Waltham 37s 15j boxed chronometer

[Michael Post]

Does anyone have a reference on how to access the movement on one of these 8 day small clocks? The dial bezel unscrews but not the back, which has a free hanging brass counter weight. All this is new to me so feel free to treat me like a dummy!

 

[Jim Haney]

The brass counter weight should be threaded and unscrews.

That will open the tub and you should see 2 Movement screws like a watch has...

Pictures are always helpful

 

[Michael Post]

The brass counter weight should be threaded and unscrews.

That will open the tub and you should see 2 Movement screws like a watch has...

Pictures are always helpful

You were correct, the counterbalance did screw off however the pin that holds it onto the mechanism is threaded on both ends and thus detached from both the counter weight and the mechanism and is now rattling around inside the case. As you can see, this left me with no new paths to get inside the case.
Picture of dial is with bezel and crystal off.

 

[Jim Haney]

When you unscrewed the bottom Look into the back of the movement and you should see the Case screws. There is also a Stem release screw up by the Stem so it will come out. Furnish a picture of the Turn upside down so we can see the Watch Movement, Your terminology is Lacking in what you are trying to describe (PIN) ?

 

[Michael Post]

When you unscrewed the bottom Look into the back of the movement and you should see the Case screws. There is also a Stem release screw up by the Stem so it will come out. Furnish a picture of the Turn upside down so we can see the Watch Movement, Your terminology is Lacking in what you are trying to describe (PIN) ?

The middle photo is the bottom of the case with the counterweight unscrewed.

 

[Michael Post]

The middle photo is the bottom of the case with the counterweight unscrewed.

My whole point it I cannot see how to expose the movement.

 

[179]

My whole point it I cannot see how to expose the movement.

My whole point it I cannot see how to expose the movement.

What did you do to remove the weight?

 

[Michael Post]

What did you do to remove the weight?

I unscrewed the counter weight as suggested in an earlier post. Looking closer, it appears as if the case may split/unscrew in half if I removed the clack from the gimble. Trying to proceed with caution as a neophyte. Found instructions on disassembling the movement but no data at all on this case.

 

[179]

I unscrewed the counter weight as suggested in an earlier post. Looking closer, it appears as if the case may split/unscrew in half if I removed the clack from the gimble. Trying to proceed with caution as a neophyte. Found instructions on disassembling the movement but no data at all on this case.

Did you remove a fastener in the center of the weight?

 

[Michael Post]

Did you remove a fastener in the center of the weight?

No, that is what I believe fell back into the inside of the case.

 

[179]

No, that is what I believe fell back into the inside of the case.

Are there any threads on outer diameter of the weight?

 

[Michael Post]

Found the secret. Worked another forum string on Waltham automobile clocks and those folks knew all about it as it is an adaptation of an auto clock for the war effort.

 

[Michael Post]

Found the secret. Worked another forum string on Waltham automobile clocks and those folks knew all about it as it is an adaptation of an auto clock for the war effort.

Wanted to show the photos of how all this was assembled. Easy as pie once you understand the somewhat unique system.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Actually, your difficulty was fortuitous. I had never given a lot of thought to the "shape" of the mass in the counter weight. The array of holes serves to match the weight on both sides when lying face up in the gimbals. That is clearly why the weight is held by a screw so the mass can be put back in balance.