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It only takes a push with a toothpick on the tapered end of the blued spring, to release the cap and show me what lies beneath.
roughbarked said:
It only takes a push with a toothpick on the tapered end of the blued spring, to release the cap and show me what lies beneath.
Aah…thanks. What a difference it makes to have someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ll work on that, and update asap.
roughbarked said:
show me what lies beneath.
ITS A TRAP!
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
It only takes a push with a toothpick on the tapered end of the blued spring, to release the cap and show me what lies beneath.
Aah…thanks. What a difference it makes to have someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ll work on that, and update asap.
Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
I’m sure to maybe need help nailing your piece even though such as fake news existed even then.
Divine Angel said:
roughbarked said:
show me what lies beneath.
ITS A TRAP!
only if you fsll into it by default.
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
It only takes a push with a toothpick on the tapered end of the blued spring, to release the cap and show me what lies beneath.
Aah…thanks. What a difference it makes to have someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ll work on that, and update asap.
Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
I’m sure to maybe need help nailing your piece even though such as fake news existed even then.
Well, i have the cover off. No pic yet, Mrs S is off-duty right now.
Inside the cover is a stamped number: 304289
on the back plate of the works i not much: ‘JB Yabsley’ engraved in copperplate script, the address 72 LUDGATE HIlL LONDON, and the words SWISS MADE.
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:Aah…thanks. What a difference it makes to have someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ll work on that, and update asap.
Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
I’m sure to maybe need help nailing your piece even though such as fake news existed even then.
Well, i have the cover off. No pic yet, Mrs S is off-duty right now.
Inside the cover is a stamped number: 304289
on the back plate of the works i not much: ‘JB Yabsley’ engraved in copperplate script, the address 72 LUDGATE HIlL LONDON, and the words SWISS MADE.
So the mpvement is Swiss and the case is English silver. next step look at hallmarks on case,
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
I’m sure to maybe need help nailing your piece even though such as fake news existed even then.
Well, i have the cover off. No pic yet, Mrs S is off-duty right now.
Inside the cover is a stamped number: 304289
on the back plate of the works i not much: ‘JB Yabsley’ engraved in copperplate script, the address 72 LUDGATE HIlL LONDON, and the words SWISS MADE.
So the mpvement is Swiss and the case is English silver. next step look at hallmarks on case,
Mostly, what was engraved on the top or back plate was the seller, no so much the maker.
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
I’m sure to maybe need help nailing your piece even though such as fake news existed even then.
Well, i have the cover off. No pic yet, Mrs S is off-duty right now.
Inside the cover is a stamped number: 304289
on the back plate of the works i not much: ‘JB Yabsley’ engraved in copperplate script, the address 72 LUDGATE HIlL LONDON, and the words SWISS MADE.
So the movement is Swiss and the case is English silver. next step look at hallmarks on case,
roughbarked said:
Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004…..2018.
;-)
roughbarked said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:Well, i have the cover off. No pic yet, Mrs S is off-duty right now.
Inside the cover is a stamped number: 304289
on the back plate of the works i not much: ‘JB Yabsley’ engraved in copperplate script, the address 72 LUDGATE HIlL LONDON, and the words SWISS MADE.
So the movement is Swiss and the case is English silver. next step look at hallmarks on case,
As to Yabsley, you need to prove stuff.
I looked at a watch which looked to me crudely engraved as a railway watch, yet the name on the dial and the movement were Cortebert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corte%C3%A9bert_(watch_manufacturer). I had no dooubt taht it was of the quality desired of a railway watch.
Bogsnorkler said:
roughbarked said:Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004…..2018.
;-)
uze been silly. :)
On the inside cover , which goes over the winder spindles:
The sterling lion, and a hallmark date letter ‘b’ which i believe (inexpert that i am) is that for 1876 for Birmingham.
There’s also the number 304289 again, and the letters ‘AC’ in a circle below which is the stamped number 449.
On the back case cover, the same hallmarks, together with the Birmingham anchor, and the same circled AC and the same two numbers.
captain_spalding said:
On the inside cover , which goes over the winder spindles:The sterling lion, and a hallmark date letter ‘b’ which i believe (inexpert that i am) is that for 1876 for Birmingham.
