Swiss watches have then been an important accessory for men and women alike and they were not only used as time pieces but were considered precious jewelries themselves. They can often catch the attention of onlookers and many marvel at their innate elegance. Precision and accuracy became their main priority over cost and this has allowed them to make the brilliant pieces that are sometimes encrusted with gems and other precious metals. These non abrasive and highly stable materials made the business of time keeping accurate and they were often only about a minute off. Other means to make telling the time standardized was by adding adjustments and invention on how the clocks movements were made.

There are generally 4 ways on which to wind a pocket watch:

1. The key wind or key set movement, which would entail a key to wind the watch and to also set the time accordingly. The back of the watch case would be opened and the key would be used to set the hands via the setting arbor.

2. Crown wind or crown set movements, the crown is placed at the 3 o’ clock side of the watch and this would be gently pulled out to set the time. This method of setting the time is used by almost all types of watches even up to the present day.

3. Crown wind or pin set or nail set movement, a pin would be used to set the time by depressing it and then releasing it when the time has been properly set. It was also known as the nail set because often times, a finger nail would be used to set the time.

4. Crown wind or lever set movement; this became a staple for all who worked in the railroad company as they made predicting the schedule for the arrival of trains accurate. A lever would be pulled out which made setting the time by using the crown wind possible. After the time is set, the lever would be put back. This was preferred as the lever made it almost impossible to accidentally reset the time.

Even up to this very day, a Swiss pocket watch is not only a time piece to last the ages but is also essentially a beautiful work of art. They take pride in declaring that almost all of their watches are handmade and of the best quality of materials. Swiss watches are seen all over the world and can be purchased at reasonable prices.

Depending on the parts or brand of the pocket watch that may need repair, a myriad of prices may come into play. For the genuine parts it may cost a few dollars or about a hundred and labor costs would almost be the same. Because of this, learning to make minor repairs yourself will ease the burden of having to pay a great deal of money for something even you can do. To get started the most basic tools to have involving pocket watch repair are bow openers, case openers, watch hammer, set of winding keys, head vision tool, long nosed pliers, magnifying glass, watch hand remover and watch hand setting tool. Many books give a detailed account on how to gently take apart and put back all watch parts. As for the pocket watch parts themselves like center wheels, hairspring/balance spring, ratchet wheel and fuse, these can all be found online. It would be easier to order them this way as you may have a one of a kind piece and not a single jewelry store in your area may have the parts available.

Before getting too excited and quickly diving into your own pocket watch, try buying a cheap kind and practice on that for a few days. Learn how the machine works as almost all pocket watches operate on the same principle and it would be better that you break the cheaper version than your precious family heirloom. Once you have the hang of it, then you can slowly dissect your pocket watch and be sure to carefully take note of all parts as they are removed. It would even be better if you label a section of your work table according to the parts so as not to lose them and they would be arranged in order.

However, many pocket watch makers (and myself too!) would advise you to hire a professional pocket watch cleaner to help you with keeping your timepiece in top shape. A professional watch cleaner has both proper skills and specific tools for this very purpose. Normally, watch cleaners charge about $50 for the professional cleaning services, but this only includes only a routine dip and dry process, and not a complete cleaning treatment. A complete cleaning treatment, inside and out, may cost double the price but definitely pay off in the long term. Whichever you choose, hiring someone to clean and maintain your pocket watch on a regular basis will guarantee you the best return of your money and efficient functioning of your watch for many years to come.

An Illinois Bunn Special Pocket Watch Set For Repair

If you want to prolong the life of your pocket watch, you must take care of some important things regarding its maintenance and to protect it from any possible damage. First, try to keep it away from water, high temperature, and humidity. Secondly, always keep it in a proper box or cover after cleaning it with dry cloth piece. Thirdly, if you are sending it to a professional or anyone else, do not forget to use a bubble wrap before enclosing it in a safe box. Above all strictly follow the instructions given in your pocket watch manual to keep it functioning for a long time.

Remember that cleaning a pocket watch is very important, for a couple of reasons. First, follow instruction manuals and keep your watch surface clean and lubricated. Second, always be sure to invest a little time and money in taking your pocket watch to a professional serviceman. Lastly, use common sense in protecting your watch from water, temperature, or humidity, which can subtract from the lifespan of your watch if it is exposed too much. Using all of these methods will surely mean that you’re consistently enjoying your pocket watch, and will most likely be able to pass it on for future generations!

If you are able to make a face-to-face visit with a pocket watch repair person, do not be embarrassed to ask for proof of reputability. You are entrusting a valuable combination of jewelry and mechanics to this person, and you want to be assured that your watch will not be further damaged by someone who is inexperienced or incompetent. You may want to do some research on your own to become acquainted with the workings of a mechanical timepiece so that you can ask intelligent questions about the repair procedure. Also, establish the cost, if any, for diagnosis, ask for an estimate before repairs are made or parts are ordered, and determine a timeline for completion of the work.

A good pocket watch repair person will first clean and lubricate the watch as this may be all that is needed to put it into working order. If this does not solve the problem, however, each assembly should then be isolated to determine where the difficulty lies. For example, the mainspring assembly commonly needs repair or replacement. If this is not the source of the problem, the balance assembly is the next one to isolate. Ask your repair person exactly what procedure he or she intends to follow.

An alternative is to find a reputable establishment online. The normal procedure is to first make contact via phone or email and describe the watch and its condition. If they accept the work, they will give instructions on how to package and send the watch to them. You will probably be asked to include a nonrefundable fee for the estimate, which will be applied to your bill should you accept their diagnosis and go ahead with the repair. Your watch will be insured during transit, and the work will be guaranteed. Once you find the right establishment to repair your pocket watch, return regularly for maintenance and cleaning so that your watch will serve you for a good long time.