Restoration of an 1890s English Pocket Watch
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- This time I do a complete restoration of a pocket watch made in England in the 1890s; towards the end of the Victorian era. These old English Lever Pocket Watches were built like tanks and the more heavily jewelled versions capable of keeping pretty good time. Even this example I have manged to get to with about 30 seconds a day which makes it a very useful practical tool. After working on so many small watches recently this felt like I was doing a clock restoration!
As I say at the end of this video .... if you are not subscribed, then you should! It's free and it will help ensure you do not miss my future uploads.
This is the first video where I use my new Head Up Display to succinctly impart information about the watch being restored. I would be very interested to hear what you think about this innovation.
I do not do much talking in this video leaving, for the most part, the action on screen to tell the story.
And very importantly a Big Thank You is due to Nick for giving this watch to me!
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Music: Bitters At The Saloon by Bird Creek (from The UA-cam Audio Library)
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Pocket watches need to make a comeback
Nothing better on a saturday morning here in florida then a cup of coffee and the richard perrett show to start the day off.
Hi Jeff! Bit chilly here in West Wales today... a ni e coffees on sun kissed Florida beach sounds pretty good right now! Good to hear from you sir! Richard
I'm from Florida too, and I couldn't agree more. 😁
A lovely piece of craftsmanship . Watching this whilst having a coffee. Thanks for sharing on UA-cam. Andy
Sometimes, Richard, you just outdo yourself. Beautiful watch, full of history and craftsmanship. Top-notch watchmaking, videography and editing in one video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Chris.. Great to hear from you! I do love these English Lever watches of this period. The video was fun to make and very pleased that you enjoyed it! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker mooore pocket watches ! ;)
Didnt see any watch , movement repair just polishh..so the title is worng should be called polish polissh broken watches.
@@julioramossilva3968 title says restoration.. sometimes to get something working may only need a clean
@@richardperrettwatchmaker do you take on watch repairs?
Such a pleasure to watch you at work. It undoubtedly has a therapeutic quality, bringing order to a beautiful mechanism that age and the passage of time has worked it's ravages on. A privilege to see a master at work. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent night time relaxation before sleep
Pocket Watches are So Beautiful - Hidden Pieces of Art.
The Victorians really knew how to make beautiful things that would last. Great video.
Your silver treatment is exactly what I was taught 100s of years ago as a first step in polishing fine hotel silverware. It still works!
It definitely the best way to start cleaning a silver object sandau51! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
The people that made those watches were artists. Its mesmerizing.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And a craftsman displaying such skills is a person of wonder. Terrific video!
Thanks j bloggs! Great feedback and very much appreciated. Richard
That’s a very interesting movement layout. It’s different from the movements I’m used to seeing in the 20th century wristwatch movements I know so well. Thank you!
English lever escapement.
Blimey, another vid - another look! We've had John Denver, Derek Jacobi, now Dr Watson 😄
Haha! I was trying to do an Arthur Shelby but I'll take Dr Watson because he's cool too. Richard
Nice work Richard👍👍👍
oh my god, what a machine!
What a fascinating movement! Another great video
Love these old English movements! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Very nice work; certainly brings back life in a old Victorian Pocket Watch.
Hi John .... and it's keeping really good time at the moment. It's up and down a bit but averaging about +25 s/d in the pendant up position which is pretty good for a 130 year old watch with only the escapement jewelled. Thanks again. richard
I envy you Richard, when you think you're handling a watch made by another long dead watchmaker 130 years ago. I'd feel a little nostalgia doing this. Very nice video, well done. Many thanks for sharing. I'm an old retired engineer and always admire the work of the old tradesmen.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
And, I'm glad I found you so that I can steal some of your Technique.
Hi JD ... No problem and no worries as 'all techniques are offered freely as folks see fit to use' so it's great to know that you are finding my stuff helpful. Drop me a line if you develop any improvements of youyr own as I am constantly looking into how I can make my processes better. Richard
Love the hour and minute hand polish/ shine 👍
Hi sol star ... yes, easily forgotten that but I think the hands would have been highly polished on the day the watch was sold. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Very, Very Good! Thank you very Much for imparting your knowledge. I can't thank you enough for sharing your patience and clarity.. These Beautiful Works of art deserve to be kept alive and only because of people like yourselves!
