Illinois watch restoration part 7: movement assembly and oiling

Here I take a big step toward finishing the Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch. I discuss inserting a "T-end" mainspring, different approaches to oiling keyless works, and oiling cap jewels. The final results appear promising.

[@petercampbell3828]

Great job on a beautiful watch from an era when the United States made some of the best timekeeping tools on the planet.

[@timelyvintagewatches]

Thanks Peter! Yes this was really the golden age for sure. Really a beautiful movement inside and out.

[@boydsargeant7496]

It’s alive! Looks fantastic. The gold train wheels do look lovely! Great job John!

[@timelyvintagewatches]

It's alive! Just reading so I can adjust the thing properly..

[@StefeligaFlavius]

Amazing work!!! Please upload more!!!

[@timelyvintagewatches]

Thanks so much. Will do!

[@StefeligaFlavius]

Gold train wheels as solid gold or gold plated?

[@timelyvintagewatches]

Good question! I think solid but I am unsure. I'll have to read about this.

[@StefeligaFlavius]

@@timelyvintagewatches I never had the heart to cut golden wheels only to check this theory but so many say that there's no such thing as solid gold wheels. We know that gold is soft and back in the day there were no hard gold alloy...but I haven't seen any documents or research about this topic. I'm really curious as I have 3 Hamilton 921's and I've heard that the wheels are from solid gold.

[@tonyaxeman4381]

I looked up the serial number and it kinda special and it is one of 2000 that year . Tempand what ever that is .

[@davidsicca2352]

You keep the camera too far away, it's dificult to see...

[@timelyvintagewatches]

Point well taken - but it's harder than it looks to position the camera properly and get the right distance. I will do my best to improve as I go.