Restoration of a Waltham Vanguard Railroad Grade Pocket Watch - Family Heirloom

This Waltham Vanguard is a family heirloom of a viewer whose father, Raye E. Hughes, A WW2 veteran of the US Navy, used this watch while working as a conductor for the Texas & Pacific Railway. The watch was passed down to Raye from his father. Clearly, it's seen better days and who knows when this watch had last run, BUT my opinion is it can still be restored to working order. I may go as far to say it's a diamond in the rough.
Can I restore this watch close to railroad grade accuracy?
#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:
Micrometer: amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Micrometer Stand: amzn.to/3vPPuUy
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 (Bergeon): amzn.to/3RTvGHp
Screwdrivers (cheaper option): 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
Bench Buffer Polisher: amzn.to/3OlcW2E
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Movement Disassembly
10:33 Balance Staff Replacement
13:45 Cleaning
15:10 Begin Reassembly
21:00 Burnishing Pivots
23:22 Continue Reassembly
28:16 Balance Installation
28:50 Polishing the Case
29:29 Making a Stem on the Lathe
32:55 Completing Assembly
35:27 Closing Remarks

[@HelloAlysha]

Thank you so much for fixing my grandfather’s watch. Not only did it mean a lot to my dad, it means a lot to the grandchildren and great grandchildren who have a tangible memory of our grandpa. That watch was handed down from my great grandpa Bill to grandpa Raye when he joined the railroad. It has now been a part of our family for 5 generations. We are so grateful for your skill and talent, as our grandpa would be to. Watchmakers and watchsmith’s are a lost art. Thank you.

[@csspinner]

My pleasure! It’s an honor to be entrusted with the repair of a beautiful timepiece. Knowing how special it is to your family makes it even more meaningful to me.

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

This is awesome !!!! Great job Chris !!!!!!

[@derekmacieski3992]

The making of the stem was truly impressive.

[@tiger_bread4]

Watched to the end and I found it funny how I was able to see your face in the reflection on the crown and ratchet wheel

[@mountainhobo]

At 3:00 am, it is therapeutic to watch you work.

[@raymondwilcoxjr.340]

I do enjoy watching you rebuild the watches and pocket watches

[@55ATA3]

Enjoyed the video, hope to see more soon. The older watches are some of the best to watch, they put so much work in to parts that most people never get to see..

[@andreymos1153]

This is not the second life of the watch, but rather a new life. I am a surgeon and our work is somewhat similar. Good luck.

[@nolantaylor1760]

I too watched to the end. I am delighted by the "Gold" etching in the bridges, which is really pretty and tells of the quality. There is a certain elegance with the enumeration of the faces that use the "Dido" style font. Beautiful restoration and lathe work. Thanks for sharing.

[@bmen6401]

Great video, thanks. A family heirloom, wonderfully restored.

[@markgardiner5150]

Keep up the good work, very impressive workmanship!

[@deanbrown4083]

Another very informative and entertaining video! I'm 73 and have several vintage and RR grade pocket watches. Watching you has inspired me to gather a few tools and supplies to try cleaning and lubricating a few that few of the lesser watches to try and develop a little skill. Thank you and yes, keep the videos coming. This was my first viewing of a jeweled motor barrel. Thanks ahain.

[@todds2248]

Great work on an amazing watch. I never would have thought about a threaded arbor and jeweled barrel! Turning that stem was masterful.

[@deanbrown4083]

Watched to the end, really enjoyed. The Vangard is a beautiful watch. If my hands did not tremble at times I would live to work on pocket watches. Have a collection of 40+ pocket watches, railroad grade, hunter case watches and standard open face. I had an older watchmaker that did my work. Unfortunately he passed away.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

I have watched a great many hours of watchmaking and your photography. Voice over and skills are second to none. Well done indeed. Sir.

[@user-iv2tu4wq7t]

You did a superb job on that watch!! Any railroader would be proud to call that his own!! Well done and please DO keep the restoration videos coming!!!

[@petelarsen721]

It was nice to see the same watch cleaning machine in use that I inherited from my dad had when he was repairing watches. Thank you

[@pablorosales1149]

Every American pocket watch seems to be superior to the Swiss watches of that time (in my opinion). This is a beautiful movement, and naturally an exceptional restoring work. Congratulations!!

