Cap Jewel Removal

[Wally Clemens]

I am working on a Hamilton PW around 1907. The upper (briidge) balance cap jewel is seized. Both it and it's holed jewel are in good condistion, but I need to remove the cap jewel for cleaning. This jewel's bezel is not moving. Has anyone had this problem? I would hate to distroy both jewels and setting by staking them out.
Many thanks

 

[Wally Clemens]

I am working on a Hamilton PW around 1907. The upper (briidge) balance cap jewel is seized. Both it and it's holed jewel are in good condistion, but I need to remove the cap jewel for cleaning. This jewel's bezel is not moving. Has anyone had this problem? I would hate to distroy both jewels and setting by staking them out.
Many thanks

 

[Bill B]

Not sure what a jewel's bezel is. Do you have a jewel pusher or a jeweling set? Either one of them should remove jewels with out damage to them as should your staking set punches. Just use a light touch don't wacket. Don't be affended but did you remove the screws on top and push from bottom not top?

 

[Wally Clemens]

No Problem, yes screws have been removed. Sorry, not bezel, the jewel setting in which the cap and hole jewel are set.

Thanks I'll gently stake them out.

Many thanks Wally

 

[Wally Clemens]

Bill
Just another point, by staking out the jewels (and settings) I will be removing both, staking from the underside of the bridge?

 

[Smudgy]

Yes, once the screws are removed just use a punch that is large enough to seat on the setting, yet small enough to pass through the hole in the balance cock. If you use a punch that rests on the jewel itself you risk the possibility of cracking the jewel. After the jewels (in settings are removed replace the hole jewel and screws so you don't get mixed up with the lower hole jewel. Having these jewels reluctant to come out is fairly common as far as I can tell, it's just due to a tight fit so little pressure should be applied. Before I got a staking set I was using a piece of wood whittled down to the right diameter to push them in and out with. Before removing the jewels you may want to examine the edges for a small mark. Many of the older watches marked the jewels with a tiny punch mark along the join seam for alignment. If the jewels are so marked it is best to re-align the marks when assembling after cleaning. That way everything will be properly aligned when you assemble.

 

[Wally Clemens]

Thanks Smudgy
Yes their are marks, and I will use them to aline the jewel(s) during replacement. If I am unsucessful, crack/break jewel, when removing, I will use a friction jewel and lathe a brass setting as a replacement. It is my hope that this fix will keep its looks and in the future allow the watch to be restored if required. This PW will be used by myself as a daily. Again many thanks and Merry Christmas to all.
Wally

 

[Don Dahlberg]

Wally,

Your solution of using a friction jewel is OK for a TEMPORARY solution, but proper jewels for your movement are easy to find. Many of us have stocks of NOS settings or parts movements that can supply these jewels. You can often find them at places like http://www.dashto.com, and the major supply houses like S. LaRose.

If you follow Smudgy's directions, you should not have any problem anyway.

Don

 

[Wally Clemens]

Thanks you all
Yes, no problem, I staked out the jewels last night. Actually, quite impressed with the design. I made careful measerments of the location of each jewel (hole and cap) for exact replacement. However, with the stepped hole, the 2 stacked jewels, bottom out at the right and same location. I may have other questions as I preceed to get the spiders and webbs out of this old watch.
Best Wally

 

[Smudgy]

If you wish to replace jewels that are in settings, but have trouble finding the jewels then you can put new jewels in the settings you have. The process is the same as replacing a 'rub-in' or bezel set jewel that is set directly in the plate. If you find that you need to replace a jewel and need instruction just let me know (post or send PM) and I'll type some directions up and post them.

 

[Wally Clemens]

Thanks Smudgy
I hope to have no difficulties with the other jewels (17 jewel movement). I work rather slow and have not viewed or dismantled the rest of the movement. The original problem was a broken balance staff, that problem was solved by latheing a replacement. The hair spring looks to be in perfect condishion. I hope to replace the main spring. The dial is also in perfect condishion, the case, no dents but usal wear marks. In the next week or so I'll be working on the remaining jewels and may need to contact you.
Best Wally