READ repairs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- We undertake the disassembly, cleaning and re-assembly of a 19th century, silver pair cased watch with verge escapement. It was not clear at the beginning whether the watch could be returned to working order or whether that is desirable in the longer-term status of the object. Disassembly revealed the winding ratchet had failed, probably leading to a recoil situation that broke the fusee chain hooking at the fusee end. Beyond the manufacture of a new winding click from tool steel, other work was limited to cleaning and some localised delisting. An interesting project that once again raises questions about what an object is and what an object means. Here are a list of suppliers mentioned in the film.
You can find out more about my work here www.clockmaker-conservator.co.uk
I used Moebius lubricants D3, D5 and 9020. Moebius is a registered trade mark www.moebius-lu...
The archival box and archival cotton tape were purchased from Preservation Equipment www.preservati...
I washed and rinsed the watch components in Elma Suprol Pro www.boley.de/e...
Selvyt cloth www.selvyt.co.uk
#horology #clock #repair #RighttoRepair #Watch #watch #tools
@readrepairs @howtorepairpendulumclocks-live @howtorepairpendulumclocks @openclockclubarchive325
Technology from a time when artistry and craftsmanship mattered even in places where few would ever see. Thanks for bringing this watch back to life.
Thanks Martin, appreciated. Matthew
Excellent narrative - to the point, not too much waffle, good technical info - not trying to put your peronality across but sticking to a description of what's being done ---- you'd never become a Celebrity Chef..
Thank you!
Amazing restoration of a vintage watch. Many watch makers wouldn't have taken such an antique watch for restoration. Kudos to you👍👍👍👍👍👍👍.
Thank you! very kind.
Wow, this watch is the real deal.
Thank you very much for documenting this amazing restoration. I've been watching a lot of the other (modern)watch repair channels but this work is in a league of it's own. Flattening hairsprings and fabricating components, You are putting the Polywatch brigade to shame a bit. The filming and editing were excellent but the only minor criticism I have would be the ambient noise. I'm sure that you are used to the traffic and the pedestrian crossing sound but I found it a little distracting. Many thanks.
Thanks Myles for your kind comments. noted about the background noise. I wanted to retain some of the sounds of the processes but it is impossible to do that in my studio without ambient noise too. I could just do the VoiceOver but felt that would lose some atmosphere? I'll give it some thought. Matthew
@@openclockclubarchive325 First time visitor, enjoyed the video much. A suggestion would be to use an audio processing plug-in, many of them are fairly inexpensive. You can filter out the ambient noise in the background before uploading, which will allow you to capture the aesthetics and noises during the repair process but greatly reduce the external noises. It won’t be perfect, but it will be much better.
@@mikeSGman Thank you for the response. I'll look into that. Yours. Matthew
That’s the prettiest dial I’ve ever seen
Thank you.
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you
Nice trick to flatten the Hairspring!
Thanks! It's not my invention of course but glad it is of interest. M
This was a nice video to watch (pun unintended, haha). I am primarily a clock collector, and I have no huge desire to delve into watches, but have given some thought recently about trying to get a verge watch. The parts seem large enough and simple enough to work on, and I know I'd have the time, patience, and attention to detail to work on one. I just think they're so beautiful with all the engravings.
Its a great place to start. Modern watches are not all about parts fitting but these watches are lovely 'organic' and as you say, the parts are not crazy small. They are still great value for money too.
Impressive!
Thank you!
I have two similar watches (not cased) that are awaiting restoration. They are truly something wonderful to work on and look at.
That said, I can never get away from the 9 or 10 year old that had to make the fusee chain, probably in a dank musty cellar, by crummy oil or candle light. He or she would be lucky not to be blind by the age of 20 , if they made it that far.
The past gave us some great things , things we admire with good reason. But we should never forget the misery and outright slave labour that was involved with the creation of these timepieces
Paddy
Its a really good point. Much of history is glorified, liquid and glossed-over. Much of working conditions would have been unthinkable compared to what many of us experience today,,, and still are for many people.
my friend i think you are one of the best watch maker of the world! amazin job, if you see this messege please write me!
Beautiful work. I hope to see more videos from you in the future.
Thank you. Yes, more vids on different kinds of objects over the winter…
Beautiful job. Thank you, please post more
love this! I've never seen a verge pocket watch disassembly. Incredible! keep it up :)
Thank you. I've been busy over summer but more videos to follow during winter. M
Increíble trabajo de restauración de una hermosa reliquia. Tengo uno similar de repetición que no funciona. Lo triste es que en mi país no encontré un relojero que lo pueda reparar.