Excellent job! I especially liked your close-in shots.
Thanks Timothy... Very pleased to hear you say that as I have been working on getting better macro shots. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Absolute therapy. I was given exactly the same watch when I was young, an old uncles retirement gift. I thought it was treasure. Probably my gateway to a love of watches. I know they arent worth a great deal, but I still value it. Thank you.
Hi Raymond... So pleased that you find my videos therapeutic as that is part of the intention. Hang on to that watch... These old English watches are keepers! Richard
It said a fool knows the cost of everything and they value of nothing. I’m glad you value it.
Cheers Richard,also wonderful to see your older brother right at the end🚒👍
Haha! Yes ... and he does so well for one who is so decrepit! Nice one J********* !!! Richard
G'Day Richard,
Excellent video (as usual). I often run into problems reassembling these full plate English watches (esp. fusee movements). Your videos have shed some much needed light on the correct procedures to follow.
I also find your simple, strait-forward, no BS format a real pleasure compared to many other presenters.
Many thanks, Rob FNQ,Au
Lovely! I used your bicarbonate and salt trick on a pocket watch and it came up great. Thanks Richard good technique.
Hi Boyd... This is excellent news! It's a chemical reaction so it cannot fail! Thanks for sharing the outcome! Richard
Watch service with some field surgery on the side. Great video, thanks a lot!
Thanks so much Luca! Richard
Another fine production. Good morning and thank you sir.
And micro-surgery too!!
Hi salr362... Thank you so much! Hoping not to be making the micro surgery a regular feature! Thanks for the feedback! Richard
Very interesting video kind sir now i even more excited for my 1890s ladies pocket watch. I have subscribed as ordered by the management and am sending sunny greetings from southern Bavaria
Hi Hannah .... Late nineteeth century ladies pocket (fob) watches can be very lovely. A lot have cylinder escapements rather than the lever escapement on the one in this video. Thanks for the feedback! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker they sure are it took me a while to find the one I really wanted but when I saw that one on etsy o literally said this is it this is the watch I was looking for now I am sewing in watch pockets into my 1895 walking skirts
I wound my pocket watch successfully yesterday LOL .........your a master
Awesome for sn ex Rupert lol .. looking at getting into this as s hobby, just to keep the ptsd at bay.. but at the moment your videos are helping.. thanks 😁
Thank you Mike. Meditation I have found most helpful as a practice for controlling 'post excitement jumpyness'... the discipline of watchmaking is a natural wholesome tangent due to its almost meditative nature and need for calmness and because daily practice is required to get good at it the 'practice' part of the process almost takes care of itself driven by a tangible need to improve. A more flexible and tolerant mind is I think a likely outcome. So I figure you are on a good path sir and I wish you all the very best with it. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker sounds just like the freemasons lol 😁
Thanks for posting this video, I have a collection of non working English lever and fusee watches that I intended to repair but never got round to it (I got married instead). I have now retired from electronics and hope to restore some of them; thanks for your video.
Hi Delatronics ... 'I got married instead' made me chuckle! You should maybe just start. I find strating anything is tricky but once started I am off! Hope it goes well. Richard
Fantastic video, I had just recently service my own old silver pocket watch and had major issues fitting the pallet fork. Using a piece of rodico and then flipping it over so simple and so brilliant, I will be doing it this way from now on. Looking forward to gaining many more tips from the rest of your videos.
Haha! Hi Eric ...yes, and I dreamt that one up all on my lonesome! Very pleased you found this useful. Richard
By order of the Peaky F'in Blindas ! Well done Sir
Haha! Hi Donny ... I fear I would make a poor Shelby but I figured it would be a laughto shoot it! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
*WOW* absolutely wonderfully restored. And OMG what craftsmanship.
I am exactly 49 seconds into this video and i already love it
Sir.... Thank you so very much for the excellent videos. I have watched all of your work numerous times with the eventual thought of trying watch disassembly and reassembly myself. With this pocket watch I feel my ‘time has arrived’. Tomorrow the adventure begins. Thank you Sir.
