Help with old pocket watch repair.

woof woof

woof woof

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Does anyone know any good old fashioned watch repairers who may be able to have a look at an old pocket watch?

The only problem is that one of the pointers is bent. I'm hoping that someone somewhere might have a scrap watch or two about and may be able to replace my watches bent pointer.

I've tried the usual town centre places and no one will touch it so my only hope is a traditional repairer but sadly they all seem to have gone around here.

Does anyone know any good repairers I can contact?

Any help will be appreciated.
 
When you say 'pointer' do you mean minute/hour hand?
A photo or two may help, make, size of watch/pointer (hand).
I have a few spares somewhere upstairs.
 
I can tell you a good place in Newton Abbot (South Devon) but they'd need to see it and speak to you (at some length!!!) about it.
You could try asking at local auction houses and antique dealers as to who they use/recommend.
 
wontolla said:
When you say 'pointer' do you mean minute/hour hand?
A photo or two may help, make, size of watch/pointer (hand).
I have a few spares somewhere upstairs.
Click to expand...
Nod said:
I can tell you a good place in Newton Abbot (South Devon) but they'd need to see it and speak to you (at some length!!!) about it.
You could try asking at local auction houses and antique dealers as to who they use/recommend.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course I mean hand :D

And thanks for the help so far... I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

What I'm hoping for is someone who I can call and/or email and maybe post the watch off too.

The watch belonged to either my grandfather or great grandfather and is marked "The unbreakable Tyneside lever." I assume it was presented for years service at work, maybe. I don't think it's valuable but I'd spend to get it repaired :D
 
It's not hard to replace a hand, most are of a standard fit, the hardest part is getting the glass (crystal) off. I do have a tool somewhere as I used to dabble in pocket watch collecting/buying/selling/repair,
but old eyes and all that!
Some PWs have a hinged crystal which makes the whole job a lot easier. Not one of those is it?
 
I have done a little research and it appears that your watch is a Swiss made lever movement, silver plated case with either a glass or plastic crystal.
Probably dates from 1930-1940. The 'Unbreakable' refers to the spring and means it (supposedly) cannot be over-wound.
If it is the plastic crystal, then it is reasonably easy to remove, if glass it will require a watchmaker/watch repairer to get at the hands.
 
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Wow, I'm impressed...

The glass is plastic and very easy to remove.

I guessed that the fit would be standard and have thought about buying a scrap/cheap watch but lack of tools and everyday life getting in the way has so far stopped me doing anything and I really should have done something 30 or 40 years ago :D but here we are...

I'm just south of Middlesbrough but posting the watch off to a good repairer wouldn't be a problem.

I'll follow the links later today, thanks again all.
 
woof woof said:
Does anyone know any good old fashioned watch repairers who may be able to have a look at an old pocket watch?

The only problem is that one of the pointers is bent. I'm hoping that someone somewhere might have a scrap watch or two about and may be able to replace my watches bent pointer.

I've tried the usual town centre places and no one will touch it so my only hope is a traditional repairer but sadly they all seem to have gone around here.

Does anyone know any good repairers I can contact?

Any help will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
You might try joining https://nextdoor.co.uk/ . In my area it seems to be a useful place to get local recommendations for services such as watch repairs and is useful in other ways too.
 
More than probably, the only tool (apart from yourself :D) would be either a good pair of tweezers (electrical are fine) or a pair if very fine needle nosed pliers.
Once placed on the spindle, the hand should just push on with your finger.
Now you have the crystal off, can you not just straighten the hand? I have done this several times myself.
 
I suppose trying myself is an option... The hand is very bent but of course it still tells the time perfectly well as it still points... :D so my worry is that if I try to straighten it it'll snap and if I can't get a new one the pleasure of being able to use the watch will then be lost. At least I can still enjoy it now. How pliable would you say they are?

Actually scrap that as it's a silly question :D See below :D
 
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woof woof said:
I suppose trying myself is an option... The hand is very bent but of course it still tells the time perfectly well as it still points... :D so my worry is that if I try to straighten it it'll snap and if I can't get a new one the pleasure of being able to use the watch will then be lost. At least I can still enjoy it now. How pliable would you say they are?
Click to expand...

Take a photo, phone should do, measure it too. I'll have a look to see if I have one close to it.
 
woof woof said:
I suppose trying myself is an option... The hand is very bent but of course it still tells the time perfectly well as it still points... :D so my worry is that if I try to straighten it it'll snap and if I can't get a new one the pleasure of being able to use the watch will then be lost. At least I can still enjoy it now. How pliable would you say they are?

Actually scrap that as it's a silly question :D See below :D
Click to expand...


IF s*** happens and it breaks while you're trying to straighten it, you're not really in a worse position than you were before the attempt - you just have a broken hand rather than a bent one.

Not sure if heating the hand will reduce the chance of it breaking rather than bending.
 
My cousin fixes antique clocks and watches, where are you based? If interested in discussing with him message me. Good luck
 
The hands are usually made from blued steel, they do bend easily so care is required but they rarely snap.
 
I'm just south of Middlesbrough.

I tried Watch Doctors but they wont touch it.

I was going to try the other two links provided here but maybe John could ask his cousin?

Here it is...

1-P1110305.jpg

2-P1110305.jpg

And as this is a photography forum...

Picture taken with a Panasonic GX7 and 12-35mm f2.8 lens, at f4, 1/160 and ISO 400.
:D
 
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wontolla said:
Take a photo, phone should do, measure it too. I'll have a look to see if I have one close to it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer.

I used to fix a lot of electronic stuff and some of it was fine work but these days I don't know if I'm up to it... I don't have the precision tools I used to have and although I could buy some to be honest I'm a bit worried about doing any fine work at the mo. I'm a full time carer and I'm having a bit of a hard time at the mo and seem to be suffering from a few stress and anxiety issues and I'm worried about my ability to do fine work.
 
Hi mate. Do you still need that pocket watch fixing? I have a watchsmith over in Ferryhill near Spennymoor. I trust him with all of my watches and he does a cracking job at a great price. Pm me and i'll put you in touch.
 
Just heard back from my cousin but he only does watches but gave me teh name of someone in Glasgow who may be able to help:

Mr Cathcart
Clock and Watch Repairs
942 Dumbarton Road
Glasgow G14 9UQ


Phone number 0141 569 1013

Sorry could not have been more help, good luck!
 
I'm still looking for a repairer so thanks guys.
 
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