See full version: How to clean vintage pocket watch in 3 simple steps
For you to be able to clean yourpocket watch completely, you must be able to take it apart. Characteristically, pocket watches come apart via a prying method, unscrewing, or by a simple small button mechanism to release it. Due to the fact that it is an antique, handlers must ensure they take particular care in order to avoid causing any damage to the watch. more
When it comes to cleaning the surface of one’s pocket watch case, owners should be certain to steer clear of chemical cleaners. By using harsh chemicals, you run the risk of removing the protective coating and will do damage to the finish. Instead take ajeweller’s clothor soft cloth to alleviate the movement from oil, dust, and fingerprints that have found their way on to the surface. It’s ok to applying a certain degree of pressure in order to help remove some of the more persistent spots. [links]
So as to restore that much-appreciated shine back to your antique pocket watch, owners must polish the surface (extra pride welcomed). Prior to polishing, owners need to make a decision on how aged they wish for their watch to look once the polishing process is complete. You can opt to shine it to the point of looking brand new, or alternatively, you can let some tarnish remain in the cracks and crevices to create an aged look.
Watchmakers will undoubtedly have used a host of different materials to make the case of your pocket watch. the most common will be solidbrass with a lacquer coating. Alternative metals used for antique and vintagemodels feature .925 Sterling silverand 14-karat, or 18-karatgold. [links]
Open face model lever set pocket watch time change operation:
Open face pocket watches are often synonymous with certified Railroad timepieces. Many of these critical timing instruments and were made with a special built-in safety feature that defeats any possibility of accidental time change while in a pocket or otherwise. To adjust the time on your open face lever set pocket watch, special care must be taken. Changing the time on this type of watch requires that you unscrew it's bezel (which houses it's crystal) in a counter clockwise direction and remove it completely from the watch, now exposing it's naked dial and hands. You'll see a small steel lever near the edge of it's exposed dial - either near the 2:00 or 4:30 position -based on the model. With a thumbnail, carefully pull this setting lever out and away from the edge of the dial - where it's located and then simply turn the crown to the desired time. Push the set lever back in after making this time adjustment and carefully screw it's bezel/crystal back onto the top of the watch case. Be careful not to touch the hands of the watch. This is how Railroad men and the companies that made these distinctive watches were assured that only intentional time changes were made to their watches during their use to avoid catastrophic train wrecks caused by such accidental time changes. [links]
Stem set pocket watch operation:
Stem set antique American pocket watches only require that their winding crown be pulled out and away from their case - to transition them from the standard winding position into the time setting position, which is most typical in the setting of time on most watches, especially wrist watches. After pulling it's crown into the setting position simply turn it's crown to the desired time, and push the crown in toward the body of the watch thus returning your watch to the winding position. This winding position is the where all mechanical watches want to remain during their normal time keeping operation. more
An open faced model - with it's dial readily available to read, or a hunter's model - with the spring loaded covering flap.
Wind your watch fully before you conduct any time change.
Open face and hunters pocket watches were designed and manufactured with two different methods to change the time appearing on their dials: stem set and lever set. Each requires different setting methods.
If you are trying to wind your watch and can't, there could be several reasons. If the winding crown (or key) turns forever and you never build up any mainspring tension, then your mainspring is very likely broken (or missing). If the winding crown (or key) won't turn in either direction, then the watch is probably fully wound and won't run because of some other problem. There is really no such thing as an over-wound watch. If the watch is fully wound and it doesn't run, it's because there's something wrong with it. Blaming the problem on an over-wound mainspring would be like saying your car won't run because you have too much gas in your tank. here
When you wind the watch, wind it all the way until it doesn't wind anymore. Obviously, you don't want to use brute force or a pair of pliers to crank it past the stopping point or you'll break something, but you don't have to be afraid of breaking your mainspring if you're hand-winding your watch. You'd be surprised how many people we run into who are reluctant to wind their watches all the way, then they wonder why the watch stops after only a few hours. If you wind it, it will run! [links]
If the hole in your case doesn't line up with the winding square in the key-wind movement, it's because your watch is not in its correct case. There's nothing that can be done to make the holes line up (no, you really can't drill new ones). You would have to find a correct case to fit your particular movement, which can be a difficult task. here
On a key-wind watch, you wind the mainspring by turning a key which usually fits through a hole in the back inner-lid of the watch case (see photo). The key is cut with a square hole in the end, which fits over a square winding arbor in the watch. Turning the key then winds the mainspring. Key-wind direction can be either clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on the watch, but is usually clockwise. Start by trying to turn the key gently in the clockwise direction. If it turns easily against the spring tension and you hear or feel the ratchet clicking, then you're turning the correct direction. If you just encounter resistance, or if it feels like something is slipping, then you're probably trying to turn the wrong direction. more
Some of the highest quality pocketwatches were equipped with a "wind-indicator" also called an "up-down indicator". The up-down indicator is a small dial indicating the amount of "power reserve" left in the wound mainspring. If you are fortunate enough to have a winding-indicator watch, then you should know how to properly use it. Most up-down indicators have a scale that points to zero when the watch is fully wound and then gradually indicates to a higher number as the watch runs down. This can be thought of as the number of hours that have elapsed since the watch was last wound.
How The Machine Works?
Assembling the parts is an important step and this should be done in the reverse way of their disassembling.
The delicate parts of your mechanical pocket watch should be deep cleaned every two to three years by mechanics or by jewelry shops so that it remains in proper working condition.
And to avoid all the risks involved you should consider giving it to a reliable watchmaker who can get it serviced at a genuine price.
We know that vintage pocket watches are rare to find! more
Then gently dismantle the parts of your pocket mechanical watch along with the movement and unwind the coiled spring using a screwdriver.