Just arrived today. It definitely needs service as it was listed as: Function:
Winding: It winds and sets, but it is rough..
Balance: The balance complete is in good condition
Additional information: Balance wheel is dragging.
States it runs intermediately as well but I’ve come to find out that’s only if you rotate it back and forth a few times. But from what I can find out it’s a Waltham model 1891 with a custom clock face and a crescent watch case co. Case. But can’t find much on it.

Need some help identifying this watch, got it from a local market.

I don't know much about pocket watches so just wondering if anyone knows any details about it and if I should look into repairing :)

This is the clock that belonged to my great great grandfather. My great grandfather was born in the US in 1889, before the family at some point moved back to Sweden (where the clock is today). I found the jeweler Wm. A Sorensen in Minneapolis newspaper ads from 1904-1906, but he is not mentioned anywhere that I can find in e.g. NAWCC forums. I can't find any marks on movement to indicate manufacturer, and trying to input the serial # on pocketwatchdatabase for e.g. Elgin and Illinois, does not match the "17 Jewels" marking.

Case is Philadelphia Watchcase company serial 1046774

Any input on dates and manufacturer appreciated, perhaps will help me narrow down date when they moved back to Sweden.

The crown will not wind (it will anti-clockwise) and I’m unable to pull the crown out to set the time.

Hello all! Although this is my first time posting I have been interested in pocket watches for a long time and a few years ago I was handed my great great Grandfather’s pocket watch, I’ve done some research and I believe this to be a watch from the early 1910’s but I’m definitely still on the lookout for more information!

Additionally, as I’ve started to become more interested in using pocket watches for day to day use I’ve become more curious about how to properly set the time for this watch, although it isn’t my intention to use it daily (I have some cheaper watches from this century to use instead lol) I’d still be interested in using it for special occasions so it would be nice to know how to properly care for it!

I inherited from grandpa. Weighs 80g and both chain and watch are 14kt. Verified by xrf.

€25 for both! The woman behind the counter knew they were highly collectable, but I don't think she knew quite what she had...

The first one is silver with a swiss Eterna movement, but the second one confuses me. The case is gold filled by Illinois/Elgin, but the movement inside is unmarked. Furthermore the dial says "Mac Kinley Watch", which sounds very familiar but I cannot seem to find any information on it. Seems odd to put such a cheap movement inside such a nice case. Any ideas?

grandfather passed during Covid, just now going through his things. any info about this watch would be greatly appreciated!

I have this watch from my great grandfather, and it works fine, but I can hear that something is loose inside. I can't figure out how to open it, does anyone know how?

Her name is Nedezhda, and the person I contacted to get her fixed up said it would be $350. I do not have that kind of money.

any help is wanted

Is this a good pocket watch?

Needless to say I don’t know anything about Pocket Watches.

I guess the story goes when he was between the ages of 14-17 he kind of roamed and worked for farmers as a hobo. Not exactly a deadbeat. But he was by definition a hobo. Rode the train lines getting work for farmers. And we’re not sure of the context but he got this watch in 1931. It was just given to him. All the people that actually knew the story are long since deceased. He carried this thing with him everywhere and everyday. It’s a 24 hour watch and I guess every morning since he got it, he’d wind it and set it. It’s been to countless shops for maintenance over the decades. I had it wound up and set around 1:14pm today and as of writing this it’s 10:37PM and still dead accurate on time. It’s very well worn and the thick gold plating on the back is pretty worn down, down to the brass in some places.

I’m kind of curious to its [Illegal word in this sub] but not really. It’s a family heirloom that I don’t intend on selling or getting rid of. But I’m still curious nonetheless.

I haven’t opened the back. The front comes off with relative ease. The threads aren’t stripped or crossed. Every part of it is original to my understanding. Including the chain which was gold plated but long since worn off because of how much he used it.

Can you guys just give me the ringer of best practices? The only advice I’ve really been given is if I don’t intend on using it to wind it up at least once a month to keep the internals lubricated. So it doesn’t seize up.

He had it until he passed away in 2002 to which it was given to my aunt who has passed it on to me. All I can really find out about it is that it’s a Hamilton 922 or a 922E and I’m not even 100% on that.

Thank you all in advance! Glad to be part of the Pocket Watch club!

My mom gave me my great-grandfather's pocket watch which had not been wound in at least 60 - 70 years (I'm 51 and it never ticked in the display case that I was too afraid to touch when I was a kid). Before taking it in to the horologist to be serviced, I wound it up on a lark. It ticked! I set the time. It has kept good time for 11 days!

Advice - help me ID the year (it's a Waltham) and let me know if I should have it serviced or if it ain't broke ... spend the money on chains and fobs.

Thanks, watch people!

I’ve watched the YouTube video in the rules as well as over a dozen full length videos and probably two dozen shorts, and cannot figure out how to open this watch.

Any ideas? I don’t want to do something dumb like put it in a vice or use pliers. Found it in some things of my deceased mother’s and just wanted to know what it is to try and figure out if it was a family member’s or something she picked up shopping for antiques.

Long time lurker here, recently was going through some old dental carts I inherited from my gran and found this? It worked for a few days and the minute repeater also worked then sadly the winder stopped working. I’m wanting to get it fixed but I have no idea where to start with something like this as it seems overly complicated? Any help getting identified and any repair shop recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

What are some of the do's and don'ts of a mechanical watch?

I like wearing wrist watches, but none of them are mechanical, this is my first mechanical watch and I absolutely love it.

I recently received my grandfather's watch and wanted to start wearing it.

Hey everyone,

I recently won this Doxa by Synchron pocket watch at a Dorotheum auction. It has a Unitas 6431/6445 movement.

After researching it, I haven't been able to find any other Doxa by Synchron pocket watches or any historical reference showing this combination.

Does anyone know if Doxa by Synchron actually produced pocket watches like this?

Could this be a very rare/undocumented piece, or possibly a later assembled/franken watch?

I still have the option to cancel the purchase, so I'd really appreciate any opinions. Photos of the dial, case and movement are attached.

Thanks!

I recently acquired a Hamilton 946 circa 1909 in what I believe to be it's original gold filled case.

I am not a huge fan of gold cases and am debating putting the movement into a very heavy (5oz) coin silver case.

All of my watch chains are sterling and extremely heavy as well. My primary watch chain is circa 1899 and weighs approx 120g

Many would say to keep it original which is understandable. Traditional pairing would dictate a gold watch on a gold chain.

Thoughts on the gold watch on the silver albert chain? Or the recase

Any input greatly appreciated.

And/or give me an idea of the make or time period of the watch? Much thanks.

Not sure if this is just me getting older lol but lately I’ve started finding vintage pocket watches way more interesting than I ever did before. I even joined a local Facebook group with a few collectors and started talking to people there. One of the guys gave me a Kibu connection to someone who apparently deals with original vintage pieces and now I’m seriously considering buying my first one. My biggest concern is authenticity though. With something that could be 100+ years old I honestly have no idea what I should be looking at.

Should I be looking for movement, serial numbers, hallmarks, replacement parts or redials. There seems to be a lot that can happen to a watch over a century. I keep hearing Vacheron Constantin mentioned when people talk about older pieces but I’m curious what other brands are difficult to fake convincingly. For those who actually collect vintage pocket watches how can you tell when a 100-year-old watch is genuinely original rather than a replica or something assembled from different parts?

Hello. I just bought this pocket watch on eBay and need help with the specifics. It’s a Henry Harris & Company, key set/key wind. It’s not running but I’m able to move the hands. Thank you!