Hello From Reading

[Ewan32]

Hello all,

 

Just joined wanted to say hello to everyone and introduce myself.

 

I live in Reading Berkshire and am well on the way to being 57 years old.

 

I am a complete novice having just started taking watches apart in the last week or so but watching the Watch Repair Guy videos on You Tube has whetted my appetite.

 

I currently own 2 pocket watches, inherited from my grandad,  both not working and both probably only worth just a few pounds each (if that).

 

Unfortunately I have been unable to identify the manufacturer of either piece but I think they are both Swiss made, one in silver (no hallmark just marked "Fine Silver") the other could be gold plate.

 

The silver piece has a hairspring problem in that the spring has detached itself from the stud, resulting in a some deformity, plus it seems to have a broken case spring.

 

The gold coloured one also has a broken spring but it looks like a hairspring so I'm hopeful I can find one in a job lot from e-bay :-)

 

Well, I'm looking forward to learning all I can and maybe some day I'll be able to get the hairspring sorted out .

 

Bye for now

[Geo]

Welcome to the forum Ewan, there is a lot of knowledgeable folk here from all aver the world willing to help with all sorts of issues.

It would be interesting to see photos of your watches, I'm sure someone will give you some information on them.

[Mark]

Welcome to the forum Ewan :)

[Ewan32]

OK - I'll charge up the camera and load some pictures when I get a few mins.

 

Thanks for the friendly welcome folks :thumbsu:

[entropy]

I'm new here too - welcome! :)

[WillFly]

Welcome, Ewan - and pics please! :cool:

[autowind]

Welcome Ewan,  watches are a very interesting hobby and should keep you busy for a long time.

[Ewan32]

Here are a few pics of both watches in various states of disassembly :

 

 

[bobm12]

Nice vintage watches and welcome to the forum, ewan!

[Geo]

Thanks for posting the quality pictures Ewan. That's a good looking movement in the gold watch going by the screwed in jewel settings. I'm sure some of the pocket watch specialist may shed some light on what you have here. Dare I ask, for pictures of the dials to see what they look like?

[Ewan32]

Sure guys - I'll be off work in a few hours and I'll take a few more shots then for posting later this evening.

 

I have a question regarding the hairspring balance wheel on the silver watch as it's smooth - there are no balance screws and the hairspring stud seems to be just a push in fit - is this because its a cheap movement perhaps ?

 

Anyway, I'll post pictures later showing what I mean.

[Ewan32]

OK - here's a bit more info and the updated pics as promised.

 

The silver watch case is about 37mm diameter (outside edge to edge) - the dial is 33mm diameter. The case is marked "Fine Silver" with what looks like a crown mark above the words and the number 101186 stamped on the back case and cuvette (is that what the cover over the movement is called). The movement uses a separate key  - the original is lost. The hands are removed in the picture of the dial and unfortunately the glass dropped out while I was removing the movement from the case.

 

The gold case is larger with an edge to edge diameter of 50mm - the movement is 42mm diameter. The case is marked "Geneva watch case co"; "case warranty for 10 years " & "TEMERAIRE" with a number of 887116.

 

Pictures below - would be great if anyone can tell me a little bit about them.

 

Let me know if you'd like any more pics :)