Restoration of an 1890s English Pocket Watch
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- This time I do a complete restoration of a pocket watch made in England in the 1890s; towards the end of the Victorian era. These old English Lever Pocket Watches were built like tanks and the more heavily jewelled versions capable of keeping pretty good time. Even this example I have manged to get to with about 30 seconds a day which makes it a very useful practical tool. After working on so many small watches recently this felt like I was doing a clock restoration!
As I say at the end of this video .... if you are not subscribed, then you should! It's free and it will help ensure you do not miss my future uploads.
This is the first video where I use my new Head Up Display to succinctly impart information about the watch being restored. I would be very interested to hear what you think about this innovation.
I do not do much talking in this video leaving, for the most part, the action on screen to tell the story.
And very importantly a Big Thank You is due to Nick for giving this watch to me!
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Music: Bitters At The Saloon by Bird Creek (from The TH-cam Audio Library)
A lovely piece of craftsmanship . Watching this whilst having a coffee. Thanks for sharing on TH-cam. Andy
Such a pleasure to watch you at work. It undoubtedly has a therapeutic quality, bringing order to a beautiful mechanism that age and the passage of time has worked it's ravages on. A privilege to see a master at work. Thank you for sharing.
Pocket watches need to make a comeback
Nothing better on a saturday morning here in florida then a cup of coffee and the richard perrett show to start the day off.
Hi Jeff! Bit chilly here in West Wales today... a ni e coffees on sun kissed Florida beach sounds pretty good right now! Good to hear from you sir! Richard
I'm from Florida too, and I couldn't agree more. 😁
Pocket Watches are So Beautiful - Hidden Pieces of Art.
Your silver treatment is exactly what I was taught 100s of years ago as a first step in polishing fine hotel silverware. It still works!
It definitely the best way to start cleaning a silver object sandau51! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Sometimes, Richard, you just outdo yourself. Beautiful watch, full of history and craftsmanship. Top-notch watchmaking, videography and editing in one video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Chris.. Great to hear from you! I do love these English Lever watches of this period. The video was fun to make and very pleased that you enjoyed it! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker mooore pocket watches ! ;)
Didnt see any watch , movement repair just polishh..so the title is worng should be called polish polissh broken watches.
@@julioramossilva3968 title says restoration.. sometimes to get something working may only need a clean
@@richardperrettwatchmaker do you take on watch repairs?
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And a craftsman displaying such skills is a person of wonder. Terrific video!
Thanks j bloggs! Great feedback and very much appreciated. Richard
Lovely! I used your bicarbonate and salt trick on a pocket watch and it came up great. Thanks Richard good technique.
Hi Boyd... This is excellent news! It's a chemical reaction so it cannot fail! Thanks for sharing the outcome! Richard
The people that made those watches were artists. Its mesmerizing.
And, I'm glad I found you so that I can steal some of your Technique.
Hi JD ... No problem and no worries as 'all techniques are offered freely as folks see fit to use' so it's great to know that you are finding my stuff helpful. Drop me a line if you develop any improvements of youyr own as I am constantly looking into how I can make my processes better. Richard
Absolute therapy. I was given exactly the same watch when I was young, an old uncles retirement gift. I thought it was treasure. Probably my gateway to a love of watches. I know they arent worth a great deal, but I still value it. Thank you.
Hi Raymond... So pleased that you find my videos therapeutic as that is part of the intention. Hang on to that watch... These old English watches are keepers! Richard
It said a fool knows the cost of everything and they value of nothing. I’m glad you value it.
Thanks for posting this video, I have a collection of non working English lever and fusee watches that I intended to repair but never got round to it (I got married instead). I have now retired from electronics and hope to restore some of them; thanks for your video.
Hi Delatronics ... 'I got married instead' made me chuckle! You should maybe just start. I find strating anything is tricky but once started I am off! Hope it goes well. Richard
Very, Very Good! Thank you very Much for imparting your knowledge. I can't thank you enough for sharing your patience and clarity.. These Beautiful Works of art deserve to be kept alive and only because of people like yourselves!
Thank you; there is much good practice to learn from your video. I have just worked on two English lever watches and replacing the pallet fork in each was very difficult. Knowing no better. I used tiny slivers of sellotape to hold them in place and then removed the tape when, eventually I got them in place.
That’s a very interesting movement layout. It’s different from the movements I’m used to seeing in the 20th century wristwatch movements I know so well. Thank you!
English lever escapement.
