Liverpool windows

[Oliver Mundy]

The fashion for these very large clear jewels(normally fitted only to the back-plate, much smaller ones being used behind the dial where they could not be seen) lasted from about 1815 to 1855-60. I suspect that, as with the Massey and rack-lever escapements, the supply was controlled by one particular specialist and ceased when that firm went out of business; but I do not know for certain, and I should be most interested to hear the answer if it can be found.

The Watch Cabinet (http://www.horologia.co.uk)

[Greg Crockett]

The large windows found in early M1857 American Watch Co. watches (1860's) are so similar to the British that I wonder if they were imported for use in these watches? I was able to remove some Liverpool windows from a scrap British movement which were a perfect fit in a vintage 1864 M1857. Any ideas regarding American made vs. import would be appriciated.

Best regards,
Greg

[Steve Maddox]

In the early days of the American Waltham Watch Company, Aaron Lufkin Dennison traveled to Europe, where he secured lots of parts and "know how," which were incorporated into the early products of the American Watch Company.

Among the parts imported were hairsprings and mainsprings, pallet forks, escape wheels, jewels, etc. The company eventually figured out how to make all that stuff "in house," but the development of the necessary machines and processes took years, and it wasn't all accomplished at the same time.

Most of the "Liverpool windows" are made from aquamarines, which are really too soft to make good jewels. It's not at all uncommon to see the holes in those worn oblong, like the pivot holes in a non-jeweled watch. There's an easy "cure" for that, but I won't go into it unless someone's interested.

======================

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

[Greg Crockett]

I'm interested! I work on old items like this and would like to know more about them. You say these jewels are "soft", is it practicable for the average watchmaker to make them?

Regards,
Greg

[Steve Maddox]

Greg,

I don't have any ambitions of attempting to make a hole jewel myself, but there's no doubt that it's possible. I'm told there's a description of the process in the Daniels' book, but I haven't had a chance to read it.

In any event, the simple "fix" for a jewel whose hole is worn oblong, is to rotate it 180 degrees. If the jewel bezel happens to be held in place by two screws that are 180 degrees apart, rotating it will be a cinch, but if it's set directly into the plate, or if the bezel cannot be turned for whatever reason (screws not 180 degrees apart, etc.), the same remedy can still be accomplished. In that event, glue the head of a small screw (or similar instrument) to the surface of the jewel, and when the glue has dried, turn the jewel as desired. Burnished jewels will rotate very easily in their bezels without leaving any visible trace of disturbance, except some extra "oil space" on the side of the hole opposite the usual direction of wear.

The reason this works is that in the gear train of a watch or clock, the direction of force to the train wheels always remains the same. In other words, the pivot of any given train wheel will always be forced toward the same side of its hole, and will never touch the opposite side in the ordinary course of operation.

Needless to say, once a jewel has been turned, the potential exists for the other side to eventually wear as well, thereby leaving replacement as the only option, but the technique will at least allow that eventuality to be delayed, and it won't materially alter the watch. Besides, not many people today use 19th century watches on a daily basis, and those who do will find that the modern lubricants are far superior to those that were available 100 years ago or more.

=====================

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

[Greg Crockett]

Thanks Steve,

That's quite clever.

Regards,

Greg

[John Pavlik]

Fixxer,

The latest one that I have had was in a hallmarked case for 1916. That is quite late though. By the 1870's going barrels with screwed plates were being made by rather large watch making company's..

John Pavlik

PS Be careful they are rather addictive in nature....

[Tom Huber]

I have an English fusee hallmarked 1892, which was given to me. I have the history of the watch. It was purchased in Cardiff, Wales in 1893 from a jeweler named C. Hutchens, whose name is engraved on the movement. The purchaser was the great uncle of the man who gave it to me.

Tom

Tom Huber