[@csspinner]

Very true. The swiss watches of that period were not very impressive at all.

[@williamgunter6801]

You guys who can work micro like this are awesome!😯😊

[@slim2429]

Wow those traces are solid. Running incredibly well for how old it is

[@davidaylsworth8964]

Remarkable piece of family history. Well done!

[@Gnomenutz]

Never in my life would I believe that I could repair a pocket watch, but I couldn't pull myself away from the craftsmanship that you put into each watch that you work on. Amazing job and a subscriber for life. I have to see what the next job will entail.

[@samnova450]

Love pocket watches and trains. 😁

[@akoskendehevesi3062]

Seeing your way repairing watches just hits perfect and flawless!

[@maestromecanico597]

That was immensely satisfying. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a retired railroader who collects railroad watches.

[@Cleveland.Ironman]

I am not sure which looks more magnificent the watch or your tools.😊

[@jakekaywell5972]

American pocket watches are by far the best way to get the best finished movements possible for the least amount of cash outlay. Some of these pieces, such as the subject Waltham, could challenge the best of the Swiss watch industry both back then and nowadays. Lovely example here made all the more charming by the personal story behind it. Excellent work as always and can't wait to see the next one!

[@Bristol1]

Great job on the restoration and the video. Those blued hands really pop at the end!

[@fluer6049]

First time watching. This is incredibly fascinating and satisfying to watch. I stuck through until I fast-forwarded the last few parts put in before you got to the case, but I've always been a tad impatient🙈 I got a giggle from being able to see your tiny face reflecting back at me on the various dials!😅 Keep up your great work!

[@mlbabineaux]

Beautiful watch and restoration, Chris !

[@skybpak4242]

As with all of your videos, I watched it to the end. Brilliant work on the crown stem.

[@mccaine1]

Beautiful outcome! Well done.

[@DavidSmith-le3wt]

Great restoration! It was a joy to watch.

[@arts.4014]

Really enjoy your pocket watch restorations!

[@carlrees5574]

Hi Chris, What a fantastic restoration, your ability to source parts like specific sized jewels is amazing. the TG readings are a testament of good inspection, cleaning and not skimping on procedure....amazing results!!

[@csnelling4]

First class work, video and lnfomation👍😊and there wasn’t mention of patina once , great!!!😊

[@jdmccorful]

You get some really tough craft to perform and as always the work is well done. Always enjoy, thanks!

[@davechandler6884]

Nice watch, enjoyed the commentary, it`s nice to know what is going on as you work, something some others don`t understand.

[@susanmatteson7421]

Splendid job. A truly beautiful watch.

[@amme30]

Gorgeous restoration

[@sandrodunatov485]

this cleaned-up beautifully. Thanks for sharing. I missed your soothing background music.

[@jefframsey5863]

Thank you for posting this video, I have a Waltham Vanguard Model 1908 made in 1942 and so this video was really enjoyable to watch.

[@larrykelly2838]

Wow, I really enjoyed this video. Great work on a beautiful watch. I'll be sending my 2nd Hamilton Railroad watch in as soon as I get your approval after you see the pictures. Great work.

[@jatco84]

A fantastic restoration on a beautiful movement. love the lathe.. Very cool and efficient and delicate at the same time to remove the scorring. Then, doing your own stem by hand...Just facinating work in my opinion..!!

[@WatchWithMike]

Wow, I learned a bunch! Beautiful job all around, and I especially appreciate the closeup angles of the Jacot tool and lathe in action. I can only imagine how happy the owner of this timepiece must feel! 😁

[@A.J.pocketwatchshop]

Very nice job! Quality watches are a pleasure to service.

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

Chris - great restoration as always. Pivots look amazing after burnishing and the lathe work is always a treat to watch. Thanks!

[@lechmiszkiewicz6778]

Always pleasure to watch your work and listen to narrative. Well done mate!

[@daffyduxxx]

Beautiful watch and movement, that faceted jewel was the icing on the cake. I love your videos, they encourage me to keep going on my watch repairing journey. Thank you.

