Opening and ID of a engineers special pocket watch

[stoneheart]

This pocket watch came with an estate i bought but i am not sure how to open it...I saw a couple of how too on the the net but i am still confused, grin....So any help would be appreciated...

Thanks alot

http://yfrog.com/0epicture4280j

http://yfrog.com/05picture4283j

http://yfrog.com/6spicture4282j

http://yfrog.com/0jpicture4281j

[doug sinclair]

That looks decidedly like a "swing-ring" case. They are opened by unscrewing the knurled front bezel in a counter-clockwise direction. If it has been a while since the bezel has been off, it may take some coaxing. Once you've managed that, pull the stem outward. if it will move. Then, look for a lip in the outer case ring which surrounds the dial, down by the 6. Carefully, put a thumbnail in that lip and lift. The case ring should swing out on its hinge which will be near the 12. Do this over a table with a soft surface in case the movement isn't secure in the case ring. As to what is likely in the case? I have a pretty good idea. But get back to us and we'll see if I'm right.

Doug S.

[stoneheart]

Hi,

Thanks for the info do you need a tool to get that bezel off ? seems very tight do you unscrew it by pushing on the thick crystal/glass ? ....The watch is keeping time also and the stem works great...

[doug sinclair]

You may have to tackle this with a pair of rubber gloves, or some kind of a rubber disc for removing stubborn jar lids. If you look closely, you should see a faint seam where the knurled bezel which carries the crystal abuts against the case. Sometimes, corrosion can build up in that seam causing the bezel to be stubborn. When I run into stubborn ones like this, I often find that gentle "massaging" of the bezel in a counter-clockwise direction, works best. Do it for as long as it takes for the bezel to move.

Doug S.

[49stude63]

I have to agree with Doug sometimes these swing out cases can be a handful so if you have two of the rubber jar openers one to hold the case and one to hold the bezel or palming the dial glass and using the adage, left-loosey, righty-tighty. it should come off with some coaxing.:o

[stoneheart]

Here is a pic of the watch INSIDE...

http://yfrog.com/dzpicture4286j

[Veritas]

Hi Stoneheart, i hope you did not pay much for this watch.
It is a Swiss fake.These were very common and are only collectible by people who collect fakes.If it runs well and keeps time that is good.

[doug sinclair]

Kevin,

If you are anywhere near the 2008 edition of the "Bible" and you were to check page 400, bottom left, I think you'd see that this is a Trenton. Made by the Trenton Watch Co., Trenton, N J, later to be absorbed by Ingersoll which itself was later absorbed by U S Time which became Timex. I hadn't heard that they marketed Swiss-made watches. But then what do I know? My interest in these "fakes" (about which you were absolutely correct) is that I own one that is exactly like the one "Stoneheart" is asking about. I nearly turfed it until a friend identified it and told me what it was! The dial on mine says "Locomotive Special". I had a very strong feeling this one was going to turn out to be one of those "masquerade" railroad watches.

It says 23-jewels, but if you pull one of those celluloid fake jewels off the top bridge, you'll see NO JEWEL. There are actually only 7 jewels in them, 14 jewels fewer that advertised. Adjusted? Ha! Interesting in a way, but not a very good watch I'm afraid to say.

Doug S.

[Veritas]

Interesting watch history Doug.No i do not own the 2008 edition.
If his watch runs well and keeps decent time, then he may hold onto it, if he collects watches.
I have 3 fakes and wish i could unload them all.

[gmeyer4]

Might be we all have one of these "fakes" in the pile somewhere. With a bad dial the only thing good here might be the case for a home to a homeless movement.

Use this movement for practice tearing apart.

George