What is a really good first book on pocket watch repair?

[Old rookie]

Pardon my intrusion as I am not a watch repair person and I am not very likely to become one. I would still like to know the details of how a pocket watch works and how it is repaired. Can someone here recommend an appropriate book(s).
Thanks for your help.

 

[viclip]

I swear by the Chicago School of Watchmaking's "Master Watchmaking" course from the 1950s. It heavily covers pocket watches & takes the student from the basics to the most specialized procedures involved in repairing timepieces, with numerous illustrations. Here's the contents index:

Lesson 1 Fundamental Principles, Equipment, Casing
Lesson 2 Crowns, Stems, Sleeves, and Bows
Lesson 3 Fitting Watch Crystals and Watch Attachments for Practice and Profit
Lesson 4 Nomenclature and Sizes of Watches
Lesson 5 Mainspring in Watches
Lesson 6 Motor and Jeweled Barrels
Lesson 7 Selecting the Mainspring
Lesson 8 Assembling Watches
Lesson 9 Winding and Setting Mechanisms
Lesson 10 Cleaning Watches
Lesson 11 Timing, Rating and Regulation
Lesson 12 Factory Set Train Jewels
Lesson 13 Factory Balance Hole Jewels and Roller Jewels
Lesson 14 Friction Jeweling
Lesson 15 Replacing Factory Balance Staffs
Lesson 16 Truing Balance Wheels
Lesson 17 Poising Balance Wheels
Lesson 18 Truing Hairsprings
Lesson 19 Colleting Hairsprings
Lesson 20 The Overcoil Hairspring
Lesson 21 Principles of the Lever Escapement
Lesson 22 Principles of the Lever Escapement (con’t)
Lesson 23 Types of Escapements
Lesson 24 Drawing the Lever Escapement
Lesson 25 Drawing the Lever Escapement (con’t)
Lesson 26 Matching the Escapement
Lesson 27 Tools – Hardening and Tempering
Lesson 28 The Lathe
Lesson 29 Lathe Work
Lesson 30 Lathe Work (con’t)
Lesson 31 Lathe Work (con’t)
Lesson 32 - Part 1 Fitting Hairsprings to Watches
Lesson 32 - Part 2 Modern Shop Methods
Lesson 33 Electronic Timing Machines – Watch Master
Lesson 34 Electronic Timing Machines – Time-O-Graph
Lesson 35 Problems and Solutions
Tools and Materials of the Trade

The original course material can still be acquired on eBay etc. & it comes in individual lessons pre-punched for insertion into binders. Photocopies of the original course do not always reproduce the photographs very well so be aware.

The course is also available on CD.

As an NAWCC member, our library's copy of the course may be available for borrowing.

 

[Brunod]

To complete the reference above which concerns the lever escapement, I would ask what kind of pocket watch, because there were various architecture used including various escapement system.
For cylinder watches, or verge watches, it is quite different.
So in english,
The pocket watch Christopher S. Barrow
The Verge Pocket Watch: Its History, Development and Maintenance, Christopher S. Barrow
With the watchmaker at the bench, Donald De Carle, is if I remember well an adaptation of Der Uhrmacher am Werktisch, Schultz in German which one was really complete in it's 13 french edition with a real practical approach.
German version here, 407 pages : Der uhrmacher am werktisch; hand- und nachschlagebuch für den taschenuhren - reparateur : Schultz, Wilhelm, 1854-1921 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
I wish you a pleasant discovery.
There are lots of other books diving deeper in various aspects of the watch. Just precise your wish if needed or consult the Richard Watkins bibliography. An Annotated Bibliography of Publications since 1800

 

[gmorse]

Hi Brunod,

The pocket watch Christopher S. Barrow
The Verge Pocket Watch: Its History, Development and Maintenance, Christopher S. Barrow

Have you actually read any of this chap's books? I really wouldn't waste any money on anything he's written. (See this old thread).

