Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

bobertdob · 2026-07-20T21:59:40-0500

Nice watch I have bought several in the last month of both the 1857 and 1877 configurations open face and hunter. I have had a couple arrive with a busted mainspring so its not an uncommon problem and maybe one of the reasons these watches got set aside back in the day rather than being repaired. Your watch is a 7 jewel broadway with is the basic watch. I finally found an 1857 in 15 jewel in May....have had numerous 7 and 11 jewel configs....
You will enjoy it....

Canuck · 2026-07-20T22:01:44-0500

TexOmega
Not Two-Tone. All 14kt White Gold Filled......

This is my 1946(serial # c135049) Two-Tone example. Model #3. The Model #3 case was introduced in 1946 and ended 1948. Marketed as Stainless Steel but most were like mine, stamped base metal.
So, yellow gold filled mid-case and silver base metal back and bezel.

Bonus: Canadian Dial

Luv it! Especially the Canadian dial,

SOG53
I got this Waltham AWC Broadway Model 1877 SN 2322929, key wind 18s plus a second movement/ dial
The key wind turns freely with no resistance so I assume the mainspring is broken.

I found this NOS ? 2203 mainspring and plan to get my toes wet and try to replace mainspring.
Of course this will require buying new tool(s) starting with mainspring winder.

I saw set of 6 KD PW winders but pretty pricey, and then saw this KD adjustable single winder and wonder if that’s a reasonable start. But it may be for wristwatch and too small? The 1877 barrel inside diameter is 17 mm.

Suggestions welcome.

That winder is for wrist watches! No way it will work for your 18-size Waltham mainspring. The other mainspring winder you referred to is the boxed set, I assume. It is for pocket watches, and if you plan on delving further into pocket watches, it is the way to go.

Waltesefalcon · 2026-07-21T19:05:20-0500

I posted this on the "Who Loves Hamilton" thread but felt it would be equally appreciated here.

Here are a few 992s representing all iterations of the model. The 992 was an open face 3/4 plate 16s watch. it was originally developed by Hamilton to supplement the 18s 940 as many railroads were beginning to move towards allowing 16s watches to be used. The upper left watch is a 1st model of the 992 produced. It has two screws holding down the winding wheel and four feet on the dial. This model was introduced in 1903. The very earliest of these had single rollers, but by 1904 they all had double rollers. The upper right is the 2nd model 992, Hamilton changed it to only have one screw holding the winding wheel and three dial feet. This version was introduced in 1915. The bottom left watch is a 992E and represents the third and final 992. This one changed the balance staff to a friction fit staff rather than a riveted staff, a mono-metallic balance wheel. and it also incorporated an "Elinvar" alloy hairspring. This version was introduced in 1931

The bottom right watch is a 992B. This represented a totally new watch built by Hamilton to replace the venerable 992. Nothing in this watch is interchangeable with the preceding 992s. The plates are completely redesigned in this watch, all the jewels are friction fit, a new escapement was featured on this watch, the winding arbor and stem were different. This watch was introduced in 1940 and would stay in production until Hamilton operations ceased in Lancaster in 1969.

My information comes from the Halligan 16 Size Papers, pgs 146-185.

ghce · 2026-07-21T20:15:29-0500

Simply beautiful.
Do you have a similar offering in Illinois?
Not that I don't like Hamilton's but I do love Illinois more 😀 it's just unfortunate that I don't own more to show off in a curated subset in this manner 🙁

SOG53 · 2026-07-21T20:27:45-0500

Canuck
The other mainspring winder you referred to is the boxed set, I assume. It is for pocket watches, and if you plan on delving further into pocket watches, it is the way to go.

Well I bought the boxed set of PW winders. Further adventures to follow..... I have about 4 others that I think need a mainspring so I hope I'm ready. Thanks for advice.

Canuck · 2026-07-21T20:53:25-0500

That is the sort you need for pocket watches. Well done. Let us know how the process unfolds from here.

Waltesefalcon · 2026-07-21T22:09:49-0500

ghce
Simply beautiful.
Do you have a similar offering in Illinois?
Not that I don't like Hamilton's but I do love Illinois more 😀 it's just unfortunate that I don't own more to show off in a curated subset in this manner 🙁

Give me a few days and I'll line out a few Illinois for a post.