I appreciate your servicing videos. You encountered a lot of dried oil on this pocket watch. My father-in-law recently handed me his father's 1937 Elgin Grade 315 pocket watch to fix and I encountered the same thing, but more so. The mainspring would not let down and I could not even wind the watch to the point to disengage the click. I removed the click, while holding the crown. Nothing! I had to nudge the teeth of the ratchet wheel with a probe to get it to move. Then I could feel the mainspring starting to unwind. Once I opened the barrel, there was a ton of dried oil that had essentially glued the mainspring coils in place. Many of the wheels were also stuck in their jewels. I just got a donor movement to replace the balance, as I don't yet have the tools or experience to replace a broken balance staff.
i just inherited a elgin hunter pocketwatch from 1875 that probally hasnt been maintenanced for as long as this one was but it dose tick for like an hour at a time on occasion. i really wana get her fixed up soon. great video btw
You should see the grade 150 Elgin I'm currently working on. Talk about an old dried up, siezed up watch! Your watch here looked super clean before as compared to the Elgin I'm working on! Absolutely the worst I've ever seen! The grease/oil was dried hard in many places and was overly lubricated last time....probably many decades ago. Anyhow, nice work you did here.
Thank you for sharing and explaining the strip down process of this nice Elgin watch. Your video for the most part was well focussed with good camera angles, enabling us to clearly see what you were doing. From experience I know that it is not easy, particularly when handling small components, requiring high magnification, to show the procedure, subject of conversation at the relevant moment, unobstructed and in view.
Peter, thanks so much!! I absolutely love it and the restoration you did on it. The case looks really beautiful and I totally understand not buffing out the slight scratches to preserve the gold. Plus, it gives it character! Got my fingers crossed you will get lucky and find a bezel! Thanks again!!
Yes it is and you did an excellent job on cleaning it. Being well over 100 years old, the small scratches add to the character of the watch! But not having any major scratches or dents was my main draw toward purchasing the watch. So glad that, even though it was very dirty, that with expert restoration, it lives again!
So what you are saying is before we send you any watch we should leave it in a pants pocket and run it through the washing machine a few times. Right? Just kidding.. I have just discovered your channel and love it so you have added another subscriber! Thank you for your time and upload.
Peter, Nice work. I am new to the hobby and still learning. I just purchased an Elgin almost identical to the one you just worked on. It does not run, which I knew, the crystal was missing, which I knew. but the bezel is MISSING, which I did NOT know. Live and learn I guess. What I am interested in, were you able to find a bezel for ths watch? What I am wondering where one starts to look other than a donor watch. You mentioned the possibility of casing a bezel! Is that possible? Thanks again for the great video. Keep up the good work.
I've got an Elgin 18s 17 jewel grade 250 with the exact same dial face. Mine is cracked and i am looking for a donor watch with in tact dial. So strange to see what appears to be the same watch as mine with a grade 207 movement instead.
Lol. I just messaged the owner of the watch to let him know that I was going to get a price to cast a new bezel. I’ve already drawn it out and will print it tomorrow to get a correct size. I will post back here in the price for gold and brass. Brass is a good alternative here since the bezel and crystal are hidden under the cover and will be less expensive to cast.
Beautiful watch. Can it be used daily? I heard from my local watchmaker that train pocket watches can be used daily; pocket watches that aren't designated as train watches cannot be used daily. It's the kind of movement that decides this is what I presume.
So, when all these watches were made, they were all meant to be used daily. The thing is, today, where do we keep the watch. Some customers I have wear them daily in pouches on their belts. But yes, you can use these daily. Especially watches that were made well or taken care of over the years
Love watching your videos. Very educational and informative. Can I ask where one can find those mainspring key winders? They very seldom are available anywhere. Thank you!
Thank you for posting the great videos. I have a similar family heirloom watch that I'd like to restore and I've started collecting tools. Do the mainspring winders come in specific sizes? If so, how does one determine the correct size for a particular watch? Is there a generic size for pocket watches?
