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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.