The Most Accurate American Watch Ever Made
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2023
- The Hamilton 4992b was produced in the 1940's to be used as the master timekeeper for american war ships and planes. They produced one of the most accurate watches to come out of the american factories and in this video I am servicing one to try to bring it to the standards required by the military. I will need to replace a couple broken jewels in this watch movement before the movement can be adjusted nad regulated.
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The engineering of its day to acquire such accuracy is incredible , educational & entertaining not to mention the exceptional work.
Manufacturing tolerances are a factor today and 80 years ago were a much bigger deal.
What companies like Hamilton Waltham and Elgin were able to do with their railroad grade watches, was really amazing for a product being manufactured during this time period.
John Harrison managed to build a sea clock in the late 1700's to win the Longitude prize that was even more precise that this watch.
@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 you are correct sir, but marine chronometers incorporate a fusee to equalize the power coming out of the mainspring, have a different escapement and balance and are in a gimbal to keep the Watch in one position. It’s a different animal altogether.
@@watchrepairtutorialsAlso even though his final version the H4 was a wonder of miniaturization compared to his prior efforts, it still weighed about 4 pounds IIRC. Not a pocket watch like this. Edit: Just over 3 pounds actually.
This was absolutely fascinating. The quest for precision in mechanical watches is leading to incredible attention for detail. As a mechanical engineer I find it mesmerising. Patience in performing even the simplest of task is obviously essential. Thank you for showing us these mostly unknown (at least to me) details and the love and dedication needed to perform at this level.
As a Mechanical engineer, I’m sure you can appreciate the incredible tolerances that these parts are manufactured to on such a micro level.
It really is amazing
Very well said.
Im absolutely blown away by the extreme precision and engineering and complete attention to detail! The knowledge you alone have is invaluable! You are a dying art and hopefully the instructional video will carry on the tradition and art of the work you do and pass on the info to the future generations! Also im pretty certain that you have a high percentage of stoner subscribers! 🤔😎👍
Lmfao. Thanks and you may be right. 🍩
This is your best video to date, Alex. My first love is American pocket watches and to see you working on this example was awesome. I'm still just learning and about to attempt my first balance staff replacement on my 16s 7j Waltham practice watch. It's a friction fit and I'm excited to get it done. I learn a lot from watching you and appreciate your work. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! I’m gonna be doing more videos like this in the future, so stay tuned my friend.😀
This one was amazing!. Lots of information about the many aspects of watch repair. I really enjoy particularly the adjusting part of the movement.
Thanks a lot Alex!
I was a little skeptical about how this video would play but the feedback has been positive, so I think we’re gonna be doing more like this.
Fantastic detailed video, showcasing a terrific precision timekeeper. The Hamilton 4992, M21 and M22 all stand out in my eyes. Thank you very much, Alex.
I’ve not commented often, but I have been an avid follower of this channel and regarding the question you’ve posed others in this comments section, I certainly appreciate the long and detailed format of this video.
Do t be a stranger my friend. I appreciate all the feedback as I continue to grow.
Thank you so much for this video! A person definitely needs to go through your basic service playlist first, and get a little practice on the practice movement a while, but once they've done that, this video is probably the most thorough example on all of RUclips for servicing a running movement and addressing issues. Very well done, and very much appreciated
You're so welcome! I’m going to be doing a lot more of these in the near future
Your 2pov filming is outstanding! I grew a parallel passion for watches (and weapons) ever since I've been working on car and bike engines. precision metal machining and fine adjusting are really something I find mesmerizing. I cannot work with heavy pieces like before anymore. And I find myself a bit old to begin a serious course in watchmaking (my memory followed the same descending path 😊). So, I'm sitting here, looking with awe at your work. Thank you for all the peaceful evenings and all I've been able to learn even from a distance! Greetings from Belgium !
I love hearing from viewers from sooooo far away. You are never too old my friend. I just started learning how to play chess.
Sir, it is thrilling to hear your lectures on watch repair. The other channels become boring after one or two watch restorations. You impart so much knowledge when you demonstrate your craft. I am a lowly electrical engineer, and I am in awe of your abilities. Thank you for choosing to disseminate your amazing store of practical and theoretical horalogical knowledge! 😊😊😊What you teach today will live far longer than you or I.
Lowly Electrical engineer? You are wayyyyyy smarter than I my friend. Thanks for being here.
