Late 1800 pocket watch - first attempt

[Lanski]

Hi,

First I’m new at this.  So far I’ve taken a couple of cheap movements to pieces to get my head round the mechanics in tandem with the guidance in de Carle’s Book. 

My first attempt at a restoration is on an late 1800 Swiss small fob watch that I picked up off eBay for spares or repair. The strip down has gone OK till I got to the canon pinion which I cannnot seem to budge and have stopped for fear of damaging it. Any advice on how to progress would be very much appreciated.

Additionally, the watch came with a minute hand in situe but with the hour hand broken off. The minute hand is 13 mm centre to tip.  Any suggestions as to the best route to source a new hand/ set of hands.  All new to me so don’t assume much knowledge.  

 

Regards.

 

Lanski. 

[watchweasol]

Hi Lenski   Cannon pinnions  are press  fitted  and can take a fair bit to remove them  with levers , but better with a removal tool as the pull must be straight to avoid damaging the center wheel, as regards hands  There are material houses such as cousins.uk    or gleave & co  A G Thomas where they can probably help, but a hand gauge or Micrometer is required to measure the hour wheel and cannon pinion to get correct size . Have a look at the Esslinger site on the web there is a help section which refers to measuring hands. A pair of pliers with soft brass jaw inserts can be used so as not to damage the cannon.   

[watchweasol]

Hi Lanski  I have uploaded the catalogue fron Borel  USA  much information, The cats from cousins and Gleave are also down loadable both contain plenty information.

Horological Catalog 2016 - Borel.pdf

[oldhippy]

What you have is a five bar pocket watch movement. It is Swiss. If I’m not mistaken it is a cylinder escapement. It does not have pallets. You can remove the cannon pinion with a flat stake and small hammer. Tap the tip of the cannon pinion, it is a slim piece of steel that goes right through the center of the center wheel, it is friction tight.   

[MrRoundel]

I remember being similarly confused the first time I worked on that type of cannon pinion.  A normal puller might not work because of the smooth sides of the pinion. It can't get necessary purchase.

I've also used a brass hammer to get it started, sometimes following it up with a K&D sub-punch that will fit easily through the cannon pinion. You've just got to sight it from the side in order to get a solid eye-shot on the center pin (?). As Oldhippy said, a slight tap should do it. Good luck.

 

Edited May 29, 2019 by MrRoundel
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[Lanski]

Thanks guys. Great help.  

[MrRoundel]

Good luck!