Watch as I carry out a full service of this 60's Smiths Fob watch. Found in a charity shop it doesnt run whatsoever, time to open it up and see what makes it tick...
Thank you very much, I've learnt a lot about my old Smiths car boot bargain! I thought it was overwound, now I'm going to dismantle and clean it following your video!
Brilliant video ! My £3 Ingersol pocket watch buy at a car boot runs well but loses 1 minute per hour, no improvement when adjusting the hair spring F S . This video has given me the inspiration to clean it . Great video and commentary. Thank you very much
This is brilliant, I bought this exact watch for a quid at a car boot sale. Someone has obviously used it for years, the chrome has warn away on the sides where someone has held it. It doesn’t run so I feel obligated to try and get it going. You have made it look easy but Im under no illusion it’s going to be.
Brilliant video ! My £3 Ingersol pocket watch buy at a car boot runs well but loses 1 minute per hour, no improvement when adjusting the hair spring F S . This video has given me the inspiration to clean it . Great video and commentary. Thank you very much
Did my first one yesterday. Thank goodness I found your video because I couldn't work the stem out. Still took me hours 😂. Spend a significant time trying to align all the pivots
At 38:51 - as you fold the dial retaining into place - a small piece of metal falls into the watch from the lower leg of the tweezer. I have one of these that I bought as a teenager in 1970 or ’71. To my surprise it’s still running but it could probably use a service!
That was good spotting I was looking at the copper spring washer put on wrong way round just before that point but a must say he does a wonderful job of explaining top job
Glad I've seen this before having a go at mine....from what I understand the 'Empire' bit refers to it being made in Wales. A secondary factory was set up to increase production and decrease costs etc. I'm new to this, one project is an hour chime mantle piece clock, the chime mechanism is genius. Fascinating stuff. Have fun, I'm finding it pretty Zen....
Do it! You'll not regret it. It's very soothing. If your patience starts wearing thing just get up and walk away 😂 That's great though, thanks for the info! You'll have to do a video yourself, I'd love to see that!
Glad I found this video as the one I have is " unreliable ", as a bit of fun I converted mine to a giant wristwatch and after ten years of sitting in a draw I think it could do with a clean and lube, although I doubt it has for more than a couple of days in its entire life.
Cheers for this clarification, John. I always feel it important to use the correct terminology 😊 I recall once seeing the local blacksmith fry an egg on an anvil he'd been working on all day! Fascinating stuff
Done a few of these - most just need cleaning and maybe a new spring. Mechanisms are robust, to say the least. Total pain to get the top plate back on though.
Did you notice one of the tabs holding the face dial snapped off and went into the movement? Have a look at 38:50, This will stop/damage the movement if not removed. I would also invest in the correct equipment reduces the chances of causing any damage.
Hi Jimmy, I did notice that in the rerun thanks! It was actually just the paint layer on the bent section and thankfully wasn't in the watch, it was still on my bench 👍 as this was my first foray I hadnt bought any equipment, this is being remedied piece by piece as I continue, check on the next video. Cheers for the comment
Is it worth taking to a watch expert to get mine working again? Got it for 4 quid. The time changes and it clicks when winding but doesn’t work. It’s in great condition on the outside tho
I think that's totally your decision, financially I dare say it wouldn't make sense, as the money you put it won't ever be gotten back - not all of it anyway, but it certainly isn't my place to say. If that's what you'd like to do the then crack on and wear it with pride! If not, for the sake money you could get some tools and have a crack at the hobby yourself? Best of luck!
@@LRWatchRepair thanks for the advice! Oh by the way, how much is it to get one of those coiled spring things replaced in a watch? My one is completely broken in another pocket watch I have
I wouldn’t use cotton wool buds to clean any watch movement. Check out The Watch Repairing Handbook by DeCarle; there’s a whole chapter on the Smiths/Ingersoll pin-pallet pocket watch movement.
@@LRWatchRepair I use a watch brush; dial brush and peg wood for pivot holes and cleaning the wheel teeth. I keep the watch brush clean by rubbing it on French billiard chalk.
I really wish you luck on your endeavours! Failing the ebay search you be forced to try a donor watch and hope the spring is well enough on that too. Best of luck!
Hi there bud, sorry to hear that! I'm firmly in the hobbyist category at the moment and need to get back into it following a hiatus, I'd recommend any have a go themselves! If its of particular value, sentimental or otherwise I'd recommend taking it to a local, reputable watch repair firm. Thanks!
The last wheel in the train is the 4th wheel. Finding parts for these is difficult. You may just have to buy a donor watch in worse shape than your own. The first wheel is the one with the spring, and then everything is consecutive from there down to the escapement and pallet fork.
