Reply To: Lever set pocketwatches (for dummies like me)

[clam71]

My post here March 25 about the numbers on the balance wheel:
Bob, You’re the man !
Just finished re-assembling a size 18 vintage 1886 . Still needs a staff replacement. Ohhhh… deeper than I’ve ever been !
anyway, I re-checked those numbers. The movement is # 3270968 and on the balance is 3270..and on the other side..968 !!
Awesome ! How did I miss this ? I bought 2 staffs on ebay I hope are the right ones.
The condition of this thing is astounding. The balance spring shines emerald blue still. The dial is completely free
of hairlines, but… Being a lever set, someone chipped the dial . After cleaning, the gears move with a light breeze!
It has a good mainspring but thick ! Think I’m gonna get another #2203 new one . My other movement runs SO fine
with that spring. Easy to wind and lasts a long time on a wind. I’m looking at it now (3949617) and it’s been running
15 hours so far on the wind and has lost 15 seconds since I last set it over 28 hours ago ! I’m blown away !!
The thick spring in this 1886 movement ain’t gonna last half as much. Unnecessary overload with torque.
Also, the lower balance jewell looks brand new ! …Which brings me to a question for the master…Or anyone else..
If the new OEM staff is the proper one will it seat into the jewell more or less perfectly ?
Or did the old timers use some sort of lapping compound ? I’d be afraid to go there !

Hey, you guys/gals on this forum… Ya really need to post more with your horological endeavors !
Shoutout out to Caz