[@TamaraWiens]

Thank you for the close-up of the bow-driven lathe - I've seen you use it on so many videos, but without the close shot I never knew how it actually worked. I love watching your videos with the sound off, they are great visual ASMR for me.

[@samharper4289]

Great watch to restore and you did a beautiful job as always! 😊

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Fantastic Work !!! and I watched to the end !!! those extra dial washers were an interesting thing to keep.

[@timd5758]

My favorite watch. Excellent restoration!! I always enjoy your videos and appreciate your skills!

[@suzisaintjames]

As always, beautiful job. Thank you for polishing the case. It's just the right amount. Not too shiny. Not too dull. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@Sestorema]

Make a new stem like the original one, was amazing. A great watch, a great job👍 Well done 👍👍👍🙂

[@lawrencedriver623]

Dear Chris, What a great video once again Thank you loved it. What a beautiful Railway time keeper. I am in the U.K and am a retired now Train Driver. I own an L.M.S (London midland Scottish) Guards watch that I bought From B.R (British Rail) back in 1979 the watch was made in around 1926, It has been running fine all these years and never missed a beat. Now she wont run very well and keep good time, I think the oils in it have dried up.

[@garylyman4922]

Absolutely amazing work. Your dedication to your craft makes me want to keep watching your videos.

[@brucebarlow6604]

Great work as always Chris. As said before you will be busy bringing back to life these wonderful pieces. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@mlsproject]

And I have screwdriver and oiler envy. Nice work!

[@itsnishantk]

This is just so relaxing to watch with addition of all the knowledge you provide during the process. Great work 🎉

[@thomasgabriel2213]

Another amazing video! And what a beautiful watch to have been able to restore.

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you for another excellent video on the expert restoration of a most beautiful watch: 👍👌👏!

[@4Truth4All]

Nice work Chris! Always a joy to observe your process.

[@cartoonfan925]

I love what you do and am in awe of some of the skills you demonstrate. This video will be watch again and again by me as I have just taken up the hobby and dismantled an old, non-running fob watch just like this. I need to know how to put it together again.

[@michaelkeats1313]

Thank you for another excellent video, you are a very skilled watch repairman and fascinating to watch. The watch looks beautiful.

[@FrederikArntzenNeergaard]

Amazing job - and really educative for newbies into watch-dabbling like myself. Thanks for keeping a craft alive and passing it on like this. Even if I will never be a real watchmaker, you inspire me to press on and learn more!

[@rondickson1491]

Wow! Another amazing restore. Best wishes.

[@emb9305]

Awesome job, I’ve been into watchmaking as a hobby for the last 5 years. I was a hobbyist luthier for 14 years before that. I became very sensitive to saw dust and decided I needed to trade in my luthier tools for horology tools. I’ve taken some classes online. You always end with the statement, “I hope you learned something,” I sure do every time. Especially knowing the challenge some of these time pieces pose. Cheers and continue what you do! You have a faithful subscriber.

[@georgeofthejungle8341]

Thanks for so good watchservice lesson and superb video quality. I enjoyed a lot..

[@leedale4008]

I stuck with you and it was a pleasure,keep the good work up.

[@The_DuMont_Network]

Wonderful to see this. My Great Uncle was an Engineer with the T&P until '35. I have is original Dollar Turnip he bought when he first marked up, and a similar Waltham he used until he died in service. Also a Company Jeweler's card. Wonderful experience to watch you.

[@tonyvancampen-noaafederal2640]

Thanks for letting me know about Whites. I need a crystal for a 6/0 hunter case.

[@garryrindfuss5349]

Hi Chris, another great video, and thanks for the heads up on White watch crystals. I had been buying them in bulk, and that "buy 20 to (maybe) get one" gets old quickly. Also useful was the one vs. three dial washer issue. I have my grandfather's Longines pocket watch, and the hour hand is a bit wonky. Maybe a second (or third) dial washer will fix the problem.

