I picked up a Waltham mdl 1883 real cheap. The balance would move enough to see it was all right.
I took off the dial to soak it. When I turned the movement over it was running and has been now for about 3 hrs.
What caused the movement to suddenly run just by removing the dial?
I also took of the small wheel over the pinion and the small wheel next to it.

Ed

Were the hands on it with the dial? You might have just loosened up enough stuff to get it to run. The cannon pinion might not be seated completely & it was forcing the other parts up into the dial. Just guesses on my part.

Tom

Does it run only in a dial up or dial down position? The balance could move nicely, but have a bent staff pivot. This happens quite frequently with dropped watches that don't actually break the staff pivot. Of course there are other possibilities, such as a broken or cracked jewel, etc.

Tom, Yes the hands were on it.

Roger, It is running in every position I place it in. I imagine there are many different posibilities. But with me working on it I may never find out.
It is a $20 watch I picked up yesterday. The hunter case is missing the betzel and I thought it would be a good exploring watch fo me!
Nice frosted movement!

Ed...It sounds like you got lucky and maybe jostled something to free up the movement. It could have been something as simple as the second hand pushed against the dial. That will easily stop a watch. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to give it a good COA.

Roger

Ed

I agree with Roger about the second hand, I have found many like that.

Tom

Well, it is still ticking away here in front of my computer. Less to let down when I begin to take it apart. Oh buy the way how does a person let down a mdl 1883? I see a lever protruding from the top plate right under the main bbl. Is that anything to do with it?

Can anyone give me an idea on how to let down this Waltham 1883?

This is a parts movement I have, it is the little lever beneath the barrel. You know to have a stem in the winding arbor to slowly let down the power?

Tom

Thanks Tom.
I thought that lever might have something to do with it.
That mvt is still running, it might take another day to run down.