Great question. Mainspring winders are available in kits. You can buy them for specific watches and brands but it is easier to buy them for 3 specific groups. Small or ladies sizes. Wrist watch sizes and pocket watch sizes. If you are just starting out you may have sticker shock at how expensive these can be. I would suggest either swap meets or eBay for good used tools. However do your research. As with any professional tools as you progress and earn enough to afford new tools they may be worth it. I still use many tolls that were made thirty or even 100 years ago. Newer watches however may require newer tools
@@watchesandjewelry Thank you for the quick reply. I would like to start with something that I could use for the job at-hand. I see one with the size choices listed from 5 to 16 mm. Is that the width dimension (height inside the barrel) of the spring material? Also, does right hand or left hand refer to the user or the direction of winding inside the barrel?
Usually the dimensions refer to the inside diameter of the barrel. Spring width? Usually not an issue that I’ve had to deal with my winders. What watch are u thinking of repairing
American pocket watches from size 6 to 18. 105.00. 10.00 shipping back to you. Plus parts if needed. Price includes labor and a mainspring if necessary.
@@watchesandjewelry Thanks for the quick reply. My watch works but it only takes about 3 winds and works for 4-5 hours before rewinding. It could use everything you did in the video. What is your turn around time and location? I'm in Tampa Florida area. Thanks
I have a few pocket watches my grandfather left me and I was planning to have one restored. I have a Zenith grand prix 1900 that looks liek it will need a new dial face. Is it possible to have these parts replaced?
I have a watch in this case, an 1898 Elgin 15 jewel. I have the bezel, and I nearly cry asking this, but is there any way to get a glass face? Mine is plastic and just deadens the effect lol
Hi Peter, thanks for the video, i apreciate it. Two question 1 i've a 1893 16s movement, what i need ti write to search a new mainspring like your's? 2 the jewels are natural if the Watch Is previus the 1902? Thank you
Ok. Several ways to find the mainspring first you can look up online the grade of the watch using the serial number. There are some sites that will even tell u the correct mainspring. Second. Take it out and match it. T-bar end or hole end. Width of the spring as well as length. There are other factors but don’t worry about those at first. eBay, I Frei.com and some other sites are good sources for springs. So, q2. Imitation or real jewels. There is no date that you can state that would indicate whether a watch from that era has real or imitation jewels. Today, 99.9% of watches use imitation jewels by but I’ve never seen statements on watches in the 1800s having imitation or real.
@@watchesandjewelry Thank you for the answer. So the new spring is generic but similare. Ok thanks for the advise i Will search. I've believed that the new spring was oroginal Elgin, and It sound weard xD. Now it's more clear. Sorry for bad english, now i have the movement, but i Will find the case :D, it's very hard to find Only cass
There are several styles of Elgin mainsprings. Cases can be found at flea markets or secon hand markets. Elgin mainsprings have t-bar ends for most 16 size watches
Have a gorgeous example of something very similar to restore and service for a customer. No offence intended but it irked me a bit seeing you use wrongly sized screwdrivers on some of those big screws 😵
I appreciate your servicing videos. You encountered a lot of dried oil on this pocket watch. My father-in-law recently handed me his father's 1937 Elgin Grade 315 pocket watch to fix and I encountered the same thing, but more so. The mainspring would not let down and I could not even wind the watch to the point to disengage the click. I removed the click, while holding the crown. Nothing! I had to nudge the teeth of the ratchet wheel with a probe to get it to move. Then I could feel the mainspring starting to unwind. Once I opened the barrel, there was a ton of dried oil that had essentially glued the mainspring coils in place. Many of the wheels were also stuck in their jewels. I just got a donor movement to replace the balance, as I don't yet have the tools or experience to replace a broken balance staff.
i just inherited a elgin hunter pocketwatch from 1875 that probally hasnt been maintenanced for as long as this one was but it dose tick for like an hour at a time on occasion. i really wana get her fixed up soon. great video btw
You should see the grade 150 Elgin I'm currently working on. Talk about an old dried up, siezed up watch! Your watch here looked super clean before as compared to the Elgin I'm working on! Absolutely the worst I've ever seen! The grease/oil was dried hard in many places and was overly lubricated last time....probably many decades ago. Anyhow, nice work you did here.