Old rookie:
Donald de Carle's books are becoming a little dated, but most of his work is very sound and based on practical experience; 'Practical Watch Repairing' is a good place to start and it's still in print at reasonable prices. The Archie B. Perkins series of volumes on restoring old watches is comprehensive but expensive.

I think the Chicago School course is available online for free as a PDF file if you search around.

A book which I recently came across is 'Maintaining and Repairing Mechanical Watches, A Practical Guide', by Mark W. Wiles (ISBN: 978-1-78500-155-0). Whilst it isn't perfect, (what book is?), it struck me as containing a lot of sound advice and explanations, well illustrated with clearly labelled photographs, and aimed squarely at the beginner in watch work.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Brunod]

Hi Brunod,
Have you actually read any of this chap's books? I really wouldn't waste any money on anything he's written. (See this old thread).
...
Regards,
Graham

Hi Graham,
I've read the pocket watch one a few years ago, not the verge one. I remember a book written by a passionate, quite easy to read but not technicaly perfect. But depending at which level of knowledge the reader is starting to learn (and prices maybe, which I don't know), I think it was an acceptable way to step in. There are other books much more accurate but I know most of them only in french, so I can't help a lot. And I avoid to mention technical books that can't help learning as asked watch repairing, like theorical ones from schools concerning mathematical aspects of watchmaking (for example like this one, 1116 pages french and math, including another book on cd, 2 tomes of 350 and 565 pages https://books.google.be/books?id=EPxUNlKp1JUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fr&source=gbs_atb#vnepage&q&f=false ).

Another one interesting in English but still theorical is The Mechanics of Mechanical Watches and Clocks

,

Regards,
BD
Edit : By the way, Chicago course is still available on torrents too

 

[gmorse]

Hi BD,

I remember a book written by a passionate, quite easy to read but not technicaly perfect. But depending at which level of knowledge the reader is starting to learn (and prices maybe, which I don't know), I think it was an acceptable way to step in

To say that these aren't technically perfect is something of an understatement; if a beginner followed the advice (misinformation) there they'd probably end up with a ruined watch. I agree that initial learning must be kept simple, but it must also be correct and statements must be true. Unlearning poor guidance makes everything more difficult later, and there are plenty of better texts.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Brunod]

I understand your point of view. I didn't remember this book contained so big mistakes that if followed would cause damages to the watch.
Anyway, I would add that we always have to be carefull of what was written in books.
Some old books (or old watchmakers) suggest to replace broken rubis by new ones, drilling, reaming and pushing modern ones.
Some other suggest to systematicaly remove the malta cross. Some even explain how to remove a cylinder to replace it by a lever or add rubis in a verge...
The ancient watchmakers where looking for getting back a working movement where now we care of keeping the original spirit even with it's defaults.
Other times, other ways.
Regards,
BD

 

[gmorse]

Hi BD,

Is there another modern book on watch repair which recommends punching up worn pivot holes, as this author does?

Regards,

Graham

 

[Brunod]

Well, as pushed jewels are quite modern since the beginning of horology, there won't be old books explaining this substitution. I found the mention of this in the Manuel suisse de l'horloger rhabilleur, Jendritzki, copyright 1963, ed. 1970 p. 114,
and in the Seitz jewel manual itself, English version 1944 where p. 15 it displays "the work done", replacing a jewel set by a pressed one.

 

[John Runciman]

I would still like to know the details of how a pocket watch works and how it is repaired

first thing you need to change your search slightly. Yes pocket watches are different than wristwatches not just at the physically bigger but a heck of a lot of things in a pocket watch apply to wwristwatches at least the general operation running years escapement etc.

the Bulova book mentioned above can be purchased on eBay. But it can also be downloaded by sections at the link below. As a slightly different version than the one that's on eBay and I like something is missing in one of the sections but you're never going to notice it for your search. So you're looking at for the section titled Joseph School of Watch Making then before you get to the bottom word this is the water also download this 1945 TM9-1575 War Department Technical Manual. is basically a U.S. Army training manual for watch repair and it has three different pocket watches in their..