I have restored one of these for my collection and it includes the “can” also. Master navigation watch based on the venerable 992 railway version. One of these is on display at the Greenwich Museum in the UK. Beautiful mastery of the American-watch industry. Thanks for the video. Of course you should do one on the Hamilton Chronograph model 23, which was used up until the 70’s in the US navy. Cheers, Geoff Quickfall BSc, MSc, PhD candidate with 28,000hrs; DC10, B737, B757, B767, B777, B787, DHC2, DHC3, B18
Thank you sir. If I can find one at a decent price, I will definitely do one.
While I was watching this, I was struck by just how much accuracy is attainable when one has both the potential and the motivation to make it happen. So often with vintage watches, there's only so much you can do. But as a former military guy, I respect it when someone puts in some effort into a piece like this, because those that actually used it must have needed to do the same. This was likely a mission-critical piece of practical equipment for the people who were using it.
Beautiful piece man, inside and out!
When you have a movement as well made as this one, it deserves to be put back into original working condition. Thank you for your kind words.
Really incredible video and watch service. As someone just dipping my toes into the water and getting started in watch service and repair, your videos have been absolutely invaluable sources of information for me. Thank you for providing such thoughtful and informative content.
That’s really great to hear. It was really the reason I started this channel in the first place.
And let me know if I can help
Awesome! I really appreciate the fact that you teach as well as show the service. Thank you sir.
My pleasure brother.
That was just a great no bullshit learning experience, thank you Alex. You’ve got me using a lighter retractor for the Jacot tool…works great. Please keep the seitz stuff included in your vids, I’m competent replacing jewels but look forward to learning all of the tool’s capabilities. What you’ve got going on is 100% helpful. Thanks again, Joel Dowty
I appreciate you brother.
Super intresting and really inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
I really appreciate you.
Watch restoration is such a art. I love watching these pieces they are like intricate puzzles. Thank you for sharing
It really is Betty. Thanks for stopping by.
Really enjoyed watching this video. Amazing watch. And it ended up getting the care and attention it deserved.
Thanks for that. Imagine what you pay today for that accuracy and amount of decoration on a watch movement.
So much great information here! I really appreciate the precision and history of this calliber and your videos have helped me a great deal with my own journey into service and restoration.
Great to hear Bryan. Keep at it brother
I just finished all the videos you did on you tube. Thanks bro. I have learned so much from you. 😊
Wow, practice what you’ve learned in one day when you’re ready you should consider taking my watchmaking course. This is where information will be that’s not available on the Internet to take you through everything you need to know to competent at all parts of watch repair.
I watch a lot of these but this might be the coolest and one of the most historically important watch services I have ever watched. Very cool service.
If it could only tell the stories about the missions it flew on. How cool would that be.
I just recently found your channel. I gotta say, im hooked. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 🤜🤛
Awesome, thank you!
Absolute masterclass. Another incredibly educational video, Alex!
Thanks as always John.
Great information. I enjoyed the video. Always a pleasure watching your videos. Thank you
I appreciate you being here as always, my friend
Thanks, Alex. Nice work! The video was a pleasure to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Calm, thoughtful and concise, brilliant.
Thank you my friend
Absolutely amazing video! about the history and the level of repairing ! great lesson !
Long video but there is a lot that goes into a proper service that most people don’t ever see. Thanks brother.
The concise explanation of the design of the pallet fork pivots was extremely useful.
fantastic video
Glad it was helpful Sonny. 👍
Incredible work as always. Great restoration 👍👍
Thanks my friend. Are you a blacksmith or knife maker ?
I’m glad I watched this video. I just serviced a 4992b and I did make the decision to oil the cap jewels on the pallet pivots. You confirmed I made the right decision. My thought process was similar to yours with the pivot shape and the fact I never see pivot cap jewels anywhere else. Got it running to 250° at 0.7 beat and +/- a few seconds a day in all six positions. Prior to service, it was at 164° dial down, 3.2 msec, losing 70 secs a day. Great deep video.
That’s a nice job my friend. What a beautiful movement. I am not sure why they decided to add the cap jewels on the pivot as it can’t really add that much benefit to the movement overall.
Thanks for another really educational video. Always learning from you. Absolutely beautiful pocket watch. Would love to watch more videos of you serving watches. Hope that you are well.
Thanks for watching and yes, more of these longer format videos coming for sure.
