Hello,

I need a little help here please as I only see American watches here once in a blue moon. I have to find a balance staff for an American Howard (Keystone) watch. The serial tells me that it is a 16s, model 1907, series 0, from maybe 1912, using https://pocketwatchdatabase.com. It has a double roller, and 11 pivots. OK, but there is no mention of any caliber number as in a Swiss watch, so I think all 16s movements used the same series of staff? Will I be OK if I order a 16s, DR, 11 pivot staff (it appears to be part #340)?

 

There are two different staffs used in these Howards: for series 0, 10, 5, 2, and 9. Part # 338 is a friction staff, and part # 340 is a riveted staff. The “caliber” number is “0”, and once you decide whether this is a friction staff or a riveted staff, you can go by the five series numbers I mentioned. Not all 16-size Howards use the same staff. Series 3 and series 11 use different staffs.

 

Glad to be able to help!

 

Thanks @Canuck ! Sorry about the lack of answer, It seems I never received any notification about it...

 

I don’t fully understand how following a particular thread works. But apparently that service is available. You have to request that a follow up is sent to you. Otherwise, you have to return to your thread to look for replies. I hope you solve your balance staff problem.

 

It seems the notification system had some problems lately, it happens. I have some staffs in the mail, I should be able to work it out (hopefully without having to modify anything; I had to unexpectedly modify a staff to properly fit a roller last year on an ancient pocket watch, not fun).

 

Making an entire staff from scratch is less fun...just sayin'

 

I assume you made the determination as to whether the staff is riveted, or friction, and that you ordered the correct staff. These two different staffs are not interchangeable. Best of luck with your project.