Question about pocket watch cases

[vandd]

how do you determin the size of an pocket watch case as in is a size 18 2 inches and 1/5? just wondering

[Jon Hanson]

sight, experience, shape; OR, buy a cheap movement measuring ruler

[Kent]

Or, you measure the opening that the pillar plate of the movement fits into, using the same dimension system as is used in determining the movement size from the pillar plate diameter.

[Jon Hanson]

sight, experience, shape; OR, buy a cheap movement measuring ruler

as stated above, measure the diameter opening on the front side of the case

[Kent]

as stated above, measure the diameter opening on the front side of the case

Where did you perviously state "... measure the diameter opening on the front side of the case"?

[Jon Hanson]

measue, measure, measure

[vandd]

ok i am lost.
i mean when you measure what measurement determins what size. 18,17,16....?

[Saiph]

The size of a watch (as in 16s or 18s) is base on the Lancashire gauge system. Check out this page on elginwatches.org (http://elginwatches.org/help/watch_sizes.html). It explains many of the different size systems and has a conversion table that includes measurement in inches.

[richiec]

You "generally" measure the diameter of the plate under the dial for the size of the watch, there are some oddballs as well but generally that is the basis for the size of the watch for the case. You should also measure the depth of the watch movement as Walthams are notorius for not fitting standard cases due to thickness.

[vandd]

ok i am still lost, lets say you bought an empty case how do you tell what size watch will fit in it if you do not know what size it is?

[Jon Hanson]

1 try some movements if you know nothing about this

2 measure the case

[Jon Hanson]

ok i am lost.
i mean when you measure what measurement determins what size. 18,17,16....?

the special watch ruler

[Jerry Treiman]

A picture is worth a thousand posts -
... this photo shows a movement gauge measuring the opening in a 16-size case. Movement gauges like this were given away free by various material houses.

[LloydB]

ok i am still lost, lets say you bought an empty case how do you tell what size watch will fit in it if you do not know what size it is?

If you remove the bezel (surrounds the crystal) and carefully
examine the opening to the case, you'll see the rim which
typically surrounds the dial. Directly below this is a 'ledge'
that the dial would sit on. Careful measurement of the inside
diameter of that 'ledge' (using a precision caliper) will give
you a measurement that can be compared with the published
tables provided in earlier posts.

For American watches, another way would be to collect a few
inexpensive (damaged?) dials (faces) of known sizes, and try
them in the case. 10, 14, 16 and 18-size dials should do it,
for men's watches.

[vandd]

A picture is worth a thousand posts -
... this photo shows a movement gauge measuring the opening in a 16-size case. Movement gauges like this were given away free by various material houses.

ao where do i get one of thoses thingies? never seen one in my life so far.

[Jon Hanson]

Maybe Jerry could give you one? I am all out of them at the present.

[Veritas]

Likely it could be found on Ebay as well.

[vandd]

Likely it could be found on Ebay as well.
thought of that already and looked for "movement gauge" and did not find one.
if Jerry has an extra to spar i will pay for shipment, and could make a donation to nawcc.. for my thanks.(even know we are not spost to talk about money)....

[Tom McIntyre]

If you live near an NAWCC Chapter, you can probably make friends with someone and go to a meeting. You would enjoy talking to the people and can find a movement gauge for $1. If you find a plastic one lying in the junk on a table, it will probably be free.:)

You don't necessarily need to join the NAWCC to attend one or two meetings. You might like it well enough to join and get all the other benefits.

[vandd]

well, where is the closest meating place to wisconsin?

[Jerry Treiman]

Here is a link to our web page showing chapters in Wisconsin.
http://www.nawcc.org/headquarters/chapters/chap-US.htm#Wisconsin

click on the links for more information.

[regarding Jon's suggestion - I do not have an extra gauge to send out]

[Jon Hanson]

Why not scan you case, cases here so we can continue on and on on this subject?

[vandd]

wow about a 2-3 hour drive for me.... but back to the subject, i do not have a scanner, so i can only provid a photo, i will try to get one on later today. i have 2 enpty cases at the moment inwhich i believe they are both the same size. inwhich i think they are a 16 because they are smaller than my howard 18, but i have no proof/clue if i am right.

[Jon Hanson]

there is an advanced study on watch cases on Web Horology

[Kent]

This has gone on long enough, here's a scan of a movement scale. Print it out and it should be good enough.

Well ..... you'll probably have to resize your print.

[vandd]

now only if i was that smart i would do so....:)

[Kent]

1. Save the picture to file.

2. Using Microsoft Paint (Programs/accessories/Paint), open the file.

3. With the picture open in Paint, click on File on the upper toolbar, then, in the drop-down menu that opens, click on Print to print the picture.

4. Measure the length of 100mm on the printed picture in actual millimeters, using a suitable scale (ruler).

5. Divide: 100mm/Measured Length

6. Multiply by 100 to get percent.

7. With the picture open in Paint, click on Image on the upper toolbar.

8. In the drop-down menu that opens, click on Stretch/Skew.

9. Type the calculated percentage into the Horizontal: and Vertical: fields in the Stretch box.

10. Click on the OK button.

11. With the picture open in Paint, click on File on the upper toolbar, then, in the drop-down menu that opens, click on Print to print the picture.

12. Check 100mm or 4 inches in the printed picture against a suitable scale (ruler). Adjust your calculated percentage and repeat steps 7-12 if needed.

13. Save your correct length picture file.

Example:

100mm in the picture measures 31mm

100/31 = 3.23

3.23 x 100 = 323%

Type the 323 into the Horizontal: and Vertical: fields in the Stretch box.

[veritemps]

Get yourself 7j junker movements in 18, 16, 12, 6size and so on figure out which one fits & you have the case size.

[Jon Hanson]

a ruler is cheaper!

[vandd]

a ruler is cheaper!
ok but where??

[Jon Hanson]

Keep the topic up top here and someone will respond.

I have no extras at this time.

[Veritas]

Vandd, another option is to join a Chapter online such as chapter 192.
Then you wont,t have to drive anywhere and you can enjoy all Chapter benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I am a member of this Chapter.:)

[Jon Hanson]

You can also join Web Horology as many nawccers have and enjoy the many more educational tools there for free!

[Kent]

So .....

.... does Web Horology or Chapter 192 have movement scales for vandd4621?

[vandd]

not to sound like a newbe (but i am) where do u sign up?

[Jon Hanson]

web horology

http://whmb.webhorology.com/index.php

go on, join, call Sam, and ask

[vandd]

when i go on and try to sign up it states
"Sorry, registration has been disabled by the administrator."

[Jon Hanson]

call Sam, WH web man, 479-229-0199

[vandd]

thanks jon, now all i have to do is find out how to join this one... time will tell though..when you have tuns of watches...

[Jon Hanson]

simply register and call Sam--very easy

[vandd]

i called him and also made some posts

[kirxklox]

I only register Horologists that are interested in Public Education.

If YOU can't find what you are looking for ASK or research it and put it UP.

[vandd]

Thanks John P. for the size Measure