Author Topic: Pocket Watch inaccuracy variation (Read 542 times)

Wolfala · « **on:** October 10, 2007, 01:57:54 AM »

I was carrying around an Elgin Pocket watch the last couple of days - walking with it in my pocket. After awhile, i'd look and it would be off by as much as an hour. I thought this was strange, so I set it to the time - and set it on a table nearby. It seems to keep its time with little fuss while its not moving around, but if you have it in a pocket where it encounters the slightest amount of acceleration, forget about accuracy.

comet61 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2007, 02:41:01 PM »

I collect antique Elgin watches and I'm pretty sure I know what is wrong. You didn't mention what year it was made or what type movement (the guts) it has. How many jewels and how big. Is it a pull stem or lever set adjustment? Is it an open face or hunter type. Size? 18, 14??

Anyway....if it is inert (on the table) and keeps time within 2 minutes every 24-48 hours (this is normal depending on wear) and gains time in your pocket tells me that the forward inertia gear (wheel) is sloppy. It resembles a saw-blade with protruding gogs. Usually has 6-12 of them. A "hammer" drops down to suspend movement between these gogs. If the hammer misses any of these cogs your watch will go faster. This is a direct result of the stem of the wheel being loose or totally worn out. Sometimes these stems are supported by a jewel (ruby), but not always. If you can open the back to expose the movement you might see the wheel. This wheel is also controlled by the speed lever for fast or slow.

The bottom line is it needs a "tune-up" or "watch-doctor". Overhauling Elgins are not usually a common thing, but I have had to do this a few times for the very same thing including weak or even too strong of a main spring, timing wheels and jewel replacements.

My oldest Elgin is a 1877 and I only had to replace the main spring. This watch is a key wind-up, open face s18 in a insert body. Keeps time within 2 minutes every 48 hours. Elgins are good watches. Good Luck!!

Wolfala · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:11:19 PM »

I believe it is a 1928 Elgin. Just has Elgin on the faceplate , with the 60 second count on the bottom, and a wheel windup on the top and an eliptical hoop for a chain. If anything, time was slowing down on the watch while i was walking with it.

Pyro · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:24:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Wolfala
If anything, time was slowing down on the watch while i was walking with it.

Wow, that's a pretty fast walking pace.

Maverick · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:30:33 PM »

The 1894 Elgin I have also doesn't hold time very well when I wear it. The slop in the action is a good probability for it. I had it tuned up over 20 years ago but not overhauled. When sitting stationary it does fine.

AWMac · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:30:49 PM »

Hate to tell you Wolfala but your Right Leg is shorter than your Left Leg. Hence the advancement in time of foresaid watch.

If you take maybe an inch off that wooden stump... errr Peg, maybe it'll balance your watch out.

Just a thought.

Mac

"HaaaaaaaR"

Shuffler · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:34:40 PM »

Another note to add along the same lines as Pyro....

Have you had the flux capacitor checked?

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:57:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
The 1894 Elgin I have also doesn't hold time very well when I wear it. The slop in the action is a good probability for it. I had it tuned up over 20 years ago but not overhauled. When sitting stationary it does fine.

What if it was carried in a vest pocket like in the old days?
As opposed to against your leg and swinging back and forth with every step.

would positioning ont he body have anything to do with it?

I confess I dont know jack about pocket watches but that happedn to be the first thign that came to mind.
And now Im curious.

Might be an interesting experiment to try in any event.
Walk with it in your pants pocket for a couple of days.
Then either wear a vest and carry it in the vest pocket which would be more next to your belly then your side.
Or attach it by some sort of clip tot he front of yoru shirt. for a couple of days

Might be interesting to see if there are any differences.

My thinking is that forward inertia gear would be effected more in your pocket because of the swing of your leg then in say a vest pocket where youwouldnt have that added movement.

Just a thought

Xargos · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2007, 04:47:16 PM »

Was wondering the same thing Dred.

Meatwad · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2007, 04:55:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Wolfala
If anything, time was slowing down on the watch while i was walking with it.

You must of not been having any fun......

texasmom · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2007, 06:02:10 PM »

*for all of you pocket watch enthusiasts*

read "longitude" by dava sobel. It's a good one:)

LePaul · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2007, 06:27:24 PM »

Were you driving over 88 mph? Perhaps your watch went "back" in time

RTR · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2007, 06:56:31 PM »

LOL Pyro

RTR

Sundowner · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2007, 07:29:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Pyro
Wow, that's a pretty fast walking pace.

There once was a young man named "Bright",
whose speed was much faster than light.

He set out one day,
in a relative way,
and returned on the previous night.

Regards,
Sun

Wolfala · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2007, 12:23:36 AM »

OK, so I just flew back from Seattle this evening. Was about 4.5 hours - and I set the watch at 12pm this afternoon. When I got around to checking it at 10pm, it indicated 9pm. The only thing that was happening was occasionally walking to and from the plane, gassing up, then sitting for 4.5 hours until landing. Altitude was 12,500 and zero turbulence for 500 miles.

Ideas?

I'm just gonna let it sit in front of me and check it in a few hours.

Wolf