Expert: Melvin Mills - 11/30/2008

Question
I just inhereted my great grandfather's Illinois pocket watch and was wondering how to set the time. After unscrewing the face, I found a pull out lever above the 1 and was wondering if that had anything to do with it.  Also, do different things happen when I wind the watch with the twisty thing pulled or not?

Answer
Ryan,

That is a very nice watch.  Congratulations.  

I would like to suggest that you write down everything you know about the watch's previous owners ( names, birthdays, occupations, etc.) and keep it with the watch so you will be able to hand that off to the next generation that receives it.

The lever is the only way to set the watch. It is called a lever set (clever, huh?).  The only other option is a stem set, which is when you pull out the knob to set the hands, like a modern day watch.

The twisty thing (knob) is called a crown.  It does not have multiple functions based on the in/out positions.  Only used when disassemblying the watch.

kind regards,

Melvin