Assistant... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Horologist) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/811 Sat, 05 May 2007 19:55:03 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/812/t/Dial-Up-and-Dial-Down-Operation-Problems-With-Watches-.html If it runs dial up and not dial down, or even if there is a large difference in rate in these two positions, you may have something wrong with one of the pivots and/or jewels. The faster rate is usually the bent or damaged side down. The exception if the pivot is mushroomed, then it may show when it is the top pivot.

Other things can stop a watch dial up or dial down. For example the hairspring may touch the center wheel or balance cock or balance arm in one of the dial positions... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/812 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:54:08 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/813/t/Pocket-Watch-Adjustments-.html Movements that are marked to be "Adjusted" may have a variety, or combination, of features. One has to read the factory specification for any given movement grade to discover just what level of adjustment is being claimed. High grade watches built after 1905-1908 may be marked with specific adjustments. This is especially true for watches intended for use in railroad time service. The purpose of all of these features is to keep the balance wheel (the wheel that spins... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/813 Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:02:40 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/814/t/Unified-National-Miniature-Thread-Series-for-Pocket-Watches-.html feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/814 Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:34:11 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/815/t/Over-Motion-Of-The-Balance-Wheel-In-Pocket-Watches-.html feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/815 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:34:33 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/816/t/Repair-Of-The-L-amp-R-Vari-Matic-Watch-Cleaning-Machine-.html
Replacing the hydraulic primary seal.

1.        Operate the machine without a basket until the motor is in its lowest position.
2.        Disconnect the machine from its electrical source and remove the front and back covers.
3.        Remove the filler pipe plug... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/816 Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:20:21 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/817/t/Types-of-Luminous-Dials-Very-Good-Article-.html
Types of Luminous Dials.

Many vintage watches, especially military watches, have gold or whitish colored "paint" on the hands or on the numbers on the dial. This paint is quite likely made of a phosphorescent compound mixed with radium. This causes, or at least used to cause, the numbers and hands to glow in the dark. Unlike many glow-in-the-dark compounds, these would glow all night long... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/817 Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:45:33 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/818/t/Refinishing-Pocket-Watch-Hands-Products-Used-.html
There are several methods, one that I like is using a copper blueing pan and using heat. This works very well. It is best to fill the pan with a layer of brass filings. Doing this will allow the hands to heat at a uniform rate.

No mater what method one uses, it is important that the watch hands be polished prior to the refinishing process.

The... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/818 Wed, 15 Feb 2006 04:07:04 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/819/t/Lubricating-The-Threads-On-Pocket-Watch-Cases-.html
What we have found that works the best is the old solution from years ago. This is beeswax. The type to use would be the same as jewelers use to lubricate the 3/0 saw blades that are used for sawing precious metals.

The beeswax can be worked into the case... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/819 Tue, 24 Jan 2006 02:15:32 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/820/t/Visual-Observations-vs-Timing-Machine-Readings-.html
For example we just completed a full service on a Elgin M. D. Ogden 18 size key wind pocket watch. We noticed that the timing screws on the... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/820 Mon, 16 Jan 2006 14:45:10 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/821/t/Aune-Timing-Washers-Swartchild-amp-Co-Rating-Values-.html
Following is a listing of the sizes and the adjustment each pair will make when bringing a balance to time.

Number 1.
16 to 18 size watches. 3 Seconds per hour.

Number 2.
16 to 18 size watches. 5 Seconds per hour.

Number 3.
16 to 18 size watches. 8 Seconds per hour.

Number 4.
16 to 18 size watches. 10 Seconds per... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/821 Mon, 16 Jan 2006 02:43:58 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/822/t/The-Waltham-Friction-Fit-Balance-Staff-.html

feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/822 Sun, 25 Dec 2005 19:16:51 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/823/t/One-Dip-Hairspring-Cleaning-Solution-GOOD-INFORMATION-.html
The solution is also used to clean hairsprings on watches. If any amount of oil comes in contact with a hairspring, it will cause the coils of the hairspring to stick to each other. This will cause the watch to run very fast. Some watches such... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/823 Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:38:35 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/824/t/U-S-Army-Technical-Information-On-Watch-Jewels-.html

Stan Hoffman

Jeweler

Watchmaker

HOROLOGIST.COM

feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/824 Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:55:58 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/825/t/L-amp-R-Watch-Cleaning-Solutions-That-We-Use-.html
All watches that we service are completly disassembled prior to cleaning.

#111 Ammoniated Watch Cleaning Solution. This is used in the first two cleaning operations.

#121 Watch Rinsing Solution Fast Drying. This... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/825 Fri, 11 Nov 2005 21:25:07 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/826/t/Improper-Use-of-a-Staking-Set-Can-Destroy-Friction-Balances-.html
We have actually seen watches come into our shop where someone has made an attempt to replace a friction staff, not knowing that it is a friction staff. They place these into a lathe or worse, into the staking set, and... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/826 Wed, 28 Sep 2005 18:55:57 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/830/t/Some-Notes-On-Fitting-Glass-Pocket-Watch-Crystals-.html This commentary was by Jon Hanson.

Here are a few old comments I posted on another thread; however, I did post proceedures for crystal replacement but I cannot locate it.

"Correct crystals "should" snap right in. Occasionally one cannot locate the correct crystal and cement is needed-this is especially true for damaged (not level or out of round) or warped bezels. I do NOT suscribe to this method,... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/830 Sun, 21 Aug 2005 22:50:01 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/831/t/Removing-Watch-Dials-The-Hidden-Danger-.html
How many folks have damaged their watches, dials, cases, balance staffs, hands, etc., because they took them apart either negligently or accidentally?

Additional horsing around with good DS sunk or porcelain dials is dangerous and many become chipped or hairlined by tightening the set screws too tight or prying off or even inadvertently dropping; removing dials and losing or bending hands... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/831 Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:52:05 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/832/t/General-Information-About-Watches-.html
Quartz watches, the most commonly used type of watch, offer accuracy and stability. A small piece of quartz oscillates at more than 32,000 vibrations per second to ensure accurate timekeeping.

Benefits include:
Watches only lose about 10 seconds of time per month.
Your watch never needs winding. Just change its battery once every two or three years.

Displays come in analog, digital, and anidigi form.

Analog watches use hands only to... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/832 Sat, 16 Jul 2005 20:15:21 GMT http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/829/t/What-Is-This-Non-Sense-.html

Don't do things like using a digital camera to remember where things go. Don't be afraid of taking parts out of a watch. They can only go in one way.

So think of it this way. They are all the same, just like an engine on a car. They all do the same thing, just maybe a little different.

I remember 30 some years ago, when learning, back in the day, lots of Rolex, lots of automatics, lots of small ladies watches. I would sit there, sometimes... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Timebuilder) http://horologist.yuku.com/topic/829 Fri, 15 Jul 2005 20:45:08 GMT