Chris has worked his magic again. He restored my 1886, model 1877 Waltham key wind. Also got my H.E. Peck swiss watch running.

So now that I have my first running pocket watches, I have a couple of questions.

1. How often should a pocket watch be wound?
2. Do you polish the case periodically?

Here is the front of the Waltham

Bruce

Here is the back

Here is the movement

Here is the Front of the Peck

And the Back

Nice looking watches Bruce.

I am sure others have a better researched answer than me. I am not sure if you are asking about winding for a watch you carry or just ones in storage.

If it is one you carry, I wind mine every morning just before I put it in my pocket, I know I have read where it was recommended for rail road workers to wind it everyday at the same time, the reason was explained that the watch would be running at it's fullest during the day while you were working. Not sure if that is true but I do recall reading it in some of my searches.

As far as polishing, again if you carry it, or at least to me, my watches stay polished carrying them in my pocket.

Not sure if this is much help, but just my two cents.

Tom

Dust/lint getting in will reduce the time between services so I would be careful about to much polishing, try and choose a lint free as possible cloth also a soft one a lot of cloths are abrasive and will dull the finish, they make jewelers cloth that work well but do also have a lot of loose lint, some of these new micro fiber one look good.
As Tom say for carrying full wind prior to use/morning is best, for storage the best advice I ever heard from a major collector who stored them is draws flat, he said every month he partial wound each and alternated between FU & FD upon return to the draw.

Chris: Maybe I am a little dense. But, what do you mean by FU & FD?

Sorry,
FU=Face up
FD= Face down
PU= pendant up, PR/PL/PD Right, left Down

Hello Bruce, your question regarding the winding of your watch has about as many answers equal to the number of replies you will get....

Tom's answer was well qualified by if you were storing or wearing and I will second the storage answer that Chris gave you because I have been told by more than one old timer collector the same thing....

Regarding the winding of a watch that you are wearing, well here is the answer that was give to me, again by an old timer that wore pocket watches all his life....Wind the watch approximately the same time each day and wind it fully....then at the end of the week when you know that you don't need it, for work, in his case, he would let the watch run completely down and it may take a couple of days to do so....that way the main would be completely down and would not be as apt to develope a 'memory' and he felt that the watch would last longer and be more accurate for the full wind....

None of this is scientific and probably just a preference of the person who is wearing the watch....

You will develope your own routine which is probably the best for you....

Good luck....

Regards,
Jerry

I plan on using both. Probably carry the Waltham and put the H.E. Peck on a stand in my office.

I have been winding the watches each day, and note that it only takes a little to wind it to full.

Additional question that also most likely has different answers. Do most of you that carry your watch, use a chain?

Bruce, very nice watches you have there!

If I could add my two penn'orth .....

If they have blued steel mainsprings, I would let them wind down fully quite frequently!
Jerry's point about mainsprings developing a 'set' is especially valid on this type spring, less so on the white alloy types.

Never wind Any watch at night, and especially those with blued steel springs - And wristwatches before taking them off.

There is a marked fall in Ambient temperatures overnight, which is exaggerated hugely if body or central heating 'heat' has also been transferred to the watch - and hence the mainspring - all of which will have been subjected to heat expansion.

If a watch is fully wound in these conditions, then the mainspring as it cools will unwind too slowly to compensate for any contraction in the material - eventually causing failure!

Enjoy your watches!

Best regards

John

Hey Bruce,
If I might add my 2cents. I carry a Waltham model 57 keywind for everyday use. I try to buy pants with watch pockets,although they are getting harder to find. I carry mine with just a short fob. If you use a chain and carry it in your pocket,be sure there is nothing else in the pocket with your watch. Change and keys sure will mess up your shiny watch,if carried in the same pocket. There is a thread here about watch carrying. Nice watches by the way.

I would add I like to carry mine with a leather strap with the loop that goes through my belt, I have tried the chains but I like the leather & I also know the watch isn't going to some how fall from my pocket.

Tom

Hi Bruce,

If I was looking for a daily carry I would enjoy this new watch for a while but look long term to a 16S Illinois Bunn or any of the Hamilton range, as cases seals better and parts more readily available, at some point you have a good chance of dropping it bending /breaking the staff etc the peck is a cylinder and I have very few parts, others may have some.

I totally agree with Chris. That looks like a great 'sunday go to church' vest carry watch rather than a daily carry trouser pocket watch.

That's how I carry MY 18s 1882 keywind Illinois 11j myself....in a vest pocket on a nice silver vest chain.

I carry railroad grade 16s Hamiltons or Elgins as a daily carry trouser watch.

I appreciate Mr. Woolsey's advice on when to wind and NOT to wind. I have always wound my carry watches at 8 a.m., and never at night, but only because that's when I remember to do so and it has become a daily habit of mine. I had no idea there would be a really GOOD reason not to do otherwise. I lucked into THAT one!

I REALLY appreciate that information, sir!

Regards! Mark

This type of advice is one of the great benefits of the internet. If not for this group, how would you learn this type of information today.

Chris. Appreciate the points on both watches. Will watch the auction section and see if I can find a little newer watch for my everyday. Fob VS chain is another great topic. I have found some nice chains in antique shops and they actually go for very little. But I like the fob thinking also.

Thanks all.

Fobs are great, and I own several...but that said, would you feel confident wearing your newly rebuilt beauty and not have it attached in some way to your trousers or vest?

A fob is just attached to the watch bow, and the watch then sits in your pocket. If it bounces out, there's nothing to stop it from hitting the floor unless you make a lucky catch.

I know, as I can NOT tell you how many times just this past winter I have leaned over while wearing one of my vests with vest chain, only to have one of my watches just fall out with no warning. The chain stopped it, and nothing was harmed but the frazzled nerves of this wearer.

If they had been on a fob, they would have been DOA upon hitting the floor.

I keep my fobs on my display watches for show, but I never carry a watch on them for the reason mentioned above.

That said, many folks never have a problem with a fob on a watch....but I am not one of them.

Something to consider.

If you're referring to the leather double loop 'fob', now that's another animal all together. You'll find some VERY nice custom leather loop fobs being made by Kyle Should, and his business information is in our business section. HIGHLY recommended.

Read about them here:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...06013713/m/116003885


Regards! Mark

I agree Mark, if you wear a vest you almost are required to wear the watch on a chain tied to a button or with a 'Tee'....

I also agree that Kyle Shold has some very nice leather, 'Kangaroo', fobs, I have three of his and I especially like the two-tone, dark brown & tan ones that he makes....he is not sky high on pricing either, I might add....

Regards,
Jerry

Bruce, I lean toward these simple braided-leather fobs for everyday carry watches. They're around 10" long, easily lace through one's belt, and can be had on eBay for less than $5.

The soft leather won't damage crowns and come in black or brown. I invested in several of these hours after my first Hamilton hit the ground.

I have an extra black one, and it's yours at no charge if you're interested. Contact me at eju67@frontiernet.net with your address and I'll drop it in the mail.