I don't know why, but nearly every time I remove a dial from a 16 size Waltham or Elgin pocket watch, there is no pesky dial washer underneath. Am I correct in thinking that there should be one and if so, does anyone know of a website where I can purchase some from?....Thanks, Steve.

Hi Steve,
I have several washers of different size.
When you figure out if you need some, and know the size contact me at
mrmell.mrmel@gmail.com

Mel

I can send you few size 16&18 as well
free just let me know

Forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else.

What is the purpose of these - I'm guessing to keep the gear from rubbing on the dial - but I'm not positive.

Plus - what are they made of? I know only about a 1/2 of the watches I own have them.

they keep hour wheel in place as it can go up and stop moving as should
made out of brass

Thanks for your reply Peter, Mel (and Mike).
The dial washers I require are of approximate size: 2.3mm hole and 7mm outside diameter.
I am from Kent, England and can pay costs by PayPal with no fees at you end.
Kind regards, Steve.

Stephen what size watches as I have them is watch size and no problem shipping to UK for free

This is most gracious of you Peter, 16 size would be marvellous!!...
Hi Peter from Kent , England.

The dial washers arrived this morning and I am absolutely delighted!!....thank you so much for your generosity. I can't believe how quickly they arrived all the way from Arizona.

If you are ever in Kent, England you could call me up and we could go to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, London and look at Harrisons masterpieces!!

Take care and kind regards, Steve.

Stephan this is public forum, erase your address as you might get unnecessary mails in your box.
Washers on it way to UK you will find few for size 18 as well.

I look at that thin dial washer, and STILL cannot figure how it would hold that hour wheel down.

I used to think it was just for the melamine dials when I first started doing the COA'S.

Regards,
Larry

Dial washers, otherwise known as curved disc springs, are used to insure that the hour hand will maintain correct alignment with the others. The seconds hand is friction fit to the fourth wheel shaft and will not change horizontal position. Similarly, the minute hand is friction fit to a cannon pinion which fits tight around the center wheel shaft. The hour wheel has some free play between its tube and the cannon pinion as well as a small amount between the wheel and dial. The dial washer keeps the hour wheel firmly planted to its seat on the pillar plate thus preventing the hour hand from fouling its close neighbors. While many watches will function fine without it, it is a critical component to others with less forgiving tolerances.

William

Thank you William! I understand all of that, and have figured about the same thing. STILL that is one thin washer, which still makes me wonder. One.. how much strength does that little curve REALLY have, and TWO.. the thickness of the washer REALLY makes that mush difference? If it does, then why do the watches that I take apart without them still run so well?

Still confused, as I understand the THEORY, but do not really see the true application affects of that little thing. That being said I still use them on every watch that I do the COA on, as well as to add one of your fine crystals!

Regards,
Larry

I was thinking the same thing, however if the washer compress's to be perfectly flat it still will provide an air gap before the teeth of the hour wheel gouge the underside of the dial.
Just a thought.
Mel

I was thinking the same thing Melvin. However I have seen times that there is a groove/indent that the washer seem to fit down into on the hour wheel, and just wouldn't have any affect on it at that point. I do know that my watchmaker has told me to be careful not to have a washer that was to large, like the ones that are not round, as they can interfere with the minute wheel and cause problems.

Something we would have learned if we had gone to watchmakers school I'm SURE!!

Regards,
Larry

I agree with all the above conversation, but something else to consider is that the washer not only applies pressure, acts as a gap closer, but also provides a consistent surface for the hour wheel to spin on. In most positions the hour wheel is not going to need that pressure to keep engaged, but in the dial down position, the hour wheel will either grind against the dial back or the minute hand.

Yes, and while a correct dial washer may appear to be nothing more than a weak, thin piece of foil, it can easily counter the effect of gravity and support the minuscule weight of the hour wheel and hand when the watch is in any position, dial-down or otherwise. This faint spring can be a crucial component, especially in hunting and thin watches. For perceived importance it seems to be in the same class as movement dust rings and its absence is not usually acknowledged until a running watch's ills remind us of its need.

William