Taking Movement From Case. Polish the Case. Replace Movement.

Taking Movement From Case

Having removed the case scrcws, a slight pressure on the movement usually will cause it to slip from the case into the hand held ready to catch it.

If the movement sticks slightly it may be forced from the case using the thumb nail of the right hand as shown in figure 25. By bending the thumb at the first joint in order to bring the nail in contact with the movement, rather than the ball of the thumb you avoid getting unsightly finger marks on the watch plate.

Do Not Get Fingermarks On Movement

Here let me warn you against getting finger marks on either plate or dial of a movement. When you press the movement out of the case, grasp it by the edge. Whenever you pick up a movement, pick it up by the edge.
In taking the movement out of the case, it is well to place a piece of watch paper between the fingers and the dial as shown in figure 25.

Use a Material Tray and Movement Cover

At the beginning of your work get into the habit of placing the small parts in some kind of a material tray or cup which you should have placed in a convenient position on your bench. When you remove the case screws place them immediately in your material tray.

While working upon the case, having removed the movement, should you allow the movement to set uncovered upon your bench it woud be liable to accumulate some dust and there is a risk of something falling upon it and breaking some delicate part. Therefore as soon as you take the movement out of the case it is well to set it in a material tray or on a piece of watch paper and cover it with the-movement cover. In this way it is protected from any stray dust that may be in the air.

Polish the Case

Whenever you clean or repair a watch it is also necessary to thoroughly clean the case so that no dirt remaining may come, in contact with the movement. In the lesson on cleaning watches I will give you in detail the best methods for cleaning the case but at this time it is not necessary for you to attempt such a thorough cleaning of the watch case on which you are working.

However it is well to wipe off all dirt or oil that may be on the watch case and then after being sure that it is dry, polish with a double polishing cloth.

This cloth has two surfaces, the inside or red cloth being for polishing and the outside cloth to protect the hands from this red color.

In using this polishing cloth see that the watch case is dry but if badly tarnished a slight moistening by blowing on the tarnished part will aid in restoring the original finish.

Of course in using this cloth to polish the case it is necessary to have replaced the back and bezel or in a jointed case to have closed the back and front.

Using the Polishing Cloth

Then by opening the polishing cloth as you would a book, placing the case between the two red sides, gripping the outside cloth in the hands and rubbing vigorously, you can restore the polished finish to a large degree.

This cloth can be used for polishing other objects in gold or silver such as jewelry, silverware, table ware and trophies. The red color is harmless and can be washed. If any powder remains on the surface of the object cleaned it can be removed by using the outside cloth. This will also give an additional polish.

Replace Movement in Case

After polishing your case remove the bezel and hack, see that the crown is in the setting position then replace your movement in the case by starting the stem in the winding arbor and allowing the balance of the movement to slip easily into the case. In doing this keep the dial side uppermost so there will be less danger of the movement falling out.

After you have the movement in its proper position, hold it in the left hand if you are right handed, with the nail of the first finger pressed against the dial side while gripping the case with the thumb and second and third finger, as shown in figure 26. Holding it in this position turn the hand over so that the dial side of the watch is down. With your tweezers in your right hand pick up one of the case screws and place in position. Then with a screw driver turn this screw down until it is just holding the movement in place. Do the same with the other case screw.

See That Movement Is Centered

Before you screw the case screws clear down, press the crown into the winding position so that you will be sure to have the movement centered properly in the case. If you do not do this you are liable to have it slightly to one side with the stem going in at an angle which will make it bind somewhat while winding. Having the stem in the winding position before setting the case screws, turn the crown back and forth to see that the stem turns easily. If it does then set your case screws down in place. Case screws however, are not set as tightly as other screws in the movement. If too tight the heads are easily broken off by a jar that might not injure the movement. However do not make this an excuse for having the case screws turned into place too lightly. Turn down tight but not as far as it is possible to turn them.

Now examine dial and back of movement for finger marks, thereby gauging your ability to handle a movement without leaving such traces of an amateur. Replace the bezel and back on the case. Again try the winding and setting by means of the crown, wipe off any further finger marks on back or glass and credit yourself with having finished your first step in your progress toward becoming a Master Watchmaker.

Practice for Speed

The mere act of going once over the work described in each of the Master Lessons that are given you or the completing of the step by step methods shown in the Master Work Sheets does not make for finished skill in Watchmaking. If you are to be a Master Watchmaker you must have speed as well as ability and you must practice every problem described until you can do the work in the time specified on the Master Work Sheet. Some are able to acquire this speed with only a few hours practice while others must go over the work many times before being able to make the grade.

However you should realize that only by such effort can you attain the goal and that these problems once mastered are the real steps toward your success.

A watch is a machine; when it is right it will perform properly and not before. The man who works upon this machine should never slight any part, but should always strive to do his very best. Remember that you can never do your work too well.

First then, master the How of doing each proposition before attempting to acquire speed. After you are able to do your work as it should be done, practice each step over and over, never letting down on the quality. You will be surprised how easily the work comes after the first few problems if you will follow these simple directions and always strive to make each following job the best you have ever done.