Installing mainspring on a Hamilton 974 pocket watch, part 1.

[mig29jette]

So IF I send it up to you to fix it, you would want to do that for me right? Sure I have Pay Pal! I have 75 crystals on the way, and am determined to fix this thing as I agree; the guy who sold me the watch didnt have the right crystal in it. In fact he said He fixes them on a " one to one basis" and now I KNOW he does not know what he is doing selling them on ebay. He's DUMPING bad watches in poeples lap. I DID get some nice ones from other sellers though!

[bunnspecial]

@mig29jette You could send it to me but I can't guarantee anything since this is just a hobby and I don't have any crystals if yours don't fit. The key to ebay is don't assume anything, ask questions and study the pictures. I have seen bad things in the pictures but no mention of it in the description. Either they don't know or they do but you have to figure it out.

[mig29jette]

Thanks for the reply! Can you tell me ( it must be old) WHERE I can find a movement holder like yours? eBay has plastic garbage. I'm looking , but this one jewlers site had the same digital caliper I got from harbor freight at $8.00 for $49.99 and i dont like getting robbed,

[bunnspecial]

@mig29jette The movement holder I use for pocket watches I got from the gift shop at the NAWCC museum in Columbia, PA a few years ago I guess for about $15.00. The one for wrist watches I bought off of Ebay.

[mig29jette]

Thanks for the reply! Can you tell me 9 it must be old) WHERE I can find a movement holder like yours? eBay has plastic garbage. I'm looking , but this one jewlers site had the same digital caliper I got from harbor freight at $8.00 for $49.99 and i dont like getting robbed,

Thanks

[mig29jette]

And after you set it down on the face, do you gently lay the bezel over the crystal and try to snap it on around the case? Sorry, BUT I can rebuild the movement, and cant get the lousy crystal that came OFF it, back on! WHAT GIVES? Anyone have a link to a video to replace a HUNTER CASED crystal on you tube or by bunnspecial? please help me out!

[bunnspecial]

@mig29jette Since I have no training I don't know if my method is correct. I installed the crystal while the bezel is off the watch. I held the bezel in my hands and with my thumbs worked the crystal into the bezel. I did not come straight down with the crystal but at an angle. I sort of pushed the crystal against the inside edge of the bezel. It felt like the crystal was just a teeny bit bigger than the opening in the bezel and I was either compressing the crystal or expanding the bezel.

[mig29jette]

I think you have the perfect "demeaner" to do this kind of work. I almost lost it last night over replacing the same crystal on my Hunter cased Elgin which for some reason fell off in my hand.......the crystal did, and now the bezel pops on GOOD, I use the 'notch" in the side of the bezel to pop it back off. WHAT IS THE SECRET of putting this crystal back in a HUNTER cased Elgin. Do you try and get the crystal in the bezel FIRST? or do you lay the crystal on the face and try and center IT?

[bunnspecial]

@mig29jette I have little or no patience. What stops me from throwing a watch against the wall or smashing it with a hammer is that it will not be repairable. I have only replaced a crystal a couple of times and it was for an open faced pocketwatch. I had to fit the crystal to the bezel by removing material from around the edge of the crystal a little at a time because if to much is removed the crystal will not stay in. You might have the original crystal since it is so hard to install.

[ElginPocketwatch]

i have an old keywind from the 1870's that needs a new mainspring, the problem is, it use 2 little notches at the end to hang on to the the walls of the barrel instead of a hole on the end. do you know if this kind of spring has a different name? by the way, i like the case and hands on this hamilton.

[bunnspecial]

@ElginPocketwatch I also like the hands on this watch. Don't know the name of that spring you write about but if your watch is American made I have a book that might give a part number of the spring you need. I have a Waltham whose mainspring hooks onto the inside wall of the barrel.

[ElginPocketwatch]

im sorry after i watched this video again, im actually looking for a T end mainspring like in this video, i most have ignored it the first time. and also, i can only find a size 16 of this spring, can i use a size 16 on a size 18 barrel? i understand it would probably need more winding but i just want to know if that would work.

[bunnspecial]

@ElginPocketwatch It might work but I wouldn't do it. A 16 size spring is narrower than an 18 size spring so the T end might fit into the hole on the barrel but it might not stay there. Also the hole in the spring for the barrel arbor might be to small. Since the spring is smaller it might not have the power to run the watch correctly. I would not do it. Look on ebay for the correct spring.

[ElginPocketwatch]

@bunnspecial i found an 18 size, but its hamilton, is that compatible with an elgin?

[bunnspecial]

@ElginPocketwatch In my book the end style and width are different so I don't think it will work.

[ElginPocketwatch]

@bunnspecial dang. i guess im going to have to send it to a professional watchmaker.

[bunnspecial]

@ElginPocketwatch If you want to save some money look for the spring on Ebay. It will turn up sooner or later.

[ElginPocketwatch]

@bunnspecial yeah ive been looking for a few days now not much is turning up