Gorgeous pocket watch, very interesting escapement! Outstanding fine job, as usual! It's a real pleasure watching your videos! This time some bonus: an accidentally skewered and oiled thumb, a carefully salted watch case, a barking Bella, the usual Earl Grey for the ultrasonic cleaner, and the new Shelby look at the end! Wow! :-) Thank you for sharing! Your job is a real art form!
Hi Fabrizio! Thank you so much for this great feedback. I did try to pack a lot into this video so pleased you found it enjoyable. Great to hear from you sir! Richard
Superb photography as usual, if only the legendary George Daniels, had the technology available at the time, perhaps he could have recorded his work for posterity too, !!
Truly fantastic macro,, thank you Richard,, all the best,,, John,,,
Hi John... now that would have been a treat! Nice to be mentioned alongside George Daniels who I think would have liked these old pocket watches even if they are a little less refined than his own amazing creations. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Wonderful job, the family Silver is in the safest hands.
Hi Ian ... good to here from you! Haha! I was I had some family silver ... you just saw all of it but yes at least I can clean it correctly. Richard
Compared to the last watch this looks like Big Ben. Great video always enjoy watching.
Hi Jimmy ... it certainly felt like it. It makes a nice change actually as I have been working ona lot of pretty small pieces recently. Richard
Thank god it wasn't another Rolex as I was about to vomit - so a step in right direction yet there was almost no commentary - the end bit gives me the glimpse of hope ;-)
I know you said that silent Rolex repairs is what makes bulk of views but I am going to say my piece anyway!
Thanks for the video and keep up the good work.
Thank you; there is much good practice to learn from your video. I have just worked on two English lever watches and replacing the pallet fork in each was very difficult. Knowing no better. I used tiny slivers of sellotape to hold them in place and then removed the tape when, eventually I got them in place.
Very nice. The English watches have a different layout of the escapement lever. The early nineteenth century ones often have a fusee and chain which must be tricky.
Love the addition of the HUD ha! Fine works as always Rich ❤️
Hi Alex... You are the first to comment on that so take a gold star sir! Iron man meets horology was the idea... thanks for picking up on it. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker is shall accept my gold star with pride sir! Much obliged
@@richardperrettwatchmaker I’m currently servicing an Everite from the fifties and it seems to be missing the two screws which secure the movement to its securing ring. Could you recommend a good website for replacements?
Next level video making right there. Good job Mr. Perrett.
Thanks sghr220! Richard
You must have as many watch tools as there are watch pieces Richard . Another great job well worth the view
Hi John ... habing the correct tool and practicisng using it is pretty much most of the art of engineering disciplines I guess. It gets pretty expensive though! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker I'm just blown away with your expertise Richard your videos are so inspiring
Watching you is going to give me the courage to have a go on my old pocket watch great video.
What a Beautiful stunning piece..Great video too!!
Hi Eri ... good to hear from you and thank you so much! Richard
Nice job! Lovely old watch.
Your magnification is excellent and your workmanship,? We’re do I start. I’m actually breathless when I watch it.
Another great one Richard - thanks!
Thanks so much Mark. Good to hear from you! Richard
Absolute class and craftsmanship, loved the video
Thank you so much anonymous muffin! Very pleased you enjoyed this video. Richard
Fascinating Richard , that’s a great video your a master at your game.
Thank you see you next time mate .
Hi Paul.. Good to hear from you! And thanks for the support. Much appreciated. Richard
Thanks for sharing with us this work of art. Elegant and entertaining as usual
Thanks Dr Omar! Richard
Always learn watching your amazing videos... thanks for sharing! Cheers
Hi Craig... Happy to be of service sir! Thanks for taking the time to say so. Richard
Thank you very much for your vídeos Richard, they are fantastic. Today starts Carnival in Brazil and will occurs clashes between the people who want to dance on the streets and the Police. It is forbidden due to the pandemia. Now it is 6:42 am and I am drinking coffe from the Sul Fluminense and the enjoying your art and culture.
Hi Mario... very good to hear from you sir! Drinking nice coffee and watch interesting videos is way better than clashing with any policemen I figure. I would 'stay put' and lie low until the excitement is over. Stay safe Mario! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker Hi Richard, yes I will stay safe and far away from Carnival. Cheers!!😃☕
A pleasure watching you work, as usual! Best wishes from Arizona.