Gracias por tu amable comentario. Espero que encuentre un reparador para su reloj. Puede ser útil ponerse en contacto con su asociación nacional de relojería.
Awesome video. Very detailed.
Thank you! Appreciated.
Really enjoyed watching this video thanks.
Such a beautiful movement thanks for sharing great work on making it run again
Thanks for your kindfeedback
I reverse a drill bit and use it as a pusher for the hinge pin.
Brilliantly done! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! You are truly very skilled and I was so pleased that you were able to bring this gorgeous piece back to life! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for your kind comments.
I like all his tips one of the springs is very rusty put it in vinegar it's very gentle and leaves it derusted worth a try you don't put any in due force on parts
Ah yes I heard that. I'll do some experiments. Thank you.
Fabulous, thanks very much.
Thank you
In the future if you do experience poorly soldered components i suggest using a soldering iron and a solder wick
Thanks! I'll try it. M
That's hopefully my next project a verge Fuse
amazing skills ,hopeing you are passing these on
Thank you for your kind comments. yes I try do my bit. I did eight years teaching clock repair and making. Now we are involved in various free-to-attend support type groups.
Thank you for the incredibly detailed video! I have two similar watches, thankfully in very well running condition. I've often wondered when the transition period was between the regulator disk being phased out and replaced with a metal pointer over the etching between Fast and Slow. Mine seems to have the latter, but the regulator disk pillar is still present with what appears to be a wafer thin disk made of blued steel in its place. Looking underneath, I don't see any evidence that it's connected to anything that would actually regulate the beat. The history of these is always fascinating with a bit of mystery involved!
Thanks for your message. I believe the Bosely style regulator was invented around the missile of the eighteenth century that ultimately superseded the Tompion style one with the disc. Like all these technology developments when something "better' comes along there is a significant period where the old technology hangs. A bit like the conversion from balance in clocks to pendulum or verge escapement to anchor recoil, it may be that your watch was conveyed (updated)... many were. Yours, Matthew
Middle
Absolutely great, the only thing I wanted to see was fitting the chain, why didnt you show it???
Sorry about that!!! I cannot remember now but probably because I either forgot to press record or I couldnt film as needed to see better! Sorry about that!!!
Not quite the same but here is the vid of fitting the chain on a clock. Same principal; different scale. th-cam.com/video/SYe8p66h-BA/w-d-xo.html
What I enjoyed about this is how I had to reset my expectations. Most videos on here usually take the watch back to an as new condition, as it is unusual to see many archival restorations. So, the fact that there was still some rust staining at the end, rather than remove any of the original material was really interesting to see on TH-cam. I would be interested to hear your opinion on some of the cleaning equipment used on other horologist's channels, like untrasonic cleaners and washing machines with all the little baskets. Do they not sit well with archival restoration?
That is a good question and I'm afraid I only have a poor answer. In my other life I am a clocks conservator so personally/professionally I don't use ultrasonic, ammonia or anything I consider to be avoidable refinishing or risk; at least as a principle. I too would be interested to know what people consider when they refinish either mechanically or chemically or both. I am not knocking it, there is I believe no right or wrong way to repair a clock (or watch). Ultimately, professionally I have to be accountable for my actions. There is always a cost (in the widest sense) and a benefit (in the widest sense). The trick is to assess risk and do the cost/benefit analysis. There is never a perfect answer but I do like things to be on a knife edge so practice is always in flux. I consider the video to be cautiously successful both in terms of process and in terms of exposure for this kind of approach. Anyone interested in learning more, I recommend you check out one of the international conservation bodies such as ICON (Institute of Conservation) or AIC. There are several and they all have similar underlying codes of practice. Over winter I'll be making more videos along the same lines with different types of object (not watches I'm afraid) so it will be interesting to see the reaction. Again, sorry for the indirect answer. I'd have to leave the view on ultrasonic and such to people who use them in their practice. Yours, Matthew
@@readrepairs I feel that you need to be careful with ultrasound. We've all seen movements that sat too long in the ultrasound and have had plating etched off of the movement parts.
Loved watching this! I do wonder why you seemed reluctant to fully treat and remove the rust on some parts. I've been a gunsmith, so, we share a hatred of rust. Were it parts in something I was working on, I probably would have treated some of the parts with either evaporust, or a weak phosphoric acid solution to convert the red rust to a grey iron phosphate (which does not continue to catalyze further rusting). I understand leaving mating surfaces alone, to keep from changing fits and dimensions, but, some of those spots on the plates could have been treated.
