Illinois Pocket Watches

[RexinMinn]

The lever on my 1892 Illinois pocket watch cannot be pulled out except with considerable difficulty (almost impossible). I had the watch serviced recently and they told me that repair was out of their purview, although they were able to do so while I was there using a very fine jewelers screw driver, some patience and extra effort. Can anything be done about it? Or is this a lost cause?

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

Is the end broken off the lever giving you nothing to grip? Or is it intact but still very difficult to pull out? (I'm wondering given their use of the jeweler's screwdriver.) In any case, it should be a straightforward fix for anyone competent in American pocket watch repair. What size/model Illinois is it?

 

[RexinMinn]

Hi Dave,
It's an Illinois 18, ser. # 1086988 ca. 1892, beautiful watch I believe in its original case. The lip is intact but so tight up against the body that there is no room to insert anything. The watch person I had it to did the regulating and cleaning, but could not fix this, or would not. I tried my finest jewelers screw driver and could not do it after a few tries. Running great though, just can't set it. Thanks for your reply.

 

[richiec]

Pictures? is it tight at the bezel making it hard to grip?

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

I think you are headed where I was headed, Richie. This might be a case issue rather than a movement issue. Especially if the watch has been recased. Perhaps the slot (or notch in the bezel) is not cut right for this movement.

Did the person who serviced the watch say anything about how the lever functioned when the movement was out of the case?

 

[RexinMinn]

Pictures? is it tight at the bezel making it hard to grip?

Yes, exactly.

 

[RexinMinn]

No, they did not. Though as I said, I believe this may be the original case because of the fact there are no screw marks that would have been left by a previous mount. The person merely said they were not able to lengthen the lever as though the only way to resolve the issue would be by lengthening the lever itself. I will be back in touch with them and see if I can glean a bit more information. I honestly do not recall whether the lever worked before I took the watch in for servicing as it was out of my hands for five months during the servicing period.

 

[RexinMinn]

A watch person I just spoke with had a few ideas. I could loosen the two case screws and see if that would ease the tension on the lever enough to allow the lever to slide again. I tried that and was only able to get one of the two case screws loose (I need better jewelers screwdrivers). Thankfully it was the one nearest where the lever lies. I loosened it one half turn, replaced the cover and was finally able to wedge the blade of one of the screwdrivers in and ease the lever out. I then wound the watch and set it, then was careful not to push the lever all the way back in. Normally the lever would sort of "spring" back into place, but with the way things are, that's not happening.

The other idea this watch person had for me was to have them file down the slot the lever slides through. Eventually I will probably have them do that but for now at least I'm able to set the watch which is running beautifully and keeping very good time, esp. for an old-timer like this one (1892).

Open to other ideas in case anyone gets any great brainstorm. Thanks very much for all the input on this.

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

I think your experiment confirms that the problem is the lever slot (or notch in the bezel) in the case. Some additional (careful) filing would be the fix for this.

 

[RexinMinn]

Yes, at least for the time being, I agree. But what I'd like to do right now is to lube the lever liberally (with apologies to Liberace) and see if I can get it to move more freely once it's pushed back in all the way. Do you see any danger to the movement in doing so, and what type lube would you consider using? Thanks again for your attention to my posts.

 

[RexinMinn]

Agreed, I was using the term "liberally" more or less loosely...And yes, with regard to the other case screw, I need to grind down the blade of my screwdriver so it fits, then I'll take care of it so it balances out the other one. I appreciate your comment, thank you.

 

[Skutt50]

Could this be the result of a bent lever?

Pull it out and look for unususal wear marks......

 

[RexinMinn]

Thanks for this. Have pulled out lever fully and found nothing unusual. Once I am able to pull lever out completely there is little resistance and when I push it back in it returns to position without resistance. Thankfully it does not want to return to a position where I am once again unable to grab it, implement or no implement. That's not to say there couldn't be some bend to it. Others have suggested the case slot be filed. I wonder if the lever itself could be file down. I'm still wondering if a light application of lubricant would help matters but I'm waiting until I hear from someone here before I go ahead with that idea.

 

[Skutt50]

I wonder if the lever itself could be file down

I wouldn't play with the lever... It is thin enough (unless someone made a replacement that is too thick).

If it was my watch I would remove the movement and check that the lever moves correctly without any interference from the case.

The next thing would be to paint the lever with a marker pen and install the movement in the case. Moving the lever in/out will cause the paint to rubb off to show where/if the case is causing the problem. Only now would I bring out the file and work on the case/bezel. It shouldnt take much.........

 

[RexinMinn]

Great ideas. I'll start by removing the movement from the case after I get my screwdriver filed down.
The idea of the paint appeals to me but I worry that a coating of anything other than oil will simply compound the problem. There was a bluing agent called dykum blue used in industry back in the day that allowed metals to be colored, and I think that idea would work, so maybe just using ink from a fountain pen bottle rather than a sharpie. I'm not sure any abrasive motion would scratch the sharpie ink enough to notice it considering it's a permanent ink. Have you tried scratching that type of ink on a metal surface? Thank for your post.

 

[Skutt50]

I use a marker pen for this purpose all the time. Don't know the make since it varies over time.

No problem with the paint causing problems. It is only used as an indicator to where the problem is and once fixed it should be removed. If you have blue dykum this will work just as well.

 

[RexinMinn]

OK, I think I understand better now what you meant by using the marker that specific way. I'll use something I can remove. Thanks again, super suggestion.