Expert: Melvin Mills - 7/15/2010

Question
Hello sir...I just obtained 2 pocketwatches. 1 is a Hamilton navigation master watch and the other is a South Bend pocketwatch.  Is there some trick of the trade to get the backs off so I can see the jewel movements. On the Hamilton, there seems to be a seam but I cannot get it to pop open and on the South Bend, I cannot see any seam at all ?

Answer
William,

They may be screw type backs.  Try to unscrew them, just like you would a jar lid.  You can even use the rubber pad that many kitchens have for that purpose.  It will help you get a good grip.
You may need to use a lot of force because the backs can be hard to get off because of lint and other debris picked up from the inside of a pocket.

Kind regards,

Melvin