Do you want to know, “how to open a Waltham pocket watch?” If yes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about Waltham pocket watches and how to open them. I have been collecting watches for many years, and I know how to open a Waltham pocket watch without damaging it.
In this article, we will be discussing how to open a Waltham pocket watch. The Waltham pocket watch is a square case watch that was produced by the Waltham Watch Company. The watch was first produced in 1854 and was one of the most popular watches of its time. The watch has a square case and a key-wound movement. The watch is often collected by collectors because of its unique design and historical value.
What Is a Waltham Pocket Watch?
A Waltham pocket watch is a timepiece that was first manufactured in Massachusetts in the mid-1800s. The watches are named after the Waltham Watch Company, which was founded in 1854 and produced some of the first mass-produced pocket watches. Today, Waltham pocket watches are considered collectors’ items and can fetch high prices at auction. There are a few different types of Waltham pocket watches, but the most common is the hunting case pocket watch.
The Waltham company was founded in 1854 by George M. Wheelock, who had previously been employed as a watchmaker by the American Watch Company. The two companies merged in 1857 to become one company called the “Waltham Watch Company”. The company was based in Waltham, Massachusetts, which is about 20 miles west of Boston. George M. Wheelock had a shop on Washington Street and later moved to the corner of Main and Court Streets.
In the late 19th century, Waltham watches were considered some of the best timepieces in the world. The company manufactured a wide variety of different styles of watches and clocks. In 1894, Waltham Watch Company was acquired by the N. A. Sloane Company of New York City. The Sloane Company had previously purchased the American Watch Company and reorganized it as the “American Watch Co.
Types of Waltham Pocket Watches
Pocket watches are a unique type of watch that is often passed down through families. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all have a special charm about them. There are several different types of Waltham pocket watches, and each one has its own unique features.
1. Round Case Waltham Pocket Watch
This is the most common type of Waltham pocket watch, and it has a solid brass case with a leather band. The case is a little wider than the average wristwatch and sits higher on the arm. The date is in Roman numerals and there’s no sweep hand. In other words, it doesn’t have a second hand to indicate the time.
2. Rectangular Case Waltham Pocket Watch
This model has a metal body and a leather strap, which makes it very elegant. It is the most expensive of other Waltham pocket watches. It has a rectangular case with a black dial.
3. Square Case Waltham Pocket Watch
This model has a metallic body with a leather strap. It is very similar to the model above, with a few minor differences. The dial has Roman numerals and fluted chapter rings.
4. Octagonal Case Waltham Pocket Watch
This model bears a metal body and a leather strap. The case is octagonal in shape and the back has a fitted lid or cover with a snap closure. The movement is a simple one-piece barrel, which is unusual for this era. It has Roman numerals on the dial and it runs well.
5. Rectangular with A Hinged Lid Waltham Pocket Watch
This watch has a metal casing and a leather band. The case is rectangular in shape with a hinged lid or cover that snaps shut. It has Roman numerals on the dial, which is unusual for this era.
Step-By-Step Guide on How to Open a Waltham Pocket Watch
It’s time to open your Waltham pocket watch. By following these easy steps you can do so in no time at all.
Tools You Need
To open a watch, you need to have all the necessary tools. You will need:
- Small screwdriver
- Small flathead screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Tweezers
- Paper clip
Step 1: Remove the Back Cover
First of all, you need to remove the back cover. There are a couple of small screws holding this cabinet in place. Unscrew them gently and then slide the back off.
Step 2: Remove the Crystal
There are two small screws on the back cover of your Waltham pocket watch that need to be removed. Once these screws are out, the back cover can be gently pried off. Be careful not to damage the watch casing. Once the back cover is removed, you can see the watch crystal. Simply remove the crystal with tweezers or a small screwdriver. You may have to clean around it first with a cloth (or toothpick) and rubbing alcohol (or glass cleaner).
Step 3: Pull off the Dial
There are two small screws holding the dial to the movement. Once these screws are removed, gently pull the dial off of the case. Don’t worry if your watch has a dial protector on it; you can easily remove it.
Step 4: Remove the Dial Plate
There is a small screw on the back of the movement that holds in place the dial plate. Once this screw is removed, gently pull up on the dial plate and it will lift off.
Step 5: Remove the Hands
Here is where it gets a little tricky. The hands are attached to the dial with small screws, and these screws are pretty deep in the case. There is no easy way to remove these screws, but there is an easier way to get them off. Once these screws are removed, gently pull on the hands and they should come off.
Step 6: Remove the Dial Protector
The dial protector is usually held in place with a small piece of tape. If the dial protector is cracked or broken, the crystal will not be covered by the dial protector. If your watch has a damaged crystal, make sure to purchase a new one from an authorized dealer. You can find an authorized dealer by visiting our reference guide for Service Centers In The U.S.
Step 7: Remove the Dial Bezel
The dial bezel is held in place with small screws. I’m not sure if these are the same screws that hold the dials in place, but they were long enough to reach deep into the bezel. I could have used a longer screwdriver, but they were small enough that I didn’t want to risk stripping them. I used a flat head screwdriver to remove the screws from the bezel. I also used a flat head screwdriver to remove the screws from the case back. Use caution with these because they are very small and thin.
Step 8: Remove the Bezel Screws
The bezel screws are located on the bezel itself. The back of the bezel has a groove that fits the head of the screw. You don’t need to remove the entire bezel to take out the screws. Just loosen them up and carefully pry off the bezel. The bezel should slide right off.
Step 9: Remove the Crown from the Watch
There are 4 screws that hold the crown onto the watch. Make sure you use a 5/32″ allen wrench for this if your watch uses one. Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the screws from the case back.
Step 10: Remove Crown Screws
The crown is held on by two screws. There are two sets of screws, so you will need to remove the screws from both sides of the crown. The crown should slide right off.
Step 11: Remove Crown & Set the Date and Day
The crown is held on by two screws. There are two sets of screws, so you will need to remove the screws from both sides of the crown. The crown should slide right off. I used a small flathead screwdriver to remove the crown from the watch. There are two metal pieces that go in the top of the crown, one on each side. The metal pieces that go in the crown are spring-loaded, so they should pop right out of the watch.
Cleaning and Repairing a Waltham Pocket Watch
If you have a Waltham pocket watch that needs cleaning or repair, there are a few things you can do to take care of it yourself. There are a couple of different methods for cleaning and repairing a Waltham Pocket Watch:
First, make sure the watch is clean. Gently brush off any dirt or dust with a soft cloth. Next, use a small brush to clean the inside of the watch case and the mechanism. If there is any gunk or build-up, you can use a light solvent like rubbing alcohol to clean it away. Be careful not to get the solvent on the watch’s face or hands, as it could damage them.
If the watch is running slow or stopped altogether, you may need to do some repairs. First, make sure the watch is properly lubricated.
Caution: To do this, start by removing the watch from the case. Next, lubricate the watch’s hands and pivots with a very small amount of liquid lubricant. Be careful not to get any on the face or back of the watch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, opening a Waltham pocket watch is a process that can be done with a few simple tools and some patience. By following the steps in this article, you should be able to open your watch and begin to enjoy its workings. Please note that this is not a complete guide and there are a number of other tools that can be used to open your watch such as a pick, screwdriver, etc. So if you have any questions or comments on this article please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.