RUSTED AND BUSTED - Caught in a HOUSE FIRE 🔥- Can I save this family heirloom?

This Waltham 1883 P.S. Bartlett is an important piece of family history for one of my viewers. The watch was drowned in a Colorado house fire after being drenched by water for two days. I'll do my best to salvage the remains and explain the process and reasoning for my decisions along the way.
#restoration
#watchrepair
#pocketwatch
Contact info: [e-mail]
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Microscope: amzn.to/3ZrQ3Pn
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:35 Disassembly
11:25 Pre-Cleaning
13:00 Pivot Repair
14:52 Cracked Jewel Repair
18:05 Cleaning
19:07 Assembly
28:31 Hairspring Repair
30:12 Balance Install
30:40 Regulation
32:17 Assembly Continued
33:29 Crystal Replacement
34:54 Casing the Movement
35:55 Final Message
--
Prelude No. 20 by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@cynthiakay7253]

Love your videos. It’s so satisfying when the watch comes to life. 🎉. Linda B of this story is a friend who turned me on to your channel. Thanks Linda. Beautiful watch

[@feynthefallen]

One might reasonably argue that some of the un-numbered components you did replace contribute more to the actual functioning and character of the watch than some of the numbered components you preserved. But as Terry Pratchet put it: "This is my great-grandfather's axe. It is over 900 years old. Of course sometimes it needed a new handle, sometimes a new blade, but it's still my great-grandfather's axe"

[@lucyxchan6808]

So...the Theseus ship paradox all over again...how much you can replace till something isn't that specific thing anymore...

[@feynthefallen]

@@lucyxchan6808 That paradox is actually about substance vs. identity. The real uptake is that substance does not define identity and identity does not define substance. If you drive this to the extreme, you arrive at the teleporter conundrum, which asks what happens if you replace all the substance of a thing at once. (I actually only just realized that the Theseus ship paradox and the teleporter conundrum are essentially just facets of one and the same concept. NEAT!!!)

[@deanbrown4083]

Job well done returning this heirloom to a function thing of beauty. Love the heavy box hinge case.

[@Vandal_Savage]

The balance spring probably dissolved not just because of the amount of rust but also because of an adverse reaction between certain spung steels and certain cleaning products. ScoutCrafter did a vid about this recently.

[@dsell993]

This video had it all - a beautiful American pocketwatch, a family history with twists and turns, rub-in jewel replacement, timing adjustment, and even a side of philosophy for good measure! The final timing after your adjustments is INSANE. Bravo 👏 👏

[@picax8398]

13 minutes in and i gotta say, for something that was in a house fire and then soaked with water... the condition was actually impressive!

[@jimakin3541]

I've watched quite a few watch repair shows and you are using tools I haven't seen before. Therefore, I conclude that you are top notch Watch Repairman!

[@jaemisboker3288]

Watching your watch repair and overhauling videos, looks like you know in depth, what you are doing. Thank you.

[@RetroJack]

I've previously watched Wristwatch Revival, however, I'm much impressed with the level of detail here - subbed!

[@DutchClawz]

The balance adjustments are out of this world. Something I, as an hobbyist, will never accomplish.

[@benjaminepstein5856]

Lovely stuff! Linda and this watch were fortunate to come by a sympathetic restorer.

[@madheji]

I really appreciate your running commentary on every part that you are working on. Thank you

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

Very nice. Thanks for taking us along 👍.

[@smarthome2660]

Loved your attention to detail and the follow through on the balance wheel, hair spring corrections and the crystal. You serviced this as if you had never even touched it, leaving no evidence at all. I have never seen better numbers on the Timegrapher. You have earned a subscriber & I am shocked you have been on KZbin for 10 years and only have 7.3k subs.

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the kind remarks. I’ve been a KZbin watcher for a while, but have only been producing videos since 2022

[@MyRetroWatches]

Chris! that was incredible. All the obsticles were put in your way and you calmly repaired all of them and with great skill. You are a very capable watch technician far above what I can do (yet) I loved every minute of this video and wish it great success. I am going to share it all over the socials!

