Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Use a blunt blade to pry open the snap-case back of an Elgin watch. Screw-down-case back models should be placed face down in the palm of your hand and rotated counterclockwise with your other palm. Lift the mechanical movement from the case.
Unscrew the bezel on the front of the case counterclockwise. Pop out the crystal with your thumb. Your watch is now in five pieces: case back, case, movement, bezel and crystal.
Dab a small amount of Brasso on a clean cloth and apply it separately to the case back, case, bezel and crystal to remove surface scratches. Brasso, which contains a mild abrasive, can buff any metal or acrylic plastic.
Remove the hours, minutes and seconds hands by placing the watch hands-remover over the hands post. Set the hands-grabbing tool on its feet on the dial and pull each hand separately from the post. Use a screwdriver to remove the tiny screws that fasten the dial to the movement. Separate the dial from the movement.
Use tweezers to remove the hour wheel, which is a brass gear under the dial. Remove the cannon pinion, a small gear on a small shaft, with needle nose pliers. Remove the bridge, a flat metal sheet housing the gears and mainspring, with a screwdriver. Unscrew the balance wheel, a coiled spring found under the bridge. Use the screwdriver to remove the T-shaped balance fork. Remove the jewels, which are colored nuggets, from their holes on the bridges.
Replace the mainspring as a precaution. Soak the rest of the parts in naphtha in shot glasses. Use the toothbrush to scrub the parts clean. Place parts on lintless, absorbent paper for drying. Lubricate the jewel holes with watch oil.
Send the dial and hours, minutes and seconds hands to an experienced watchmaker for repainting or refurbishing. Do not attempt this task yourself.
Install all parts in reverse order of their removal once the dial and hands are returned and all parts are cleaned and dried.