Thanks for the generosity of sharing your skill and knowledge with us enthusiasts; it is so reassuring to see these little masterpieces ticking again, and so distressing to see vandals draping parts from fusee watches from themselves as so called steampunk jewellery
Thanks James. this is an old video but I have now been doing watch repair for 12 years. There is a time coming soon where I will do more videos as my kids will also need training in these skills and its a good way to record crucial info.
Ignoring the total mess of that desk(!), there was a hell of a lot of very good information and advice in this video. It’s a pity you don’t make more content as there’s a real dearth of UA-cam instructional info regarding fusee watches.
you know no matter how many times I clean my bench it always gets cluttered again. I blame it on the fact I do both customer work and my own work constantly switching back and forth. My own work is often being left to wait but I never want to put away.
This is a great video. How about a video on removal of main spring and its oiling and assembly. Also how about a video on the Fusee disassembly. Thanks .. Great Job
Always nice to see a master craftsman at work. I was praying you wouldn´t drop one of those small screws, cos you´d never find it again in that tool drawer.
Good stuff.. Now I am in trouble.. I have a verge fuse about 1778". I gave it a watchmaker and he took out the balance wheel and put in one that was broken... 25 years ago I wouldn't have noticed,, after all this time of clockmaking and repairing watches I have a good collection of pocket watches... I,d like to get the verge going.. I pulled it Down as necessary and all is well to the escapement wheel. I have a balance staff no hairspring not sure it will fit.. It might.. Can you help me.. Could send it to you? John..
I have the same watch which I bought along with other pocket watches, I hope I have all the parts, how do I know what type and size chain as its missing, the watch has a number 5 stamped on the gears and the case number is 5323 and HF stamped onto it I would love to see and hear it running again thank you for such a super video on a fusee watch.
I'm a machinist and playing around with the idea of making a pocket watch in my retirement. Thanks for posting this. It is really cool. I think I'm leaning towards reproducing a very early movement, one that simply has the hour hand. Do you know what that movement is called? I'd like to buy a broken one that I can take apart and copy.
I know I am like two years late, but the type of movement these early pocket watches use are called: verge fusee pocket watch movements. “Verge” referring to the type of escapement, and “fusee” referring to the type of power transfer system the movement uses, fusee cone and fusee chain
Great videos this and the disassemble of the Fusee, help me repair my own which had a broken mainspring but now I have a second problem my hour hand is loose and your videos don't show how or what holds them tight enough not to move with the minute hand, can you help?
I want to learn how to service fuse watches. Any advice on which brands and models to get? preferably something common with many parts still available. Perhaps a brand similar to Elgin or Waltham...common, interchangeable...etc. Thanks.
Hi Nathan. I have a 1802 verge watch. I damaged the hair spring. I need to fix/service it. I live in Saudi Arabia. I may visit the states this year. How can I reach to you ?
I have a similar problem to that mentioned in previous post, namely. The movement ticks away quite well enough ( in my case runs for approx 8 days) but the minute hand only imperceptibly advances, indicating that somewhere in the drive train, motion to the minute hand is lost or slipping. The minute hand is therefore not registering correct time, although it does fractionally creep forward over a much longer period of time. I’m suspecting the minute hand is slipping on the canon pinion, any ideas.
So yes you are right the cannon pinion is likely slipping. and as the watchmaker that trained me once said "sometimes all you need is the hair of the watchmaker" In other words just a hair or two inserted into the cannon pinion as you push it into place can make all the difference friction wise on this component. Its not the best repair but it does work. All you need is to make a better connection. Other times its tooth lockup in the transition wheel and hour wheel.
So the staff is all one piece, Other then a brass bushing used to mount the wheel and hairspring. The wire used for the staff is so thin it is not feasible to drill and pivot. It is far better to make a new staff then any mangled together repair, and often a repair will be of poor quality and eventually break anyway. To build a staff is a lot of work and not to be taken lightly but well worth the effort once the watch is restored.
Hey Bob, yes Sorry for the late reply as I do not use youtube very much. I am taking on watches, you can send me an email with photos to hallicra@hotmail.com
Oh forgot. Here is a mnemonic for remembering the chain position. Captain HOOK sits on his BARREL giving the FINGER to his FUSEE crew. (The finger is hook that goes to fusee, it looks like a little finger pointing. ...)
