Bill M., Author at RK Watch Service

Pocket watch screwdrivers-someone here suggested a set…

Hey guys,
I remember reading a post from one of the pro’s here about a specific set of screwdrivers they used just for pocket watches. Anyone here remember that?
There’s a huge difference in screw size between wrist watches and pocket watches. I work on both and would like a set just for pocket watches. (I am set for wrist watch sizes).
Thanks,
Bill

Chipped pallet stone, how?

I’m working on an A.Schild 970 movement and found one of the pallet stones has a chip in its face. How does this happen?
The only other issue I’ve found with the watch, besides being dirty and dry, is the click will not stay engaged. ( looks like the …

News from the Watch Industry rk watch service Watchmaking

WOTB (Whats On The Bench) 4-28-25

I just finished this 1930s Hamilton Webster with a 987F movement.

When it was given to me, it had no crystal, only the seconds hand, a broken mainspring, broken balance staff and cracked upper balance jewel.
I went through 3 balance staffs trying to …

News from the Watch Industry rk watch service Watchmaking

Hampden Watch co. 16S 257559 running fast. Help

I’ve rebuilt this 1909 Hampden 16s pocket watch. New balance, Balance lower jewel replaced, cleaned & oiled.
The amplitude is only at 150, yet this thing runs 880 sd fast.
The hairspring is not magnetized and there are no coils rubbing or sticking together.
The gear train operates great. (checked with no balance and pallet fork). Pallet fork works free too.
I’ve added timing washers to the mean time balance screws, and that’s helped, but there’s no more thread left to add more washers…

Hampden Watch co. 16S 257559 running fast. Help

News from the Watch Industry rk watch service Watchmaking

Used sand when heat blueing hands this time

I‘ve been using brass file shavings when I heat blue watch hands, its worked well and usually get pretty even results.
I used fine sand this time and I think it worked a better, as in the consistency of color and even heating. Just thought I’d share.

…

News from the Watch Industry rk watch service Watchmaking

Do any of you use stsupply for watch parts? Update

I always try to support watch material houses when ordering parts.
But some places sure do make it hard to buy from them.

ST Supply – Watch Parts – Batteries – Bands – Tools ST Supply

Watch Parts and T…

News from the Watch Industry rk watch service Watchmaking

Ceramic dial cleaning

Working on an older Elgin 16s pocket watch, the ceramic dial has cracks, like most older pocket watches do. The cracks are filled with dirt and stand out pretty strongly. So I put it in my ultrasonic tank with Zenith watch cleaning solution, for 3 min, then ran it through a single rinse cycle. I’ve done this before, with pretty darn good results. Just thought I’d share.
Don’t try it with painted dials!
Before cleaning;

After cleaning;[ATTACH…

Ceramic dial cleaning

News from the Watch Industry Watchmaking

Do any of you use stsupply for watch parts?

I always try to support watch material houses when ordering parts.
But some places sure do make it hard to buy from them.

ST Supply – Watch Parts – Batteries – Bands – Tools ST Supply

Watch Parts and T…

Watchmaking

Omega Hamilton & co pocket watch

I received this really nice pocket watch today and can not seem to find any data on it. Did a search on the pocket watch data base as well as caliber corner and Bobs omega site.
Where can I find date and parts info for this watch?
It needs cleaning oil…

Watchmaking

Questions regarding older quartz movements

I have two older quartz watches that seem to want to run, but don’t.
What I mean is that I can see the gear train moving back and forth, but will not actually run.
I’ve replaced the battery, cleaned off the contacts, but that’s it so far.
The oil on the pivots is dry, so I know that needs to be addressed.
I don’t know much about quartz movements, so I figured I’d ask here before I start taking things apart.
Do you think just a general cleaning could have a chance of fixing the issue, or is…

Questions regarding older quartz movements

Watchmaking

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