Hi Paul, its a good question. The rust as part of the whole damage/deterioration/dirt issue is of interest to me. I try balance that with 'craft' and dynamic elements. Between these three things, I attempt a kind of (unattainable) balance. I like the tension this creates, maybe opposed to what may be described as an 'imposition' type approach. Yes there is still imposition in this intervention but (I hope) there is an element of 'is the rust going to win?'. For me, practice is keeping at least some of that work on a knife-edge. Other work I try deal with more 'safely' as it pays the bills. This is different and I suppose a 'political' message or statement in relation to the videos that demonstrate a more singular approach. The where to stop/start question and how that thinking changes things is what, for me, keeps the work vital. Not a very coherent answer I'm afraid but hope it goes some way to explaining the reluctance. It's a tension...? M
@@readrepairs I think I understand where you're coming from... Similar to the conundrum of "this nice 150 year old rifle was stored in a barn for 30 years... how much of that caked on dirt should be removed, and how much of that removal is damaging the history of the patina?"... I've wrestled with similar.
Interesting video - for me interesting how sparing your lubrication of the mains spring was (two drops of oil) and that you did not seem to oil the pivots.
Hi David. Thanks for your feedback. I did oil the train pivots, sorry that didn't make it into the final cut. Cannot quite remember what I used, probably D%, D3 and 9020 on the verge pivots. Given the tiny amount of space between the leaf of the mainspring, I'm kinda ok with two or three drops of D5 as I am quite familiar with oil running out of clock mainspring barrels. I'll keep that in mind. Matthew
Excellent.
Thank you
Thanks for sharing. You got a new subscriber here. Great job!!
Looking at the video again, on reflection I may have bushed the crown wheel end of the crown wheel arbor pivot hole. I see when I rotate the mobile with my air puffer there is a fair amount of side shake. This relatively easy and low intervention detail would have increased amplitude a bit? One of the many benefits of filming your work is you get a third party perspective. M
Totally awesome work and Totally awesome watch I have a watch just like this that I have to repair I got it in perfect mint condition shipped from Europe to Canada to me and I think I've might of over wind it a little I think the chain came off its anchor but looking forward to getting it fixed soon.
Thanks Tony for the kind feedback.
@@readrepairs you are very welcome please don't stop making those videos I'm learning so much watching them thank you
@@tony-1188 Thanks Tony. More to come over winter. Did you see my other clock repair channels?
Interesting.
Question:
Do modern synthetic lubes make watches made when organic lubes (such as whale oil and whale fat) run slightly faster than the original organic lubes?
Do the synthetics provide more corrosion protection, presumming the watch was serviced every 3 to 5 years, when organic lubes were used, when (or if) the watch is exposed to the same conditions, insofar as temperature and humidity are concerned?
Did the chain get lubed, a thin oil normally used on jewels, or the mainspring oil, for example? Or are they designed to go without any lube?
I'm guessing the chain is not made of "stainless" steel. I'm pretty sure "stainless" steels had not been developed yet when watches used chains.
I've been told the synthetic lubes extend the time between servicings to 30 to 40 years, so they must last a lot longer.
I sure hope they last that long! If they do, my Elgin H.H. Taylor key wind/key set watch won't need serviced again until after I get planted ... and it wont matter then, because it will be in my vest pocket (along with the key (center leg of chain), and whatever pocket knife is on the 2nd leg of the 3 hook watch chain.) when I get planted. 😁👍 .
You've got 1,520+ subscribers. More videos please. 😃
Yes... thank you all for being so patient.... sorry it has taken so long... I have a good stack of objects waiting treatment. More vids will follow in Summer and thank you all for subs. Matthew
i have one from around 1900 and the fusee chain has come off i kept it in the watch its just a pity it does not work
Exelend!!!
Thank you!
Is there a law requiring lamp spirit to be coloured like that?
I'm not sure the actual colour purple is a legal requirement but yes, there are laws that govern the sale of denatured alcohol of this kind for general use. the colouring and bitterness is added so it cannot be drunk. If you want to buy 'Industrial methylated Spirits', you need a licence from the government. As a conservator that is relatively easy to get but of course, you have to explain what you will use it for.
Fantastic works. I have a similar watch need clean and maintenance, how can I reach to you in UK?
Thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately I do not undertake commercial watch repairs, only clocks. Yours, Matthew
Wow that's amazing when was it made
Thank you
I have a Verge Fusee Pocket Watch in need of a new glass. Could please help me find one? Please get back to me. The watch is in good shape. My father was a watch and clock repair man. He went through the watch so it still runs but my need to be cleaned.
