Adjusting Tools: The Timing Machine
Collectors of vintage watches tend to be fans of the old days and the old ways, but we’ll always take time-saving inventions when we can find them. If you don’t… Read more »
Tag: positional timing
Adjusting a 1941 Hamilton 987A “Bagley” to 6 Positions
I found this little watch—a Hamilton “Bagley”—in a local shop. The shop owner’s big passion is coins, but he’s also a NAWCC member and a pocket watch collector, and some… Read more »
Dynamic Poising, 4: An Extended “How To” Example
After reading the earlier posts in this series, you should understand the basic reasons why watches can have different rates across positions. But like everything else in life, you really… Read more »
Dynamic Poising, 3: Why the 4 Vertical Rates Differ
The second task in dynamic poising is to align the 4 vertical rates. For vintage watches, the vertical rates usually differ by a lot. My trusty 12s Illinois, for example,… Read more »
Dynamic Poising, 2: Why Dial Up and Dial Down Rates Differ
The first step in adjusting to 5 positions is aligning the dial up (DU) and dial down (DD) rates. It doesn’t make sense to align the 3 vertical positions unless… Read more »
Dynamic Poising, 1: The 3 Basic Tasks
How do we go about adjusting a watch? This series of posts explains dynamic poising, an approach to positional adjustment that is nothing short of a watchmaking marvel. In this… Read more »
What Watches Can (or Shouldn’t) Be Adjusted?
We can make almost any watch tick and keep good time when it’s left dial-up on a shelf, but not all watches can or should be adjusted to keep close… Read more »
How “Near” is “Near Zero”? Accuracy Standards for Watch Adjustment
We often repeat Jendritzki’s definition of adjustment to alter the period of the balance and spring so that the daily rate of the watch comes as near to zero as… Read more »
Adjusting to 5 Positions: Wristwatch Positions
Our other post described the 5 positions for adjusting pocket watches. What are the 5 positions for wrist watches? The Horizontal Positions: DU, DD Like pocket watches, wristwatches are first… Read more »
Adjusting to 5 Positions: Pocket Watch Positions
Positional timing is adjusting a watch to keep a near-zero rate in more than one position, so what are those positions? Quality pocket watches, like the great American railroad pocket… Read more »