Restoration of an 1890s Antique Swiss Pocket Watch
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Repair job on a late 1800s Roskopf Chemin de Fer Japy, an 18 sized Swiss made Antique Pocket Watch. The watch was purchased on auction and doesn't work. The time can be set using the case pin, but the mainspring is "over wound" according to the seller.
The watch was seized with 120+ year old oil that had dried up on the plates and in the pivots. It required meticulous cleaning to restore this timepiece to working order. I also experimented with using denture cleaner to brighten the enamel dial. The nickel alloy case was severely worn and showed surface rust, so it was polished as part of the service. However, I was careful not to over polish as the back had a light texture that I wanted to preserve.
This Roskopf designed watch was produced in the late 1800's and possibly into the early 1900s. It is possible they chose the French name Chemin de fer ("Railroad" in French) to infer a degree of quality, however it is unlikely this model of watch was ever used in railway service. These watches use a pin-pallet lever and were designed to be affordable for the working man, analogous to the "dollar watch" produced by some USA manufacturers.
I am an amateur who enjoys restoring vintage watches to working order. Constructive critiques of the process are welcome. I am always learning.
Contact info: cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Disassembly
5:29 Cleaning and Polishing
7:22 Movement Assembly
15:58 Casing the Movement
16:56 Let's Stare at It
--
Credits:
Thumbnail background by Brenda Clarke:
www.flickr.com/photos/3775325...
Пікірлер: 104
Top Notch work as always. I am sure the mainspring greatly enjoys coming out once in a blue moon.
What a transformation!
Good stuff. Really liked how well the dial cleaned up. Thanks again.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
The removable and adjustable plate for the balance and escapement is typical on Roskopf style watches. It allowed for the escapement to be made separately from the rest of the watch as it was harder to produce and then fitted to the rest of the watch. It was one of George Roskopfs little tricks that allowed for mass production at a low cost. I recommend reading 'The History and Design of the Roskopf watch' by Eugene Buffat.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Makes a lot of sense. Thank you Lukas! - Chris.
Can't skip a second .. good job
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate it!
For those who don't know, "Chemin de Fer" is French for "railroad", so this is a railroad watch which was required to meet high standards for accuracy and have a large, easily read dial with Arabic numerals in the United States, because timekeeping on railroads is critical for safety reasons.
Denture cleaner ! It's kind of funny but makes perfect sense. I was waiting for the pallet jewels to appear and was surprised to see the pin pallet fork...so cool.... even cooler is when you put the balance wheel on and it comes alive...good music
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!! - Chris
@Looey
Жыл бұрын
@@csspinner I have fun and learn !
Gods, I wish I had your knowledge, memory, skills and patience.
Again breath taking! Great restoration!!
I would love to send you one of my pocket watches to fix. I have collected about 20 last year and most have issues. Meanwhile I really enjoy your show. Thanks from Thailand Paul
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
If you’re ever interested, I do have a small shop to take on jobs. If you ever want to hire me, shoot me some details at cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com.
Excellent job on a GORGEOUS piece.
Parabéns, belo trabalho!!
Nice clean up polished up a treat! Something very relaxing about fixing up a simple pocket watch movement.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Many thanks excellent job
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Excellent work!
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, John! - Chris
Good presentation - nice work too. THANKYOU. please keep them coming
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
Such delicate work. I admire your perseverance 🎶
Good workmanship.All the best.Thanks.
@csspinner
10 ай бұрын
Thank you, Sai!!
The dial turned out amazingly well !
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Complimenti davvero un bel lavoro
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Really nice restoration! .
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Excellent job 😄😄😄
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! I like your content too!
I was going to mention the denture cleaner on the dial but saw you were on top of it. 😊 Another beautiful restoration my friend!!
@csspinner
10 ай бұрын
Thanks, Sam!
Really nice restoration! I have almost the exact same pocket watch. The only difference is that mine has a small seconds dial and gold and silver inlays instead of regular minute markers. It was a total wreck when I got it but it was also beautifully restored by a watchmaker.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
It’s such an elegant design. I love the attention to detail in these early Guinand watches.
Very good >>>>>. Thank you
I wish you all the best
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Sameer.
Wow , beautiful 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Alan! - Chris
What a beauty. I love the simple, functional faces of the old style pocket watches. How was the accuracy?
@csspinner
3 ай бұрын
I think it was pretty accurate for the type of watch it was but this was long ago so I don’t recall the specifics
The denture cleaner trick is Perfect but must be used with caution, some dials have the numerals over the enamel, and the dial May become faded, just sayin 😊
Misleading Marketing Rocked already in the 1800's! "Chemin de Fer" watch with Pin Pallet and no Seconds Hand! 😁 Nice Restoration though.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
😂 very true
Great presentation and, restorative work! How did you acquire your jewelers/watchmaker tools? I suspect you improvised some of your own as well? Thanks for posting. Cheers.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you. I acquired many of the basics (tweezers, screwdrivers) on Amazon when I just started out. They’re still holding up. The more specialty tools like the staking set, etc I saved and bought quality second hand. They lasted someone else a lifetime and will provide good service for one or two more!
