Serious watchmaking shit going on today. At least for me. Not for actual watchmakers.
Learned how to clean and oil the balance jewels on my Waltham pocket watch. Learned you have to take the balance wheel off the cock. Yes, I said cock. Relax, that’s what it’s called.
This is the most detailed, intricate work I’ve done yet, and looks I needed all the tools. Even oiled the escape wheel, via the exit pallet. That will mean something to maybe one person besides me.
Movement happily ticking.
Finished reassembling the Waltham this morning. Since this is one of two “practice” watches I have, that it runs at all is a happy accident. #watchmaking
@mikeflstfi
I sit here trying to read my phone because my hands shake so much trying to imagine repairing something like this. So very cool.
@testamonk
I have some shaky hands too, sometimes, and that’s an added layer of challenge. But if I go slow, I can usually get it done.
These movements from pocket watches are larger than a wristwatch movement by a good bit. The big challenge for me will be servicing my mechanical wristwatches that I have built.
@mikeflstfi
The whole gears to gears to spring is so beautiful to look at. It's one of those "function is also art" type things to me.
@testamonk
For sure. That’s one of the things that attracted me to it. Plus the decoration on the higher end movements is spectacular.