Awesome for sn ex Rupert lol .. looking at getting into this as s hobby, just to keep the ptsd at bay.. but at the moment your videos are helping.. thanks 😁
Thank you Mike. Meditation I have found most helpful as a practice for controlling 'post excitement jumpyness'... the discipline of watchmaking is a natural wholesome tangent due to its almost meditative nature and need for calmness and because daily practice is required to get good at it the 'practice' part of the process almost takes care of itself driven by a tangible need to improve. A more flexible and tolerant mind is I think a likely outcome. So I figure you are on a good path sir and I wish you all the very best with it. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker sounds just like the freemasons lol 😁
You must have as many watch tools as there are watch pieces Richard . Another great job well worth the view
Hi John ... habing the correct tool and practicisng using it is pretty much most of the art of engineering disciplines I guess. It gets pretty expensive though! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker I'm just blown away with your expertise Richard your videos are so inspiring
I envy you Richard, when you think you're handling a watch made by another long dead watchmaker 130 years ago. I'd feel a little nostalgia doing this. Very nice video, well done. Many thanks for sharing. I'm an old retired engineer and always admire the work of the old tradesmen.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
The Victorians really knew how to make beautiful things that would last. Great video.
Beautiful work , cleaning silver bi carb salt hot water.. I'm guessing.. finish off with Silvio. Lovely job... the horologist who taught me was excellent but was cranky... sorry about your oiler I've only got on left.. I need more tools. Cheers. Great vid..
G'Day Richard,
Excellent video (as usual). I often run into problems reassembling these full plate English watches (esp. fusee movements). Your videos have shed some much needed light on the correct procedures to follow.
I also find your simple, strait-forward, no BS format a real pleasure compared to many other presenters.
Many thanks, Rob FNQ,Au
Very interesting video kind sir now i even more excited for my 1890s ladies pocket watch. I have subscribed as ordered by the management and am sending sunny greetings from southern Bavaria
Hi Hannah .... Late nineteeth century ladies pocket (fob) watches can be very lovely. A lot have cylinder escapements rather than the lever escapement on the one in this video. Thanks for the feedback! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker they sure are it took me a while to find the one I really wanted but when I saw that one on etsy o literally said this is it this is the watch I was looking for now I am sewing in watch pockets into my 1895 walking skirts
I wound my pocket watch successfully yesterday LOL .........your a master
Thank you very much for your vídeos Richard, they are fantastic. Today starts Carnival in Brazil and will occurs clashes between the people who want to dance on the streets and the Police. It is forbidden due to the pandemia. Now it is 6:42 am and I am drinking coffe from the Sul Fluminense and the enjoying your art and culture.
Hi Mario... very good to hear from you sir! Drinking nice coffee and watch interesting videos is way better than clashing with any policemen I figure. I would 'stay put' and lie low until the excitement is over. Stay safe Mario! Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker Hi Richard, yes I will stay safe and far away from Carnival. Cheers!!😃☕
Cheers Richard,also wonderful to see your older brother right at the end🚒👍
Haha! Yes ... and he does so well for one who is so decrepit! Nice one J********* !!! Richard
Very nice work; certainly brings back life in a old Victorian Pocket Watch.
Hi John .... and it's keeping really good time at the moment. It's up and down a bit but averaging about +25 s/d in the pendant up position which is pretty good for a 130 year old watch with only the escapement jewelled. Thanks again. richard
Love the addition of the HUD ha! Fine works as always Rich ❤️
Hi Alex... You are the first to comment on that so take a gold star sir! Iron man meets horology was the idea... thanks for picking up on it. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker is shall accept my gold star with pride sir! Much obliged
@@richardperrettwatchmaker I’m currently servicing an Everite from the fifties and it seems to be missing the two screws which secure the movement to its securing ring. Could you recommend a good website for replacements?
By order of the Peaky F'in Blindas ! Well done Sir
Haha! Hi Donny ... I fear I would make a poor Shelby but I figured it would be a laughto shoot it! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Compared to the last watch this looks like Big Ben. Great video always enjoy watching.
Hi Jimmy ... it certainly felt like it. It makes a nice change actually as I have been working ona lot of pretty small pieces recently. Richard
Sir.... Thank you so very much for the excellent videos. I have watched all of your work numerous times with the eventual thought of trying watch disassembly and reassembly myself. With this pocket watch I feel my ‘time has arrived’. Tomorrow the adventure begins. Thank you Sir.
Fantastic video, I had just recently service my own old silver pocket watch and had major issues fitting the pallet fork. Using a piece of rodico and then flipping it over so simple and so brilliant, I will be doing it this way from now on. Looking forward to gaining many more tips from the rest of your videos.
