Pocket Watches

Yes it was Thomas Earnshaw and John Arnold who made two innovations in chronometers in 1780 that allowed for very accurate navigation at sea. Such chronometers were very expensive though, so the local fellow still had to set his watch by sounding of the clocktower bell.

LD

swathdiver said:

Thanks for the clarification and history lesson! :hatsoff:

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Just read Moby Dick. Really more of a narrative of the whaling industry in the day than a 'white whale' story.

I would just spray it with Ballistol.

Is doing that what caused your computer to be two weeks in repair?

FWIW...
Watches were usually oiled with walnut oil - which was de-acidified by letting it sit for some months with bits of lead in it, then decanted and bottled. It is not so heavy as spermaceti, and does not gum easily.
The oil was and is applied to the pivots, pallets, etc. with tiny steel dippers in various sizes to give a single drop appropriate for the size of the point of application.
Attempting to clean and lubricate a watch without disassembly and the availability of the proper tools and materials is a terminally bad idea.
And only specialist horologists should be allowed to work on true antiques.

mhb - Mike
former member NAWCC

I agree. A little too much oil will throw off the timing, a lot too much or too thick an oil will stop the works entirely & require an expensive clean & recalibration.

Coot said:

Is doing that what caused your computer to be two weeks in repair?

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Nope. I took advice here and didn't swab between uses. :grin:

I have several old pocket watches - some repaired and some cleaned. Unless you know something about the works, I, too, would recommend the cleaning be done by a professional. There is more to cleaning these than what we think. And yes, it can cost a little more but in the long run it is worth it. If your watch is truly one from the Revolutionary War era, having a professional work on it is the best option.

Old watches that wind with a key can be overwound very easily. Breaks the spring or the cogs. Please have it taken care of by a professional that has worked on old watches before.

I'd go to www.timezone.com, establish an account, and ask for a recommendation. I own a couple of high-end watches, and would never consider opening the case. It really is a job for a specialist.

I have an Elgin circa 1919 railroad watch and it can be tough to find someone with the skill and knowledge to repair and service one correctly the first time. Mine has been to the shop three times in the past two years. I think it's finally running correctly but I guess time will tell.

grandpa always used gasoline,but they wern't fancy either.

I believe it is still international maritime law that the sperm oil floating on the ocean belongs to the ship's master only who stops the vessel to collect it.

The only way sperm oil has been collected by shipmasters, historically, is killing the whale and opening the headcase to extract the waxy oil it contains: this is sperm oil. The blubber of the sperm whale and several other commercially-hunted species was boiled-down to produce whale oil, which is not the same thing.
Neither product is found floating on the surface of the sea, though another highly sought-after whale byproduct, ambergris, may sometimes be.

mhb - Mike

The only way sperm oil has been collected by shipmasters, historically, is killing the whale and opening the headcase to extract the waxy oil it contains: this is sperm oil. The blubber of the sperm whale and several other commercially-hunted species was boiled-down to produce whale oil, which is not the same thing.

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Yep. That is how it is described in Moby Dick, which, BTW, is far more of a documentary on whaling in the late 1800's than a fiction story about a white whale and obsessed ship captain.