Source for balance staffs?

[Jon Miller]

I have several rare 1860s Jones Caliber IWC pocket watch movements that are intact and repairable, but the balance staffs are kaput. Who can suggest where to start looking for replacements? The factory in Switzerland has no spares, and will charge a king's ransom to make them from scratch.

One of these movements may be the oldest one around, judging from the serial number (1396), and it would be neat if I could get it ticking over again.

[This message has been edited by Jon Miller (edited 10-31-2002).]

[Jon Miller]

I have several rare 1860s Jones Caliber IWC pocket watch movements that are intact and repairable, but the balance staffs are kaput. Who can suggest where to start looking for replacements? The factory in Switzerland has no spares, and will charge a king's ransom to make them from scratch.

One of these movements may be the oldest one around, judging from the serial number (1396), and it would be neat if I could get it ticking over again.

[This message has been edited by Jon Miller (edited 10-31-2002).]

[Greg Crockett]

Aside from making one yourself from scratch, you might try modifying a slightly larger staff intended for another watch. Sometimes, all that must be done is to shorten the pivots or narrow it down a little. If I have to do a staff on an off-brand watch I often sift through a large old staff assortment and find a close oversize staff to turn down to size. This cuts down the time needed to do the job.

However, since you probably don't have a large assortment of staffs, there is another way. I heard of a balance staff interchangeability booklet listing the dimensions of common balance staffs. I never had this book myself, but it would appear that if you could look up the dimensions of your staff you might be able to find a close match to a staff still available from S. LaRose, etc. If anyone knows of the balance staff book I'm thinking of, please let us know if you have found the above suggestion to be workable.

[BMW]

Hi Jon,
I have both the Townsend staff interchangability book and the Bestfit catalog that contains a size reference. If you can obtain the dimensions of the staff, I may be able to help. Drop me a line.
B

[Dr. Jon]

I recall reading that the early IWC's had some similarity with some Elgin watches. I'd start looking at ELging staffs.