Harwood case issues

[SimonKB]

Hi 

Harwood A.Schild 8.75 Lignes 15jewel 2 movements

I have been asked to check out a lovely Harwood watch that is broken. With the back off I am pretty sure the mainspring has gone but need to get to it first. (where would I get a new one?)

How do I get the movement out? Presume the adjusting bevel has to come off but how and what happens after that. It is a lovely watch but not conventional so I dont want to muck it up. I have found the post for movement restoration but it assumes the movement is out.

Help please

Many thanks

Simon

[RichardHarris123]

Photos will help

[SimonKB]

Sorry of course they will . Case not butchered by me by the way. It will clean up nice;y though.

[AndyGSi]

Looks like a front loader so yes the bezel would need to be removed.

Need photos showing around where the bezel joins the case.

 

[RichardHarris123]

Agree, it's almost certainly a front loader 

[JohnR725]

On 11/27/2024 at 7:19 AM, SimonKB said:

Harwood

not only do you need to get pictures but you really should explain to people what this is? Like for instance I don't see the crown anywhere what happened to the crown? plus usually given photos the front has more than likely most people in this group haven't ever seen one of these.

Then you're going to have problems because this is definitely a vintage watch.

I have two links below the first link somebody asks the same question you have and you'll see lots of confusion. but if you scroll down you'll finally get to the answer there is a article in the horological times magazine. otherwise it just isn't a lot of information on this is for servicing it goes.

then for those that don't know what this is the second link gives you the history of talks about it until blame of the title first automatic wristwatch.

 

 

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/harwood-automatic.21429/

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-john-harwood-and-the-worlds-first-automatic-wristwatch/

 

[SimonKB]

OK first I know there is no crown. Thats the point of this watch. You rotate the bezel to adjust the time ( that moves the small wheel next to the case rim)and then lock it. This is confirmed bt a red dot in the star on the face. 

The link you attached Richard tells me all and thank you.

I will proceed with caution but will need a mainspring….any suggestions?

Many thanks

Simon

OK quick update.

Bezel off-case opener under and carefully twist. Thanks Richard.

Hands now off.

Movement to case screw found under bezel at 5 0’clock. Appears to be 1/4 turn to engage with case. 

Problem now is the face. how is that held on ? screws or posts. Wont be double sided glue pads as too old. Any suggestions?

And after that hopefully case will come free.

[AndyGSi]

36 minutes ago, SimonKB said:

Problem now is the face. how is that held on ? screws or posts. Wont be double sided glue pads as too old. Any suggestions?

Is that not a screw in the side for the dial feet?

 

On 11/27/2024 at 3:19 PM, SimonKB said:

I have been asked to check out a lovely Harwood watch that is broken. With the back off I am pretty sure the mainspring has gone but need to get to it first. (where would I get a new one?)

Back to your original question it looks like an AS 612 so would be a good place to start once you've measured the existing spring.

[JohnR725]

2 hours ago, SimonKB said:

mainspring….any suggestions

usually the easiest thing for the mainspring is we look at the old one. It's been far too long since I worked on one of these so I don't remember what the mainspring even looks like traditional lay on early automatic watches but this is too early they would use a two-piece arrangements as opposed to today where the mainspring is all one mainspring with the end piece welded on. then of course from the link I gave you I did mention there was a nice BHI article I wonder where that went to?

Then yes they are really interesting watches one of the amusements I have is that supposedly they lost favor because there is no crowned the wind them up? It's why a lot of the early automatic watches head up down indicator so people would know whether their watch was wound up or not then of course they could be manually wound up the amusement though with the original theory is that a lot of Seiko watches have no way of winding them up and it doesn't seem to be an issue but automatic watches today or more accepted than way back then

 

[SimonKB]

OK chaps thanks for help. Had a think about it and just pushed carefully where the single case screw is at 5 0’clock and it slid out. Turns out there is a pin directly opposite @11 0’clock that engages below the bezel ring on the case. Nice.

Still not obvious how the dial comes off though. Any thoughts. Does it actually need to come off though?. I am a bit in the dark as I have never done an auto before to this degree. Maybe I should leave well alone but I am intrigued and was given permission to explore.

 

[RichardHarris123]

Dial feet screws. The problem with just replacing the mainspring is it may run but dried oil etc will lead to wear.

[SimonKB]

Thanks Richard.