What causes the movement to shake when the case is shaken? Could this be a movement in a wrong case, or did a watchmaker forget to do something?

I agree with Lindell. The most common cause is a loose movement and loose case-screws.

But.... let me go a step further. IF, in fact, that is the situation, do NOT attempt to tighten the movement unless you have proper screwdrivers, properly sharpened and you have the experience to do so. Many, many of the worse movement scratches are caused during the casing process. Also, If the movement is tightened improperly, the movement can "walk" a bit as it tightens-down. This can cause the stem shaft to bind, making it difficult or impossible to wind or set the watch.

The seller might have had this problem and was not able to properly case the movement.... so he left it loose.

Caution!

Thanks for the guidance, Lindell and Peter. The watch has stopped twice, although fully wound. I do not believe that the watch is one for me to have, and I am sending it back. I did not look for the case screws because I do not know where they are or what they look like. It's a South Bend 227 movement.

Might the movement need a dust ring to fit the case properly? I've had a couple of watches that didn't have dust rings and were loose when I put them in a case that were fine after I found a proper sized ring for them.

Norman

My strength is in research. I love to read and learn about these wonderful artifacts. No one who knows me would let me put a tool to a watch or clock.

Chapter 52 has lots of friendly mechanicaly inclined members willing to share their expertise. If you are not a member of a local, consider joining one.

I always expect new purchases to need a bit of loving attention.

happy hunting,

My concern and my hesitancy are based upon the fact that loose case screws ARE so obvious and the repair appears so simple that just about anyone would think it easy to do. After all, who has not tightened a screw?

I took two full days to service my first pocket watch.... practicing on a "junk" watch at each stage until I had the confidence to work on "my" watch. When the movement was finished and running to factory-specs, I cased it and ... scratched the movement. Those case screws are slippery.

The lesson of using wrong-sized screwdrivers ... scratched the movement.

The lesson of using unsharpened screwdrivers ... scratched the movement.

I learned some lessons the hard way. I'd love to see someone else avoid that particular learning process.

I Have found often that the loose movement is due to the screws having been over tightened previously and are often to be found screwed tight on the movement. With the case lip being gouged away or the lip of the case edge is bent below the plates and out of reach of the screw heads, an easy fix once you see the problem.

Gee, Chris, I wonder who you know who's done such a thing to a watch?

HIGH regards! Mark

Thanks everyone for the education that you have given to me. I have sent the watch back to the dealer for a full refund. Several times, the watch stopped running. The dial is not the railroad dial that I had ordered, but some kind of art deco style. The dealer had, without first telling me, substituted this model for one he had offered, which had railroad dial, but he said that he had already sold it. I am now searching for the railroad dial version. Lindell, that photo showing where the screws are located is just perfect!

He substituted watches without TELLING YOU?!!

That's grounds enough to send back REGARDLESS of the loose movement.

Regards! Mark

In returning to our regular programming ( sorry about that ) of which I kind of derailed, the 'individual' I was referring to in my response to Chris Abell was myself.

I've sent him a couple watches in the past year that he has asked if I had put the movement screws in with a jack hammer.

I have since learned from our good friend Mr. Abell that you do not 'ham hand' a movement screw into a case. Too tight a screw can also warp a movement plate, ALSO causing the watch to stop.

Yep, I'm learning a lot from my friend Mr. Abell, even if it's by email. Thanks again Chris!!

HIGH regards! Mark