There’s also the number 304289 again, and the letters ‘AC’ in a circle below which is the stamped number 449.On the back case cover, the same hallmarks, together with the Birmingham anchor, and the same circled AC and the same two numbers.
Check sponsor marks.’
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
On the inside cover , which goes over the winder spindles:The sterling lion, and a hallmark date letter ‘b’ which i believe (inexpert that i am) is that for 1876 for Birmingham.
There’s also the number 304289 again, and the letters ‘AC’ in a circle below which is the stamped number 449.On the back case cover, the same hallmarks, together with the Birmingham anchor, and the same circled AC and the same two numbers.
Check sponsor marks.’
Had a bit of a look at some references. I think AC is the maker’s mark – Arthur Cook of Birmingham. That’d suggest that the ‘i’ date mark is actually 1901, which fits in better with Cook’s period of business, and with Yabsely’s era of business, too.
I mean the ‘b’ date mark.
captain_spalding said:
I mean the ‘b’ date mark.
Hallmark?
roughbarked said:
Bogsnorkler said:
roughbarked said:Jeez mate, when did I say I knew everything?
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004…..2018.
;-)
uze been silly. :)
BTW…roughie
My ANNIVERSARY CLOCK is still Spinning! :) Thank You
Hey, roughie-
i had a look at another of my watches last night.Seems that it’s a Wilhelm Ehrhardt watch from Birmingham, made in 1873 according to the hallmark date letter. Watch and case both made by W.E.
Ogmog said:
roughbarked said:
Bogsnorkler said:2001, 2002, 2003, 2004…..2018.
;-)
uze been silly. :)
BTW…roughie
My ANNIVERSARY CLOCK is still Spinning! :) Thank You
:)
captain_spalding said:
Hey, roughie- i had a look at another of my watches last night.Seems that it’s a Wilhelm Ehrhardt watch from Birmingham, made in 1873 according to the hallmark date letter. Watch and case both made by W.E.
All original is very good.
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
Hey, roughie- i had a look at another of my watches last night.Seems that it’s a Wilhelm Ehrhardt watch from Birmingham, made in 1873 according to the hallmark date letter. Watch and case both made by W.E.
All original is very good.
It seems to be in fair nick. I’d like to see it running again.
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
Hey, roughie- i had a look at another of my watches last night.Seems that it’s a Wilhelm Ehrhardt watch from Birmingham, made in 1873 according to the hallmark date letter. Watch and case both made by W.E.
All original is very good.
It seems to be in fair nick. I’d like to see it running again.
The balance staff unbroken?
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:It seems to be in fair nick. I’d like to see it running again.
The balance staff unbroken?
Apologies for my absence.
Uncertain about the staff. I’m not expert enough. Balance wheel doesnt seem to sit evenly, will ‘bounce’when given a nudge, and then seems to ‘sit down’.
Engraving in on the backplate of the works says ‘H. Morris’(copperplate script) and BIRMINGHAM. Engraved number 33497 matches the number on the silver case.
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:It seems to be in fair nick. I’d like to see it running again.
The balance staff unbroken?
Apologies for my absence.
Uncertain about the staff. I’m not expert enough. Balance wheel doesnt seem to sit evenly, will ‘bounce’when given a nudge, and then seems to ‘sit down’.
Engraving in on the backplate of the works says ‘H. Morris’(copperplate script) and BIRMINGHAM. Engraved number 33497 matches the number on the silver case.
ok. the balance is obviously meant to spin horizontally. I hope your nudge or shake was designed to see if the balance swung on its pivots.
By not sitting evenly, you have answered the question. These pivots are very fine and don’t take much to break, which was what used to always happen before the advent of shockproof devices which happened much time after your watch was born. I don’t see any updated images. You haven’t had a go at getting closer images?
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:The balance staff unbroken?
Apologies for my absence.
Uncertain about the staff. I’m not expert enough. Balance wheel doesnt seem to sit evenly, will ‘bounce’when given a nudge, and then seems to ‘sit down’.
