In the mid 1800's, English keywind pocket watches usually required two keys to operate the watch. The large one was used to wind the movement, and the smaller of the two was used to set the hands.

My Illinois KW/KS as seen in the first photos in this string Mark's Illinois KW requires the use of a number 5 key to set the watch, and a number 7 to wind it.

Is this correct for an 1882 11j Illinois KW? Every OTHER U. S. made keywind watch I've come across to date have only used one key for both setting and winding. Is mine something odd, or just a carry over from the old English practice early in the Illinois production period?

Regards! Mark

Mark,

It is most likely that there was some work done on either the cannon pinion or the winding arbor.. Key winds, to my knowledge, started life with only 1 key.. Arbors rounded from continued use and were filed an a smaller key used.. The barrel hooks broke and subsitute arbors used.. The same goes for the cannon pinion..

Thank you!

That makes perfect sense.

Regard! Mark

An old gambler's watch which I have (I really wish it could talk!) came with a most useful tool which I will illustrate (That is a human hair fob rope thingy)

The tool itself (same but different tool than the gambler's watch set)

How it works

In use

The tempered steel "jaws" with a steel cross-torque control pin make this an extremely versatile tool, so I have taken this to design and am planning to produce 500 PC's for general sale.

I have a Waltham 1857 from 1872. The key that came with the watch will wind it fine, but not set it. Another key both winds & sets the watch. The first key looks a little rounded inside.

Norman

That is just too cool, David!!!

Any idea as to the projected cost for one of the 500?

Please send me an email when you have your final successful design done and items in hand. I'm definitely interested. michaelson2@comcast.net

Regard! Mark

Just to bring this old thread back to the top (as I pulled out my 11j to carry today and started looking at old threads about these watches this morning), David, did you ever follow through with this project?

I have since picked up two more big 18s keywinds and this tool would be a fantastic item to have for use! I had to go through 3 keys, finally filing one to fit this morning as I fired the 11j up to run. The arbors are fine (I looked at them with my loupe). The cheap brass keys on steel arbors just round out with use.

I finally had to file touch up an original key to remove the rounded metal back to the original square hole, and it worked fine.

As a follow up, I had the rounded arbor replaced with (believe it or not!) a NOS pinion for this particular 11j Illinois and it now just uses a number 5 key. I also had a new bow installed. It's stlll a good carry vest watch in the cooler months. Keeps absolutely perfect time dial up, and gains pendent up position.


Anyway.....

The cheap keys you get these days just won't do the job on a daily basis. This tool would be a God-send to KW watch carriers like me.

Please tell us this is still in the pipeline.

Regard! Mark

Mark, this has not gotten started yet. In 2007 it was possible, by 2009, the Bain Capitol types had reduced my legally earned income by 90% because lawyers to cheat me were cheaper than sticking to their agreement, so . . . no $.

(That explains my recurring dream of Investment bankers all sent to Hades where they reside permanently under the privys of trial lawyers!)

Understood, and agreed.

Well, keep me in mind if this big bird ever gets off the ground.

Thank you for replying!

HIGH regards! Mark