Waltham 155 Movement From 1900 - Advice Please

[WillFly]

I've got a very nice 15-jewel,  Waltham wristwatch movement head, size 0, grade 155, from the year 1900. It's cased but is without winding stem and crown. I'd hoped to be able to get a stem and crown, either as parts or from another "spares or repair" piece.

 

Unfortuntely, I discovered recently that Waltham didn't, in fact, make their own stems and crowns for this movement - they relied on them being an integral part of the case. So - unless I can find a similar head or case with stem and crown, I'm stymied, and to find one from the same era and size is going to be long  haul job.

 

Any advice as to progress - or should I just sell it on?

[SeikoWatch]

Waltham are very common but due to the oldest Watch Will, it'll be hard to find something for a certain model.. However you can probably look for a reproduction for the winding stem or and a crown.....eBay is a very good place Will :)

[Craig]

Don't know about finding an original Will especially not this side of the pond....not for a circa1900 piece now that is vintage. The only time you don't bloomin post a pic....lol.....Would like to see that Will. ;)

[SeikoWatch]

yes posting a picture of what you have will give us a good idea... :)

Edited February 18, 2014 by SeikoWatch

[WillFly]

Ach - alvays you are demanding pictures, pictures... (wipes brow). OK, here ya go:

 

 

[DJW]

These two parts are made years apart... The movement is designed for a pocket watch case, hunter style. The case is much later, 25-35 plus years and was designed for a purpose built wristwatch movement that has the winding stem integrated into the movement, just like today's watches.

 

I can see no real practical or cheap way to make this marriage happen. I would punt, IMHO.

 

Your only other option is to find a 0s American case and install the movement into it. At least you'll have a complete pocket watch, but not a wristwatch.

Sorry.

[WillFly]

Thanks, DJW - you've confirmed what I suspected - so on to the Bay it goes. But - before it does - if anyone wants it to tinker with, I'm happy to give it for the price of postage.

[SeikoWatch]

Where do you live Will ?

[WillFly]

In the UK.

[SeikoWatch]

ah zut !... too far from me  for your Watch :(

[southwesttimers]

Will, I have worked on many of these recased American made movements in friction stem wristwatches. Your movement is an American made Waltham 3/0 in size. It appears to me that you need a stem, sleeve (friction type) , and a crown. Some of these cases take a screw in type sleeve and others just fit from the bottom of the case tube. Unless you have an assortment of sleeves and stems for these type of cases it is hard to locate the correct sleeve and stem not to mention the crown. They are nice watches once you finish them, but finding those parts can be a challenge.

[DJW]

Hi southwesttimers- how common are these type of wristwatch cases that used these friction stem/sleeve setups? I've seen one before but it was done aftermarket with a modern type case and a Hamilton 992 movement. It seems to me the sleeve is the most important part of this steup as the stem can easily be turned and a crown can be adapted to fit. Is there anyone selling sleeves for this particular aplication or can a threaded sleeve be modified to work in this situation? 

 

BTW, with the serial number stamped on the movement, 10389186, I get a size 0 in the pocketwatch database, not a 3/0 is my database incorrect?

 

Thanks!

DJW

[Mark]

Everyone I have ever seen like this has a sleeve with four leaves on it - usually one or two leaves are broken off. I have never seen a screw on type of sleeve on the wrist watch walthams. But I have never found a supplier of the sleeves either.

I have tried to make them but never had good results. I get the shape right and technically it works but I can never seem to replicate the springiness (is that a word). So when doing the hardening and tempering I either get it too soft or too brittle. I'm most likely using the wrong kind of steel.

[WillFly]

Many thanks for all the info and advice on this movement - which, I believe, is a straight 0 size according to my Waltham database - it's greatly appreciated. I've actually done a bit of research on this and come to the conclusion - backed up by the evidence of people on this forum - that the game isn't worth the candle for me. If anyone wants to tinker with this for the the cost of the cheapest postage, you're welcome to it. If not, I shall probably put it aside for a rainy day, get my tools and digital camera at the ready - and do my first real teardown... :skydive:

[southwesttimers]

I stand corrected, it is a O size Waltham. It still utilizes the same stem and sleeve system as the 3/0 movement.