I have a series of pocket watch balance staffs. My question is, using the balance staff number, would their be a way to find out what pocket watch belong to each staff by their staff number.

For example, I have a few different staffs with the number # 578, 203, 755, etc? Is there a site which I could cross reference each staff number to their coresponding watch. It would make things much easier for me to sell if I had a reference as to what belongs to what.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick

I don't know if this will help but you might look at this page of at Dash-to;
http://www.dashto.com/amstf.htm
If you click on each image it will enlarge it.

Tom

Thanks, Tom Brown.

I wasn't expecting any sort of reply this quickly. This is exactly what I was trying to look for. I appreciate your help it will help me greatly.

Rick

Americo,
Here's a link to John D. Duvall's Helping hands tutorial on this site about balance staffs. RR
American Pocket Watch Staff Dimensions

Thank You Richard
I have one additional guestion
Does the staff number remain the same for all different pocket watch brands, or do they each have their own set of numbers, for example, Bestfit and Ebauches staff number #370 would they both be the same staff?

I appreciate all, and any help.
Rick

There are many numbers for the same staffs. The original factory numbers and about 6 or 7 replacment parts makers numbers. You need to explain better how the numbers foreach staff came to be. Are they on a small parts pack and do they have a logo? If so what is the logo name?

You can disregard the last question, the two types of balance staffs I listed are actually BestFit.

I do have two other questions though, first, I have a few balance staffs which have letters before the numbers. For example, I have one that's number "FEF 370" is the letters apart of the ID for the balance staff, or is there some other significance to it?

My second question is, is there a site somewhere in which I can cross reference, swiss, or other foriegn balance staffs, which can be used with different international pocket watches?
'
Thanks for all your help,
Rick

Rick

If a part is named like this 'FEF 370' it refers to the (swiss) movement with the same name made by Fabrique d'Ebauches, Fleurier.

It should also fit the following movements:

TUDOR 374 - FEF 370 - FEF 371 - FEF 371N - FEF 372 - FEF 373

Regards,
Gerald

Thank You Gerald
Do you have a reference book to check by or maybe a site so I can also use when I need to ?
I have other stems I need to look up aswell, so any help as to how to find this information would be greatly appreciated. Rick

Rick

It was fortune (and some knowledge about swiss watches) that I recognized this special movement.
A short internet search with the movement's name and parts brought the result.
I do not know wich 'bestfit' or other cross-reference source would be the best usable for the information you need, this would be a question to the real watchmakers.
There are to many systems of numbers used by manufacturers and replacement suppliers.

My favorits are pre 1900 pocket watches most of them of european origin and as far as I know there is no working system for replaces, so the only way for me is to id the movements and look for partial movements to replace.

The only help I can give to you: put your packages on a scanner and mail me with the scan attached in full size that the numbers are readable. I would try to id some more if possible.

Regards,
Gerald

I just want to apolagize to everyone who were writing to me about balance staff sizes and I wasn't able to write back.I've been sick for the last few weaks,But Hopefully I will be back on soon,I have Multiple Sclerosis and soon I will get all of you to help me out again
Thank You
RICK

I would like to upload some photos,but having trouble
Can anyone help

Rick

If you check out these posts it might help you;
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...s/a/frm/f/7356029761

I mainly use the free program by Google, called Picasa, it makes resizing photos easy with it's export feature. You can down load it free from Google.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Can anyone help identify these staffs as to what pocket watches they fit?



Thanks,
Rick

Rick

I think I can look them up in the best fit book, maybe a list of the best fit numbers would help me make them out.

The one I can make out is 275 which the book shows as ETA 425-426-428-865-871-Gruen 719

Tom

213 - Corgemont 18L

273 - Benrus DI-ETA 1070-1170-1216-1218-Vulcain 123-Witt 9RW

276 - ETA 790

Also Rick, I believe they are all going to be wrist watch staffs.

Tom

Tom Can you tell me how to look them up myself on this bestfit book ? or do I have to buy a bestfit Book ?

Rick

As far as I know the book isn't on line any where. What I have is "Bestfit #111 Encyclopedia of Watch Material Part #1" this is a 560 page book or catalog of Bestfit's parts, then there is 111A Part 2 that starts off where #1 ended & goes to 834 pages.

Later today if you like I can scan the 20 plus pages on their staffs & email it to you if you would like.

I bought these catalogs when I was 1st starting out in this hobby but since it is mostly if not all wristwatches I never really use them except for cases like this.

Just let me know if you want me to scan these pages for you.

Tom

Ok Tom if you dont mind I would like that. It's what i've been needing for the longest time because I have atleast 100 different staffs here. I would love to list them on ebay to get rid of them, and information about them is useful because people want to know more about what watch they fit.

Thank you,
Rick

Rick

I will try to get this emailed to you later this evening.

Tom

Thanks Tom and please do it when you can
Dont hurry at all
They have been sitting around for years
Rick

Rick

I just emailed the PDF off to you, it ended up bing a large file, Just thought I would let you know here in case it goes to your junk mail.

Tom

Hello Tom
Thanks again for all that information you've sent me,I'm a new here as you must know,Being a member here feals good,Its like big company, looking to help out every member,no matter how long you been here.
Thanks Rick

Your welcome Rick, we are glad to have you here & I hope the PDF works for you.

Tom

Thank You Tom PDF works great
Can you Help me to identify or how to research pocket watch hands? I've spent hours on old files you have on the site. Is there an easier way to get the information or a book that I can compare hands with ?

thanks,
Rick

Rick

I don't know of a book with all of them, for example I have a 1904 Elgin catalog that lists with a picture of the hands they used up to that year, so any new hands after 1904 I wouldn't have. I have a 1948 Waltham catalog that has the same thing for them.

I don't have anything for other brands. Maybe someone else has something more complete, hands have never been my cup of tea.

You are welcome to scans of the pages I do have.

Tom

Tom,
Just to let you know, Bestfit is available online for a fee through Matsys. Here is a link:
http://www.bestfitmaterial.com/
I think it runs about $99. You can buy new Bestfit books from supply houses for a little less.

Thanks Scott, maybe Rick will read this, I bought both books a few years ago & never open them unless someone has a question about them.

Tom

Thanks Tom and Scott
Tom I'll take you up on that offer I will be so glad to finnally have this info on at least 2 big Watch names Elgin and Walthams. Hopefully I can find someone who has information on other american pocket watches.

I appreciate the help you have been giving to me. It's been making things much easier for me. Like I said before, take your time. I'm not in a hurry any help is good help.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick

I will get them for you & email them. Glad to help.

Tom

Thanks Tom
I have the PDF files you sent
I should of joined sooner in my first interest in Pocket watches,one of my friends Tom Brunton told me about this group,Glad to be here Thank You Tom
Rick

Can anyone tell me if when a pocket watch is turned over face down and runs but once turned over the balance wheel stops,is this a good indication that This watch I just bought for $ 49.99 has a balance wheel problem ? Or can it be something a little bit easier to fix ?By the way this Pocket watch is a WALTHAM 18S HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH GFC SERIAL 3149083 making it about a 1887
So to tell you the truth I never like trying to fix any balance wheel problems
I've tried before and when it comes to putting a Hairspring back on.Well not good at it at all.So if anyone could give a rookie some advice,
Thank You Rick
and much appreciated