First you need to measure the recess in the bezel where the glass will fit. Sometimes this value is quoted as a three figure number i.e. 31.9mm diameter will be quoted as 319. A digital calliper is probably the best tool for this. Otherwise a steel rule may do. Then it is a good idea to estimate how much clearance you need inside the dome of the glass to accommodate the hands. If your watch is earlier like the one in the video, and it has the ground section in the centre, search eBay or similar for "bullseye" or "verge" glass. if the watch is a bit later, the dome will be lower and there will be no central ground flat, it will just be domed. I struck lucky with mine and found one second hit. You may have to buy two to three to something that is a good fit. If the glass is slightly too small, you can use crystal cement to secure. Also, with the bullseye type, you may have to settle for a used glass and a few scratches. Here is an example of the type of eBay advert you may wish to pursue. Good luck! www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144147178471?hash=item218fd763e7:g:TvIAAOSwjA5g~oua&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACUPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsS9d9gBrkNbRQtRn8MVXnYkiRddF4v1X7m0bj8En67SJ9NzDIcoLweBTihQo96qd%252BqIfpDyccU3NgCZt2cpqTuswJ8BRP4M%252BLg7nRMrbUnW3aFigUMNeByPtby73jSsOkvxDbzJw4Wghq4%252BzgOFKEnYz9Jf7sXS7jXUKHLVfai%252B1TkepXvRVF2HotAbKzxTFEpNZKI7lpSK4dKndww8Z9Ahf3sfdonBE5XAAiOjSIJnn3zaSaAkrspP5F0HN2cYGoqmZQ1Vrpnc9S0Yw49ILaC6QtdyGnG0wU45mGVR3y5YXvd%252F2wbLmkOHNhXWX8xarSsoegsV6HNPE2zTotNTgciMyyJi8RmgSR%252BDo67q0u%252B16h7URmA3nmh%252FrUQfOENNpQOgaGflP0swjC7hfx4E4oJt0FEq7IefA2Wwe62fOoKgf7TXE1a4%252FhiL2blAjzwvWjqGjLh%252B%252FdAkQLIdKDvui8VXArt%252Fdzd4E8Gb9rPWsQbCtOG09PwR%252BeYqWQQYsUUzhx6m1BGxxIEZWcswFCHLKYwzD3wDEtWhQbIPT4eiVtbAfKiw%252Fzzj1N%252FNJ288qgPXStYHwyYUaUSNvEXtG6d559E%252FNtxElF56j6mfl4l8gADFRo5l%252F5r3h0ULP%252BRKCcF8rD%252BCzWq6%252FwCBjT4yxdvVwH3BfHskFtKb4u89MLIpIu7HTq65n9a2J7IGI64HpjXIzGGb89CCNe2c8TeFk0FeWfNj9t%252FisRykEbImredRS1aL9E%253D%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8acp8-lXw
Good video, but no coverage of the actual chain installation!
Good point!!! I did film it but it looked clumsy so I decided not to include. I do show exactly the same process on clocks in my other videos and other than the scale, effectively it is the same process. My Open Clock Club series has quite a bit on fusee etc. M
May be of use... th-cam.com/video/SYe8p66h-BA/w-d-xo.html
Hello Mathew, whats the purpose of the removable 3rd wheel on these fusee watches, ? Ive always thought it was to assist in fitting the chain on reassembly, but I havent been able to utilise it in that way, ,, Ive seen the same on fusee clocks so there must ba a reason for this arrangement
Hi Shaun. That is a very good question and I don't have a definitive answer. My best guess is like French clocks (pendules) with their removable 'ponts' or bearing pieces it is to do with the system of making the 'ebauche' in the grey without the jewelled bearings, pivots finished or escapement. This 'modular' approach would have made jewelling, and depthing the finished mobiles much easier. Otherwise during the process of batch production making in different workshops and out-workers, the person that planted the train would have had to take the entire watch apart every time they wanted to work on a particular component. That's my best guess. If you find out otherwise, please let me know. M
Still waiting for your next video :(
Me too!!! Thank you for your support. Vids on various objects will follow... honest :=)
Hello. I am fascinated by your work.I have a watch that has a great emotional value to me,and I would like to send it to you so you can bring it "back to life" . How can I send the watch to you???
Thank you. I'm not a watch repairer I'm afraid. This is what I actually do. www.clockmaker-conservator.co.uk Matthew
ANYONE KNOW HOW TO REGULATE A FUSEE? I HAVE ONE FROM THE 1700S AND ITS TOO FAST. I MOSTLY WORK WITH WALTHAMS AND SUCH BUT THIS ONE I CANNOT FIND THE REGULATOR. ITS GENEVE
Is it freesprung i.e. it doesnt have a regulator?
@@readrepairs In which case how do inslow it down?
