Waltham 1891 15J Help!

[sstakoff]

Esteemed Watchmakers/Repairers:

 

I've been away from the bench for a few weeks, but back again! I have a Waltham 0 Size, Model 1891 Seaside Grade 15Jewel movement that was running erratically. I gave it a full service and found that the mainspring was set. I had a close substitute that I've installed, but it slips on occasion, so I have a proper replacement on order. I can get enough power stored in the substitute to do some basic testing, etc. I found that the lower 3rd wheel jewel was cracked. On the timekeeper, the watch runs extremely slow stem down and extremely fast stem up. Dial up/down seems pretty good - I will need to recheck that, but I'm pretty sure it was reading ok.  A few questions... Do you think the jewel issue could cause such dramatic swings? I suspect it can. I have attached pics of jewel - plate side and dial side. Also - am I correct in thinking that I can replace this jewel with a Seitz friction jewel???

 

 

 

[WillFly]

I've had the same experience with a Waltham 16s size watch - running erratically in different positions - and it was most certainly the jewel, this time a balance wheel jewel.

 

Cheers,

 

Will