I have read about these conversions to stem wind and have seen discussions on the message boards but I have no idea what to look for to identify an Abbot's Conversion. The pic is from an eBay auction claiming this B.W. Raymond has this conversion. Help!

Jack

Me, too - Jack !! Thanks for asking...I'd bet that we're not the only ones out there who would appreciate the insight.

from my understanding, most examples require disassembly to determine if the conversion exists.

the quality of the installation varied because of the skills of the watchmaker.

If you have searched the nawcc boards for this subject,
you will find the conversion is both blessed and abhored....... all a matter of opinion.

Terry,

I have read all of the posts regarding the opinions of collectors whether the conversion is a travesty or an interesting variation in horological history and I have no interest in stirring that pot.

I was hoping there was a visual clue one could look for without disassembling the watch. Oh well.

Jack

The Abbot's lever is a short straight lever that moves down away from the stem for setting. It is very similar in appearance to the first lever set Rockfords.

You can also sometimes see the screw in the backplate that holds part of the mechanism between the plates.

Here are some pictures of a watch with the feature.


Click on either picture to make it larger.

This watch also illustrates the controversy. When Abbot's conversion is applied to the earlier models of the KW16 and KW20 it is necessary to remove the Stratton's patent mechanism and much of the value of the watch. On this particular watch that is not the case.

The screw at the 2:30 position in the picture is part of the Abbot's mechanism.

Also check out Sghurgarts #24 page 104 for a picture of under dial and how the lever appears..