Haha! Hi Eric ...yes, and I dreamt that one up all on my lonesome! Very pleased you found this useful. Richard
Love the hour and minute hand polish/ shine 👍
Hi sol star ... yes, easily forgotten that but I think the hands would have been highly polished on the day the watch was sold. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Wonderful job, the family Silver is in the safest hands.
Hi Ian ... good to here from you! Haha! I was I had some family silver ... you just saw all of it but yes at least I can clean it correctly. Richard
Gorgeous pocket watch, very interesting escapement! Outstanding fine job, as usual! It's a real pleasure watching your videos! This time some bonus: an accidentally skewered and oiled thumb, a carefully salted watch case, a barking Bella, the usual Earl Grey for the ultrasonic cleaner, and the new Shelby look at the end! Wow! :-) Thank you for sharing! Your job is a real art form!
Hi Fabrizio! Thank you so much for this great feedback. I did try to pack a lot into this video so pleased you found it enjoyable. Great to hear from you sir! Richard
Watch service with some field surgery on the side. Great video, thanks a lot!
Thanks so much Luca! Richard
Another fine production. Good morning and thank you sir.
And micro-surgery too!!
Hi salr362... Thank you so much! Hoping not to be making the micro surgery a regular feature! Thanks for the feedback! Richard
Thank god it wasn't another Rolex as I was about to vomit - so a step in right direction yet there was almost no commentary - the end bit gives me the glimpse of hope ;-)
I know you said that silent Rolex repairs is what makes bulk of views but I am going to say my piece anyway!
Thanks for the video and keep up the good work.
Nice work Richard👍👍👍
What a fascinating movement! Another great video
Love these old English movements! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
I am exactly 49 seconds into this video and i already love it
Watching you is going to give me the courage to have a go on my old pocket watch great video.
Your magnification is excellent and your workmanship,? We’re do I start. I’m actually breathless when I watch it.
Fascinating Richard , that’s a great video your a master at your game.
Thank you see you next time mate .
Hi Paul.. Good to hear from you! And thanks for the support. Much appreciated. Richard
Very nice. The English watches have a different layout of the escapement lever. The early nineteenth century ones often have a fusee and chain which must be tricky.
Nice job! Lovely old watch.
oh my god, what a machine!
Very nice, by the way I started using the same phone stand to make watch photos, was funny to see we thought the same. Amazing job.
Hi Jordi ... Haha! Great minds think alike! Richard
Blimey, another vid - another look! We've had John Denver, Derek Jacobi, now Dr Watson 😄
Haha! I was trying to do an Arthur Shelby but I'll take Dr Watson because he's cool too. Richard
Excellent job! I especially liked your close-in shots.
Thanks Timothy... Very pleased to hear you say that as I have been working on getting better macro shots. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
Very nice video, indeed, as always. I follow you since the beginning, and I just miss when you talked more in your videos. I liked to listed to more comments from you. Cheers!
Hi lee S ... and I find it so difficult to keep quiet. But most folks like it that way! Cruel but true! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker they can easily mute. I find it very informative and even soothing to listen to you talk.
*WOW* absolutely wonderfully restored. And OMG what craftsmanship.
Thanks for sharing with us this work of art. Elegant and entertaining as usual
Thanks Dr Omar! Richard
What a Beautiful stunning piece..Great video too!!
Hi Eri ... good to hear from you and thank you so much! Richard
Just subscribed, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am wondering what app did you use when you said" head up the display" that was amazing!!! Thank you
Hi MastersArtAcademy. The HUD is a bespoke (by Me!) post production effect. I guess it exists somewhere but I could almost certainly not afford it! Glad you liked it and thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker Thank you, for your time and the answer. I am crazy now about to learn how to repair old picket watches. I got a few, but have no idea what to do with, probably will take sometime and will try to be patient with learning. Your videos are very helpful!
Another great one Richard - thanks!
Thanks so much Mark. Good to hear from you! Richard
Thanks, watching your video and seeing the mechanism, I recognized it as being the same as the one I have, from my G.G Grandfather, by the hallmarks, the case is dated 1876 made in Coventry UK and purchased in Sydney NSW around that time, they obviously made a generic watch mechanism, and the faceplates were customized. It worked for about 8 hours before stopping again, it kept good time whilst it was working. I need to find a specialist like yourself to clean it. I'm guessing it would be costly due to the time involved.
A nice comment… I love what you’ve done with your hair. Is that a new shirt? Looks marvellous. How is that? Great job on the watch. I love the old ones and it’s great to see them restored.