Just watched the whole episode. Excellent explanation and narrative. Would encourage more of these long format service videos on other movements.
With the feedback I have gotten from my core viewers there will definitely be more coming. Thanks man
Your videos are absolutely fantastic, very calming and interesting to watch. Really interested in getting into amateur watchmaking, so this is an inspiration. Thank you sir!
Start slow and stay away from vintage pocketwatches. Learn how to do a basic service before trying to repair. You have to be good at that before you can do any repair work. It takes years to even be somewhat competent when learning at home.
Watchmaking is easy until you run into a problem.
Consider my course. It would be a good investment
Beautiful work… thank you 😊
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks for the great content and congratulations.
Much appreciated!
Wonderful! I especially liked seeing the jewels getting replaced.
Me too!😀
Very thorough and interesting video and great camera closeup work. Nice job with your invented pry bars. Besides the Hamilton 4992 Master Navigation model, similar pocket watches include the Elgin model 851 and the Waltham grade 1622-S-24-C, all with the black 24 hour dial, same style hour and minute hands, hacking function, and the " GCT" Greenwich Civil Time on the dials. They all have the military procurement markings on the back of the cases, which are "base metal" (nickel?) rather than silver or gold. All of these military pocket watches provide a unique perspective of watch makings at its peak in the U.S. Thanks for making such an instructive video.
Yes sir you are absolutely right. Hamilton was the only one that did their part for me. The sad part of the story is that with the cost of their overhead to run the factories after the war, they just couldn’t recover the market share that they had lost to the Swiss. And as they say, the rest is history.
Absolutely fascinating historical timepiece. Thanks Alex for showing a professional service and not just an oil change. I have signed up for your course and I am really looking forward to learning the first principles, it’s how I work best, from the bottom up. Thanks again for all you do.
I saw that Tom. Just curious how do you like this long format? Be honest.
Hi Alex, thanks for asking. I have no problem with the long format when, like this one, gives insight and instruction. So many watchmakers videos gloss over what I think are the important things, process, diagnosis, remediation and proper results. Stripping a watch, oiling and a dial up timegrapher video, well I might watch but it doesn’t satisfy my curiosity and need to know thing’s, it only lets me have a basic idea of a movement disassembly and assembly. I honestly crave more of what you do though I may be a weird outlier 😂.
@@tomholloway7566 I had someone else mentioned that they thought that a video like this was about as close as you’re going to get to being in a classroom and for me and what I’m trying to do that made a lot of sense so I think we’re gonna be doing more of these.
Alex, this was a fantastic video that I've watched three times now. Great job. I know there is a massive amount of information here but you literally blew my mind with your technique of greasing the clutch lol. I will for sure do it this way from now on.
Thanks Tim. You’re not exactly a noob so anytime I can show you something new. I feel like that’s a pretty good accomplishment. This technique allows for a pretty precise application of the grease piece, which of course gets spread when you wanting to watch backwards.
Top shelf as always Alex..... Thanks
Thank you Roger. 😀
What a brilliant lesson. Thank you.
Good to see you my friend. Thank you
Thank you for another informative and educational video.
You bet John. It was fun but took a long time.
I had never encountered a service like that. In another episode, I heard that regulation involves more than simply moving the regulation lever. I never imagined it could be as complex as it was. Amazing! Did you address the bit error? Oh my God, what an excellent video!!!
When you think of all the vintage movements out there with timing screws you are going to run into many that have been taken out of poise by improper adjusting. It’s a skill that comes in handy.
I just want to say that it was magic to see such perfection in a time keeper that old. Respect from Sweden.
Love my viewers from Sweden my friend. I have quite a few students from over there.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful timepiece
Thank you too! I appreciate you watching
Alex. Absolutely riveting. History and technique. Thank you
Ross, thanks buddy. What do you think about this long format.
@@watchrepairtutorials I personally liked it. Poising is above my understanding, but I do feel that the video benefitted as it was part of the overall restoration. The methodisation of system was fabulous. It confirmed a lot of my practice that I have included as a result if your teachings. I still have an enormous way to go. My steps are in the right direction.
@@rossjackson3670 thank you for your comments, Ross. I hope that this gives people a better understanding of what it takes to service some of these old watches, as well as understanding why it would cost so much to have one of them restored.
Amazing! Thank you for your expert commentary.