Engraving in on the backplate of the works says ‘H. Morris’(copperplate script) and BIRMINGHAM. Engraved number 33497 matches the number on the silver case.
ok. the balance is obviously meant to spin horizontally. I hope your nudge or shake was designed to see if the balance swung on its pivots.
By not sitting evenly, you have answered the question. These pivots are very fine and don’t take much to break, which was what used to always happen before the advent of shockproof devices which happened much time after your watch was born. I don’t see any updated images. You haven’t had a go at getting closer images?
Anyway, Since the watch you have is likely made in Switzerland and cased in England?
People with watchmaker’s lathes can make the balance staff if required but it may happen that there are staffs still available somewhere. The Swiss were always about ebauche, which initially meant that each of them made a different part over and over when the goats didn’t need herding.
roughbarked said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:Apologies for my absence.
Uncertain about the staff. I’m not expert enough. Balance wheel doesnt seem to sit evenly, will ‘bounce’when given a nudge, and then seems to ‘sit down’.
Engraving in on the backplate of the works says ‘H. Morris’(copperplate script) and BIRMINGHAM. Engraved number 33497 matches the number on the silver case.
ok. the balance is obviously meant to spin horizontally. I hope your nudge or shake was designed to see if the balance swung on its pivots.
By not sitting evenly, you have answered the question. These pivots are very fine and don’t take much to break, which was what used to always happen before the advent of shockproof devices which happened much time after your watch was born. I don’t see any updated images. You haven’t had a go at getting closer images?
Anyway, Since the watch you have is likely made in Switzerland and cased in England?
People with watchmaker’s lathes can make the balance staff if required but it may happen that there are staffs still available somewhere. The Swiss were always about ebauche, which initially meant that each of them made a different part over and over when the goats didn’t need herding.
If you want me or another watchmaker to fix it, we need the watch so we can measure and evaluate what it will cost to fix. Otherwise, if everything looked ok, I could have shown you how to wash and oil it yourself.
I’m of the opinion that it’s works are of English manufacture, as i can turn up a tiny bit of info about Harris Morris, late 19th century watch and clock maker of Walsall, near Birmingham.
There’s three watchmakers/repairers that i know of in this town. I may take it around to them. Presumably, they’ll tell me it’s worth nothing (as it may well be), and offer to buy it, but i’ll say ‘no’, and press them about repair.
I’m impressed with the overall very good appearance of the works, and the face, which has only one very faint crack on the seconds dial. The case is worn, with all of the engine-turning gone, but the crystal is thick, pretty clear, and generally good.
I’ll get Mrs S to photograph it tomorrow.
captain_spalding said:
I’m impressed with the overall very good appearance of the works, and the face, which has only one very faint crack on the seconds dial. The case is worn, with all of the engine-turning gone, but the crystal is thick, pretty clear, and generally good.I’ll get Mrs S to photograph it tomorrow.
We’re still not talking about stools, are we?
captain_spalding said:
I’m of the opinion that it’s works are of English manufacture, as i can turn up a tiny bit of info about Harris Morris, late 19th century watch and clock maker of Walsall, near Birmingham.There’s three watchmakers/repairers that i know of in this town. I may take it around to them. Presumably, they’ll tell me it’s worth nothing (as it may well be), and offer to buy it, but i’ll say ‘no’, and press them about repair.
Listen to what they have to say.
If it is of English manufacture. It is most likely that the parts for it will have to be hand fashioned. Most of this stuff again in England was farmed to various makers of certain parts. The difference is that most of this has been lost.
Almost all parts have to be made by hand unless you have donor watches you can pinch bits from.
captain_spalding said:
I’m impressed with the overall very good appearance of the works, and the face, which has only one very faint crack on the seconds dial. The case is worn, with all of the engine-turning gone, but the crystal is thick, pretty clear, and generally good.I’ll get Mrs S to photograph it tomorrow.
Get in close for good detail, is my suggestion to Mrs S.
sibeen said:
captain_spalding said:
I’m impressed with the overall very good appearance of the works, and the face, which has only one very faint crack on the seconds dial. The case is worn, with all of the engine-turning gone, but the crystal is thick, pretty clear, and generally good.I’ll get Mrs S to photograph it tomorrow.