@@TheHitman- If it is freesprung there would be mean-time weights on the balance rim that are adjustable. Has the watch recently been cleaned? Sometimes, the cleaning agent removes tiny amounts of material from the balance making the watch gain. Also, is it possible tenpin the balance spring and re-pin it slightly longer?
@@TheHitman- Either move the timing screws in the balance rim out slightly or un-pin the balance spring and re-pin it with the spring slightly longer. If you do this, you may have to rotate the spring collet on the staff slightly to get the watch in beat.
@@readrepairs Understood. I've never worked on a fusee, or a watch this old for that matter. I've mostly repaired American watches from the 1800s
Now I see why watch repair guys charge so much.
I have a running verge pocket watch made in 1797. I really enjoyed this video as it enhanced my appreciation of the workmanship of these long forgotten craftsmen.
Thank you!
Someone may have already mentioned it, but your work here (both as restorer and videographer) has rescued a moment in history: a working watch from the intersection of the technology, craftsmanship and art of its time that lives again physically and virtually. Thank you!
Thanks James for your kind feedback. Appreciated. Matthew
I love old pocket watches. Thank you for sharing. And especially thank you for the great narrating and explaining what you were doing and why.
Thanks Dean for your kind feedback. Matthew
The hallmark looks to be London 1807. Also I understood the fashion was for British clock and watch faces going from Roman numerals to Arabic numerals around 1800 and then reverting back to Roman numerals around 1820. Lastly by mid 19th century many or most watches had transitioned to the lever escapement. Does this not suggest that the watch is early rather than mid 19th century?
Thanks Ted for your research. Matthew
It certainly looks much earlier than the mid-19th century.
Great explanation of what was done and WHY. This set you apart from other channels I have also enjoyed.
Thank you, that is very kind. Appreciated. M
Thanks for that in-depth resto. on a lovely verge, Matthew.
Learnt a few things (slightly tightening a stuck screw to loosen was a surprise). I'm in the process of restoring a late, un-nammed, 1700's verge, given to me by a retired watchmaking friend, that has had an *interesting* life :) extra holes in the pillar plate for a different dial (and dial plate, no longer present), and extra notches for the hinge and movement catch, useless hairspring (made a new one using adapted 1750's methods), worn out pivot holes, much later brass case, etc, etc. So it's not precious, but a good starting point for learning how to repair these beautiful watches. Still more work to go, but it does run, and close to time.
Thank you for going the extra miles and saving this watch from being a 'relic'. We need more people with your care and passion.
Cheers from Australia
Duncan
Thanks Duncan for your feedback. Always nice when viewers take the time to write. M
My old fashioned heart was delighted with your work. A truly bygone era for watches, and you brought it back! Well done❤
Thanks Sandra, appreciated. Matthew
From one restorer to another, this was a fantastic video! Enjoyed it thoroughly and you did a fine job. Subscribed and looking forward to more!
Thank you for the kind feedback. Appreciated.
To me this watch is a fine example of functional art that is also a useful tool to keep track of the time of day.
Thank you. M
Good job but I've never know an outer case round button to be grooved. The steel work still needed rust treatment such as the Canon and movement catch. I thought it was an early 19th century watch not mid.
Hi Jim, thanks for your feedback. Yes, the watch owner (at present) is elderly so I put the thumb nail groove there to make it easier to open. I did at one point look up the hallmark. I think it is shown in the film? Certainly, the watch is of an earlier manufacturing style that persisted. Matthew
... as for the rusting. I have covered in other responses here. Under a different set of circumstances, yes a different course of action may or not have been more appropriate. I derusted in turpentine with brushes and some removal of looser material. Given the relic/operational status of the object, I'm pretty happy with the outcome although, I admit, practice is fluid and the feedback here certainly influences future intent one way or the other! Matthew
Such a meticulously explained process, as a qualified teacher I'm in awe of your level of detail and comprehensive guidance. Thanks so much.
Thanks for your kind feedback. Appreciated.
An absolutely wonderful job you did waking up this sleeping beauty! And to go along with your ending, it is such a shame that we live in a disposable society, I am also totally all for repairing things! I have an old verge pocket watch movement that I’m pretty sure dates to the mid 1700s (key wind through the dial) that I would love to get working again, I aspire to go to a watchmaking school to hopefully have a life long career as a watchmaker, as I enjoy the hobby! And of course, you earned a sub from me, you deserve it!
Fantastic restoration!
Thank you!!! Appreciated
excellent work, subscribed immediately! hope to see more videos in the future (I know it is hard, haven't done one in ages myself... )!