[@LCMNUNES1962]

ÓTIMO SERVIÇO 👍👍 🇧🇷

[@paulpietruszewski4226]

THIS WAS AN AWESOME RESTORATION!!! Very nice work!

[@SteelMagnolia8]

This was positively fascinating! My favorite pocket watch repair video so far!

[@waalererik]

Great job done. Calm and restrained execution and explanation. A joy to watch. Thanks for letting us watch😀

[@cincy.a.l.w3219]

I loove these so much. Thanks for the easy detailed descriptions of your process. I want to get into watchmaker so bad. It is going to take me forever to get all the tools together. Soon though... or eventually. Thanks for these videos. I have always said... if you can't afford starting a hobby or skill, learn as much as you can about with that time saving or waiting. Learning is free with so many resources. I used to feel like I was learning another language but getting so much more confident learning all the anatomy and functions.

[@JR-bj3uf]

Nicely done. I love seeing any mechanical thing saved.

[@readrepairs]

Really Nice work. What an amazing resource for those wishing to see a watch like this being serviced and repaired. Yes, learned a lot.

[@pethoviejo]

Outstanding restoration. Thanks for sharing.

[@MelliKeppler]

Enjoyed your work!👍

[@maestromecanico597]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

[@jdmccorful]

Extraordinary!!Thanks for the look. Enjoyed!

[@JimmysGarden]

Great video, great restoration and a great tale this watch will tell many many years from now, thanks to you. 👍👍

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Absolutely a satisfying video to look. I work on a similar one and it’s a pleasure to remembering my restoration as this one. Now I understand why I had some difficulties to timing my pocket watch, poising could have helped me. Got to changed the crystal too but when I removed the well gluted identify stiker I broke-it again 🙄 so I found an acrylic one and solve my problem ! So thank for sharing this one it’s absolutely fascinating to see you working, the final results is absolutely amazing !! Thanks again and best regard Chris !!

[@Black.D.D]

Thank you for this beaitiful upload & the awrsome work you did whit this beautiful pocket watch. It sounds easy but it's a real hars work. Hope Miss Linda can enjoy many years happy with her grandfathers pocket watch.

[@TJ-wp4yz]

Great job Chris! It looked like a real challenge in the beginning, but you did a fine job repairing this fine old relic.

[@josealbertobejaranoulloa2280]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@RomanSchatzphoto]

An excellent and thoughtful restoration. Congratulations.

[@keithschwartz7318]

I have been viewing Wristwatch Revival for some time now. I just subscribed to your channel yesterday. I love it! The way you explain your steps as you move through the movement are appreciated. Thank you.

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Fantastic Video. Really great work Chris. enjoyed every minute !!!!!

[@frankschroth4038]

Wow , what a beautiful restoration !!! 😮

[@elypowell6797]

The beauty of this watch almost brings on a tear.

[@guymustsing]

Inspiring! Thank you! 🙂

[@TimTellsTime]

Awesome job. It's nice to see you doing proper pre-cleaning and jewel pegging unlike some other KZbinrs out there "servicing" watches. Always a pleasure watching your videos Chris!

[@9f676150z8xF]

Lovely watch, and excellent work bringing it back to its former glory.

[@DrummerRIP]

Thank you for sharing your super power with us. Keep up the great work!

[@Davide_Firenze]

Fantastic job!!!

[@vicrod5]

Brilliant as always, thanks

[@Thrillrider10]

What a gorgeous watch, and an incredible story!

[@TerryMcKean]

That was an impeccable effort restoring that beautiful watch, Chris. Thank you for sharing.

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Thanks for another excellent video. Great restoration.

[@skybpak4242]

Brilliant. You are my new favorite watchmaker on KZbin. I love the look, sound, and pace of your videos. Excellent work on this Waltham but even better on this family's memories. Modifying the glass by grinding with a dremel...that's next level in my book. Finally, as a Bulova fan, I appreciated seeing the Accutron you restored in a previous video on your wrist in this video.

[@frankthomas855]

What an amazing restoration on an amazing watch!

