff,
I received the watches today and must say I couldn't be more pleased. Thank you so much. It was wonderful to wind them up and here them tic again.
G. M.

I'm very pleased with the outcome and want to thank you for a job well done. The watch looks and runs great, and the hands you replaced are very much more in keeping with an Elgin watch of this time period.
As you might imagine, to send such a precious family heirloom all the way across the country to someone who I really didn't know, or know anything about, took a lot of faith and courage. You really measured up to my expectations.
Thanks and best wishes,
B. H.

Good Morning Jeff
I got the watch back and I'm thrilled! I really appreciate your professionalism and workmanship. It's really nice to have the watch back in working order! Especially since the local repair indicated that it couldn't be fixed! Thanks so much for everything. I'll certainly be back in touch when it needs maintenance.
M. H.

Hi Jeff –
I just received the watch you repaired for me. It’s absolutely fantastic! Thanks so much for your excellent service.
A. C.

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