Pocket Watch Repair Books

Repairing Clocks Question?

I would like to start repairing clocks as a hobby. I am hoping that I could get some good book suggestions since google and amazon are not helping me. Also some websites would be great. I am looking at repairing pocket watches. I have a Fedella pocket watch I’d be experimenting with for learning. Also tell me if that’s a good brand and if I shouldn’t use it to start off with. Couldn’t find much information about the Fedella watches.Thanks!
Also it looks similar to this -> http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vintage-Fedella-Pocket-Watch_W0QQitemZ140356138640QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPocket_Watches?hash=item20ade0b690 Only except the numbers are different looking and the background isn’t white.

Your Fedella is made by Westclox.

Westclox was one of the largest makers of the so-called Dollar watch-watches which, for about 70 years, sold for about $1.

Unfortunately, these watches are not really repairable. Most often, the plates are riveted together. Parts aren’t really replaceable.

Most experienced watchmaker can’t repair one of these, much less someone just beginning.

Here’s what I’d suggest doing if you’re serious about taking on this great hobby.

1. Get yourself at least one, preferably more, inexpensive American made jeweled lever watches. Elgin and Waltham are the most common brand you’ll fine, but anything from Illinois, Hampden, Columbus, Southbend, or Rockford will work fine. There are other good American brands, such as Hamilton and Howard, but they tend to be too pricey for a beginner.

The first watch you get should have anywhere from 7-15 jewels, to keep the cost down. Try and go for a 15 jewel, as they tend to be somewhat easier to fix, and to put back together. A 16 size watch is ideal, as they’re large, and tend to all be 3/4 plate or bridge movements(to make reassembly easier). Don’t get anything smaller than 12 size. It’s probably best to avoid 18 size watches for now, as they’re a bit trickier to reassemble since all the wheels fit between two plates.

Be sure your first watch is running. It’s a whole lot easier to know if you have it back together right this way. Diagnosing problems can come later. If you can’t find one that’s running, at least make sure it will run briefly(the second hand will move) for a few seconds when shaken. If a watch runs fine in one position, but stops in another(i.e. runs face up but not face down) avoid it as it’s also probably beyond your ability to repair it at this point.

It’s okay if your first watch is missing one or more of the hands, the crystal, or any other case parts at this point. These can be replaced later, and will keep the cost of the watch down for now.

2. You need good quality tools. At a bare minimum, you need a quality set of jeweler’s screwdrivers. You should pay no less than $5/driver for these-anything less is not worth having, and will damage the screws in your watch.

You also need at least one high quality set of watchmaker’s tweezers. Dumont non-magnetic #2s are probably sufficient for a beginner.

You need a hand puller. I prefer the “presto” type, although there are other types out there.

Get some quality watch oil, made, preferably, by Moebius, although Nye oil is also fine. You need an oil cup with an oil lid, and finally an oiler. An oiler is a piece of wire with a carefully shaped end and a handle.

You need to get some pithwood for cleaning pivots, and some pegwood for cleaning jewels.

One last thing-you need a movement holder. You’ll eventually end up with several of these, but just be sure for the time being you get one sufficient for the watches you’re working on.

3. The best book on the subject is “Practical Watch Repairing” by Donald Decarle.

You can also find a tremendous amount of help on the forum for the National Association of Watch and Clock collectors website.

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