[@georgejamison3782]

Nicely done sir!

[@MASI_forging]

What a beautiful restoration. 👍👍

[@stevefeeney6156]

What a great job on the watch and excellent work on the regulation. Amazing to see the movement coming to life a little bit at a time. Well done 👍

[@francispalmer9737]

Very relaxing to watch and a great job, cheers C S Spinner

[@markehuss]

Nice work, as always. I like the way you casually mention the donor movement(s) used to source parts that need replacing without mentioning the effort required to find them. :)

[@wasnhas]

Beautiful save.

[@christmastavares8120]

Nice work thank you for the video

[@ronaldlinkenhoker5705]

Very nice restoration. I love pocket watches!

[@plhebel1]

I just found your channel and enjoying it very much. I never realized I would be so taken with watch making/repair so much. The small Midwest city I grew up in was a factory that make all types of time pieces stating way back until moving to Florida back in the mid 1970's it was named Westlock's located in La Salle Illinois. If I had a interest back then like now I could have have had a large number of people to talk with about the trade and the factory which still stands has opened a museum inside it's walls with much technical drawings and related items. I will be taking a looks around soon.

[@PeteMonaghan]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@stevev7402]

Another great video. I’m sure the customer is overjoyed that you could get it back to working order and looking fantastic.

[@MH-fb5kr]

Beautiful…. BRAVO!😊

[@supermenthol5531]

Awesome restoration 🎉

[@deepakdomun8243]

Beautiful watch, very good job done 👍👍👍👍

[@todds2248]

Wow, Grandpa must have been a pretty successful sheep herder! That might be the most beautiful pocket watch case I have ever seen! I love working on these big 18s watches. So rewarding to get them going. I just love how loud they tick!

[@larrykelly2838]

Wonderful restoration on a special watch. I haven't sent my watch in yet but very soon.

[@kevins4229]

So impressed by your skill! I watch a lot of other watch restoration videos, but you are bar none the top I've seen in all facets!

[@boydsargeant7496]

Well done Chris, a fantastic job! You put so many hours into this, I can tell. After I’ve had a balance in and out 10 times I really want the fix to happen soon! I love your collection of tools! Keep showing us you fix watches! Ta.

[@judithyoungquist8409]

Stunning… just stunning

[@finlayfraser9952]

A lovely job!

[@brad9529]

Great job, there's a few tiny things that bothered me, but I will keep it to myself as i really enjoyed the video. Thanks 😊

[@marklilly2581]

Love your videos. That was a beautiful watch

[@duanehovenga2965]

Great save.

[@GordonjSmith1]

Nice job on a lovely pocket watch.

[@marialuciamontoromiloch5872]

O melhor relojoeiro que já vi verdadeiro mestre vc e uma inspiração parabéns pelo seu trabalho

[@tuffymartinez]

Thank You Chris.... another awesome restoration. I watch & in sections I re-watch. I listen to your descriptions. I would like to think I can retain all of what you say but alas..... Hopefully I do subliminally absorb most of the process. I do not take notes. The more I "watch" the more I learn?... at least that's my plan .... TM

[@scottcates]

Impressive work

[@haridaspanicker5888]

Lovely restoration of an extremely vaued heirloom!

[@TheNightshadePrince]

Awesome video! :)

[@ruud9767]

Thanks for the repair video: this is a beautiful watch in a splendid case. This time I know which watch you were wearing yourself. It's the Bulova that you restored the other day!

[@PrometheusZandski]

Your ship of Theseus comparison is quite apt. You need to ask the question, if they want the watch to work. Also, have they ever even looked inside the watch? Is the watch just the case and the dial to them? I think 99.9999% of people have never looked inside a watch nor do they care to. If the ship of Theseus were to set sail and immediately sink into the harbor, would it still be the ship of Theseus? This was the most impressive timing correction I've seen. Your skills are quite impressive.

