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Chap was selling an 'automatic pocket watch' on the bay, he'd no idea how it worked, and the photos were pretty fuzzy... I hadn't seen anything like it, so I took a punt on it... Turns out it's actually a Victorian Pedometer - those are miles not hours! The astute observer will notice that the divisions of the "hours" are quarters, not fifths... After a bit of cleaning and adjusting, it's a rather nice little thing! The 'pendulum' rotates the steel ratchet wheel. Calibrating it is going to be good exercise - I've walked 9 1/4 miles so far... Apparently Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd US president, is credited with its invention, or at least its introduction to the US...

Although new to the fascinating hobby of watches, I offer this experience to hobbyists trying to fix a quartz movement to a "pin-less" dial: All this theory of using dial feet stuck to the back of the dial didn't help – the thickness of the base of the dial feet is too much, and the result is that the hand shaft(s) of the movement do not adequately protrude out of the dial's central hole. Also, even if it was possible, the tiny dimensions of the feet surfaces don't give me much me confidence in the dial remaining fixed! Sticking double-sided tape to the rim of the movement is also not an option, as the rim too thin for this to be feasible. Therefore, Eureka – the plastic screw cap of a mineral water bottle of the correct dimensions, and cut accordingly, with the movement pressed in, offers a relatively wide rim, perfectly usable for attaching double-sided tape, to stick onto the back of the dial. Therefore, think carefully before chucking your mineral water caps in the dustbin (trash can)! In fact, always think carefully before throwing away 'useless' objects. Usually you can't use these items, until after having chucked them away!

It was Horology that said that Roberto, not me. "horology, on 22 May 2014 - 10:31 PM, said: Also when there is a rusty stubborn plate screw you can mix white vinegar with petrolioun jelly and apply the jelly on the top the stubborn screw and wait a few days. The screw will become a mass of brown poop. you will have to replace the screw. The reason for using the greese is so the vinegar does not spred into the gear train or other steel parts."

Guilt m'lud! :)

Mystery solved! Now I can use my trainers properly! :)

Vaseline is actually Petroleum Jelly with a fancy name...:)

I think it was Anil and I forgot what it was! I could use the same advise now too! BTW, the incabloc parts do get damaged by Alum and anything else that touches them (springs mostly). I believe they can be sourced though!

Someone once wrote (Geo I think) to mix the alum with something gelatinous so as to keep it in or on the item in question.

Well done David, it's a great feeling when it bursts into life. Just motivates you on to the next one

Yep you have a tuff job on there. The pin lever has to be correct with the correct drop/draw either side. Bending the pins is a squeaky bum time as well I have broken a few on clocks. Some bend the lever to try & get in beat & I think I see this method in a Donald de Carle book. I did pick up a selection of replacement pins on eBay a while ago but as yet have not used any. Try & get everything straight then see what you get.

Brilliant job Dave :)

Nice job Dave were you able to time it ? Sincerely, Jim

I'm so sorry to hear that Micky, please accept my sincere condolences. :(

There's nothing worse than a man that's one wheel short of a watch! ;)

Interesting Roberto. That should make all the difference the next time I run around to the pub! :)

Running? Trainers? Exercise? Blimey - no need to get heavy with me! :D

Well i thought id conclude this thread by adding the final photo :) Thanks to those who added thoughts and advice, she will now go into my collection box for my children to inherit :D She's not perfect but she's mine :D

btw. I've just found that wave breakers I posted can be ordered. If you look at http://www.boley.de/en/shop/5078.wellenbrecher/692075.wellenbrecher you will find it. I suppose cousins can do it for you on request as its not in the catalogue. I have ordered all cork parts and I have it replaced, slightly different than original ones but fit fine.

Always makes me kind of sad to not have the opportunity to go to a proper watchmaking school. I'll just have to keep reading about, watching videos, and practicing on scrap mechanical movements and maybe in a few years i can transition to working on mechanical as well as all the quartz work I still very much enjoy.

Great going Dave both the watch and the avatar are great! Cheers, Bob

a lot of organ donors on the bay.. I've seen a lot of Rados with these movements (but usually with day function). Anil

good work on that restoration, it looks quite nice.