Pocket Watch

[garyb47]

Can someone please help. I admittedly now nothing about watch repair etc. I have a very old "Columbus Watch Co". pocket watch. I don't know how it works. I don't know how to open it or wind it etc. The stem is stationary. It is in three sections and looks like 2 sets of hinges on the bottom that allow the front and rear to open. Can someone help.

[harold bain]

Hi, Gary, welcome to the message board. I am going to move your thread to the American Pocket Watch forum for better exposure

[bkerr]

You have a pretty nice looking Columbus. It is a keywind, which means that you will need to open the rear cover and use a key to wind it up. It would be best to clearly identify the movement if you could get a picture of the movement.

Sometimes those covers are hard to open. A thin piece of metal (pocket knife blade) will be used to pry it open.

Waiting to see what it looks like!!

[garyb47]

Thanks for the help. I got it open. It hasn't been open in at least 40 years. I got it when I was 10 from my great grandfather and has been sitting in a safe place since. Here is what I found but not sure what it means. I do appreciate knowing how it opens and winds. It has escaped me all these years and I never had the nerve to pry at it. (and thanks Harold)

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Nice Columbus. Thanks for the pics.

A few comments, it is a rather high grade (for it's time) key wind Columbus in that it (probably) has 15 jewels, is an "Adjusted" grade and has a patent regulator (at first glance it looks like the small "screw" that fits into the end of the regulator arm is missing; this is a very common missing bit). The hairspring needs some attention and the hairspring stud (which would fit into the small holes to the right of the balance wheel) is missing, but all-in-all it should be restorable to running condition if you should so choose.

It should date to about 1884, at which time key wind mvts were on their way out; being replaced by stem winders. Better grade (such as yours) pure KW Columbus mvts are rather uncommon. There is an old NAWCC Bulletin article by Nahum Lewis that discusses KW Columbus watches and has a small bit of data on them. If time permits, I will dig it out and let you know what info Mr. Lewis gathered and published on these many years ago.

Greg

[garyb47]

Thank you Greg for the great information. I really appreciate it.

[bkerr]

Glad to see you got it opened!

I agree with the comments listed above. I can't tell but it looks like the serial number is 21xxx. This is a key to find out more about your watch. There is some great history behind the company. It changed hands several times.
I'd say that your watch is very restorable. You have a bonus, you know it's history!!

BTW- it will not run in it's current condition even if you do get a key to wind it with.