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Posted

Hi All-

I just rescued a lot of old watch making tools and supplies.  I don't know how old they are, but I'm guessing pre 1960 based on some box dates I found.  My mom was friends with an old guy that passed away.  His children had a garage sale and sold a lot of his stuff.  For some reason no one touched his watch making desk and tools.  They were going to throw it away, but my mom asked if I wanted it.  YES!!!

I don't have an interest in watchmaking, but I do have huge respect for the types of trades that are slowing leaving us as these craftsman pass away.  I also love old tools in general.  I'd like to post up pictures here to get an understanding of what some of these tools are.  Sadly, I have no room for his old desk.

 

Here are some of the tools, I have lots more.

 

Thanks,

Chris

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  • Like 5
Posted
4 hours ago, CMJ said:

What is this?

 

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It's a main spring punch, for punching holes in the end of main springs either to catch a pin in the barrel wall or to rivet a hook on to.

Posted (edited)

I don't have the room for that desk, but I'm still thinking about taking it, before it gets sold.  I just feel like I'm going to be kicking myself once it's gone.  There's just something about it that is special.

Edited by CMJ
Posted

I decided to take it today...

Feeling sick.  She apparently got a buyer in NY!  We're in L.A.

  Yes, I could probably tell her to cancel the deal, but I won't.  If it falls through I'll take it.  

Posted
3 hours ago, Tudor said:

Well, hopefully going to a good home where it will continue to serve as a watch bench and not some SoHo entryway adornment...

She cancelled the order.  I'm going to make room for it in my garage.  It will be my son's work bench.  He appreciates the history and will take care of it.  He's always out on my bench making something, or taking things apart.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the tools yet.  Some of them I can use, others are a little too specialized.  

Would anyone here have a use for all those old main springs and hairsprings?   

  • Like 1
Posted

Or donate them to the collective here. But it seems such a large collection would need a curator. 
 

Perhaps grouping them into “lots” by movement type and selling that way on eBay (or elsewhere) would work. I know what a monumental task it is to catalogue and organize millions of tiny parts... Just my meager collection is begging for organization. I’m hoping to get some reasonable size multi-compartment containers (with lids) so I can have all one movement in one box. I have to do something...

Ive got a beautiful 7733 Heuer dial I need to build into a watch. I have a soft spot for blue dials...

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