Watch Quiz

[Greg Frauenhoff]

For any interested party, here's a just for fun Watch Quiz. There's something abnormal about the 18s Aurora pictured. Any guesses?
http://members.aol.com/gfrauen/aurora.jpg

Greg

[Greg Frauenhoff]

For any interested party, here's a just for fun Watch Quiz. There's something abnormal about the 18s Aurora pictured. Any guesses?
http://members.aol.com/gfrauen/aurora.jpg

Greg

[Steve Maddox]

Do you mean in addition to the mismatched balance bridge (i.e. balance bridge is from a "new model," barrel bridge is from an "old model")?

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Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

[rrstd]

It runs ?????

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[This message has been edited by R.J. Lucke (edited 12-29-2001).]

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Steve and Rhett,

You're both right!

Tha balance bridge is a "New Model" style that is on an otherwise "Old Model" mvt. The number on the underside of the bridge matches that of the rest of the mvt so it is indeed original. There are a few other such mvts known and all indications are that they were made late in the life of the Co. when things were getting lax. These are interesting curiosities to keep an eye out for.

Another curiosity are the Aurora mvts that have had the 5th pinions removed and the hole for such plugged with a small screw. Several have been found within a run of 100 suggesting that they were finished this way at the factory. The Co. probably had an order for htg mvts and was in short supply of them. These were also probably finished near the Co.'s end.

It runs. Would anyone care to see it's timing lines?

Greg

[Larry Jones 98326]

Yes, and what did Quiz Contestants Steve and Rhett win from the lowly Aurora collector??

[Jeff Hess]

Gosh, I would think a gondola ride down the Fox River would be an appropritate prize...


Jeff Hess
Former Fox Valley Watch Club member

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Jeff,

The mighty Fox is a much cleaner river than it was when I was a kid, so a gondola ride on it probably wouldn't be too hazardous to one's health. I've even participated twice in the famous canoe race down the Fox from Elgin to Aurora (in my case, calling it a "race" is more than a little bit of an exageration, as just finishing was quite an ordeal).

Greg

Two-time (two-timer?) past president of the Fox Valley Watch & Clock Collectors Guild

[Steve Maddox]

"Would anyone care to see it's timing lines?"

Sure Greg, I'd prefer that over a ride in a leaky boat anytime!

Post up the six position Vibrograf tapes, with at least two inches of running time in each position. That should be interesting!

SM

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Steve,

I was really just kidding about the tape, but since you were a "winner" of the quiz and there ain't no real prize (us lowly Aurora collectors are cheap ya know), here it is (as recorded by my Dad after he had finished making it go again).
http://members.aol.com/gfrauen/atape.jpg

Greg

[Steve Maddox]

Thanks Greg! That's certainly a lot better than I would have guessed!

Besides, it's been a long time since I've seen anyone actually USE a G-11 Watchmaster! If you'll tell your dad to spray a little WD-40 on the ribbon, it'll print a lot better.

Better yet, you might consider buying him a newer machine. Perhaps one made AFTER 1950 might be worth investigation! :biggrin:

SM

[Larry Jones 98326]

But Steve,

Isn't the logic behind your argument for using a newer timer the same as the logic behind the argument, "use a quartz watch, it'll keep better time than your RR"? :biggrin:

Larry

[Steve Maddox]

Well, maybe not exactly. I try to make a habit of using the best tools I can, and I certainly wouldn't put a Watchmaster into that category in this day and age. A big problem with them is their tuning fork time standards, very few of which have remained true through the years. There is an adjustable "trimmer" to correct small errors in these, but few people have the knowledge or wherewithal to set it accurately. Besides, even if the machine is accurate, paper for these hasn't been produced in years, and is getting hard to find, as are the vacuum tubes and other parts.

As for "authenticity," even the Watchmasters weren't introduced until the 1940s, which was decades after the majority of American pocket watches were produced. If you really wanted to go to extremes, I suppose you could dispense with the timing machine altogether, and test watches in various positions for several weeks by direct observation, using a jeweler's regulator as a time standard, which in turn would have been adjusted by astronomical observation. That's the way timing was done originally, but I'd be surprised if you could talk your dad into doing it that way today! :biggrin:

SM

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Steve,

My Dad's watch fixing days ended a few years ago (he had a stroke).

As for the WatchMaster, he got it in the 50s (I think) but it was broken (pick-up?) at some point and he didn't get it repaired until the late 80s after he had retired and took up watch repairing again (as a hobby).

I bought a couple similar ones at an auction 10 years ago for about $5 each. One works (I think it needed a tube or something, but there was a guy in Chicago who was a timing machine parts specialist and had the part. Whether this oldtimer is still in business I don't know). I almost never use the one I have (not enough space in my "office" to set it up). Besides, I only fix watches on rare occasions and normally only pieces in my collection, and if they run within a few minutes a day that's usually good enough for me.

Greg