Jump to content

From the Sussex Riviera

skridlov

By skridlov
in Introduce Yourself Here

 Share

Recommended Posts

skridlov WRT Addict

skridlov

Posted
Posted

Hi there everyone

by no stretch of the imagination would I describe myself as a watchmaker and at my age I never will be able to. However I've been a modest collector for many years. I've recently thrown my lot in with an old friend who has dealt in watches for decades. He has a huge number of "project" watches which have been accumulating and we're sharing the load of reviving and selling them. There are many interesting specimens which over the years have become more and more viable for resuscitation. He's quite comfortable with basic maintenance and minor repairs and I'm quite competent at project management (30 years in media IT and associated technologies.) Here's a snap of some of our stock - lots more to unpack and start categorising. Forgive me if I post the occasional naive question!

Roy

 

Watches-9144.JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
skridlov WRT Addict

skridlov

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes, many interesting items and many more in bags. My mate Len hadn't laid eyes on some for up to 25 years but has an amazing memory for where and when he found them. Some fascinating bits and pieces. Much of it could be sold "as is" but we're going to try to revive as many as possible. There are very many so called "trench" watches with lovely movements, many Borgel cases. Commonest problem with these is stems and crowns. I'm going to try to identify all the good movements as a first step toward trying to source replacement parts. It occurs to me that if several identical parts are required it may be possible to have them made by a small precision engineering company rather than paying UK watchmaker prices which push these into the realm of non-viability.

Roy

Here's an interesting pocket watch

 

PW-pillar-1260005.JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

I cannot read the name on the plate, if you can get your hands on the books Watch and Clockmakers of the World volume one and two you should be able to find him along with the date of when he was making pocket watches. The bow is not the original; I think it also has maintaining power it looks like it, which is a higher-grade movement. The dial is what I expected to see plain and simple, one hand has been replaced and I think it’s the minute hand, the hour hand style is spade the minute would also be plain and not decorative.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WileyDave WRT Addict

WileyDave

Posted
Posted

Welcome and I'm going to guess it's Jos Stephens of London on your fusee:

http://www.academia.edu/4132414/LIST_OF_MEMBERS_OF_THE_CLOCKMAKERS_COMPANY_OF_LONDON_FROM_THE_PERIOD_OF_THEIR_INCORPORATION_IN_1631_TO_THE_YEAR_1732.1_By_C._OCTAVIUS_S._MORGAN_F.R.S._F.S.A

Just a guess mind you, keep us updated on any unusual finds in your hoard!:)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
skridlov WRT Addict

skridlov

Posted
  • Author
Posted
7 hours ago, GeorgeClarkson said:

nice pocket watch! and nice collection too! If you happen to find some chronographs.... ;) let me know!

There's one nice movement with a nearly perfect dial - the gold case was scrapped year ago (yes, I know...). It's probably a Venus movement. Can't recall the brand name on the dial but it's a similar design to an Orfina which I've had for years. I'll send you a snap if you'd like.

At present we're just trying to catalogue what we've got and try to figure out the best plan for marketing it all. Some we'll sell "as is" but some we're going to try to revive first. My partner in this project is reasonably experienced at basic handling of watches but this is all a bit of an adventure - for our advanced ages.

Found an interesting Czarist era Russian item. If only I could find it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GeorgeClarkson Super WRT Addict

GeorgeClarkson

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, skridlov said:

There's one nice movement with a nearly perfect dial - the gold case was scrapped year ago (yes, I know...). It's probably a Venus movement. Can't recall the brand name on the dial but it's a similar design to an Orfina which I've had for years. I'll send you a snap if you'd like.

At present we're just trying to catalogue what we've got and try to figure out the best plan for marketing it all. Some we'll sell "as is" but some we're going to try to revive first. My partner in this project is reasonably experienced at basic handling of watches but this is all a bit of an adventure - for our advanced ages.

Found an interesting Czarist era Russian item. If only I could find it...

Yes please, I would like to see that... can't promise anything though, since I have been on a "Russian Chronograph Buying Rampage" lately.... :P

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • RichardHarris123
      Down the rabbit hole!

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      Well done, let us know how you get on with the citizen. 
    • tomh207
      Without Our Forum

      By tomh207 · Posted

      @Neverenoughwatches Rich, I can only agree with you wholeheartedly. I spend a lot of time here learning all sorts and trying to make any little contribution to help others I can. Nothing can last forever and I wish I could do more to contribute to the forum financially and any other support I could.   Tom
    • oldhippy
      Without Our Forum

      By oldhippy · Posted

      This forum is a big part of my life. When I retired from horology many years ago due to poor health I missed what I had trained for. On here I can still do my bit in helping and advising others and have a little fun as well.  
    • RichardHarris123
      Without Our Forum

      By RichardHarris123 · Posted

      First thing this morning, make coffee, second, check the forum.  I would really miss the forum, not on any social media, not interested in telling the world what I had for breakfast!!! I do consider most of the regulars friends and would wonder what had happened if they stopped posting. 
    • fnick
      Down the rabbit hole!

      By fnick · Posted

      Hi all Thought I'd show my small and trying to keep under control watch collection! Apart from the Enicar all were under £12! At least if I destroy them in the process then I won't be too worse off. A few pics to start off with First of all my first attempt. A Thuya pocket watch. It was only running face down and would stop when vertical. So now it still works face down and only slows down when vertical so at least an improvement! 😄  I only have a generic watch oil at the mo so that won't help but I'm hoping to get some more appropriate oils in a couple of months for my birthday. I did have to get a crystal for it since it didn't come with one. It didn't look as though it would friction fit (and I don't have a crystal press in any case) so I glued it to the case with PVA. So far so good. Next up above are a sekonda and citizen automatic. Both non runners. Both with broken balance wheels amongst other things. I'm hopeful the citizen will start when I get the new one I ordered but the sekonda is being kept for spares and trial of new techniques. And finally the Enicar and the timemaster. Both running when I got them. I wanted to get running watches so that at least I stood a fighting chance of still having a running watch after the service! It was all going well on the Enicar until I dropped the balance wheel during reassembly...😔. Unfortunately they are quite expensive to get so for now I'll won't do anything with it but I would like to fix it at one point. The timemaster is still running (yeah!) but I managed to break a dial foot during the deassembly. First repair attempt failed so now I am looking at soldering it back on... So there we go. My initial foray into this great hobby. Thanks for sticking with this tale so far.  I'm hoping that once the balance wheel arrives for the citizen I will be able to say I bought a non runner and fixed it! So fingers crossed. Thanks for looking, Nick
×
×
  • Create New...