My pleasure! That was a long one
Well done. Nice job. Very informative.
Thank you my friend
Hi There . Just found your channel . As new to watch collecting and repair , I love your channel . Your are very easy to listen too , as well as very knowledgeable about this subject . Thank You . I will be watching (LOL) more .
Awesome, thank you! Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Watchmaking is exactly the same as being in the special forces. Get in, get out, don't leave any signs you were there...I'm off to make some brass lifting tools.
Loved adjustment and regulation. Gold dust information.
Don’t you just love homemade tools
Such a gorgeous piece! Thank you so much for your videos and course, I just signed up. I’ve learned so much from you already, the internet is truly an amazing thing. I pray that I’ll be able to one day make a career in this field.
Thank you very much Gerald. The problem is so much of what you need to know. It’s just not out there while you’re in the course. Never hesitate to reach out if you need clarification on something you’re struggling with.
Alex
Amazing video, not only fir the knowledge about the subject but also for the photography. It should be placed at NIST and the Library of Congress as a guide for future generations. Thank you
Holy cow. I don’t know about that but thank you anyway. 🤙
Facinating. And make me proud to have my own Hamilton, a Khaki Field, that keeps time almost as well as this vintage piece.
Hamilton is still putting out some pretty nice pieces. Very few people understand the impact that US companies like Hamilton and Walton and Elgin made it to the field of watchmaking. It was their systems that the Swiss copied to save their own watchmaking industry.
Great stuff! We're huge fans of this watch.
I can tell. I appreciate you chiming in. It always great to have a company like yours visit with a small little channel like mine.
Amazing work! When I first saw the title I thought you were going to work on a Accutron haha, but this was way more interesting! Cheers
What, is this my long list Canadian friend ?
I own a 1942 ORD 992B watch used for train schedules. The master watchmaker who serviced it said of all the watches he services, the 992B is one of his favorite watches to service, and the man works on Rolex and Omega watches.
I also had him regulate a Seiko watch. He really did not want to deal with the Seiko. I kept the Hamilton and sold the Seiko.
I couldn’t agree more. Love love love the Hamiltons
2:10 wow. That is a beautiful looking movement. Immaculate. That's wild.
No doubt about it. Thanks for stopping by to say hello.
Enjoying the split screen. Nice work sir
Glad you enjoy it Paul.
What an awsome video and beautifiul watch. Thank you Alex in the many hours you spend showing us your work and apricating more and more how these mechanical wonders were build. Why didn't you regulated the beat error under 1 ms? That's what I'm doing before regulating the watch. Great way of poising. Thank you and looking forward to your next video.
That’s a great question and the reason is I tried. This is not a issue with the position of the Collett. If you remember, I showed one of the banking pins being out of alignment. I believe this was an adjustment done previously for rate adjustment.
I already had so much time into videotaping this that I just had to stop somewhere. When I straightened the pin, I couldn’t get the rate is low as when the pin was in the original position so I decided to leave it even though the beat error was off . This is a prime example of sometimes everything is not perfect but the timekeeping ability was golden.
I’ll probably go back into it sometime and try to figure it out but at this point I’m fine with it.
I just finished a three day course at AWCI on watch theory, which was a fire hose of information, yet as usual, I learned something watching this video as well. Jeweling, removing the stud while the balance is in place, what the Jacot lathe is for, etc. Thank you again Alex!
Ah man you are really going for it. Are you doing this for your own enjoyment or going professional one day?
Nice. Only a couple hours from Cincinnati for me. Was thinking of some classes since I’m retired and have the time
@@watchrepairtutorials Hobbyist for now. I’ve always worked on something, and having moved into the heart of the city, I no longer have a woodshop or garage. Watches scratch the itch with very minimal space.
@@grumpygeorge sounds like a plan. Wish I had time to do it.
i started my journey eight years ago, with some Seikos and NO intention on diving too deep, just keep it like a hobby, yea right, and now im slipping into learning lathe work, jewelling, make parts, hardening tempering, mirror polishing, 😮where did the Seiko hobby thing go 😂 Well its to me still the best meditative hobby on the planet, and watching your Channel makes a difference to me, every time 😊, btw im Reading bulovas book of watchmaking, and maybe i can give you a tip, it says that, to dry out the hairspring to prevent it sticking,you place it in boxwood sawdust, it sounds to me to be quite effective and that is a small piece of knowledge that could be forgotten imo 😊
Yeah, I’m familiar with the saw dust method for drying out parts. You know back in the day before they had heat dryers that was pretty much the only way they could wash those type of parts and prevent them from rusting. today with heaters that can blow warm air over the parts makes the process a lot more streamlined, not having to deal with cleaning off sawdust.
