Mainspring winders?

[Simeon]

Can anyone identify these mainspring winders? Who is the manufacturer?

 

[Simeon]

Some further info. It appears that they are made by a German company called Georg Jacob. I have bought them via eBay from someone who's Grandfather was a 'Rolex watchmaker' but didn't know what they were and advertised them as 'punches'. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

17 hours ago, Simeon said:

Can anyone identify these mainspring winders? Who is the manufacturer?

 

the design reminds of the 3 size progress winders, where the handle becomes the winder and the winder barrels are held fixed together on a plate, not so easy to use as a seperate barrel type. Always important to ask is the condition of the arbor pins/hooks and close ups of them, the inserted pin type can replaced if you have the tools to drill the old out. the barrel walls are important as well, check to see that they are not too worn or deformed in any way. wondering why there are 6 empty spaces ?

[HectorLooi]

I've seen them on eBay. There are supposed to be 12 arbors, 6 RH and 6 LH.

[Simeon]

4 hours ago, HectorLooi said:

I've seen them on eBay. There are supposed to be 12 arbors, 6 RH and 6 LH.

This looks like the obvious answer, I guess these are all one direction of arbors.

4 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

the design reminds of the 3 size progress winders, where the handle becomes the winder and the winder barrels are held fixed together on a plate, not so easy to use as a seperate barrel type. Always important to ask is the condition of the arbor pins/hooks and close ups of them, the inserted pin type can replaced if you have the tools to drill the old out. the barrel walls are important as well, check to see that they are not too worn or deformed in any way. wondering why there are 6 empty spaces ?

I guess this is the type where you need to place your finger over the end when winding since the front of the barrel will always be open. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

5 hours ago, Simeon said:

guess this is the type where you need to place your finger over the end when winding since the front of the barrel will always be open. 

It might be that the handle can fit both ends .

[caseback]

6 hours ago, Simeon said:

 

6 hours ago, Simeon said:

I guess this is the type where you need to place your finger over the end when winding since the front of the barrel will always be open. 

I don't really understand what you mean here. I have a simular set, branded "Friedrichs". It has 12 arbors (6LH, 6RH), a plate with 6 "barrels" and a handle. These sets are easy to work with because after winding in the spring, you can remove the handle while the arbor is still in the spring.  So you have more room to get the arbor out. No poking with tweezers in a small gap like with the bergeon style winders. I've seen these sets with 6 arbors as well. If you have a watchmakers lathe or access to one, it's very easy to make additional arbors.

[Simeon]

3 hours ago, caseback said:

 

I don't really understand what you mean here. I have a simular set, branded "Friedrichs". It has 12 arbors (6LH, 6RH), a plate with 6 "barrels" and a handle. These sets are easy to work with because after winding in the spring, you can remove the handle while the arbor is still in the spring.  So you have more room to get the arbor out. No poking with tweezers in a small gap like with the bergeon style winders. I've seen these sets with 6 arbors as well. If you have a watchmakers lathe or access to one, it's very easy to make additional arbors.

Ah, thank you. Now I understand how that works. I thought that the handle and arbor comes in from the rear. Disadvantages of not being able to handle something (I just bought them on eBay and haven't had them delivered yet). 

Your set looks exactly the same as mine. The Georg Jacob reference was for a set of the same design but visibly older in manufacture (older box, no plastic on the handle). 

[Simeon]

I have had a chance to use them now and can report that they are great. The arbors are all in good condition and seem relatively large compared to equivalent winders like Bergeon (or Chinese) so the springs fit snugly over them and grip well. The arbors are all marked as 'R' for right-hand in the box but they seem to be able to wind springs in both direction if the spring is a good tight fit over the arbor. 

Being able to detach the arbor from the winding handle allows easy removal once the mainspring is in the barrel (grip the arbor with a pair of pliers while straddling the mainspring with a pair of brass tweezers).