Waltham interchangeability

[jimbot]

Hello, I am having trouble deciphering the waltham parts catalogue!

I have an 18s ,1877 model, hunter, Appleton grade Waltham pocket watch, this I know! It goes downhill from here!

I have examined the parts catalogue from https://archive.org/details/catalogueofwalth00walt/page/33/mode/1up but I am lost about how interchangeable the parts are.

There seem to be multiple variations of the same part, I can understand different finishes, engraved or not, but differently designed parts within the model? Then to confuse the issue there are different prices for the same part number, does this mean these are different too?

Here in the UK it is probably easier to find a donor movement than the original spare part, how would I go about choosing a donor movement?

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

What's the serial number of the movement?

Are yo aware of this site for pocket watch information.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/company/waltham/models

Edit

Should have added that good quality photos always help and what parts are you looking for.

Edited January 14 by AndyGSi

[JohnR725]

We really do need the serial number and the exact parts you're looking for.

Then let's look at something at the very beginning of the particular parts section and I Underlined a couple of things

Let's look at a much later parts book or action of the serial number book

So we end up with the watch was made over approximately 9 years. But it's not quite that simple let's look at something else serial number book..

43 minutes ago, jimbot said:

There seem to be multiple variations of the same part, I can understand different finishes, engraved or not, but differently designed parts within the model? Then to confuse the issue there are different prices for the same part number, does this mean these are different too?

You mean things like this? So the very top barrel arbor is for a key wind watch. Then we have hunting case open case and a variety of other ones. Oh and this is one of the minor problems with the pocketwatch database for identifying a watch is they use the parts books and the parts books are only for identifying parts not differentiating exactly different watches. With wall from being interesting because as you can see we have a key wind watch and a whole bunch of variations as the watch was made over time and in real life to certain degree it is a whole bunch of separate watches all lumped together under the category of parts.

As we don't actually know which parts you're looking at some parts we still can get or they been made afterwards balance staffs are commonly remade mainsprings and a few other things but typically for anything vintage you need to find somebody like Dave's watch parts here that Woodstock vintage parts.

Oh and then getting a replacement movement that can be a challenge. I have arrested watch on my bench at work that so far the replacement movements have not been suitable and that's due to as you already grasp variations in the parts so ideally you need to purchase a watch within a very close serial number match of whatever you half or he'll run into variations.

https://www.daveswatchparts.com/index.html

[jimbot]

Hi thanks for the reply! This might be harder than I thought!

Luckily the parts I need should be relatively easy!!!!

Firstly the serial is 1103601 , the info I have got so far is from the pocket watch database.

The parts I am after are a mainspring,  I think this should be fairly easy to source, but dimensions or a part number would be handy. Either an original part number or is it Marshall who used to make mainspring as well?

The other parts are jewel holes, several are cracked. They are listed as different prices for different grades, does this mean they are different sizes or they are just set in gold rather than brass?

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, jimbot said:

The parts I am after are a mainspring

If you look here you'll see options for the mainspring which you should be able to compare
with the one that's already fitted (very little difference between the options here anyway).

https://www.emmywatch.com/db/movement/waltham--1877/

Then you can look on the likes of Cousins and see what they've got.

Edit

Here's another piece showing mainspring sizes.

Marshall Parts Catalogue.pdf

Edited January 14 by AndyGSi

[JohnR725]

1 hour ago, jimbot said:

mainspring

Yes the mainspring will be easy as there are all kinds of aftermarket including ordering a new mainspring from cousins. Ideally with any mainspring though it's best to measure the size just to make sure hundred percent of what you're getting. But typically on 18 size Waltham I don't think there a lot of slices

1 hour ago, jimbot said:

jewel holes, several are cracked.

When you're looking at vintage watches they're using natural stones. Natural stones have a habit of having flaws that look like cracks. They have to look very carefully at the hole itself as to whether you can see the edge of the crack or not if the whole is nice and smooth don't worry about how the jewel Looks as it's only the surface that's needed. Then if it's a balance jewel that's somewhat easier as their aftermarket ones. But for balance jewels you do have to measure your pivots size as there will be variations in pivots size which means of a different of holes sizes.

As one of those other minor confusions with balance staffs balance jewels mainsprings where conceivably they'll all have the exact same part number but will have variations. So mainspring will typically have thickness variations and staffs can have all sorts of variations including entirely different shapes but most commonly pivots size differences.