Expert: Melvin Mills - 6/26/2009

Question
Hello, I collect pocket watches namely Elgin and I usually tend to buy ones that arent running, I frequently run across ones that seem to be wound up tight, but do not wind any more, and the balance wheel moves freely. I usually check the hairspring to make sure its still there or attached and often times its not and reconnecting it can usually fix the issue. But I have run across times where the hairspring is still there and the watch just wont run or wind anymore. Is this what happens when its wound too tight, like some one turns it too hard at the last bit and it seizes up? Or is it something like dirt or something causing the mainspring to be unable to release its tension into the watch. I know a small bit about watches and I can usually replace screws and small minor things that dont involve disassembly, but otherwise I try to buy watches that to my inspection with magnifying glasses and such is intact, just not running... Any thoughts? -Steve

Answer
Steve,

Although  many people believe the idea of overwinding a watch, it is actually a myth.  All manual wind watches that are not automatics will stop winding when they are fully wound.  After that, one would have to really try hard to wind it any more.  and if one could wind it more, he would break the mainspring which would result in the watch never being wound fully because the hook that anchors the mainspring to the barrel would be broken.     

What is happening is the watch needs a good cleaning and possibly a new mainspring.

Then it will work fine.  

For an excellent basic course that will serve your purposes, look at the pocektwatch repair course from Bob Tascione.  

It will show you how to do a basic servicing.  

Kind regards,

Melvin