Expert: Melvin Mills - 10/20/2009

Question
I received an American Waltham Pocket Watch from my great grandgrathers estate.  I understnd from my own research that it was made sometime in 1901 (according to the serial number 10251621).  On the inside of the back cover it has stamped, "Defiance" and below, what I presume to be anther seial number "1557084".  The watch is silver in color, with a shield stamp in the 12 position on the back casing with 9 sets of verticle straight lines. The winding mechanism is in the three o'clock position. It has been kept in a small leather snap closure purse but has green tarnish on the verticle etching on the back as well as a small amount on the bezel ring on the front face. The watch is non-functioning. Is it possible for me to clean it myself without damaging it and have it repaired to a functioning state.  I would like to be able to pass it onto my son as a working pocket watch.
Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

Answer
Stephen,

I don't know if you will be able to clean it yourself.  I can tell you that it is not really a hard procedure.  It is just a matter of going through the steps.

If you have the right tools and the knowledge, you will be able to clean it within a day.

If you have no previous training, I would strongly suggest that you pass.

You don't want to learn by trial and error on a family heirloom.

Pick up a similar watch from ebay to practice on.  

Kind regards,

Melvin