Although I am not an expert on watch repair, I like to watch the videos, it’s relaxing and almost hypnotizing
Thank you for sharing and explaining the strip down process of this nice Elgin watch. Your video for the most part was well focussed with good camera angles, enabling us to clearly see what you were doing. From experience I know that it is not easy, particularly when handling small components, requiring high magnification, to show the procedure, subject of conversation at the relevant moment, unobstructed and in view.
Peter, thanks so much!! I absolutely love it and the restoration you did on it. The case looks really beautiful and I totally understand not buffing out the slight scratches to preserve the gold. Plus, it gives it character! Got my fingers crossed you will get lucky and find a bezel! Thanks again!!
I’m glad I had the chance to fix it for you. It is a beautiful case!
Yes it is and you did an excellent job on cleaning it. Being well over 100 years old, the small scratches add to the character of the watch! But not having any major scratches or dents was my main draw toward purchasing the watch. So glad that, even though it was very dirty, that with expert restoration, it lives again!
Great video, thank you.
A beautifully finished pocket watch. very nice.
Incredible work Peter-
Nice watch.
For anyone wondering this is a 1904 Model.
So what you are saying is before we send you any watch we should leave it in a pants pocket and run it through the washing machine a few times. Right?
Just kidding..
I have just discovered your channel and love it so you have added another subscriber!
Thank you for your time and upload.
Peter,
Nice work. I am new to the hobby and still learning. I just purchased an Elgin almost identical to the one you just worked on.
It does not run, which I knew, the crystal was missing, which I knew. but the bezel is MISSING, which I did NOT know. Live and learn I guess.
What I am interested in, were you able to find a bezel for ths watch? What I am wondering where one starts to look other than a donor watch. You mentioned the possibility of casing a bezel! Is that possible?
Thanks again for the great video.
Keep up the good work.
thanks for the video
WOW! Awesome and very informative video...
I am still too scared to service/repair my own watches.
I've got an Elgin 18s 17 jewel grade 250 with the exact same dial face. Mine is cracked and i am looking for a donor watch with in tact dial. So strange to see what appears to be the same watch as mine with a grade 207 movement instead.
So cool to see this. But you just need to shift the focus slightly its more on your hand than the movement.
Curious about the bezel. 3d print and cast a replacement? Opportunity to customize.
Lol. I just messaged the owner of the watch to let him know that I was going to get a price to cast a new bezel. I’ve already drawn it out and will print it tomorrow to get a correct size. I will post back here in the price for gold and brass. Brass is a good alternative here since the bezel and crystal are hidden under the cover and will be less expensive to cast.
Beautiful watch. Can it be used daily? I heard from my local watchmaker that train pocket watches can be used daily; pocket watches that aren't designated as train watches cannot be used daily. It's the kind of movement that decides this is what I presume.
So, when all these watches were made, they were all meant to be used daily. The thing is, today, where do we keep the watch. Some customers I have wear them daily in pouches on their belts. But yes, you can use these daily. Especially watches that were made well or taken care of over the years
@@watchesandjewelry I noticed the picture of a train on the watch so that means it's a train watch. Thank you for replying.
They make smaller rawhide hammers !
Love watching your videos. Very educational and informative. Can I ask where one can find those mainspring key winders? They very seldom are available anywhere.
Thank you!
I purchased these at an auction. Since there are few auctions available check Facebook market place for watchmakers estate or eBay.
@@watchesandjewelry Thanks so much Peter! I appreciate the info. Looking forward to your next vid. Take care!
Thank you for posting the great videos.
I have a similar family heirloom watch that I'd like to restore and I've started collecting tools. Do the mainspring winders come in specific sizes? If so, how does one determine the correct size for a particular watch? Is there a generic size for pocket watches?
