Converted pocket watch... Edited.

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

Hello there!
I'm a lurker that's finally decided to build my own Steampunk Watch.
It's taken about nine months to collect all the pieces, (thank you eBay), but it's been a lot of fun.
It's based on an old Smiths pocket watch from the 40's or 50's. Not exactly the right period but I like it!





I'm still tinkering with it. It may need some illumination...

*EDIT*



I've continued tinkering and after fiddling around with the copper hour wheel washer, I've done away with it and fashioned a little bracket to hold it in place. I'm rather pleased with it!

I've also forgone putting any numbers or markings on it, I just like the way it looks as it is.

Still mentally designing illumination. Have you seen how small LED's are these days?

[Prof. Albrecht Von Taggërt]

I really like that, it has that cobbled together look but is quite attractive! From what i can see the watch it's self is removable, which makes it even better!

Oh and Welcome the the forum!

[Rowan of Rin]

Really very nice work, probably the nicest pocket watch conversion I have seen.

[vt13013]

I'd love to accomplish something similar with a compass, though the means to attach it to the wristband would have to be reworked, since the compass in question has a hinged lid.

Cheers.

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

I really like that, it has that cobbled together look but is quite attractive! From what i can see the watch it's self is removable, which makes it even better!

Oh and Welcome the the forum!

It is removable, Professor. It still needs the occasional clean and oiling to keep it going. All part of the fun!

I'd love to accomplish something similar with a compass, though the means to attach it to the wristband would have to be reworked, since the compass in question has a hinged lid.

Cheers.

VT, attaching it to the wristband was the hardest part until I found some little brass clothing tabhooks from a haberdashers. I hooked the main holder into that. I have a little brass sundial/compass that I'd like to wristify, I think I'm going to have the same problem you have!

Thanks all for the kind words! 

[Angel]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Also where did you source the brass wire? Was it expensive?

Cheers.

[HAC]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Its supposed to be a loose fit on the cannon pinion, the dial washer keeps it in place correctly under the dial.. (and dial washers are incredible easy to lose, if you're not careful...)
If the watch was designed to have no dial (ie certain skeletonized movements), then there are other ways of ensuring the hour wheel stays put.
Cheers
Harold

[Dr Flonker]

Personally, I like pocket watches better, but this one grows on ya...

[Angel]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Its supposed to be a loose fit on the cannon pinion, the dial washer keeps it in place correctly under the dial.. (and dial washers are incredible easy to lose, if you're not careful...)
If the watch was designed to have no dial (ie certain skeletonized movements), then there are other ways of ensuring the hour wheel stays put.
Cheers
Harold

I understand it should be loose, to allow turning, but I meant loose along the length of the pinion. The only things keeping it in the watch are the hands.

[HAC]

Exactly.. thats what the dial and dial washer do...The dial washer looks like a small dished brass washer, not very big. The dished shape allows it to apply pressure on the hour wheel, once the dial is in place and seated properly.. If you remove the dial and dial washer, the hour wheel should lift off the pinion easily. Dial washers are needed to hold the hour wheel (and the attached hour hand) in place under the dial, so that it meshes properly with the minute wheel. If the dial washer is deformed or, scratched, the watch may run slowly or stop.

Cheers
Harold

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

I have nothing to add to what Harold has already written, you can see the copper dial washer on the photos. I learnt how important it was when I accidentally bent it, rebent it to what I thought was the correct shape and then had a few days of erratic running and frustration! I could not work out what the problem was. 

I'm thinking of putting jewels, studs or something similar where the numbers should be. Any suggestions?

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Also where did you source the brass wire? Was it expensive?

Cheers.

The brass wire was from eBay, do a search for brass hobby and jewellery wire. It wasn't expensive. I also used narrow brass rods from a model steam railway shop, CJW Steam, also on eBay. They've got everything you could possibly want!

[HAC]

I have nothing to add to what Harold has already written, you can see the copper dial washer on the photos. I learnt how important it was when I accidentally bent it, rebent it to what I thought was the correct shape and then had a few days of erratic running and frustration! I could not work out what the problem was. 