Would become a very important tool once again, should the GPS system the DoD so heavily depends on, ever gets taken out.
If we without GPS 90. % of the population could not get from point a to point b. 😉
@watchrepairtutorials 🤣 #true ^^^^
unfortunately
That is a cool timepiece!!
That it is my friend, that it is.😉
I'm guessing that to get this kind of performance requires not only a good, conscientious watchmaker but also a movement capable of achieving it and parts for replacing parts that are worn out. I've had kind of bad experiences getting watches regulated, even an old Longines Ultrachron Flagship (he said due to parts availability). I'll be interested in seeing what Longines does for it (it's sitting in Switzerland in the queue for a full service which they agreed they could do after examining it). I hope it comes back in good shape. Very nice video, especially the regulation part.
Yes, on all accounts. The watchmaker has the price appropriately to be able to spend the time without taking shortcuts. Of course it’s always best if the movement is made to do a very high-quality.
I wish you well on your Longines. In my opinion, they are probably one of the most underrated manufactures out there. And if they had not been bought by Swatch today. They may have been up there with VC, Patak and AP. I think swatch held them back, so not to compete with other brands of theirs.
As a newbie, even though im no where near this type of work. Even i can see quality of craftsmenship Hamilton was doing. Great video!!!
The manufacturing tolerances in these watches is amazing. Of course you also had the great decorations and the gold screws on the balance wheel and gold jewel settings.
Thanks for a new video. Super helpful.. Can you tell me what keyword should I find to buy the narrow tip leather buff? (16:16) I always end up losing those spring type parts😂
Sure, just google bergeon or Horotec leather buff
Love your vids the watch repair channel went away after covid his was good as well but yours is more in depth thank you I know you spend a lot of time on them. Question I'm down here if Florida and its humid, just doing everything by hand (washing parts) iv noticed when I remove parts from fast evaporating cleaner moisture forms on parts immediately how do I stop this even IPA.
I have not heard that about Mark’s channel. Sorry to hear that. I’m in North Carolina and we have that same humidity problem.
The key to drying watch parts especially with using IPA as a final rinse is to dry them under low heat, I use it about 104°, with moving air. They should prevent condensation from forming on the parts..
This is awesome. Such a well done video. How do you organize the screws in order to know where they go back into the movement? Is there a method you use or is it something that you just "get" over time?
You just look at side and shape. Some have shoulders and some don’t. Time definitely helps
Man, what a movie. Far above Hollywood blockbusters. :) Thanks.
That’s pretty generous of you. 😀 thank you
Another very important function of that runner spring is that it eats up the backlash, because of the constant start-stop forces with the seconds hand it will jump all over the place and be impossible to read precisely
Can you explain that a little bit more because I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about and it’s the first time I’ve heard this.
Amazing to me how they could do this before cnc machines and other modern day tools with computers. True Craftsman.
It truly is amazing. Watchmaking machinery goes all the way back to the 1800s. Granted the tolerances in those days is nowhere close to the tolerances the parts can be made out today. But think about this, the equipment that could cut and produce jewels with extreme accuracy even then.
What watch were you using during the video? Looks amazing
That is the Seiko SNZH which by the way I am going to upgrading in 4-5 ways in a future video.
I just found one of these. Doesn't have the case and I still have to put it back together because some of the pieces are off. But hopefully I have the entire movement. The dial is very nice and the hands look good too.
Thanks for sharing. They are an awesome movement. Probably one of my favorites.
Thanks!
Hello Amanda, thank you much. What are your thoughts on the long format
Hi. Great video, vocabulary and watch. Could you take some time to show us a historical video from the Hamilton watch company? Thanks for time and the quote "everything matter's"
I’ll look into seeing if I could put something together
Absolutely engrossing skill, precision, cleverness and info--it's literal surgery! A fascinating Hamilton movement, thank you :-) The center seconds pinion is unlike any part I've seen surgically 'extracted' from a 'pocket' watch :-) I admire your restoration philosophy, your respect and appreciation of the watch's history!