Great question. Mainspring winders are available in kits. You can buy them for specific watches and brands but it is easier to buy them for 3 specific groups. Small or ladies sizes. Wrist watch sizes and pocket watch sizes. If you are just starting out you may have sticker shock at how expensive these can be. I would suggest either swap meets or eBay for good used tools. However do your research. As with any professional tools as you progress and earn enough to afford new tools they may be worth it. I still use many tolls that were made thirty or even 100 years ago. Newer watches however may require newer tools
@@watchesandjewelry Thank you for the quick reply. I would like to start with something that I could use for the job at-hand. I see one with the size choices listed from 5 to 16 mm. Is that the width dimension (height inside the barrel) of the spring material? Also, does right hand or left hand refer to the user or the direction of winding inside the barrel?
Usually the dimensions refer to the inside diameter of the barrel. Spring width? Usually not an issue that I’ve had to deal with my winders. What watch are u thinking of repairing
@@watchesandjewelry It is a grade 288 Elgin.
www.ebay.com/itm/313409290148
Why leave the one spring in place instead of cleaning it properly?
Can you share about how much this restoration cost? I have one I would like restored. Thank you
American pocket watches from size 6 to 18. 105.00. 10.00 shipping back to you. Plus parts if needed. Price includes labor and a mainspring if necessary.
@@watchesandjewelry Thanks for the quick reply. My watch works but it only takes about 3 winds and works for 4-5 hours before rewinding. It could use everything you did in the video. What is your turn around time and location? I'm in Tampa Florida area. Thanks
@@watchesandjewelry It's an Elgin movement 881800 model 4size 10s.
I have a few pocket watches my grandfather left me and I was planning to have one restored. I have a Zenith grand prix 1900 that looks liek it will need a new dial face. Is it possible to have these parts replaced?
They can be replaced or restored.
@@watchesandjewelry good that makes me a little happy. I like the heavy feel to this watch. Thanks!
I have a watch in this case, an 1898 Elgin 15 jewel. I have the bezel, and I nearly cry asking this, but is there any way to get a glass face? Mine is plastic and just deadens the effect lol
Any watchmaker in your area should be able to get a crystal. If you know the exact crystal size I may have one in stock
Hi Peter, thanks for the video, i
apreciate it.
Two question
1 i've a 1893 16s movement, what i need ti write to search a new mainspring like your's?
2 the jewels are natural if the Watch Is previus the 1902?
Thank you
Ok. Several ways to find the mainspring first you can look up online the grade of the watch using the serial number. There are some sites that will even tell u the correct mainspring. Second. Take it out and match it. T-bar end or hole end. Width of the spring as well as length. There are other factors but don’t worry about those at first. eBay, I Frei.com and some other sites are good sources for springs. So, q2. Imitation or real jewels. There is no date that you can state that would indicate whether a watch from that era has real or imitation jewels. Today, 99.9% of watches use imitation jewels by but I’ve never seen statements on watches in the 1800s having imitation or real.
@@watchesandjewelry Thank you for the answer.
So the new spring is generic but similare. Ok thanks for the advise i Will search. I've believed that the new spring was oroginal Elgin, and It sound weard xD. Now it's more clear.
Sorry for bad english, now i have the movement, but i Will find the case :D, it's very hard to find Only cass
There are several styles of Elgin mainsprings. Cases can be found at flea markets or secon hand markets. Elgin mainsprings have t-bar ends for most 16 size watches
@@watchesandjewelry i'ts similar ti your's , so thank you again
Just a polite note its an enamelled dial and not porcelain thanks for down load
Thanks. I have a movement no. 5587854 18s Grade 73 need front case can I replace it.
Have a gorgeous example of something very similar to restore and service for a customer. No offence intended but it irked me a bit seeing you use wrongly sized screwdrivers on some of those big screws 😵
hey man i took off my watch cover and now its broken and it smells like 300 year old piss man.