Installing Hands On A Key Set Watch

[klinej54]

I recently picked up a 1867 Elgin 18s G M Wheeler movement. It came without hands and case, so I bought a set of hands from Marty Bell (the hand guy). They are beautiful, by the way. He does such great work. But I digress.

 

Now keep in mind, I would need to study for a year just to qualify as a "novice". I have a few tools, but removing and re-installing a balance cock is about as brave as I've gotten so far. But come on, hands? I have one those "Acme hand setting tool with three spring-loaded push arms as 6 different fittings") things I picked up on the net. I've done this before, once, kinda... what could be so hard? (That sounds a bit like "Hey honey, watch this?" doesn't it?)

 

Second hand went on no big deal. The hour hand was pretty easy too, although wouldn't you know it, I couldn't use my hand setter as it doesn't have a fitting with a big enough opening to accommodate a key set post. I had seen the guy on YouTube who swears and burps all the time use a set of tweezers.  I mean if he can do it, why not me? I positioned the hand, lined-up the tweezers on the edge of the ring and gave a push. Presto, it's on! I mucked about for a sec to get the hand level and I was ready for the minute hand.

　

I feeling a might cocky that this point. Give me that hand, I'm go in there!

 

What a pain in the butt! The darn thing kept slipping off, sliding around, spinning out of alignment. (To quote the YouTube guy, "everything moves!") I finally had the hand resting on top for the setting nut (if that's what you call it) and it was time to press it in place. I position the tweezers and slip. Reposition and slip, press down and slip. You're getting the picture, right? Now I have the hand just on so it is flush with the nut, but I absolutely can not advance it. How the heck can it set the watch if I can't get a key on the nut?

 

I'd like to tell you I had to moved my watch keys out of the way while looking for something to push down on the minute hand, but that would be a stretch. But at some point, the light, however dim, went off in my wee bit of a brain. I could use a watch key to push down on the hand!  2 minute later the hands in place and I'm calling everybody, including my Mom tell them about my latest victory.

 

Did I tell you I bought a balance staff remover for my staking set?

 

Standing by

 

jk

[Geo]

Well done for persevering! Watch repairing can be both a frustrating and a rewarding hobby. This balance is not always the way you would like it to be, sometimes it's a good idea to walk away and revisit the problem the next day.

[klinej54]

I really love the old-timers.  About half of my watches were made in the first 20 years of Elgin production.  It's continually amazes me that they still keep reasonable time after nearly 150 years!  It does make me nervous; I don't want to be the one be end the life of a watch that has made it through 2 world wars...

 

You're spot on about walking away when things aren't going well.  Its one of my weakness to press harder when I become frustrated.  Watches are not very tolerant to that approach.

[Geo]

I really love the old-timers.

You'll get on well with a good few on the forum then! ;)

I have a wee collection of old pocket watches and some of them would put some of the new stuff to shame, both in finish and timekeeping.