WORLDWIDE Chapter 149 Message Board

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi, I will just add that 20 to 50 small Cottage Industries in sheds and Homes would be involved in making parts for Verge and Fusee movements; the Fusee Chains were mainly made in Christchurch by small Girls. https://www.historychristchurch.org.uk/content/history/industry-in-christchurch-2 Liverpool, London and Coventry were centers of Watchmaking. Only in the very early Days were Pocket Watches made by one Maker. Regards Ray

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi, another problem is that over many Years, Fusee movements have been repaired; sometimes lots of times and the quality of the work is often not very good. Plates are held on with Taper Pins that have corroded and are almost impossible to get out. Parts have been made that are not up to scratch and can cause problems. In Hundreds of Years lots can happen.

Neilywatch · Chapter Member

Ray -

When I first started out as a Watch repairer, I wanted to get my hands on all kinds of watches just for the experience. Among them verge fusees.

I never had a problem dismantling them or having parts break when I took them apart. I was taught in part by another watchmaker who spent a lot of time on these watches.

The 2 big issues with getting them to run is after 200 years, the mainsprings were completely set and as you know they are all rolled out by hand. There was no replacing them or putting the strength back into them.

The other issue again after 200 years, the teeth on the escape wheel would wear and lose their points, so they could not "lift" The flags on the staffs as far as they should, so there was very poor motion on the balance.

I understand your need to be cautious, but in NO case, was I to clean a complete movement without dismantling it. More often than not, doing so would prevent us from solving the problem that stopped the watch in the first place. Unless it was horribly dirty, dirt or dust was not the cause for stoppage in these fusees.

I had to stop fixing them for several reasons: The chains kept breaking, The watch would run for just a few hours - and their owners found that unacceptable, and repointing escape wheels was beyond my ability.

I do enjoy them in that many of the parts were made completely by hand.
I watched Martin Mathews make cases for the watches, using nothing but 200 year old tools and that was just beyond fascinating.

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi Neil, I have been repairing and making parts for Fusee movements for over 25 years and I have never had a Fusee Chain break after fixing a movement. I might add if the movement is too far gone it goes into the also ran box. I have my own American Watch Company 1904 8mm Lathe; I also have a Gear Cutter Machine that I designed and made myself out of parts that were laying around. I worked as an Instrument Maker in earlier days doing Defense Department work on a Cost Plus basis. I am also a qualified Optical Mechanic; my first job. Then I made my big Mistake and I went into the Marine business; I never made much money while I was thus occupied, but it was fun being on the Water 5 or 6 Days a week. Regards Ray

Jon · Chapter President

The quickie boys in the US use "one dip" to get mov'ts running (balance).

If Ray used his secret solution, I hope he rinsed the movement before oiling it!

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi Jon, do you think after 25 years I don't? I am seeing how long it will run on one wind; I started it at 1.30 AM. I just dismantled the House c1760 cylinder movement; someone has bent part of the Escape Wheel. Regards Ray

Jon · Chapter President

Just checking, just checking!

When you wrote about secret mix (brew). I GOT NERVOUS BECAUSE THE MOVEMENT APPEARED SO NICE!

Laughing

Neilywatch · Chapter Member

I should clarify that when the chains broke (on me) they usually broke at the hook.

Jon · Chapter President

Most of the time that is where they break--the weakest area of these chains.

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

Hi, as a matter of interest this movement ticked for 27 and a half Hours in a test run. Regards Ray

Jon · Chapter President

And, the winner is? Ray, bottle that brew! Idea

omexa reborn · Chapter Member

This is my Brew.

Jon · Chapter President

Nice, but I meant that secret brew mix you used to "douche" your 27.5 hr running unnamed English mov't.