Hi Russell ... thank you so much for takng a few moments to comment and greetings to you in Arizona from Wales! Richard
Beautiful work , cleaning silver bi carb salt hot water.. I'm guessing.. finish off with Silvio. Lovely job... the horologist who taught me was excellent but was cranky... sorry about your oiler I've only got on left.. I need more tools. Cheers. Great vid..
Good quality job
Great job
Gorgeous is not a strong enough word! Awesome!
Thank you so much mikedo6! Richard
Never tried watch case pie before, must give it a go.
I have a J G Graves of Sheffield sterling silver pocket watch dated for 1900 which has the exact same movement as this one.
My, what a sturdy looking click you have!
Hmmmm not content with having the best Watchmaker Channel on UA-cam you've decided to go into Alchemy and Surgical Procedures 😮😮😮
Excellent work yet again Richard. Taking us from the intricacies of your last movement to this Juggernaut 👍
Interesting comment you got about the British never being able to make a decent timepiece 😂😂😂
Hi Kent! Haha...you are too kind sir! And the alchemy was even planned. Not planning on making the surgery a regular feature! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Very nice, by the way I started using the same phone stand to make watch photos, was funny to see we thought the same. Amazing job.
Hi Jordi ... Haha! Great minds think alike! Richard
Excellent job there Richard and great camera work.
Thanks Paul... Good to hear from you! Richard
Piece of art 😍
Watchmaker? Look like you repair them!
Nothing better at Friday night watch Richard perrett with a cup of tea
Interesting use of bicarbonate and sodium, iv used it on more stronger items but impressive,thank you
Hi Mini cooper... Yes it sets up a chemical reaction with the silver foil which strips off the silver oxide. Pretty helpful! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker have you tried bicarbonate toothpaste find that has a good use on certain metal
Absolute wonderful restoration yet again Sir Richard, always enjoy watching your videos..Oo only if we have an expert like you to fix all the vintage watches in Malaysia...look forward to another restoration. Regards- Aliff
Also, love the Peaky Blinders reference at the end.
Hi Aliff... Great to hear from you sir! I should like very much to visit Malaysia it would be an interesting place to make a video!
Haha! I make a poor Authur Shelby but happy you liked it! Richard
R🌹..beautifully restored ..it’s awesome 🎩🌂⏱😍
Hi Ruby! Thank you so much for this great feedback. It is keeping really good time for a watch with very little jewelling! Thanks again. Richard
mesmerising. nice work sir.
Wow.... Sir, I always appreciate your good work, because I m also a watch maker from south india... Realy i like ur tools & stuffs wat ever it may b, which u use to ur clean & clear work.... good job, great work, well done sir..... 😀😀👍
Thank you shaikh faraz ul haq ul haq ! This is great feedback and I should like to travel to South India very much! Good luck with your own work sir and thank you for these kind words! Richard
Love that pocket watch, great video I enjoyed 👍
Me too retro bike stuff! These old English pocket watches are just so cool! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Very nice video, indeed, as always. I follow you since the beginning, and I just miss when you talked more in your videos. I liked to listed to more comments from you. Cheers!
Hi lee S ... and I find it so difficult to keep quiet. But most folks like it that way! Cruel but true! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker they can easily mute. I find it very informative and even soothing to listen to you talk.
man great video bruv, nice cuts and i love the intro, great fun indeed :) no biggie but the slightly shaky camera makes it a bit hard to watch on acid. great job non the less, much love
High idle sun ...Thanks for this! Interestingly since shooting this video I have rigged up an articulated camera support from my workshop ceiling to eliminate camera shake. Thanks for the great feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker check between minute 3 and 3:30. looking at it now is no problem tho :D
Eine wirklich sehr schöne Taschenuhr!
really interesting video, of nice old timepiece, which I've never seen before, painful, hope your thumb is ok? thank you for sharing mate!
My grandpa have similar watch from 1880s.
Officially liked and subscribed! I can't believe I haven't done so sooner Richard! What a beautiful restoration. You are a real master of your craft! Love the intro and ending too!