Thanks George for the kind comments. Yes I'll be doing more over winter. Yes they take ages. There will be all sorts repaired I hope including some watches. Matthew
Thank you for Showing this beautyful restoring .
I just restored/repaired a similar watch, and the most important element to me beside the challenge, is the thoughts i have along the way regarding how and espessialy why the clock went out of timekeeping, there is always a reason for the repairs done, and they also very much tells you, how skilled the repairer was, some of the work i have seen, seems to be kitchentable repair, it Can be very charming to look at and always put a little smile on my lips when i Can see that the repair actually had worked, and imagining the sense of Victory and pride that must have been present at that kichentable.
Thank you for your kind feedback. Keep up the good work. M
Take a water break ! I started 6 years and self taught . Got 30 watches now. Good job a tough one I would not dream of doing. Oldest watch I have is a 1870 .
Thanks Tony! Keep at it!
Just wonderful! Liked! Subscribed! Waiting for your next videos!
Thank you! I'm working on stuff at th moment. M
What a masterful job, well done! Moreover, it was beautifully presented and explained. I look forward to more pocket watch repair jobs from you.
Thank you! I have a few different objects in the pipeline and yes, watches there too! M
@@readrepairs wonderful job on this , thoroughly enjoyed the video , what are your contact details please .
Best
Adrian
@@belcantoopera5137 www.clockmaker-conservator.co.uk
I enjoyed this, nicely filmed. I hadn’t seen the technique with the balance spring and brass plate before, thanks for sharing.
Great workmanship, patience and technique with a well paced and modulated voice over and focused video capture. Subscribed and looking forward to more.
Thank you!
New subscriber here, very nice job I watch all the big channels of watch repairs and you come very close for a first upload. I look forward to many more in the near future. Cheers mate.
Thank you!
Keep repairing, I really enjoyed this
Thank you!
감탄이 절로 나오는 문양세공에 놀라움과 더불어 경의를 표합니다.
좋은 영상 감사합니다.
당신의 친절한 의견을 주셔서 감사합니다
Well done! but I will have cleaned the parts and replaced those which are defective !!! ...🤔
Ha! It depends what you mean by cleaned! as you saw, I did wash and rinse in Elma Suprol Pro, what I felt was an amount of removal of loose surface rusting in order to return to some kind of function. steel components can become consumed by rust so more extensive re-finishing was not really an option. Re-making parts, yes it could be done, some of this would be beyond my skill set. Nothing is available off-the-peg for a watch like this. Matching eighteenth century style threads is a very useful exercise for sure. Thanks for your feedback. Practice is fluid and of course I will consider future projects differently. M
I have a verge watch c. 1700 made in Paris by a JEAN JOLLY. IT RUNS FOR 6 MINS. THEN STOPS. I WOULD LIKE IT TO WORK AS IT SHOULD DO.
Really great job. One question... wouldn't the click (under the dial) have a spring to keep it in contact with the ratchet wheel?
Thank you for the positive feedback. In this case, the click has no spring because it is set by the watch repairer and then left until the next service. This is not the winding ratchet but the pre-load or set-up click. M
I have viewed many many watch repairs and rebuilds ...This is one of the most fascinating yet. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Great thoughtful video, just the right amount of restoration, would trust you with any antique watch.
Thanks John, appreciated. M
Great video and good points on the restoration of historical items. I happen to own one of these watches and it does run but very sluggishly and I haven't dared to intervene a cleaning becouse of my hands just are not what they were years ago. Just curious what would you charge to repair a watch like you did in the video.
Hi Will. Thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately I don't undertake commercial watch repair. Thanks anyway for the enquiry. Matthew
@@readrepairs No problem just keep on doing videos very interesting stuff.😁👍
A work of art restored by a true artist. Thanks for this compelling video.
Thanks Pete, appreciated.
I just stumbled across this channel. Not sure how youtube never recommended your videos since I watch tons of other watch repair channels. This work is brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you! Appreciated. Glad you found it interesting. Matthew
I rapair many fusee and verge fusee, i have hope to see how you put the chain back hahah this will be wondefull to see not only my struggle with this job, anyway great video and i hope you make more soon about american and old french and english victorian watches.
