St. Regis pocket watch

[Karp]

Aloha All,

I just recieved my St. Regis watch in the mail. Here is a little info on it.  It doesn't look in too bad of shape physically. If feels like it's all the way wound up, yet doesn't tick. Pulling the crown up is difficult, but if you wiggle it it will come up and the hour/minute hands will adjust. If I rotate the watch in my hand back and fourth the second hand will move. I dont see any serial number on the movement, I do see a 138 stamped on it, could that be the serial? How would I date it and does anyone have any advice with this model before I tear it down to see if I can repair it. I think this will be a great first repair. Thanks to all and stay safe

[Nucejoe]

Take pictures as you tear down the watch so you know where each  part is to go back to, including the keyless and minute train all thats under the dial, I start disassembly with hands and dial, drop the movement in naphta, blow dry, it might start running, that will indicate there is some hope. Parts and datasheet are probably not available for this.

 

 

[KarlvonKoln]

Cool!  A nice ol' Ingraham; looks like a variation on the Sturdy.  What they called "Dollar Watches", usually had pin pallets.  Nucejoe gives good advice; the pictures will help you get it back together, naphtha will loosen up any crud, and a clean watch is easier to diagnose (if cleaning doesn't already get it running).  The Ingrahams are rugged things.

 

[JohnR725]

12 hours ago, Karp said:

I think this will be a great first repair.

Is this your first repair or your first watch? The reason for the question is if this is your first watch it's going to be a little more challenging that if it's your first repair. Because of its your first repair you should have experience with how to disassemble a watch. So you have the necessary hand I skill set not probably break anything. This watch because it's a dollar watch is an expensive inexpensive watches have special challenges not typically found on more expensive watches. Like everything is under than one plate. Getting a photograph of everything under the one plate is going to be hard because it's under a plate. It will just be an interesting watch to work on make sure the power is off the mainspring before you disassemble or otherwise things will get interesting really really fast

 

[Karp]

Yes, this is my first pocket watch and first repair. It came apart pretty easy and I cleaned the rust from the gears (which was a pain) and started putting it back together.  I noticed the balance spring is messed up and I didn't check on how the fork when on the balance spring.  I also need to search on how to clean the yellow from the crystal. It appears to be plastic.  Im going to try and salvage the spring, but if not.... not sure how to approach that one. Thanks for the suggestion on taking pictures. Unfortunately, I can't have any approved electronics (not even a digital Casio watch) where I'm learning this. This is a practice watch, I guess. thanks for all the advice. If it survives I'll post updated pictures, lol. 

[Karp]

Okay, so I figured out I had the fork upside down, (opps) that is the big issue. now I know the spring is jacked. but still getting it back together with the fork in the correct position is a pain. I'll mess with it tomorrow some more. My new goal for this watch is to get it back together in a semi working (hour and minute hand moves manually) and keep it for a puzzle when I get bored.  on a side note I bought two more cheap watches off an online estate sale site. one site unseen "nice little goldish ARNEX pocket watch" and a "Pocket Watch - Antique - gold plated - 17 Jewel" (new thread to come soon) I now have four watches, I told my wife Im done, lol.   

[Karp]

Aloha All, 

   I like this watch its neat to take apart and put back together, the one thing I need assistance with is can anyone explain the best way to get the balancing wheel and balancing fork in properly?  There must be a trick or two to get it back in.  I can't get it, properly and that pretty much without the spring in the way. Thanks for any advice. 

Cheers,  Karp

[Nucejoe]

You should see and somewhat have access to all parts sandwiched between mainplate and upper plate from movement's side, put all pivot including the staff's in lower holes and slide the upper pivots in by grabing each part from the movement's side, grab gears and balance rim and whatever part of the fork or any other part you have access to.

Patience does it.