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

[clam71]

Don’t know if I mentioned this recent snag before but I’m the proud owner of an 1885
lever set 18S which I put into a case from ebay. So many things to say…
It was encased in crud when recieved. I knew that when bidding.
Likely spent many years in a barn or detached garage. It’s 126 years old.
A major cleaning issue. THAT’S when the lathe would help.
It really needs moving points polished but “running-in is it’s polish.
But I don’t have one yet. After cleaning in US bath, pinions, pivots
and stuff showed corrosion. This led to many problems.

1 Hairspring has lost some blueing and has surface rust on spots.
2 After cleaning, hands fit very loose. Oxidation of used to be metal.
Hairspring is a big issue because the watch looses time when set to max.
I “rigged” it temporarily by removing a small weight in the balance.
Oh, well, then..keeps perfect time except when laid on it’s back !
It runs fast then. Short of it.. need to put that little screw/ weight thing
Need to play with the hairspring terminating contraption.
Gotta pull the hairspring in a tiny bit.

A guy at work saw it and asked ” Geeze ! How old is it. And what’s it worth ?
I replied that after making it the best it can be it might fetch $125.
He was shocked ! But we all know, that’s the market, so far.
Some can fetch thousands and most can’t. Not what I do this for.
Rescuing old relics is my goal. Just won an ebay thing.. 1883 keywind
18S Waltham ! 20 bux including shipping .
Happy holidays to all !!!!