Ratchet wheel missing a tooth

[kibbler]

I just got a new pocket watch, a very nice (railroad grade? I need to check) Elgin B.W. Raymond, and it runs positionally, so I know there's some work to be done.

Upon inspecting the movement, I noticed that one of the teeth on the ratchet wheel is missing.  After a brief search for a replacement, I starting thinking about what effect that would actually have on the watch, and I came to the conclusion that its effect would be quite minor, only affecting the winding of the watch.  Am I correct about that?  It almost seems not worth fixing.  The existing wheel is beautifully finished, and I couldn't find a replacement wheel with the same detail/demaskeening

[Nucejoe]

Little harm to have this wratchet wheel sit there looking pretty until you find a replacement you like. 

One would think a second tooth is waiting to break with use.

Regard

[JohnR725]

Looks like were all in agreement. If you had several teeth missing then that would be an issue. But one tooth missing usually isn't an issue. Sad that it's a B.W. Raymond As those were always a high-grade Elgin watch

11 hours ago, kibbler said:

and it runs positionally, so I know there's some work to be done.

You want to elaborate by what you mean by that?

[kibbler]

6 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

Little harm to have this wratchet wheel sit there looking pretty until you find a replacement you like. 

One would think a second tooth is waiting to break with use.

Regard

Fair enough.  That's a good way to look at it.

5 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

You want to elaborate by what you mean by that?

It runs great face-up or face-down, but in at least one of the side directions, it will stop.