RWG Technical Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cskent69 Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Fantastic Rob. Simply fantastic. I have got to find an antique to send to you. Best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 wow. it would be such a treat to find a family heirloom like that and have it restored. time to give my grandparents a call and see if they have any old watches deltatahoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted May 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 wow. it would be such a treat to find a family heirloom like that and have it restored. time to give my grandparents a call and see if they have any old watches deltatahoe That is exactly the scenario with this one, but it's not up to me to share those details, the owner can if he choses to post the history... I too would like to find one to restore, but there are none to be found in my family... RG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
et10yl Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Thanks for the step by step pictures! That was really great fun "going through" the process with you. And very educational... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Great stuff Rob. I take it the Ruby inpulse jewel is a readily available part? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Impressive stuff! I have always been fascinated by the old pocket watches... Time keeping in the most basic form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdoggy Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 The Zigmeister, Thank you so much for restoring this old boy to running condition. Cant wait to get it back home. I just purchased a chain so that I can wear it in a vest pocket on the two or three times each year that I'm forced to wear a suit & tie. I also ordered a display dome and will use it as a "desk clock". Winding it on a daily basis will give me great pleasure. I was amazed when you called and told me that you had not only repaired it, but it was also keeping accurate time. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Granddaddy would be proud. BD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Amazing stuff... Rob, you haven't just restored the watch... You've granted it a new life... And the history of the timepiece can now live on for generations to come. This is the kind of stuff that one can't put a price tag on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted May 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Great stuff Rob. I take it the Ruby inpulse jewel is a readily available part? Amazingly, it was available, as was the new mainspring... I am sure there are some parts that are obsolete, but common parts can be had. @BD It was my pleasure doing this work for you, shipping it back on Tuesday, after the long weekend... RG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdoggy Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 That is exactly the scenario with this one, but it's not up to me to share those details, the owner can if he choses to post the history... I too would like to find one to restore, but there are none to be found in my family... RG "History" My parents passed away last month and my brother and I were sadly going through their things, and and packed away in mom's cedar chest, were 2 boxes. One was labeled Grandfather and the other, Grandma. In Grandfather's box were 40 to 50 pieces of his past including 4 old pocket watches. This one, which The Zigmeister tells me is a size 18, was the largest. I popped open the front of the case, exposing a remarkably preserved dial and hand set. I held my breath and gave the stem several turns, gave it a tap or two, and waited - Nothing - not even one tic-toc. I emailed The Zigmeister and asked if he would consider taking a look at it. When he said "yes" I beat a path to the Post Office and it was on his way to Canada. When he called and told me that this wonderful old keepsake that had been packed away in the dark for the last 60 years, was now ticking happily away again, my heart almost stopped. He put it up to the phone and I listened to a remarkable "tic-toc" sound for thirty seconds or so - A real rush!!! I hope that by now, it's on its way back home. I thought that waiting on a Rep purchase to arrive was maddening. This is even worse. I've never watched for the Postal carrier so much in my life!!! Thanks again The Zigmeister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWG Technical Posted May 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 "History" My parents passed away last month and my brother and I were sadly going through their things, and and packed away in mom's cedar chest, were 2 boxes. One was labeled Grandfather and the other, Grandma. In Grandfather's box were 40 to 50 pieces of his past including 4 old pocket watches. This one, which Ziggy tells me is a size 18, was the largest. I popped open the front of the case, exposing a remarkably preserved dial and hand set. I held my breath and gave the stem several turns, gave it a tap or two, and waited - Nothing - not even one tic-toc. I emailed Ziggy and asked if he would consider taking a look at it. When he said "yes" I beat a path to the Post Office and it was on his way to Canada. When he called and told me that this wonderful old keepsake that had been packed away in the dark for the last 60 years, was now ticking happily away again, my heart almost stopped. He put it up to the phone and I listened to a remarkable "tic-toc" sound for thirty seconds or so - A real rush!!! I hope that by now, it's on its way back home. I thought that waiting on a Rep purchase to arrive was maddening. This is even worse. I've never watched for the Postal carrier so much in my life!!! Thanks again Ziggy Great story, so sorry to hear about your loss. With the long weekend here, and knowing that the postal service won't be moving anything in Canada over the next few days, I will wait and ship it Tuesday. That way it's not sitting around all weekend... RG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Doh Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 Rob's the best! He devotes an incredible amount of time answering our dumb questions as well as teaching about the inter workings of watches. I now know where I can send my 1930's Lord Elgin when it needs servicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaccum Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 Great work!!!! Thanks for sharing. Also liked the detailed pics. vaccum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stac Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 Rob, you bring this place to a higher level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baltic Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Cracking post Zigg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Fantastic art work The Zigmeister and as usual, terrific detailed photos. What an enjoyable read this post is! Thank you very much for sharing. How many watchmakers would go through the time to replace an incorrect jewel? I suspect not many would go through the trouble . I'm a vintage pocket watch admirer myself and often check them out at various sites. They represent the meticulous craftsmanship of watchmaking that once was and sadly missing today. Bigdoggy, very sorry to hear about your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingkitesurf Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 The Zigmeister, That is superb. I have this old IWC pocket watch from that same era from my granddad who passed away at the age of 93 back in 1993. He has gotten this watch from his father and gave it to me when he was still alive. It is a 14k gold IWC. It still runs strong but I am sure it culd use an overhaul... The Zigmeister please PM me for possibilities and details. I would love to share these pics with all you guys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenMc Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 Excellent once again. The upside of these pocket watch movements is that the parts are usually far larger than what you'd be dealing with in a wristwatch. Suffice to say the last joker inside this movement should go back to working on lawnmowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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