SOUTH BEND POCKET WATCH

[Jerry Lawson]

As i am an amature starting to collect pocket watches i have two simple questions, please don't laugh too hard. First i want to know if you can overwind a pocket watch? Seems as this ia a very much used excuse for a watch not to run. Second, i have purchased a West Bend 19 jewel,adjusted temp 4 positions pocket watch. It is running a little slow How do i adjust this watch to run faster. I know where but not how.

[Jerry Lawson]

As i am an amature starting to collect pocket watches i have two simple questions, please don't laugh too hard. First i want to know if you can overwind a pocket watch? Seems as this ia a very much used excuse for a watch not to run. Second, i have purchased a West Bend 19 jewel,adjusted temp 4 positions pocket watch. It is running a little slow How do i adjust this watch to run faster. I know where but not how.

[Bill B]

No you can't overwind a watch, what is uaually met is that the watch is fully wound and does not run. Running slow can be ajusted by moving regulator towards the f, be carefull and look for a screw to turn before moving the regulator arm it self. South Bend has 4 types of regulators 3 that use a screw to ajust and one you just move reg arm. They only ajust it by a few miniuts a day 3-5 min maybe from center to fastest setting. Hope this helps.

[Tom McIntyre]

Very early in the history of watches when bear fat was used as a lubricant, you might have been able to get the coils of the spring to stick together and thus refuse to deliver power. This has not been a problem for at least the past 300 years. Therefore, your surmise is correct. The term "overwound" means that the seller does not know what is wrong with the watch. It does tell you the mainspring is not broken (but it may not be any good either).

If your watch does not have a patent regulator, you may just move the indicator arm on the regulator toward the F to make it go faster. If you need to move it more than an indication or two it very likely needs service.

If your watch has a patent regulator, you will need a tool to advance the screw that controls the position of the indicator. You will likely need to remove the watch from the case to do this properly.

Can you post a picture of the movement showing the regulator?

[Jerry Lawson]

I beleive i have what you call a patent regulator. Looking down at the watch laying on face there seems to be a bar or screw rod running under the regulator plate. There is a screw on the left side at the edge of the regulator. This is something i will leave to someone who has the proper tools. Thank's for the information.