Was the US watchmaking industry ordered by the Federal Govt to cease civilian watch production when the USA entered WW2 following Pearl Harbour?
I understood the industry was then directed to produce precision military equipment, like avionics, naval chronometers, etc.? Ultimately, this led to the militarily neutral Swiss nation supplying the US public's need for watches during these war years--and eventually the closure of iconic US watchmaking factories like Hamilton, Waltham, Elgin, Hampden??
At 30:15 my eyes popped out of my head when I saw the interior of the Hamilton Factory Cabinet :-) what a find!
Wish you lived locally, and I could entrust my watches to your care and vast, comprehensively equipped skills... Thank you!
Hi Michael,
No I don't think the government ordered the factories to stop producing civilian watches. I believe the factories had to reallocate their resources to keep up with the war demand.
You're absolutely correct about the Swiss coming in to fill the civilian market which the American companies were never able to recover.
What ironic about that is the fact that it was the American manufacturing processes that were copied by the Swiss when they were in a serious decline back in the late 1900s that actually save the Swiss industry.
I do appreciate the sentiment, but as you may or may not know, I retired after 35 years, running my own company and have dedicated my life now to teaching everything that I know and have learned.
@@watchrepairtutorials thank you-appreciate learning the accurate history details surrounding this superb American industry. As a 45 year veteran of hospital pathology labs, I’m also imparting knowledge and training to younger workers-I understand and applaud your commitment to passing on our amazing experiences and skills.
Que máquina incrível! Parabéns pelo lindo trabalho de restauração (Brazillian Portuguese Language) - What an incredible machine! Congratulations on the beautiful restoration work
Thank you my friend. I appreciate you. It is absolutely an incredible machine.
Respect. Learning this the hard way is not an option.......
I hear that. It can get expensive real quick.
Thanks Alex! Lovely and interesting watch. Super info as per usual from yourself! Gosh you wield those tweezers like a wizard! I thought a lot of those screws on disassembly looked really tight, there isn’t a need to do them up like that is there? Also you spoke about the importance of torque on screw tightening, any tips there, especially on cap stones and small short screws? How was your Jacot tool held down, looked like it was held up by magic? I thought these were help in a small vice? How do you know how long to burnish for? How can you tell? Any advice on buying second hand tools? Most sellers on eBay know nothing about what they sell, there’s no love there, it’s only about selling the product. So looking forward to more learnings. I’m just reading your amplitude book! Ta. B
Well one of the things that's special about this watch is the manufacturing tolerances are so tight. It's one of the reasons that it runs like it does.
As far as screw tightening goes the rules the same, turn till it stops, Then turn it the width of the screw slot.
The jacket tool is held by magic. Actually it has two pins on the bottom and I have two holes drilled into the bench top that they fit into so not really any magic. Yeah usually when you see them they are held by a vice but I like to see what I'm doing and with it mounted the way it is I can look at it under the microscope. You burnish until its shiny and you know by looking at it under magnification.
When you're buying used vintage tools you need to know what you're buying can't count on the sellers. So you do your research until you know everything there is about them and then you ask a lot of questions and if you can't find any information you ask me.
😊
@@watchrepairtutorials Thanks Alex!
What an awesome episode.
So what do you think about this long format. You have been with me for a long time. I would like your opinion
@@watchrepairtutorials love it. As a budding watchmaker I am learning everything you teach me. I've gone from watch-breaker to watchmaker in just a few years. Long format is the closest your viewers will get to being in a classroom.
@@bolgerguide damn man I never really thought about it like that. Thank you.
Hey Alex, for lubrication of the end stones or jewels, without a microscope, what loupe magnification did or do you use. Is this even possible to do with a loupe alone.
Yes, of course. I would recommend at least X10 to be able to see what you’re
Awww, this screw balance ❤
I was having a sweet time, when I had to pick new hairspring for a similar one. Unforgettable 3 hours of tedious work 😅
come on man its fuuuuun. 😊
Fantastic video Alex and how cool is it to have a last name like Hamilton?
I have one of these little gems(still looking for a carrying case tho)and Model 21 and 22 chronometers. They are amongst my favorite pieces in my modest collection. I too serviced my 4992B to within milspec but I dont think I'm quite ready to service my chronos just yet. Which makes me wonder-would people pay such high prices still if they knew that many of them aren't within spec or barely run at all for whatever reason?
