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Hello everyone, My name is Matt and I like vintage watches along with pocket watches. I'm very new to the hobby of watchmaking, I've only been tinkering for about 2 months and I'm happy with some of the projects I've salvaged. First I repaired This Waltham 17 jewel 18s and that was fun. Then I repaired this old Zenith movement with 19 jewels. I couldn't find it on the pocket watch database though. Then I repaired this one Lucerne 1 JEWEL movement. It was actually the first watch I got but it was so difficult to put back together with the fiscal amount of tools I had at the time so I just left it strewn in a Ziplock bag. Then My most recent project that came up a total win was this Longines Caliber 19AS, 17 jewels unadjusted. It turned out beautifully in my opinion and was by far the most difficult to reassemble. I am in love with this hobby and its kind of engulfed my personality as of right now. I plan on giving the Longines watch to my uncle, and so right now I'm trying to enjoy that watch the most I possibly can. What I'm currently working on: A Seiko Automatic with a little date window and a weekday function too. I think its the 6309A. Then there is this Omega pocket watch. Unfortunately I lost a little screw that held in the click spring. I'll have to source another one because its tiny and my room is filled with carpet, that thing is gone. Then theres this little tiny Elgin pocket watch. It's fully assembled but the amplitude is low and so I think it needs a new mainspring. Then theres this Waltham 7 jewel movement that I also cleaned and reassembled, but it'll only run facing one way and again with the amplitude being low, I think it needs a new mainspring as well. And finally, I'm working on this gorgeous Grade no.3 1883 Waltham Pocket Watch. It came with a broken balance staff on both sides and would only run when the watch was like sideways, crown to the sky. I'm really excited about that one though, might be worth something. I've chosen to not show the other ones because they're not in movement holders right now, and the Omega is not put together. As you can see, I take these pictures using the flash. Idk why but I like the way the flash makes the metal shine more than just my little lamp. I'm also very eager to find a replacement for that balance wheel; any links would be appreciated. From what I could tell on the Seiko, it's just dirty and It should run if I put it together carefully after cleaning. Also, I fear that that 1883 Waltham may not run too good because of the mainspring, it's probably set because it's so old. I may seek a replacement for that too. I also need to find a crystal for that 18s gold filled Waltham that I've put together. It's just scary having it exposed. I ALMOST FORGOT to mention. Is this Omega real? You gotta turn your head a bit but it does indeed say "OMEGA", so I'm confused. I never knew they made pocket watches. And thats why I'm skeptical. Please let me know. But thats pretty much it. I just wanted to put this out there so that I could begin using the website properly and also to let some people know I exist I guess. Also this is my second account. I know that may violate some rules but I did the introduction wrong the first time and I wanted to fix it by making a new account. Please don't ban this one. Thank you all, -Matt

Hi all. So, to introduce myself. Always had a fascination with watches. Anything that ticks. Same with engines. Always been in awe of the engineers that create these marvels and never thought I'd be able to fettle with either as it all looks so complicated from the outside. Anyhow, now I'm hurtling towards "middle age", I've adopted the attitude that everything is worth a go. I may not be the expert but certainly willing to learn and develop knowledge. So whilst the classic Mini is parked up with a fuel leak, whilst the models have been left to dry after air brushing; I thought I'd turn my hand to another hobby that's been boiling away on the back ring of life - horology. Yes, got grandad's gold wrist watch tucked away (Roamer Incabloc). Not touching that as i fear it may self combust if i touch its inner parts. So I thought it'd be a good idea to purchase a "spares or repair" pocket watch movement for pennies and learn the basics on that. So far so good. Said watch is now disassembled. Prob only a two jeweller with a makers mark of a 6 point star in a circle with what i think is a D in it. Probably made by a bloke on Fleetwood docks in 1900. Who knows. What's important is that it's a starting point. On order, and more importantly, are two trench watches. Bday in a few weeks so was able to pass these purchases off as "gifts from the family" as opposed to "spending our hard earned money on more rubbish". Looking forward to reading this forum and youtube and learning so much from the generations of craftspeople and engineers out there. Cheers, Andy (aka Loopylad)

Hello, I'm trying to rivet a roller table to a balance staff and it doesn't want to hold or fit tight. Can I shellac the table to the staff? Is there something else I can do?

Hi there, I just thought I'd show you this rare afrobbins roller table remover. It's pretty cool you can turn the dial at the front to select the size you need then slide the pin into position which has a hole for the pivot to fit, then slowly turn the back dial and the locking pin will slide along a tapered section of the dial and push the roller table of the balance staff.

Following a string of missteps that costed the integrity of an antique watch, as documented in our forum, and after taking some time to re-consider my future as a horologist, I decided to go back to the 'workshop' with a clear intention to right my wrongs. The subject that lies on my table is an 1890s Swiss ébauche which cannot run its full length and stops after a few hours from winding. Fig. 1. Dial view. Fig. 2. Rear view. The setting was not smooth to start with as the hands were missing some turns of the stem. So I removed the dial to inspect the minute and hour wheels. Fig. 3. Front view with hour and minute wheels visible. With the hour wheel removed, I could notice the action between the minute wheel and the cannon pinion was failing to happen. Fig. 4. Minute wheel-cannon pinion defective action. The culprit has been caught. Fig. 5. Minute wheel with worn teeth. Without the minute wheel, it turns out the watch can run like a century ago. This wheel will have to replaced to re-establish the normal watch operation. I hope you liked this post. Now, my appeal to you, fellow watch enthusiasts. Iif you have a minute wheel 11.2 mm in diameter (diameter for pinion is 3.7 mm) please do get in touch, as that wheel is for this watch.

Evening all! In addition to the Swedish military Lemania watches that I was recently given, I got two pocket watches. One is a Leonidas, running and keeping time, that is marked on the case GS/TP with a broad arrow and 086876 with Bravingtons engraved below. I gather that the Bravingtons identification is because these watches were sold off by them post-war but can anyone tell me anything about Leonidas movements and who might have used these pocket watches? The other watch is key wound in a very worn silver plated brass case. There are no makers names anywhere on the watch, only the letters G R K under the balance. The train is intact as, when I give a little wind, the balance wheel spins freely but it won't run. Sorry about the poor quality pics but hopefully they'll be enough for identification purposes.