Spring Ordering – Also Crystals, Dials, Etc.

[maitai11]

Hi Guys,

My main concern here today is to learn how to order springs for my watches. Right now, I have:

Illinois S/N4403954 16s 17j Grade 706
Illinois S/N2657842 12s 11j Grade 401, Cowell and Hubbard
Hamilton S/N X116902 10 17j Grade 917
Hamilton S/N 783031 16 21j Grade 992
Hamilton S/N C359215 16 21j Grade 992b

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would like to order the springs, crystals, and dials (if needed) all at once. I especially need the springs, because this 16s I’m working on is pretty much ready for the spring – my fault for not ordering sooner!

I started looking, but it got really confusing, really fast. Thank you for any help you might be able to provide.

Best,

Tim

[chris mabbott]

Tim,

To order springs you need the length, thickness and width of the old spring. You also need to know what type of brace it is, i.e. T, D etc. you need a vernier caliper to measure accurately.
I think Casker has a chart on their site. There are also some online parts catalogs for MS sizes, I don’t have the links but you can google it..

Crystals.. Get a crystal gauge or measure the widest part of the bevel id and/ or the old crystal. It’s hit and miss.
Dials… Again, good luck, you, me and a million other people are also looking for replacement dials 😆

[willofiam]

On the pocket watch database site they have been adding parts lists. Who ever is compiling that site is doing a wonderful job!!!!

[maitai11]

Ok thanks fellas…I appreciate that vector-check and advice.

Tim

[maitai11]

WOW – DID I EVER JUST GET AN EDUCATION!!!

Illinois #47343 – Original manufacturer’s mainspring, Size 12s, 2.0mm w, .17mm thick, 18.5 in long, T-Brace end

O. frei – $38.72, shipping included

Cas-ker – $31.70, shipping included

eBay – $8.95, shipping included to Honolulu, Hawaii

You have GOT to be KIDDING ME!!! Huge lesson today, mates. I bought an original, in the package, manufacturer’s spring as a “Buy it Now” on eBay, and I cannot believe I paid almost five times less than the highest, Otto Frei

(Giving myself huge pat on the back…)

[bernie weishapl]

Tim I buy a lot of my staffs and springs off ebay. Way cheaper in most cases than buying from the big 3. Of course you will have to use them when nothing is found on ebay.

[randy]

Tim
See if you can get an account with Jules Borel.
They are much lower on many prices for mainsprings, etc,…than O Frei and Cas-Ker.

Ebay can be a great source,…but be careful as some of the mainsprings that have sat around for years…aren’t always still in good enough shape to hold up,..especially if you are working on a client’s watch, and you want the best results.

Take care

Randy

[maitai11]

Awesome, Guys. Thanks for that good info Tim

[maitai11]

The “EDUCATION” continues! And the hits just keep on comin’…

So, you were right, Randy about that one poi – wait – you were pretty much right all-around!

My spring arrived today, and I was SO PROUD to have nailed the measurements and sizing properly. I utilized precision-measuring techniques with the finest in solid state equipment…Drum roll please…

AND – I saw some rust on the package – bad sign. I removed the spring from the package, whilst leaving it in the retaining ring, and noticed there was actually some rust caked on – but I was biting my fingernails, and crossing my fingers.

On eBay, I had just given the seller a glowing review – but had not yet pressed send! I thought, hmmmm, maybe I should just check into it a little more. I took off the retaining ring…and…

The spring disintegrated. Literally. Into pieces. Not even remotely usable.

The seller and I? We’re talking…and I’m not yet leaving any feedback…for now. He needs to make good on this, one way or another.

So, Randy, you’re right on all accounts – and now I look a little closer at the description – like I saw one that said, “spring is from estate sale of former watchmaker.” Got it.

I’m still not paying $40 bucks for a spring!!!

Tim 👿

[randy]

Sorry to hear this happened…but glad you didn’t lose and eye while trying to pop it into the barrel with your face right over it !!

Anyhow…I’ve been burnt this way as well…just risky buying them off the auctions…but sometimes you have no other choice.

Take care Tim,…..this too shall pass !

Randy

[bernie weishapl]

I am sure you were wearing your safety glasses! Right Tim??? 🙄

[maitai11]

Safety glasses you say? Of course!!! I got a pocket protector which has a miniature slide rule and some tape in the middle of the glasses frame to boot!

Thanks, Bernie and Randy. I appreciate the commiseration

Hey! I just got a message from the guy – he says he has a good one made by Comsco, and I got no problem with that as long as it’s the same quality – and without any rust!!!

[maitai11]

Well Randy,

I just buckled and bought Illinois mainspring 47343 from Cas-Ker. Jules Borel did not have it.

Since this is spring number three, I’m hoping “third time’s a charm”

Thanks for your help

Tim

[chris mabbott]

Tim,
Bernie makes a very good point, any safety precautions you can take with springs, you should. There are lots of old photos with guys who have a piece of mainspring sticking in their eyeball, and yeah, it can always happen to the other guy, but never to me because I’m carefuller 😆

When I remove a mainspring from a barrel or a brand new one, I use a clear plastic bag, a thick one, the force of the spring is kept inside, but still, it can fly out of that bag..

As the safety guys say….It’s all fun and games until someone looses an eye

[maitai11]

Chris/Bernie – Definitely not to be taken likely. I must’ve not had enough brain cells to comprehend that in any other way than a joke…but now I see what you’re saying. Point well taken I’ll be getting some glasses (I have like five pairs at work), so I can put them right on the bench.

Tim

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