Hi. Thanks for your comment. To put the chain back, first hook it on the barrel. Wind it onto the barrel using the set-up ratchet. once it is on the barrel and evenly distributed, with the set up click in place, hook the end onto the fusee and put on more set up. the watch will run through until the chain is perpendicular to the fusee. Adjust the set-up, The first time you wind onto the fusee, watch carefully to make sure it goes in the grooves. M Here is a video of it on a clock. th-cam.com/video/SYe8p66h-BA/w-d-xo.html
Enjoyed watching this documentary I was a time recorder service Engineer working on clocking in recorders for many years this video brought back lots of memories ♥️
I just happened to come upon your channel and may I say your skills are indeed impressive, I have only just got into this as a hobby late last year, as I took a mini stroke one Friday at 6.30am in October getting ready to head into work, as a person that was always fixing stuff be it a tractor, a quad or just repairing my Grandchildren's toys or bikes as they would say Granddad will fix it. I thank you very much for the way you worked and to the way you explained in your video as you went along, I am sorry I went on and on but this hobby will keep me sane as I am still off work and the days are long. Cheers from a 62 year old in Ireland attempting a new skill . Thank you.PS: please make more videos on watches.
Thank you for your kind feedback. Hope you are well.
Excellent work! As a hobbyist at best, this blows me away! Can't wait for more!
درود
در ۳۰۰ سال پیش تکنولوژی پیشرفته ای بوده است.
بهتر نبود که قطعات شسته می شدند؟
از پیام شما متشکرم. بله، فناوری و هنر فوق العاده بود. من تمام قطعات را انجام دادم و همچنین با محلول شستشوی اختصاصی ساعت آبکشی کردم. متیو
Great to see you get this lovely watch going without over restoring it. Look forward to the next.
What a masterful repair work! That was a very instructive and enjoyable video, beautifully videographed and narrated, thank you very much. I have a working fusee movement but the motion works and dial are missing. What are the chances of cannibalising these from other scrap watches?
Thanks for your kind feedback. The chances of finding spare motion work wheels is really slim. Even if you were able to find wheels with the correct train count, because the watches were all hand-made, interchangeability really wasn't a thing I'm afraid. M
Another great video. I would have enjoyed it more if you would have shown putting the chain on the fusee. But always pleased with your videos.
Thanks Mark. Yes, I cannot remember why I didn't show the chain re-fitting... maybe just forgot to film it. It is on a clock but the same process you can see here... th-cam.com/video/SYe8p66h-BA/w-d-xo.html
So happy to see this type of watch back from the dead and on to the living. As a collector of 2 fusee pocket watches (circa 1883 Phillip Woodman and circa 1876 Jackson & Son) sold by the previous seller to me just a few months back it was a blessing to see such skills still exist today while people are buying modern expensive watches and calling them a gem. Cheers and more power to all the horologists out there.
Thank you Ramesh for your kind comments. M
Amazing, and thanks so much! I’m used to simple conservation of mine and friends wrist watches, but I love proper watch making. I have a cylinder escapement and key wound 5 bridge pocket watch to fix. So I’m now watching lots of pocket watch work. I’m so glad I found your channel and have now subscribed. Thanks again.
Absolutely beautiful work, careful precise but not so OCD that you ruin the parts that still exists, I need to learn about being able to say good enough on some of the old watches I've worked on. 😁
Thank you for your kind feedback. Yes I agree, it is good to decide an approach and work towards that line, re-considering/evaluating as you go, considering the implications of more interventions. The outcome is rarely the same as the intent, so again, it is useful to reflect on what happened and how you might modify your approach in future. Good to remember there is no must, should or have to. If you hear those words, warning! M
Excellent! Thank you for giving us some insight into working on these old pieces.
One thing I am curious about -- why wouldn't you use a commercial rust remover (e.g. Naval Jelly) on the chain? And you might say something about two points of view -- leaving patina, including visible but not interfering corrosion, or polishing / restoring to new. Which is the best path?
Hi David. Thanks for your kind comment. The reason I tend to stick to essentially manually cleaning is because it tends to force you to become more intimate with the object and its surface texture, how it works and so on. Also, I looked at the MSDS for Naval Jelly (here's a link sds.chemtel.net/webclients/ram/XBA441423.pdf). I'm a clocks conservator by 'trade' so have to be accountable for the chemical and treatments I carry out. I take out professional indemnity insurance in case I make a professional misjudgement. Maybe an over-simplification but I tend to keep it simple. I tend to side-step ammoniated solutions, ultrasonic tanks and such for the very same reason. If my chemistry and metallurgy was stronger, maybe I could be more confident of the immediate and long-term effects of such things. Certainly if I had a much larger object that needed rust consolidation/removal, I could experiment and research such a thing. Your second point, in my other brand 'how to repair pendulum clocks' we have talked a lot about practice. You can catch up with our 'Open clock club archive' on TH-cam and there is an overview of conservation practice in our book 'How to..' Hope this helps Matthew
th-cam.com/channels/vO7rK_F0cK-vDCB_xbQLNA.html
www.clockmaker-conservator.co.uk
I have bought a fusee watch with a broken chain, the balance staff is good if I apply tension by pulling the chain with say my hand would the movement run? The purpose of this would be to check if the rest of the moment is in running order. I don’t want to damage the movement.