Thanks actually backwards... the hook is for the fusee because at the very end of its run the chain end has to rotate/ pivot around the brass pin in the fusee cone. The barrel on the other hand requires a fixed hook that locks into place with the contoured finger. if the chain is put on backwards with the fingered hook in the barrel the pivoting motion will be stressing the chain links in instead, potentially leading them to break over time. if you're finding the locking fingered hook is slipping off the barrel once the chain is wound up, it could be your chain is too short and is getting too close to the fusee at the end of the winding. also make sure the winding stop mechanism is working in advance before you run out of chain. there should be 1cm or half a cm of chain still on the barrel when the watch is fully wound.
Nathan Das Thanks for reply. Yep I did it backwards and then when correcting it, as I was winding it after finally getting things I thought set, I broke the fusee chain. I am going to try to repair it. It broke on a link not on ends. The thing I was having trouble with understanding was the stop. I see how it works now as the tang slides under the lever bar until the chain pushes the bar into the path of oncoming tang. When I busted the chain somehow the chain got wrapped over top of the fusee cone and got in a pinch and broke from winding pressure. Also, on the side of my barrel is a big knot for the mainspring to terminate to on side of barrel. Might be a homemade connection because it's fairly bulky. But it could be factory. I wonder if it is not in the way when winding the chain onto the barrel. Thanks for replying your opinion is appreciated and am subscribed.
Thanks for the generosity of sharing your skill and knowledge with us enthusiasts; it is so reassuring to see these little masterpieces ticking again, and so distressing to see vandals draping parts from fusee watches from themselves as so called steampunk jewellery
Amen!!
I have acquired several of these types of watches out of curiosity. You are the first person who seems to know what you are doing. Thank you.
Thanks James. this is an old video but I have now been doing watch repair for 12 years. There is a time coming soon where I will do more videos as my kids will also need training in these skills and its a good way to record crucial info.
Ignoring the total mess of that desk(!), there was a hell of a lot of very good information and advice in this video. It’s a pity you don’t make more content as there’s a real dearth of UA-cam instructional info regarding fusee watches.
you know no matter how many times I clean my bench it always gets cluttered again. I blame it on the fact I do both customer work and my own work constantly switching back and forth. My own work is often being left to wait but I never want to put away.
what a messy workspace!!! I luv ittttttt.... awesome vid bro... thx
Makes me feel right at home!
Great job very well explained I really appreciated your way of transmitting your knowledge.
Thanks for posting this. great video!
This is a great video. How about a video on removal of main spring and its oiling and assembly. Also how about a video on the Fusee disassembly. Thanks .. Great Job
Always nice to see a master craftsman at work. I was praying you wouldn´t drop one of those small screws, cos you´d never find it again in that tool drawer.
you know I have spent many times on the floor searching, but Its part of being humbled, we all make mistakes.
Wow I learned a lot great video!
Good stuff.. Now I am in trouble.. I have a verge fuse about 1778". I gave it a watchmaker and he took out the balance wheel and put in one that was broken... 25 years ago I wouldn't have noticed,, after all this time of clockmaking and repairing watches I have a good collection of pocket watches... I,d like to get the verge going.. I pulled it Down as necessary and all is well to the escapement wheel. I have a balance staff no hairspring not sure it will fit.. It might.. Can you help me.. Could send it to you? John..
Absolutely John. Email me at hallicra@hotmail.com
I have the same watch which I bought along with other pocket watches, I hope I have all the parts, how do I know what type and size chain as its missing, the watch has a number 5 stamped on the gears and the case number is 5323 and HF stamped onto it I would love to see and hear it running again thank you for such a super video on a fusee watch.
Hi Nathan, do you know to adjust the angle adjuster on the central crown post? Thanks AF
I'm a machinist and playing around with the idea of making a pocket watch in my retirement. Thanks for posting this. It is really cool. I think I'm leaning towards reproducing a very early movement, one that simply has the hour hand. Do you know what that movement is called? I'd like to buy a broken one that I can take apart and copy.
I know I am like two years late, but the type of movement these early pocket watches use are called: verge fusee pocket watch movements. “Verge” referring to the type of escapement, and “fusee” referring to the type of power transfer system the movement uses, fusee cone and fusee chain
Great videos this and the disassemble of the Fusee, help me repair my own which had a broken mainspring but now I have a second problem my hour hand is loose and your videos don't show how or what holds them tight enough not to move with the minute hand, can you help?
Great video!