Outstanding work as always! Do you use a different polishing wheel for each compound or use the same wheel for every level? Thanks in advance!
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Good question. I use a dedicated wheel for each type of compound. I also wash the case in between each step to avoid cross contamination
Nice rebuild, I’ll have to try the denture cleaner trick. What camera do you use for filming??
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! It’s a canon EOS rebel SL1 with a macro attachment
Sou fã de seus videos , tenho muito herelògios, de pulso e bolso , Graciez (Brasil)
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Is there a clear coating you can put on the enamel dial so that the brass under it doesn't slowly oxidize again? It looks so good after the anti-acid pill treatment!
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
That’s an interesting thought. I never considered that!
Very nice. Do you know how can I open a Roskopf with a glass back? Thank you!
Very nice video. How were the gear -teeth cut in those days?
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
There were a few ways. The one I’ve seen is the raw wheel is chucked in a special attachment of a lathe, while a cutting wheel is controlled perpendicular to it. The cutting wheel is then plunged into the wheel, then the wheel is turned a specific increment, and then repeated. The individual teeth are then shaped after that process completes.
Thank You C S Spinner... Q- watching you unscrew the Crown Wheel Screw clockwise. Is this always the case in watches??? ... TM
@csspinner
7 ай бұрын
No, sometimes they are reverse threaded.
It's like a heart transplant when it starts ticking..
Waltham used a screw to secure the stem from 1890 to 1889 .
@tonyaxeman4381
Ай бұрын
Gee can`t get my years right 1889 to 1890 model 1888 is a fine watch by Waltham
Thats one beautiful pocketwatch. I own several watches myself but can not find a watchmaker to service the antiques in my collection. By the way how much does a pocket watch like this goes for nowdays?
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
It depends. On the one hand, pin pallets were considered a modest design back in the day. However, many of them are out of service and discarded so they’re quite rare to find one fully restored in modern times. As an amateur watchmaker, I take great pride breathing new life into these pieces. I’d be willing to take a look at your collection if you’re interested. My email is cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com.
@oliverpetroski4205
Жыл бұрын
@@csspinner will do, as soon as I have free time...
Nice job where did you find the balance staff for that watch I know where there are two of them
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Garry. The balance was fine on this one. For these old Swiss pocket watches, there aren’t great factory records and they don’t print any identifiable information on the movement so it’s really difficult to buy a replacement balance. Only option would be to make your own with a lathe
@garrylycos4795
Жыл бұрын
@@csspinner you snooze you lose I should have bought those the other day I went back today and they were gone darn
Amazing! what did you used to clean the dial?
@ignacioanaya3403
Жыл бұрын
oh I see, denture cleaner. I will try that.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
@@ignacioanaya3403 I was amazed by the results.
What are those polishes you used for the watch case and how can they be obtained?
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
I got them from Amazon. Black Emery, brown Tripoli, white diamond and red rouge. ENKAY Jewelers Rouge & Polishing... www.amazon.com/dp/B0009SPY04?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
سلام کار شما بسیار عالی بود.
@csspinner
10 ай бұрын
با تشکر از شما برای نظر
Goodmorning, is your vevor ultrasound 1.3 L or 1.8 L, many thanks
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
It’s actually the 2L
Good
How it goes in the timegrapher?
I have the same movement. Strange for sure
This is much more ornate than the Waltham restoration you did. Another odd looking pallet fork!
The overlay stone of the upper axis of the balance must be removed and cleaned from the old thickened oil !!!!
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
True. But in this case the screws would not budge and rather than risk sheering then I spent extra time bathing the balance cock. It runs fine
@pointer2null
Жыл бұрын
@@csspinner Wondered why you skipped that.
I got one of this 1896 year. Do you interest?
@csspinner
11 ай бұрын
Are you looking for me to service it? I do occasionally take on paid jobs. If interested, send me an email at cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Interesting click in this watch! Just a spring and no pivoting part.
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Yea it was such an interesting design. It looked so ornate but on the other hand it was designed for the working man to afford. So not too many jewels in this one
@de-bodgery
Жыл бұрын
@@csspinner Yes and once you got inside a little, the watch mechanism was rather rough looking. It looked pretty good until you took it apart.
I have my grandfather's grandfather Swiss made There is a clock which is not working now and something is going to be fixed in it, can you fix it and send me back to India
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Please send me an email with more details. Thanks. cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
French JAPY pocket watch....
..? Where’s your commentary,
@csspinner
3 ай бұрын
I started narrating about a year ago
I have a old pocket watch for sale I am from Pakistan 150 year old
@csspinner
Жыл бұрын
Shoot me an email cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
@malikanis4953
Жыл бұрын
hello dear friend