Interesting use of bicarbonate and sodium, iv used it on more stronger items but impressive,thank you
Hi Mini cooper... Yes it sets up a chemical reaction with the silver foil which strips off the silver oxide. Pretty helpful! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker have you tried bicarbonate toothpaste find that has a good use on certain metal
Wow.... Sir, I always appreciate your good work, because I m also a watch maker from south india... Realy i like ur tools & stuffs wat ever it may b, which u use to ur clean & clear work.... good job, great work, well done sir..... 😀😀👍
Thank you shaikh faraz ul haq ul haq ! This is great feedback and I should like to travel to South India very much! Good luck with your own work sir and thank you for these kind words! Richard
Always learn watching your amazing videos... thanks for sharing! Cheers
Hi Craig... Happy to be of service sir! Thanks for taking the time to say so. Richard
Next level video making right there. Good job Mr. Perrett.
Thanks sghr220! Richard
What kind of cleaning solution do you use?
A pleasure watching you work, as usual! Best wishes from Arizona.
Hi Russell ... thank you so much for takng a few moments to comment and greetings to you in Arizona from Wales! Richard
man great video bruv, nice cuts and i love the intro, great fun indeed :) no biggie but the slightly shaky camera makes it a bit hard to watch on acid. great job non the less, much love
High idle sun ...Thanks for this! Interestingly since shooting this video I have rigged up an articulated camera support from my workshop ceiling to eliminate camera shake. Thanks for the great feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker check between minute 3 and 3:30. looking at it now is no problem tho :D
Watchmaker? Look like you repair them!
Absolute class and craftsmanship, loved the video
Thank you so much anonymous muffin! Very pleased you enjoyed this video. Richard
Eine wirklich sehr schöne Taschenuhr!
Never tried watch case pie before, must give it a go.
When adjusting the rate are you adjusting the weight on the balance or the hair spring? Wow does that balance move slowly. That movement will probably live forever if probably serviced.
Hi Jimmy ... so the timing screws on the balance make the balance go faster or slower and in this way I can regulate the watch so that it is correct as it can be and yet the regulator arm (which works on the haispring) for the watch user is in the middle of it's range giving the watch user maximum options downstream. Hope this is helpful, Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker yes very helpful, thank you for sharing. I find amateur watchmaking fascinating and relaxing. A great way to shut off the outside world and focus on something different and exciting. Fabulous hobby. Love watching your videos.
My, what a sturdy looking click you have!
Lovely job.The all parts watch was cleaned in ultrasaund ?
Hi itzhac ... yes, at least all parts that should be (not the dial for instance). Hope this answers your question. Richard
Nice, I'd heard about the dummy great wheel on these Lancashire watches before (so that the key on the barrel will wind in the same direction as in a fusee watch), but I hadn't actually seen one
Gorgeous is not a strong enough word! Awesome!
Thank you so much mikedo6! Richard
Excellent night time relaxation before sleep
Absolute wonderful restoration yet again Sir Richard, always enjoy watching your videos..Oo only if we have an expert like you to fix all the vintage watches in Malaysia...look forward to another restoration. Regards- Aliff
Also, love the Peaky Blinders reference at the end.
Hi Aliff... Great to hear from you sir! I should like very much to visit Malaysia it would be an interesting place to make a video!
Haha! I make a poor Authur Shelby but happy you liked it! Richard
Excellent job there Richard and great camera work.
Thanks Paul... Good to hear from you! Richard
mesmerising. nice work sir.
Good quality job
Richard, congratulations again on bringing back to life to this beautiful watch, and joy to your viewers too! I'm wondering, why would you regulate the watch by checking the overnight deviation instead of using a timegrapher?!
Hi Juan... Thank you! I love marriage watches. Especially the not so big ones... Size 12s pocket watches and smaller are best for this type of conversion I think. Sometimes you see a nice repeater converted which is very special. Thanks for the feedback. Richard
To test performance, it might make sense to allow every wheel to turns at least once in case some teeth are damaged. A short-term timing test may not bear this out. On the other hand (pun intended), pivots worn loose or broken jewels could result in random timing variations that may be more difficult to detect, but can become a little easier to narrow down with multiple checks over a longer period.
R🌹..beautifully restored ..it’s awesome 🎩🌂⏱😍
Hi Ruby! Thank you so much for this great feedback. It is keeping really good time for a watch with very little jewelling! Thanks again. Richard
Lovely work. Is there a reason why you don't use a Dremel for the fine polishing?
Your videography is getting even better! A lovely watch. Clean as can be.