Hello do you know what the numbers mean under the dial
I want to learn how to service fuse watches. Any advice on which brands and models to get? preferably something common with many parts still available. Perhaps a brand similar to Elgin or Waltham...common, interchangeable...etc. Thanks.
Exelliant
Hi Nathan.
I have a 1802 verge watch. I damaged the hair spring. I need to fix/service it.
I live in Saudi Arabia. I may visit the states this year. How can I reach to you ?
hey Waleed, send me an email with some pictures of the watch to hallicra@hotmail.com
would be nice to see the hairspring adjustment
I have a similar problem to that mentioned in previous post, namely. The movement ticks away quite well enough ( in my case runs for approx 8 days) but the minute hand only imperceptibly advances, indicating that somewhere in the drive train, motion to the minute hand is lost or slipping. The minute hand is therefore not registering correct time, although it does fractionally creep forward over a much longer period of time. I’m suspecting the minute hand is slipping on the canon pinion, any ideas.
So yes you are right the cannon pinion is likely slipping. and as the watchmaker that trained me once said "sometimes all you need is the hair of the watchmaker" In other words just a hair or two inserted into the cannon pinion as you push it into place can make all the difference friction wise on this component. Its not the best repair but it does work. All you need is to make a better connection. Other times its tooth lockup in the transition wheel and hour wheel.
@@hallicra Thanks Nathan 👍
thanks mate really helped me out, can the staff be pivoted on these
So the staff is all one piece, Other then a brass bushing used to mount the wheel and hairspring. The wire used for the staff is so thin it is not feasible to drill and pivot. It is far better to make a new staff then any mangled together repair, and often a repair will be of poor quality and eventually break anyway. To build a staff is a lot of work and not to be taken lightly but well worth the effort once the watch is restored.
Will you be doing more watch videos I notice you don't have many?
Could you show how to put in the case?
Hi I've a watch from the 1700's with a verge movement but the fusee chain snapped! Do you do repairs?
hey kieren cheung, I do repairs. feel free to send me an email at hallicra@hotmail.com
What a mess at Your workbench! 😲
what the meaning of 10ct? is that gold? any body can let me know?
I have a chain drive fusee & verge escapement pocket watch. would you be interested in it?
Hi sorry for the late reply. If you have not found a home for your watch I sure would love it. sorry to leave your message unanswered.
@@hallicra I have not found a home for the watch as of yet. I am not sure what it's worth so make me an offer and we can talk about it.
@@Woodden I will have to see the watch, can you send photos or find me on facebook?
Are you taking any new clients? I have a verge fusee I need repaired.
Hey Bob, yes Sorry for the late reply as I do not use youtube very much. I am taking on watches, you can send me an email with photos to hallicra@hotmail.com
Oh forgot. Here is a mnemonic for remembering the chain position. Captain HOOK sits on his BARREL giving the FINGER to his FUSEE crew. (The finger is hook that goes to fusee, it looks like a little finger pointing. ...)
Thanks actually backwards... the hook is for the fusee because at the very end of its run the chain end has to rotate/ pivot around the brass pin in the fusee cone. The barrel on the other hand requires a fixed hook that locks into place with the contoured finger. if the chain is put on backwards with the fingered hook in the barrel the pivoting motion will be stressing the chain links in instead, potentially leading them to break over time.
if you're finding the locking fingered hook is slipping off the barrel once the chain is wound up, it could be your chain is too short and is getting too close to the fusee at the end of the winding. also make sure the winding stop mechanism is working in advance before you run out of chain. there should be 1cm or half a cm of chain still on the barrel when the watch is fully wound.
Nathan Das Thanks for reply. Yep I did it backwards and then when correcting it, as I was winding it after finally getting things I thought set, I broke the fusee chain. I am going to try to repair it. It broke on a link not on ends.
The thing I was having trouble with understanding was the stop. I see how it works now as the tang slides under the lever bar until the chain pushes the bar into the path of oncoming tang.
When I busted the chain somehow the chain got wrapped over top of the fusee cone and got in a pinch and broke from winding pressure.
Also, on the side of my barrel is a big knot for the mainspring to terminate to on side of barrel. Might be a homemade connection because it's fairly bulky. But it could be factory. I wonder if it is not in the way when winding the chain onto the barrel.
Thanks for replying your opinion is appreciated and am subscribed.
damn, you`re not in England, I have one in the post as I type just the chain is broken, hey ho.
Dont try tolern fro. Tnis guy
Christ… clean up your bench man