Got pocketwatch? (LOTS OF PICS)

[geremy]

Hi, Several years ago now I inherited a gold-cased chronograph/repeater pocket watch. I asked about it on the TZ forums and the info that was provided there was that it was probably made by Sandoz (a brand which began in the late 18th century but the watch is likely much later than that). I had put it away in the safe deposit box for a while, but my interest piqued again and so I took some more detailed photos. Any interests or observations and maybe hints about restoration would be provided. One specific question I have is about the escapement. The balance wheel has weighted screws like a free sprung balance and yet there is an index. Maybe that's just how the wheel was made? Several years ago I asked RGM about restoration and they were more than happy to take a look at the watch but sadly I never followed through. They were the best folks I could think of for something like this, I figured if there were parts that need serious work that they might be the best to manufacture new pieces. However I know nothing about the pocket watch community and perhaps there are other companies who do excellent professional restorations (maybe a bit closer to me in Boston? I actually live in 'Watch City' Waltham!)? I don't think this watch is serially manufactured (though I might be wrong) and so any documentation is probably impossible to come by. I was very close with Grandfather but had never seen the watch until after his death, so I don't think he purchased it himself. Perhaps he too inherited this piece.

Let's get onto the fun pictures.

The outer case:


The unmarked dial: I couldn't take a good picture without reflections, but you can see the 3 time hands and the jewel tipped chrono hand. The time markers are in Roman but the outer markers are in Arabic numerals.


High level movement pics:



The hammers and the 'Sine Dolo' coat of arms common to the Sandoz manufacture:


The escapement, notice the jewels below the blued mainsrping:



THANKS!

[RonD.]

Beautiful watch but I am kind of confused. I guess first of all you are saying the watch does not run, and is in need of restoration. Without knowing what is wrong with it, why not just take it to any local watch maker and see if it may just need a cleaning? Did you know what is wrong with it? Second, I am not sure what you are puzzled by when looking at the last photo. What "jewels below the hairspring"? The jewels on the pallet? Looks normal to me.

[geremy]

Yes I know that they are pallet jewels. They look very large and cool to me. I'm not curious about the jewels but rather the nature of the split balance and if the weighting on the wheel as well as the index are standard for pocket watches. I have had a couple of unsatisfactory experiences with local watchmakers to be wary of taking such a non-standard piece in for the to look at, let alone try to work on. That's why I'm looking for recommendations.

Now it could be that while the movement looks fairly complex to my untrained eye it is actually child's play to any competent watchmaker. I have no way of knowing that without asking. When I did contact RGM with pics to inquire about restoration, they replied to simply send it in to them and they would take a look.

I'm not looking to "get it working" but more like a full restoration. The case itself has several issues that need sorting as well.

THANKS!

[RON in PA]

The balance wheel is a bimetallic thermo-compensated balance typical of quality watches of the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century when they were replaced with mono-metallic Invar balance wheels. Nothing special at all. What is special is your watch, which to my eyes appears to be a high quality repeater plus a chronograph function. It is not 18th century, but late 19th to early 20th century. This is not a watch that you want to entrust to just any watchmaker.

[geremy]

Thank you very much for the information. Looking back at the original information I received several of years ago, it actually says that the Sandoz house began operation in the late 18th century, not that the watch itself was that old. I'll revise the original post, and sorry for the confusion. Any ideas as to what sort of watchmaker should I be looking for?

[RON in PA]

You mentioned RGM, one of the best in the country. Expect work on your watch to be expensive because of its complexity.