Timing pocketwatches.

[ysub9]

I began as a collector two years ago and quickly became interested in understanding as much as I can about pocketwatches. I started out working on parts watches and moved to fixer up type watches and I am now at the point where I am having decent success in disassembly, cleaning, oiling and reassembly of 16 and 18 size pocketwatches. The next step I have started is making timing adjustments to pocketwatches, currently only adjusting meantime screws. I am looking for any information I can find about the IN's and Out's on this subject. (Movement of screws, quater screws, use of balance washers, best tools to do this work, what do you do when watch is running slow and meantime screws are all the way into rim. ) I am looking how to handle as many situations as possible. I am reading a book now on poising and truing balance, but not much information on actual timing of watch. Thanks and I have learned many good pointers through your board over the last year.

Rob

[ysub9]

I began as a collector two years ago and quickly became interested in understanding as much as I can about pocketwatches. I started out working on parts watches and moved to fixer up type watches and I am now at the point where I am having decent success in disassembly, cleaning, oiling and reassembly of 16 and 18 size pocketwatches. The next step I have started is making timing adjustments to pocketwatches, currently only adjusting meantime screws. I am looking for any information I can find about the IN's and Out's on this subject. (Movement of screws, quater screws, use of balance washers, best tools to do this work, what do you do when watch is running slow and meantime screws are all the way into rim. ) I am looking how to handle as many situations as possible. I am reading a book now on poising and truing balance, but not much information on actual timing of watch. Thanks and I have learned many good pointers through your board over the last year.

Rob

[terry hall]

Welcome....
So much to learn!

Two books come to mind

Henry Fried
"The Watch Repairer's Manual"

and

a 1920 book by Walter Kleinlein,
"Rules and Practice for Adjusting Watches".
This book gives some pretty good examples of bench practice.

Both can be found from time to time for sale on ebay or other sites.
I am sure there are others that may be better.
Good luck.

[doug sinclair]

ysub9,

Any advice that has been given about learning from good books on the subject of watch repair I am in full accord with. Once a decent quality watch in decent condition has been thoroughly cleaned and properly lubricated, it must be adjusted (nothing to do with regulation at this point) so that regulation to attain a high degree of accuracy is possible. Seldom is a watch which has just been thoroughly cleaned and lubricated ready for regulation without adjusting first. Once adjusting has been completed, regulation is easy. The skill is involved in adjusting. Learn about adjusting and you won't need to learn anything more about regulating.

Regards,
Doug S.

------------------