Vintage Bulova Catalogs | myBulova.com

 

[karlmansson]

Fried is a name that usually pops up when discussing beginners literature but I’ve honestly had little use of my copy and I think he falls loosely under the same category as Wiles. Many of the practices and techniques are either a bit quick and dirty or, as stated by other on this forum, simply unproven or suggested on a theoretical level.

The Chicago course is good both for general understandning but also mostly sound advice on practices.

For understanding how a watch movement works this old video is very good:

 

[DeweyC]

Fried is a name that usually pops up when discussing beginners literature but I’ve honestly had little use of my copy and I think he falls loosely under the same category as Wiles. Many of the practices and techniques are either a bit quick and dirty or, as stated by other on this forum, simply unproven or suggested on a theoretical level.

The Chicago course is good both for general understandning but also mostly sound advice on practices.

For understanding how a watch movement works this old video is very good:

Karl,

Do you know even 10 years ago you could have been put on the rack as a heretic whose soul must be saved for such a statement?

I agree with you and Graham. A number of watchmakers were more successful as authors (and even school directors) than as working watchmakers. Self promoters.

Then there are people like Archie Perkins who never realized the actual worth of what he had written while supporting a family as a watchmaker.

Funny world.

 

[Bernhard J.]

Hi BD,

Is there another modern book on watch repair which recommends punching up worn pivot holes, as this author does?

Regards,

Graham

Hi Graham,

I believe to recall having read this "practice" in more than one of my old books on watchmaking (at least with respect to clocks, but quite sure for watches also). It might be, that this was in those times regarded as appropriately cheap repair for (cheap) watches with unjewelled holes.

Old punch sets, I believe, even have a specific punch for exactly this purpose.

Not that I ever followed such "practice" .

Cheers, Bernhard

P.S.: I just yesterday ordered the lever escapement book of Christopher S Barrow at a discount price (new, nevertheless) and might come to the same conclusion as you, but for the small money spend I will then not weep .

 

[gmorse]

Hi Bernhard,

P.S.: I just yesterday ordered the lever book of Christopher S Barrow at a discount price (new, nevertheless) and might come to the same conclusion, but for the small money spend I will then not weep

I think that it will at least provide you with a few laughs; I hope the price was very small indeed!

Regards,

Graham

 

[Bernhard J.]

laughs

Well, then it might be indeed be worth the (small) price ...

 

[ridaco]

Hi Brunod,


Have you actually read any of this chap's books? I really wouldn't waste any money on anything he's written. (See this old thread).

Old rookie:
Donald de Carle's books are becoming a little dated, but most of his work is very sound and based on practical experience; 'Practical Watch Repairing' is a good place to start and it's still in print at reasonable prices. The Archie B. Perkins series of volumes on restoring old watches is comprehensive but expensive.

I think the Chicago School course is available online for free as a PDF file if you search around.

A book which I recently came across is 'Maintaining and Repairing Mechanical watch service, A Practical Guide', by Mark W. Wiles (ISBN: 978-1-78500-155-0). Whilst it isn't perfect, (what book is?), it struck me as containing a lot of sound advice and explanations, well illustrated with clearly labelled photographs, and aimed squarely at the beginner in watch work.

Regards,

Graham

Bit of a niche ask, but does anyone have a recommendation for a pocket watch repairer? Specifically replacement of the glass face.

