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American Waltham

markr

By markr
in Watch Repairs Help & Advice

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markr Super WRT Addict

markr

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This watch is running but week.  I'm assuming that it's a split stem front loader but before I go prying I would like to conform that.  Besides missing hands and crystal am I also missing a bezel?IMG_4595.thumb.JPG.acf4221d45ff22df57d434131081dc95.JPG

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KarlvonKoln Distinguished Member

KarlvonKoln

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Yep, no bezel.  And I would bet money it's a split stem.  Even though it's a lever set case, I don't see a lever protruding from the movement, so I'm guessing you have a crown-set cased in a lever-set case.  In which case (pardon the pun) you'll want to remember to pull out the crown to the set position before lifting out the movement.  Pocket Watch Database will give you a picture and tell you more.  Nice old Waltham you have!

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JohnR725 Distinguished Member

JohnR725

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Before popping the movement out remember to Either remove or rotate the case screws out of the way. Then it's very likely it hasn't been serviced in a very very long time probably service last time with organic oils which have hardened up more than likely a new mainspring and cleaning will possibly fix the problem.

Notice how I use the phrasing possibly fix the problem? Your watch is missing a few things who knows what else has been done to it. American pocket watches have suffered in the hands of people who didn't always grasp what they were doing and it makes for challenging repairs at times. So simple cleaning is may not fix the problem. If you're lucky maybe no one's actually touched the movement since it was manufactured then cleaning should fix the problem and new mainspring.

What's interesting the pocket watch database that was mentioned above found that the link below doesn't have the parts list for your watch? The parts listings are out there it just means that they haven't got them listed yet hopefully.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/6176367

 

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KarlvonKoln Distinguished Member

KarlvonKoln

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John makes a good point; who knows what people have been doing to it over the span of decades.  I'm sure when you strip it down for cleaning you'll be going over the parts with a fine-toothed comb.  Goodness knows I've seen tool marks of wide variety, from repairmen with too-large screwdrivers and a handful of thumbs, and I've seen (and smelled) movements that were sprayed full of WD-40, Cosmoline, gun oil, and some kids of oil I could not identify but may have been akin to lamp oil maybe.  And I have found all manner of filth anf grit in some of them too.  This Waltham has been around a while so there's been time.  

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WellAdjusted Member

WellAdjusted

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A nice watch! Replacement hands are easy to come by, as are replacement crystals.

Bezels are a different story. You might contact Don Barrett at City Bank Antiques in Ohio. He has a good reputation among NAWCC members for his epic stash of hunter case bezels. (He would also replace the crystal if you wished, which is probably worth it.)

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