Well, I think the vast majority of the people don’t care about the movements riding with an a second or two. I would think the vast majority of people that buy them are buying them because of their historical value. I’m a huge WWII fan history buff and just thinking about some of the missions that were flown, and that this may have been part of it is pretty cool
@@watchrepairtutorials I too am in that majority and am also a big ww2 and history buff😅.
I have been using 9504 instead of HP1300 for the last year and been pleased with results and also on the winding arbor🤔
I like it a lot. It really just makes more sense for me to use it in those places instead of oil.
Thanks for the great Tutorial. How do you feel about treating cap jewels with Epilame before oiling?
Doesn’t make sense. The only area that will retain the oil is the micro dot that the balance pivot is running on. Sounds like a starved balance to me.
Awesome job!! What model truing calipers did you use?
The figure 8 is a vintage Watch-Craft. The equivalent would be the Bergeon 1883-04. The other I used for the escape wheel and balance wheel is the Bergeon 5896
Thank You!! This is an awesome video! Before this video, I was confused about the order of operations in watch repair, this video demonstrates the whole process step by step
excellent job !!@@watchrepairtutorials
Another thing remarkable about these awesome time pieces. In 1979 I can tell you without a doubt these same watches were used by strategic air command. I used to set my watch by it every day. It was the time standard for the entire base. The only difference is that it was in a wooden case with glass top.
Fantastic story. Where was this located ?
@@watchrepairtutorials Grand forks n.d I was there 78 to 79
Fabulous watch and great instructional video! American Hamiltons are among my very favorite watches and movements (check the beautiful 22 jewel 770 for example.) Alex, given the great care you demonstrated in every aspect of this service I was surprised you didn't feel the need to improve the beat error to, say, less than 1 ms. Your end result could hardly be improved, but wouldn't improving beat error allow the escapement to run a bit more efficiently? Possibly pick up a few degrees of amplitude and improve self-starting? What's your thinking here? More risk than benefit?
Normally I would say yes, but I in this case I’m pretty sure that the BE was caused by one of the banking pins being slightly out of line. Because I was able to get the rate to respond across the board, I decided not to go that road of readjusting the escapement.
Interesting. And good thinking. Thanks for your response!
Hey Alex,
What's your go to bezel removal tool?
Do you have any resources / vidoes regarding crystal sizing, selection, replacement?
Thanks man! Hope all is well, as always this vid was great!
Unfortunately, for Bezel removal there’s no one tool that works on all of them. I have four different style tools that I use.
I am covering crystals in my watchmaking course including Installation if compression, armored, friction fit crystals and gaskets as well as sourcing vintage crystals.
@@watchrepairtutorials I'm a member, eagerly awaiting those lessons!
I have a question about dynamic poising. You align the escape wheel below the staff as starting position (instead of, say, crown up). I don't quite understand why it's preferable to align it that way. In my mind, as long one is consistent in the positions during the balancing process, it doesn't matter at which angle one starts. What is your reasoning for starting with "escape down"?
When using the escape wheel as the reference you are actually using the line of centers as the reference and the line of centers relationship to the timing screws. This is the method I learned which was passed on from the finishing rooms used at most is not all the American factories.
Hello Alex. I need some help and advice please. I am busy with this exact watch. I got it from a previous watchmaker to replace the broken balance staff and to service it. All went well but timing is completely off. The watch runs incredibly fast. I have added weight to the balance wheel and made sure it's in balance. This has helped and I'm getting a very good reading on the timegrapher across all positions. Assembled the watch runs like a bolted horse. When I regulate a t so the hands round on time the timegrapher readings are way out. If that makes sense. I have checked the Canon pinion and it seems OK. My concern is that the balance came disassembled and I suspect it had the incorrect balance wheel. Would this be a reason for the difference in the timegrapher readings and tbe actual timekeeping?
At this stage I have the watch running perfectly but can't see my self handing it back when the TG readings are so far out. How do I correct this?
Well the bottom line is the bottom line. If it’s keeping acceptable time, then I wouldn’t worry about it. You didn’t mention which timing machine you are using or LA imputed. There may be a problem there with your setting or the gain.
I wouldn’t really explain that your timing machine wasn’t picking up the watch accurately, and that you’ve checked it against an atomic clock in the watches very acceptable way, which they can check to verify. It’s unfortunate that you can’t give a time graph for reading, but it is what it is .