Hi Tinkering For Fun! Very good to hear from you; I hadn't seen a video from you for a while and was wondering where you had gone too! Guy's check out this channel ... ua-cam.com/channels/94uqJG5TTJr6h-A34dzWJw.html some great content here! You like the HUD and me as a 'decrepit Shelby'! That's funny! Hope all well in Vienna! Richard
Thanks, watching your video and seeing the mechanism, I recognized it as being the same as the one I have, from my G.G Grandfather, by the hallmarks, the case is dated 1876 made in Coventry UK and purchased in Sydney NSW around that time, they obviously made a generic watch mechanism, and the faceplates were customized. It worked for about 8 hours before stopping again, it kept good time whilst it was working. I need to find a specialist like yourself to clean it. I'm guessing it would be costly due to the time involved.
A nice comment… I love what you’ve done with your hair. Is that a new shirt? Looks marvellous. How is that? Great job on the watch. I love the old ones and it’s great to see them restored.
Awesome work well done on your work and thank you for sharing it.
Richard, congratulations again on bringing back to life to this beautiful watch, and joy to your viewers too! I'm wondering, why would you regulate the watch by checking the overnight deviation instead of using a timegrapher?!
Hi Juan... Thank you! I love marriage watches. Especially the not so big ones... Size 12s pocket watches and smaller are best for this type of conversion I think. Sometimes you see a nice repeater converted which is very special. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
To test performance, it might make sense to allow every wheel to turns at least once in case some teeth are damaged. A short-term timing test may not bear this out. On the other hand (pun intended), pivots worn loose or broken jewels could result in random timing variations that may be more difficult to detect, but can become a little easier to narrow down with multiple checks over a longer period.
Another great video, Watch these videos insteed of TV more entertaining as well,
Hi John.. Thank you so much! UA-cam is the new TV for sure! Richard
Another excellent filmed work of art! Richard, you should set the next video to Strauss’s The Blue Danube a la Stanley Kubrick!! Thank you 🙏
Damn nice work.👍
Превосходно! Вы большой мастер!
Very nice work!
Nice one 🤟
loved it thank you
Hi Yolanda...Thank you so much for for this feedback. These victorian watches are very well made and fun to fix up! Richard
Nice, I'd heard about the dummy great wheel on these Lancashire watches before (so that the key on the barrel will wind in the same direction as in a fusee watch), but I hadn't actually seen one
The tweezers are lucky they didn't end up like the oiler. Your thumb doesn't mess around.
Your videography is getting even better! A lovely watch. Clean as can be.
So you didn’t draw blood with a phony Rolex fishing lure, but instead with an oiler? Well captured on camera.
Hope you and your family are doing well in the latest lockdown.
Thanks as always for sharing your video!
Hi Eric .. good to hear from you! I am not planning on making a habit of surgery interludes in my videos you will be pleased to know I guess! Hoping all good at your end. Richard
Hi Richard,
Really enjoying your video productions, they keep on getting better..good luck with the subs climbing..and breaking through the 100k barrier..
I’ve picked up some interesting techniques, like disarming the mainspring, replacing the pallet fork and cleaning the case, not to mention surgery and time travel!
Just waiting for the dreaded covid to leave us in piece so we can get back on track..looking forward to getting my sub ticking again..👍
Another superb video, sir. 👍🏼
I love these old pocket watches. The pride of my collection is a 9kt Benson half hunter that does have keyless works. My Uncle had a silver watch that looked very much like the one you have there. The key used to hang from his watch chain. I sometimes see these watches on eBay but the keys seem to always be missing, can keys be sourced today? BTW, I used to fix up old houses, I can meet your oiler point in the thumb and raise you a 3 inch framing nail through my finger. Also don't miss bits out and explain more. You have taken the place of the shipping news before I turn in at night and your voice is really relaxing.
Hi Shouty man! Ouch! Not sure I could have kept the Camera rolling with a three inch nail in my hand. Keys are easy to obtain but getting the right size can be tricky. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
My mother has a JW Benson as well, hers is 18kt. Would love to get it serviced, cleaned and running properly again, I do not think it has been serviced for 100 years or more.
Would also like to know the year of manufacture.
@@Daeyel The case, if gold and British, will have "Hall Marks" stamped into the metal. You will have to find them with a magnifying glass and compare them to a list. There is some information on Google. There is a single letter in the stamping which gives you a year. every few years they recycle the letters but change the font. that is the key. Happy hunting.
I am not an expert in this, so if anyone has better information, please add to this.