 

[everydaycats]

I swear by the Chicago School of Watchmaking's "Master Watchmaking" course from the 1950s. It heavily covers pocket watches & takes the student from the basics to the most specialized procedures involved in repairing timepieces, with numerous illustrations. Here's the contents index:

Lesson 1 Fundamental Principles, Equipment, Casing
Lesson 2 Crowns, Stems, Sleeves, and Bows
Lesson 3 Fitting Watch Crystals and Watch Attachments for Practice and Profit
Lesson 4 Nomenclature and Sizes of Watches
Lesson 5 Mainspring in Watches
Lesson 6 Motor and Jeweled Barrels
Lesson 7 Selecting the Mainspring
Lesson 8 Assembling Watches
Lesson 9 Winding and Setting Mechanisms
Lesson 10 Cleaning Watches
Lesson 11 Timing, Rating and Regulation
Lesson 12 Factory Set Train Jewels
Lesson 13 Factory Balance Hole Jewels and Roller Jewels
Lesson 14 Friction Jeweling
Lesson 15 Replacing Factory Balance Staffs
Lesson 16 Truing Balance Wheels
Lesson 17 Poising Balance Wheels
Lesson 18 Truing Hairsprings
Lesson 19 Colleting Hairsprings
Lesson 20 The Overcoil Hairspring
Lesson 21 Principles of the Lever Escapement
Lesson 22 Principles of the Lever Escapement (con’t)
Lesson 23 Types of Escapements
Lesson 24 Drawing the Lever Escapement
Lesson 25 Drawing the Lever Escapement (con’t)
Lesson 26 Matching the Escapement
Lesson 27 Tools – Hardening and Tempering
Lesson 28 The Lathe
Lesson 29 Lathe Work
Lesson 30 Lathe Work (con’t)
Lesson 31 Lathe Work (con’t)
Lesson 32 - Part 1 Fitting Hairsprings to Watches
Lesson 32 - Part 2 Modern Shop Methods
Lesson 33 Electronic Timing Machines – Watch Master
Lesson 34 Electronic Timing Machines – Time-O-Graph
Lesson 35 Problems and Solutions
Tools and Materials of the Trade

The original course material can still be acquired on eBay etc. & it comes in individual lessons pre-punched for insertion into binders. Photocopies of the original course do not always reproduce the photographs very well so be aware.

The course is also available on CD.

As an NAWCC member, our library's copy of the course may be available for borrowing.

Index of /chicago

The above link has all the Chicago files...the archive could be downloaded and extracted. I hope this helps...
Regards

 

[Bruce W Sims]

A quick "me, too" for the Chicago School. I got mine before these downloads were available and....admittedly.....it sat on the shelve for quite a while until I decided to
start actually working on my watches. The photos are commensurate with photo
technology of the time and the writing is a tad stilted but the info is thorough and includes a couple of sections on lathe-work and time-graphers. Speaking only for
myself, I found it more productive to take my time, jot notes and not to jump around
.......conduct much as one might, taking a course at a school or institution. FWIW.

PS: I have De Carlo, Fried and Barrow. De Carlo is my go-to for skills and Fried as a resource. I started Barrow but let it go after a bit. Its a pretty book but I felt it was short
on any real subject depth. (IMHO).

Best Wishes,

Bruce

 

[gmorse]

Hi Bruce,

De Carlo is my go-to for skills and Fried as a resource. I started Barrow but let it go after a bit. Its a pretty book but I felt it was short
on any real subject depth.

Donald de Carle has much sense, but has become rather dated. Some of Fried's advice is frankly fantasy, and Barrow really should be listed under humour, not watch repairing. I agree with you on the Chicago course, it's solid and practical, even though it was produced many years ago. Archie Perkins is a good author with real bench experience, and will, like Chicago, teach sound working practices.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Bruce W Sims]

Hi Bruce,


Donald de Carle has much sense, but has become rather dated. Some of Fried's advice is frankly fantasy, and Barrow really should be listed under humour, not watch repairing. I agree with you on the Chicago course, it's solid and practical, even though it was produced many years ago. Archie Perkins is a good author with real bench experience, and will, like Chicago, teach sound working practices.

Regards,

Graham

Those Archie Perkins titles look fantastic but I will have to save my nickels and dimes to
be able to pay what they are asking. Thanks for the tip.......