Looks like Hamilton used the plate for the cap jewels of the balance and escape wheel for the hold down of the hack lever. Does that Jacot tool have a spring-loaded return for the string? You only pull it one way. How does the Jacot tool stay upright when you pull the string?
Well hello there. Much respect for one of the founders of watch repair videos on the tube.
The Jacot lathe has two pins on the underside and fit into two holes drilled into my bench top.
The spring is a retractable holder for a ID or key card that someone would hook to their belt.
Thank you for stopping by sir.
@@watchrepairtutorials Thank you for the kind words and answering my questions. As you know your videos are very well done. Clear and easy to understand.
Are you teaching us another method to poise the balance with the time grapher method? 🙏🏼
Hey Sam, I’m not sure I understand your question as I’ve never showed dynamic poisoning before.
Very interesting canister spring holder devise. Would static poise on poising tool Jaws work as well as dynamic? With hairspring removed of course....
Static poising is done on the jeweled poising tool. That’s done with the staff, roller table and wheel only. Dynamic poising which I was doing now has the addition of the hairspring. They are two separate operations.
I thought the roller table stayed on as it is part of the balance weight in use. With the jewel and adhesive hanging out there on the table, wouldn't it count? Great video by the way!
@@mikebruegger8654 you are absolutely right and I was thinking about something else. I corrected my answer in case anyone else reads it. Yes, static is done with the wheel, staff and roller table or safety roller. Nice catch Mike. 😄
My Great Grandparents sailed here from Warsaw in late 1919 to have a new start after the devastation of WW1. 90% of them stayed in what was to become Poland.
My Grandfather, born in 1921, fought in WW2 and came home.
Every year as a child, until 11 years old, I spent the entire summers at my grandparents house. We lost him in 98’ and my Grandmother in 2013.
To this day I remember the stories he would tell me. Stories of the atrocities of WW2, how devastated Europe was in the wake of the Nazi Regime, the tears that rolled down his cheek from the knowledge of many of our family ending up in and not surviving Auschwitz.
The pain, but also gratitude he had in knowing that if his parents didn’t come to America for a new beginning, that myself and his other grandchildren would not be here.
He was one of the strongest men I have ever known. Nothing ever troubled him, nothing could ever rattle him.
He enjoyed life and every moment of every day. He knew how precious life was, and how it may not have been at all.
But the stories. The stories he told to teach morals, integrity, and virtue. Those moments, 😢.
I was young then. I didn’t understand his facial expressions. But the memories I have. The picture of him in that moment, I can still see his face when I think of those moments. I understand now the pain, the hurt, the sorrow, the burden…
I love you pop. I’m sorry I wasn’t old enough then to comfort you in those moments. One day I’ll see you again, on that day I’ll be there for you as you were for me.
Until we meet again. 🫡
What an amazing story and thank you so much for sharing it.
The patience of a true master.
Thank you my friend
@watchrepairtutorials Thank you for taking the time making these videos and showing us the craft.
@watchrepairtutorials one more thing if I may, the fact that you reply to all comments is admirable and shows your appreciation to your subscribers. Once again thank you sir, happy holidays to you and yours.
@@DiegoRodriguez-666 back at ya my friend Merry Christmas
The reason you need perfect balance in the balance wheel is because when it's aligned more or less with gravity it will make the imbalance much worse, robbing power and accuracy from the movement.
Does Hamilton make a watch currently that uses elements this robust and well thought out? I’m genuinely curious because I’ve considered purchasing one for quite sometime.
Sure. The KHAKI NAVY
PIONEER is a chronometer grade auto. They run around 1k which is pretty good compared to others.
Just curious, why wouldn't you check the main spring before reinstalling?
Sorry man for the late response, I almost lost this one.
I didn’t go back and watch the entire video but when I did on this particular movement was clean and reuse the original main spring, because the idea was to keep it as original as possible. Once it was serviced, and I realize that the mainspring didn’t have the amplitude that I needed. I replaced it with the new ones.
I didn’t show everything that I did this movement because the video was long enough as it was I’ve shown that before and talked about it and many other videos.
9:24 you said the damage was caused by non-brass pry bar. It looks like the pocket that the jewel holder was peened to tighten up the hole too.
Using the correct size screwdriver always helps 👌
Good advice