Please help newbie - Shell-type skeleton

[Ball992B]

First, are there any hinges anywhere...

[Barry G]

Hmmm... I'd love to see a picture, but this sounds like it might be one of the brand new, untra-cheap construction "skeleton" watches that have been sold in such venues as eBay for the last few years. I believe the covers simply pry off, but I'm not sure these are actually worth working on. Assuming it's the same watch, of course.

Barry

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My Online Pocket Watch Collection (http://barrygoldberg.net/watches.htm)

[Lindell V. Riddle]

Welcome to the fascinating world of pocket watch collecting!

For those unfamiliar with the Shell Oil Company promotional watches "perigrin" refers to, they had crystals on both sides along the lines of a "salesman's case" otherwise known as a "sample case" or a "display case".

I presume you are referring to a similar "view-back" type of case, whether or not it is actually a skeleton movement. A true skeleton watch has a movement which has been opened up, portions of the plates ground away to the point that one can actually look through it. They are among the types of movements displayed in a case with crystals on both sides so that it can be viewed in operation.

Most "view-back" or dual bezel (bezel is the word for the ring around the glass) cases open by unscrewing or prying off the bezel in question like any other pocket watch.

The problem is in determining which style you have. If it unscrews it is similar to removing the top from a jar. You will not want to attempt prying until you are absolutely certain it does not unscrew. Many good cases have been seriously damaged by someone trying to pry off a screwed on bezel. Try removing the one on the front, and that will tell you what is on the rear, as they are usually the same.

The chances are it has "snap" type bezels that pry off. Examine it very carefully using strong magnification. If it prys off you will usually find tell-tale sratches from it having been removed previously. It may fit very tightly, but with magnification, you should be able to see the place to insert a small knife and "pop" it loose.

In opening any watch do it in a well-lighted place, be sitting down and use great care.

Hope this gets you started!



[This message has been edited by Lindell V. Riddle (edited 05-23-2002).]

[Rick White]

Sounds interesting perhaps a prototype? My Shell watch is a snap back case, I am not sure what yours might be. Kent Singer has provided some helpful suggestions on opening watches here: http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/opencase.txt
Can you load pics?

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Rick White

[4thdimension]

What I've read is that the Shell version was a promotional effort and they were indeed lubricated with Shell oil ( I don't know what weight). Anyhow, the motor oil
jammed them up so the promo died down and watchmakers across the nation got some extra work. The last one I had had broken staff. The material dealer
in Boston told me the part was discontinued. Luckily, I found an unsigned movement without dial or case
and was able to swap the balance. The movement in the Shell watch is a Girard
Perregaux caliber which was used in non-Shell watches too.
-Cort

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[Rick White]

Cort,
The author of the article I used for my notes corresponded with the Shell Oil people for the details I provided. The watches were not filled with Shell oil only lubricated with it.

[4thdimension]

i just read the MMB thread.. Tres Classique!
-Cort

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