So you didn’t draw blood with a phony Rolex fishing lure, but instead with an oiler? Well captured on camera.
Hope you and your family are doing well in the latest lockdown.
Thanks as always for sharing your video!
Hi Eric .. good to hear from you! I am not planning on making a habit of surgery interludes in my videos you will be pleased to know I guess! Hoping all good at your end. Richard
Sitting in a hotel in London watching your video, as I bought exactly the same watch(different maker) and trying to figure out how to open it. The watch was a bargain and just missing the glass.
What liquid you use in the ultrasonic machine
I have a J G Graves of Sheffield sterling silver pocket watch dated for 1900 which has the exact same movement as this one.
how do you know if the mainspring needs replacing? it seemed to have tension.......is it because it doesn't really unwind itself when you removed it?
HI Toby ... when unconstrained the spring should be several times larger than when it is in the barrel. If it is only twice as big (diameter) it is tired and needs replacing. Most old pocket watches will benefit from a mainspring replacement. Hope this helps. Richard
Great job
Was the pallet fork fixed upside down essentially and just held in place by lubricant before assembly?
Hi Ray... Held in place with rodico between the banking pins! Works nicely as a method for replacing the back plate. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker superb love these videos
Lovely. I know there are lots of fans of non-narrated videos, but foo to them. I’d like to hear more of you talking about what you’re doing. Speaking of, so to speak, why the foil in the bowl?
Hi Angelo ... bless you but I need to stay quiet as most folks prefer it that way I think! The foil sets up a chemical reaction with the water, salt and NaHCO₃ that helps strip off the silver Oxide Ag2O. Hope this is useful, Richard
Richard Perrett Watchmaker, it would be nice if TH-cam had stereo separation so you could put the comments one channel and the pleasing sounds (incl barks) in the other. Thanks too for the foil explanation. Cheers from LA.
Richard, your videos just get better & better & I find them gripping to watch, not only instructional but a lesson in history as well. Love the filming, close ups & slow mo of the balance .
The ending was very fitting Mr Shelby 😂.
By the way, was that the Casio " Best Value Watch in the World " you were wearing when cleaning the watch case ?? Foil & Bicarb........the best trick to clean silver . Thanks Richard for another great & entertaining video .
Hi Simon ... thank you so much! I have been trying to up my game on the filmmaking so it is great the hear that might be working. This is what you saw me wearing .... www.richardperrett.com/seawolf/ ,,, thanks for the feedback. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker So, So Sorry Richard. It only made a fleeting half dial appearance & I didn,t have my glasses on. I was very impressed by your video on the Seawolf, it,s a beautiful watch & I hope to have one on my wrist sometime , again , my most 'umble apologies .
Another great video, Watch these videos insteed of TV more entertaining as well,
Hi John.. Thank you so much! TH-cam is the new TV for sure! Richard
Nice work! What type of solvent / cleaning solution do you use for the ultrasonic cleaning?
Love that pocket watch, great video I enjoyed 👍
Me too retro bike stuff! These old English pocket watches are just so cool! Thanks for the feedback. Richard
really interesting video, of nice old timepiece, which I've never seen before, painful, hope your thumb is ok? thank you for sharing mate!
Very interesting video. I was doing some searching on the internet trying to find info on a particular watch I have, and found you here. Its your name that stopped me and made me check you out. I have a watch that belonged to my Grandfather, and then my father. The watchmakers name is James Perret. Beautiful work on here by the way.
Oh how tense it can be in placing the back plate and having all the pivots of the train fit to the trunnions of the plate on the first try. I have a shop made set of picks to push and pull an individual gear into position and only start breathing when i feel the “click” as the plate drops flat on all points.
For the beginner what is a good solution to use for the ultrasonic cleaner?
Hi Kevin ... the right cleaner is important. I use this (but not on plastic parts!) www.cousinsuk.com/product/lr-566-watch-cleaner along with the rinse that goes with it and then I finish up with some Isopropyl Alcohol. Hope this is helpful. Richard
@@richardperrettwatchmaker Thank You Major
hi Richard have you done a J.G.Graves one .I just bought a lovely condition one .But sadley the wind mechanism wont turn either way .Balance moves ok . Regards David
Hi Richard,
Really enjoying your video productions, they keep on getting better..good luck with the subs climbing..and breaking through the 100k barrier..
I’ve picked up some interesting techniques, like disarming the mainspring, replacing the pallet fork and cleaning the case, not to mention surgery and time travel!
Just waiting for the dreaded covid to leave us in piece so we can get back on track..looking forward to getting my sub ticking again..👍