We’re still not talking about stools, are we?
Not in this thread.
roughbarked said:
sibeen said:
captain_spalding said:
I’m impressed with the overall very good appearance of the works, and the face, which has only one very faint crack on the seconds dial. The case is worn, with all of the engine-turning gone, but the crystal is thick, pretty clear, and generally good.I’ll get Mrs S to photograph it tomorrow.
We’re still not talking about stools, are we?
Not in this thread.
Anyway, as a watchmaker, I approach each watch with what I percieve needs doing to make it work again. Watchmaker is a term that doesn’t really fit me like a glove because I entered this realm at a time when I was really just a part replacer. Though I do have to hand it to the same boss who said, “it wasn’t so long ago that I could tie you to the leg of the bench overnight, if you were worth that effort”. He did teach me about metallurgy and other stuff that I should probably know if I was actually ever going to make a watch.
As to stools, the closest i can figure is something turned on the lathe?
What i’ve read about Wilhelm Ehrhardt is that he was the first to make a success of machine-made watches in Britain, setting up in Birmingham because itwas far enough from more traditional centres of the trade to not be so resistant to the change in method. Whether this bodes well for availability of parts…
Apparently, he also employed some ‘old-school’ watchmakers who did it the handmade way, as well as his ‘manufacturing’ staff. I wonder if H Morris was one of those, on contract to Ehrhardt?
Anyway, i’m silly enough to spend a bit of money on things like this. I like to give old things new life.
captain_spalding said:
What i’ve read about Wilhelm Ehrhardt is that he was the first to make a success of machine-made watches in Britain, setting up in Birmingham because itwas far enough from more traditional centres of the trade to not be so resistant to the change in method. Whether this bodes well for availability of parts…Apparently, he also employed some ‘old-school’ watchmakers who did it the handmade way, as well as his ‘manufacturing’ staff. I wonder if H Morris was one of those, on contract to Ehrhardt?
Anyway, i’m silly enough to spend a bit of money on things like this. I like to give old things new life.
The people who can do it by hand on the lathe are becoming quite thin on the ground. Talked to anyone who has poised a balance lately?
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
What i’ve read about Wilhelm Ehrhardt is that he was the first to make a success of machine-made watches in Britain, setting up in Birmingham because itwas far enough from more traditional centres of the trade to not be so resistant to the change in method. Whether this bodes well for availability of parts…Apparently, he also employed some ‘old-school’ watchmakers who did it the handmade way, as well as his ‘manufacturing’ staff. I wonder if H Morris was one of those, on contract to Ehrhardt?
Anyway, i’m silly enough to spend a bit of money on things like this. I like to give old things new life.
The people who can do it by hand on the lathe are becoming quite thin on the ground. Talked to anyone who has poised a balance lately?
Can’t say for sure. There’s a bloke from Germany in town, who is apparenty a master of the trade, qualified to billy-oh in Germany. I reckon that if anyone can do it, he can.
captain_spalding said:
roughbarked said:
captain_spalding said:
What i’ve read about Wilhelm Ehrhardt is that he was the first to make a success of machine-made watches in Britain, setting up in Birmingham because itwas far enough from more traditional centres of the trade to not be so resistant to the change in method. Whether this bodes well for availability of parts…Apparently, he also employed some ‘old-school’ watchmakers who did it the handmade way, as well as his ‘manufacturing’ staff. I wonder if H Morris was one of those, on contract to Ehrhardt?
Anyway, i’m silly enough to spend a bit of money on things like this. I like to give old things new life.
The people who can do it by hand on the lathe are becoming quite thin on the ground. Talked to anyone who has poised a balance lately?
Can’t say for sure. There’s a bloke from Germany in town, who is apparenty a master of the trade, qualified to billy-oh in Germany. I reckon that if anyone can do it, he can.
Give him a look at it.
roughbarked said:
Give him a look at it.
will do, and thanks.
Here’s a rather nice watch. 1910 Observatory Chronometer. By Vacheron Constantin.