Hiya. Using a fine pair of tweezers, carefully unwind and unhook the chain from the fusee and the mainspring barrel. If you pull on the broken chain it may jam and make things worse as there is so little room in there. Once the chain is safely out of the way, you can use the watch winding key on the fusee winding square to gently apply power to the train. If the watch is keyless wind, use a piece of peg wood on the fusee great wheel teeth to operate the train. Hope this helps. M
Thank you very much! I recently bought my first verge watch and it's very similar, so I much appreciate this opportunity to learn from everything that you show and explain, not to mention your work itself. Your larger point that there are many dimensions to the meaning and value carried by a historical object is so important and often misunderstood. Finally, is it possible that this watch is earlier than mid-nineteenth century - maybe 1807? Edited to add: I see that someone else also made this point. My similar watch is 1805. Possibly the case maker's mark is from James Wilks?
Thanks Paul. Firstly, yes you are almost certainly right about the earlier hallmark. thanks for the pointer on the sponsors mark too. As you heard in the video I am interested in practice and how this impacts on what things mean and as you say, wider senses of value. In time, I have other types of object for the same/similar treatment so it will be interesting to see what impact they have. Matthew
Hello, I have a question I wanted to ask you, could you please explain to me why when you repair and assemble all the parts again you don't clean and polish/shine all of the parts.
thank you for your answer and great video you did amazing work.
A good question. I do clean all the parts including paying particular attention to the bearing surfaces. I do not polish the parts because the plates are mercury fire gilded which is not highly polished when new and would be irreversibly damaged by re-finishing. Also I am a conservator by profession so rarely re-finish if I can help it. The aim here was to stabilise the watch and restore some function. Hope this helps. Matthew
Hello, On the balance wheel. why not remove the rust and corosion? Perhaps it was just discolored but it is bad to remove with say 2000 grit sand paper or steel wool to make it uniform shiny? Thank you for the video of the restoration. It was such a treat to watch!
Hi Carl. Thanks for your message. Yes, from my perspective as a conservator I would not normally attempt to remove material in order to improve the appearance of a surface as it would remove/change surrounding material as well. Once any loose three-dimensional corrosion has ben removed and the component is stable for any likely environment, I would almost always leave as is on the understanding the (in this case) result of corrosion is not going to cause other issues. M
Been looking at a lot of these earlier watches lately, there’s actually a clock museum here and at some point I was thinking about looking at least a fusee type movement or few, (be nice to try working on something without being too frightened about damaging a complete watch, of course if I mess anything up the clock museum can help me or at least use the parts) I have great dexterity (and have fixed antiques and vintage/antique electronics) in the past. Looks like it could be something in my league and would really make for interesting items to add to my mini-museum.
Go for it!
Really good video Matthew very much enjoyed it, and I learnt a lot along the way.
Thanks Mike for your kind comments. More videos coming over winter. Hope you are well. M
I have a verge fusee pocket watch that need repair also as the chain have broken rusted and hangs out a little. I’m wanting to know if you can fix it and what would be the value of purchase. Awesome work that you do.
Hi Donald. I don't undertake commercial repair of watches I'm afraid. If you are in the UK, you can contact the British Horological Institute to find your nearest repairer. www.bhi.co.uk Hope this helps. Matthew
Having just enjoyed watching the video, one thing is bothering me. If the watch had lost the end of the minute hand 100 years ago, a repairer might have repaired the hand or even replaced it. These days conservation seems to have gone too far. We now have terms like "honest repair", "reversible repair" and "leave it as it is"... If a brand new house has an extension built, it has to have a step in the roofline and a step in the wall face to indicate were the new was added to the original. Why is conservation going in this extreme direction? Is it just an early example of wokeism??
Its a good question. It wasn't conservation that dictated the treatment of the hand per-se. 100 years ago 'watch' was something completely different and that was my consideration, 'what is watch?'. History and future are both imagined and fluid. For sure, adding a piece of gold to the hand would have been an interesting process. That is still possible. Maybe someone will do that at some point. Maybe, faced with the project again, I might have done that. TBH, if I knew how much interest there would be in this video, I would have probably done that to add 'value' to the film, not the watch. M
As a beginner I really enjoyed your video and it was very informative so keep them coming and I’ll keep watching.cheers
Thanks for that! Glad it was of use. Yes more object videos coming over winter including watches. Matthew