Trench watch

[RichParker]

Hi. I recently aquired a really handsome looking silver watch that has a broken balance staff. The whole mechanism apart from that seems in really good order and moving freely, and it's lovely and clean.

First thing is....does anyone have any idea who might have made it?....and most importantly, where and how can I get a replacement balance for it?!

To be honest, I didn't pay much for it, but it looks too good to just put in a drawer for the rest of time......geddit?

The movement measures 24.7mm diameter. Any help would be really appreciated...have a butchers at the photo's. Thanks.

Edited January 31, 2021 by RichParker
I Forgot one image

[Nucejoe]

I,ll be surprised if spare balance completes for this were ever built. 

Someone might identify the caliber as you have shown it, however, show the set mech to improve chances of identifying it, caliber might be engraved on any of its plate.

This balance wheel can be restaffed providing a staff for it is available to be found,  making one is costly.

Regs

Joe

 

 

 

[JohnR725]

1 hour ago, Nucejoe said:

This balance wheel can be restaffed providing a staff for it is available to be found,  making one is costly.

If you look carefully at the pictures you'll notice that it's missing the pallet fork oh dear I wonder if that's a problem? Excuse my sense of humor I couldn't resist. This is a cylinder watch it doesn't have a pallet fork.  I have a link below to a video which shows the escapement.

This watch does not have a balance staff. Instead it has a cylinder which is broken in half. A long time ago when these watches were common there were assortments of cylinders complete with the pivots on each end. It also get the pivoted part separate from the cylinder. So at one time there were an assortment you could measure go to your assortment and replace your cylinder if you are lucky. Occasionally cylinders and/or assortments will show up on eBay.

Then like a balance staff somebody really can make one of these but it would be astronomically expensive way way more expensive than having a balance staff cut.

Then to identify who made the watch which is going be problematic because of the age we would need to see under the dial. Specifically the setting components but I doubt that's going to help at all as these watches were usually relatively inexpensive I doubt any components were ever made as spare parts for it.

 

 

https://youtu.be/habEd6uCB8s

[RichParker]

Thanks for that information. I wonder if there's a chance l might find a compatible part in a similar 'scrap' watch or movement on ebay??

Might be worth a punt for a tenner or so, so long as that part is in tact and moving as it should.

Thanks again

[Nucejoe]

43 minutes ago, RichParker said:

 I wonder if there's a chance l might find a compatible part in a similar 'scrap' watch or movement on ebay??

That would certainly be nice, however, you could be looking at a variant of this caliber and not realize the balance complete you need is there since variants usually come in different bridge layouts, so getting the movement identified here is best route to start on. 

 

[RichParker]

I guess that means dismantling the movement to see if there's any identifying marks hidden somewhere?

I think someone suggested that might be a starting point. 

[JohnR725]

1 hour ago, RichParker said:

I guess that means dismantling the movement to see if there's any identifying marks hidden somewhere?

Identifying who made a watch can be challenging. Usually whoever made a watch might put it on the dial or on the backside of the movement. But that doesn't always tell you who made the movement because this company may have just purchased the movements.

On newer watches most but not always the movement maker initials and a number is found under the balance wheel.

Sometimes on older watches is hiding under the dial.

Worst-case if it was made in any quantitythen on the dial side the setting parts along with the diameter of the movement measured on the dial side. Can be used to look in books because all the setting parts are unique up until modern watches. So it forms a fingerprint system that you can use to identify who made your watch movement.

Then probably not very helpful for the movement but I have a couple links below. If you look at the back of your watch you find out it was imported to London and it's made out of sterling silver. It is a date code that's placing it around1912 to 1913? Then there is the sponsors Mark ill have to track that down yourself. Whoever imported the case and had the marks in the assay office put on has to have a sponsors Mark. Then explained that the links below.

 

 

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/casemarks.php

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/importmarks.php