[@darcybrawataakaontariostac6835]

It was Tragic what happened to that watch, but Thanks to your Great work it is back to life Again

[@EnriqueOchoaMaldonado-uc8kl]

Qué excelente trabajo, te quedó precioso ese antiguo reloj de ferrocarrilero, se llevo mucho trabajo esa bella pieza de joyería, me gusta mucho como vas explicando paso a paso de lo que vas haciendo..!! Quedo como salido de la misma casa de relojes que lo fabricó, eres un maestro relojero..!! Disfruto mucho viendo tus documentales..!! Excelente video..!! Saludos brother..!!

[@michaelpthompson]

❤ inspirational!

[@jatco84]

What a fabulous watch and great restoration on it. My first view of your work and it's exemplary. Always fascinated with timepieces and you certainly brought this one back to life.. Im sure the owner is ecstatic. I would be. Kudos to you....

[@dale4034]

Very pretty case. I'd figured that a donor movement would be very practical. First jewel of this type I've seen replaced!

[@cudamank]

Enjoy how you don't rush out to replace parts, instead repairing where possible.

[@ronl7131]

Great restoration. Nice work with hairspring issue. 🍻

[@JoseSanchez-ht1kc]

QUÉ HERMOSURA DE RELOJ!!!

[@jeff1176]

I bet that hairspring regulation was tedious. I'm not sure I'll ever have the ability and patience to do that. Very nice restoration.

[@legacywatchguy8333]

Excellent! It's a great question; when does the movement cease to be the same movement? How many parts can you replace without changing the identity? I think you were spot on. Keeping the serial numbers is vital if there's any way. Great job man.

[@carlrees5574]

brilliant work!! Im happy to work on all watch movements but pocket watch movements give me the willies - go figure 😁

[@robertjwilliams3532]

A beautiful watch. They don't make them like they use to!

[@wildernessofzinn17]

Good stuff, Scott!. That one pretty much run the gamut and took everything..wow!.

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I show true a little bit in this video at 1030: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZypiGWYi7uEhpIsi=c_1g-tgzm4V-jFN8 I didn’t show the undercutting but maybe next time I’ll film that part too! - Chris

[@wildernessofzinn17]

Thanks, Scott. That would be awesome!. Did you actually drill holes in the balance wheel, make extra screws, and install those extras to put the wheel into balance?. If so...Wow!. I have never seen anyone do that. I figure you've reached the top shelf of mastery if you can do that. Sorry for deleting part of my comment. I figured I best not bug you with all the inane requests and questions. As it is, you show just about the most advanced work of any of these watch repair channels. Good stuff!

[@csspinner]

@@wildernessofzinn17 the balance wheel comes with holes predrilled and threaded to accept more screws in these circumstances. So that was one thing I did not have to do. - Chris

[@ibgeorgeb]

Bravo!!!

[@jaemisboker3288]

Watchiung you, looks like you know in depth, what are you doing. Thanks

[@GrutteKlier]

I'm new to your channel, an amazing job, amazing watch! New subscriber.

[@user-wf6su1ro7t]

حقا مبدع اختصاص مع توفر الالات للصيانه تحياتي من العراق

[@nikolajskrabelj4503]

Young boy , good work .

[@ccncomics]

I’m new to watch repair and got the tools and learned a lot, I really thought I had tools, but after watching this I realize I don’t have shit and I don’t know shit.

[@user-iv9qj7ys3y]

Great restoration of a very beautiful watch. I have read that in the old days they used to heat the bezel in order to expand and then put the crystal which would freely sit . Then as the bezel cooled off the crystal would be gripped by the bezel and it would stay in place.

[@user-iv9qj7ys3y]

Perhaps, that's why the crystal they sent you was larger than what it was stated on the paper

[@csspinner]

That’s true. I’ve tried that myself but never worked. Maybe I’m just not quick enough or lack the skill yet

[@curingabettoni4310]

Belíssimo relògio , gratificanti video òtimo proficional, Graciez ( Brésil)

[@eugenioanido1289]

genial, que belleza.....

[@patrickstarnes2355]

I learnt that time is precious and should not be rushed, only paused or slowed down to achieve precise satisfaction.🙏