I'm thinking of putting jewels, studs or something similar where the numbers should be. Any suggestions?

How about small hexagonal bolt-heads, in a different metal?
On dial-washers... yeah, you usually found out about those the hard way, I know I did 
Cheers
Harold

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

I have nothing to add to what Harold has already written, you can see the copper dial washer on the photos. I learnt how important it was when I accidentally bent it, rebent it to what I thought was the correct shape and then had a few days of erratic running and frustration! I could not work out what the problem was. 

I'm thinking of putting jewels, studs or something similar where the numbers should be. Any suggestions?

How about small hexagonal bolt-heads, in a different metal?
On dial-washers... yeah, you usually found out about those the hard way, I know I did 
Cheers
Harold

Hmmmm, not a bad idea.... ta!

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Also where did you source the brass wire? Was it expensive?

Cheers.

Hi Angel, I've adjusted my watch with the addition of a little bracket to hold the hour cog in place. Photo at top. The dial washer was becoming a pain! Hope you sorted your problem out too!

[HAC]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Also where did you source the brass wire? Was it expensive?

Cheers.

Hi Angel, I've adjusted my watch with the addition of a little bracket to hold the hour cog in place. Photo at top. The dial washer was becoming a pain! Hope you sorted your problem out too!

Actually, thats'a rather clever solution.. Nice one..
Cheers
Harold

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

How does it fair on turning the watch upside down?

I've just disassembled an Ingersoll of mine (for good reason, of course) and when I removed the face, the middle cogwheel was loose. A method of keeping it down might be a good idea.

Also where did you source the brass wire? Was it expensive?

Cheers.

Hi Angel, I've adjusted my watch with the addition of a little bracket to hold the hour cog in place. Photo at top. The dial washer was becoming a pain! Hope you sorted your problem out too!

Actually, thats'a rather clever solution.. Nice one..
Cheers
Harold

Hi Harold, I am rather pleased with myself! More through luck than judgement, the bracket doesn't actually touch the wheel at all! I had to bend a kink in the hands to accommodate it but it works really well.

Cheers!

F.

[Verner]

Beautiful work!  I'd love to hear more about the construction process...

[Ben Hudson, Esq.]

Beautiful work!  I'd love to hear more about the construction process...

Ditto, I've been thinking about something like this for quite some time.

[Abslomrob]

Still mentally designing illumination. Have you seen how small LED's are these days?

Have you considered tritium tubes?

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

Still mentally designing illumination. Have you seen how small LED's are these days?

Have you considered tritium tubes?

I hadn't, because I'd never heard of them. Quick Google, Wiki and eBay later, and I've got one on the way! 6mm by 1.5mm, should be perfect. Thanks for the tip!
Once that's in, I'll see if I can do a dissection and rebuild, take some photos.

[Abslomrob]

They're becoming quite popular, espeically with the larger watches (the "tube" approach takes up more room then the old "paint" methods).  Safer though.  And more period-appropriate for Steampunk (although if you <really> want, I know a place selling an old set of radium based paint.  They're in Canada, and can't ship it across the border though.)

[Capt. Dirigible]

I should imagine building a watch from scratch is no mean feat so heartiest congrats on the end product. It's really nice.

wristify,

Made Up Word Alert!!

[Captain Quinlin Hopkins]

They're becoming quite popular, espeically with the larger watches (the "tube" approach takes up more room then the old "paint" methods).  Safer though.  And more period-appropriate for Steampunk (although if you <really> want, I know a place selling an old set of radium based paint.  They're in Canada, and can't ship it across the border though.)

Only 1200 miles away.  Hmmm.. have to wait till I've a weekend off.  

[Doctor Frinkelstein]

I should imagine building a watch from scratch is no mean feat so heartiest congrats on the end product. It's really nice.

wristify,

Made Up Word Alert!!

Wristify? It's a perfectly cromulent word.