Pocket Watch Repair Book

[HUDD]

Hi
I've been trawling the www to find a suitable comprehensive book devoted to the repair and maintenance of American pocket watches. Now I'm confused !! Can anyone please recommend a suitable publication for an amateur enthusiast such as myself. If it helps, I seem to have gravitated to 18s Hampdens and 83 model Walthams around the 1890 to 1910 era.
In addition, is there such a thing as a Hampden service catalogue that allows me to see pictures of the parts and lists part Nos ?

Hudd

[HUDD]

Hi
I've been trawling the www to find a suitable comprehensive book devoted to the repair and maintenance of American pocket watches. Now I'm confused !! Can anyone please recommend a suitable publication for an amateur enthusiast such as myself. If it helps, I seem to have gravitated to 18s Hampdens and 83 model Walthams around the 1890 to 1910 era.
In addition, is there such a thing as a Hampden service catalogue that allows me to see pictures of the parts and lists part Nos ?

Hudd

[Jon Hanson]

fpr general repair work there are plenty of books; however, try one of the Henry Fried books, available from the nawcc gift shop sales and library dept, I believe.

[doug sinclair]

HUDD,

I would think that a membership in NAWCC or the AWI would open up a lot of resources for you. You would have access to their lending libraries for books and videos on the subjects you are interested in. As far as comprehensive sources for the information you are looking for, that I don't know for sure. What would be comprehensive to you depends a lot on what your experience in servicing watches is, to start out with. If you have no experience, I would think that any book such as Fried's Watch Repairer's Manuals would give you a leg up on basic procedures. Then, information filling in the blanks on an '83 model would be fairly easy to locate. It you are looking for a book to teach you watch repair while you start out on a model '83, I doubt such a book exists. If it did, it would be an encyclopedia. As far as the Hampden materials catalog is concerned, again, the AWI or NAWCC could probably help there. I don't know how much attention the BHI pays to American watches.

[Jon Hanson]

Add, there has been some pictorial 1883 model Waltham watch repair techniques on the chapter 149 message board--but you will need to do a search--the topic writer is Wayne Anderson, 149 member.

If you have a difficult task re 1883s, the best expert on these is Bill Tapp, also of 149!

[Kenny D]

"Hampden Watch Co." by Hernick & Arnold is the best publication available on Hampdens. It has descriptions and photos on most all Hampden/Dueber movement grades, models, sizes. Also an incomplete but helpful serial list. Also has a parts list (no pics) with factory numbers on all models which is a necessity when trying to locate parts.
It should be readily available from various sources. Got my copy on ebay.

:smile:

[Jon Hanson]

I have some factory material catalogues but these are originals and too fragile to copy--maybe one day!

[HUDD]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I have followed up Doug Sinclair's advice and located a copy of The Watch Repairer's Maual on E-Bay and put in a bid. It does seem to be the ideal reference for what I want to achieve. I shall also follow up Kenny D's suggestion on the Hampden reference book.

As far as experience goes, I bought my first huge silver english fusee movement watch back in 1968. I was 19yrs old at the time. After a couple of years faithful service it failed. In quite a spectacular manner, more like a mini explosion on the bedside table. Both chain and spring were broken.Repairers advised it was old and worn out and I would be best throwing it away and buying a new one. I was livid ! Got a book out of the library on fusee clocks ( same principle as watches ), bought up several similar "scrap" movements from a so called antique dealer in Manchester at 5 bob a go and managed to repair my old watch plus some of the movements, including a couple of verge escapements. However, I'm much older now ( calculators at the ready ? )and fing American watch movements more sophisticated and complex. Especially the Waltham '83 models when compared to Hampden and Illinois movements. Little springs in places where you don't expect to find them !!

Incidentally, in 69 I bought a broken Waltham "Giant" in a badly dented silver case. I've managed a repair, and it runs very well and keeps time. Pity about the case though. Can you tell me what a Waltham "Giant" is please ? I can't find any references to it. Was it for export to Europe ? Any ideas where I can locate a period case for it ( 16s I think but could be an odd size )?

Hudd

[Jon Hanson]

I am shocked that members would not tout the nawcc book store for a purchase over fleabay, esp in the financial condition that the nawcc is in presently........bearing in mind that I have not compared prices.

However, the nawcc offers some great books at a very reduced rate and the Marion book by Muir and Kraus is a prime example--original published price in the early eighties was $35.00; bookstore price today, 13-16 dollars and one of horology's very best values!

[HUDD]

As you may have read earlier in this string, NAWCC members did tout the home book store so no blame to them. Rather blame me for being perverse ( I think that's what being a Yorkshireman is all about ? ). I've bid a relatively moderate sum for The Watch Repairers Manual and also for "Modern Watch Repairing and Adjusting" by Bowman and Borer. If I "win" both they ship together for the price of one ( who said only the Scots were tight ? ). Only joking. Seriously though, I have looked at the NAWCC book store and will no doubt return when and if my fleabay bids fail.
I shall also look at the Marion book you recommend. Thanks for the pointer. Meanwhile I'm re-tooling as it where with period tools when I can get hold of them at reasonable prices. They fascinate me nearly as much as the watches and it will be great to handle them and use them as they were meant to be used.

Hudd

[Jon Hanson]

If you are a member, try the nawcc emart; if not, try Web Horology which is free to all people but you must register!

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Hudd,

I've made a few reprints of an illustrated Hampden Watch Co. material catalog from an original in my collection. Send me an email if you'd like further details.

[Jon Hanson]

H,

If you are patient this info is obtainable for FREE!

Jon

[HUDD]

Thank you Jon and Greg. Not sure what info you refer to Jon ? I'd like to look at the NAWCC E-Mart so I will look into how to become a member. I see chapter 149 is the Early American Watch Club. I have an interest in early English watches and am fortunate enough to own a gold paired case verge by Thomas Bradford of London which I am told dates from around the 1690's. I can't prove it, but I believe it once belonged to Admiral Sir Roger Curtis who was Nelson's Admiral of the Red at Trafalgar.

Hudd

[Jon Hanson]

Whatever you need.