[@marka.schlueter9918]

Awesome. Love the look of this restoration. Great job

[@AmericanPocketWatch]

Well Chris, you did it again. Another 5 star repair. You have come a really long way since the beginning, and it is great to see you saving the American pocket watch history. P.S. Funny that you posted this video as I just received an Waltham Vanguard 23J, 6pos from 1937 for almost next to nothing, thanks to ebay. The previous owner could not open it )case was cross threaded on both sides), and put it up for auction. No one over here knew what it was, but I sort of did. Got it for almost next to nothing compared to what they normally run for. Again, thanks Chris for posting these and letting others know about the American pocket watch history. WOuld be a shame to see these amazing time pieces die out due to lack of interest.

[@jozsefizsak]

I've seen a lot of watch videos and this one is outstanding!

[@markehuss]

I like how you made the stem-making seem simple, when I know you put some serious time into it. :)

[@alanpreston3111]

Wow , what a great piece of work !! Your attention to detail is amazing, best restoration I have seen for a while .. thankyou 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mercuriall2810]

I did watch this video through to the end. Great work, Chris! I’ve also listened to your participation in JD’s watch chats. Oiling and choice of oils is certainly a controversial topic, with many conflicting or contrasting opinions put forth by many experienced watchmakers. Your choice of lubricants here is fine, but in my opinion could be improved if you do already have the relevant products to hand. Most of my suggestions are from the BHI pdf on watch lubrication (free online, just search if you haven’t already got it) and are the practices that I follow myself. On a movement this size and beat rate, 9020 would be my choice where you used 9010. 9010 will suffice if you don’t have 9020. For all lever escapement watches, and cylinders too for that matter) I now use Moebius 9415 for the pallet stones. When 9415 was introduced it was initially recommended for high beat movements, it’s thixotropic properties helping to keep it in place. Real world use showed 9415 to also be excellent on slower beat movements, an improvement on 941. It is now recommended for use on all lever escapements, regardless of beat rate. 941 will still work on watches like this Waltham, and are adequate. Once you’ve used up your 941, I suggest you only keep 9415 in stock. Keep up the great work, Mark

[@alraymond9529]

Great work! Keep making more for us!

[@CaptainJerry-]

Great video. I just found the same watch at a thrift store, $3.50. It will need a new balance staff and crystal.

[@andoletube]

I think I enjoy the pocket watch restorations the most because they are so unique. Great video, Chris.

[@rickkearn7100]

Could not stop watching as usual, CS! Saw it all, right to the end, and glad I did, as usual. Cheers.

[@ibgeorgeb]

Wow! Excellent. I remained all the way to the end of your video.Thank you.

[@guymustsing]

🎉 Absolutelutly inspiring and education. Your precision, eye for detail and mastery is greatly appreciated! Much Gratitude! - Guy 😊😊😊❤

[@robbie6666666]

I own a mid 40's vanguard which was used on the railroad on Vancouver Island B.C. Canada.... It's a 16s I wish mine was as nice as this one.... good work

[@AR-jq1hs]

Wow, it is very impressive to see a true Craftsman performing at such a small scale. That timepiece is a work of art and engineering. Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful video!

[@hampdentime]

Nice movement, Great work on that stem. One step that I have been doing lately is when replacing a staff is now I set the balance wheel less the roller table and HS in the movement. This is less all the wheels, then check for freedom and endshake. Saves time if I do it then before the roller table and hair spring plus I can really see around the balance without the bridge plate in place. Keep up the good work!

[@chuckluetkemeyer740]

Watched all of it, love the workmanship of these grand old timepieces.

[@user-ug7ii2gx3i]

This is really good. I hope that the parts of pocket watches will be available forever for such services.

[@jakekaywell5972]

I mean, not forever. Eventually the original parts supplies will dry up, either used in projects like this or simply lost to the sands of time. Hopefully by then we'll have the technology to easily make such unobtainium parts fairly easily and cheaply.

[@johnfox4691]

Great. Like the lathe work on the stem. Thanks.

[@flemmlnghansen6516]

Great job, I really enjoy seeing your work.

[@mikebruegger8654]

Great work as usual. Beautiful finish....

[@HorologyHubub]

Great restoration my friend, very skilful. 👍

[@alantinker9879]

Stunning work, well done looks and works fantastic 👍

[@fiskeflax4894]

Fantastic video of a fantastic watch I have a watch that belonged to my great grandmother, she past away in 1943. She was a very special woman who made a living under harsh circumstances, there has been a book written about her life. My father, who is a journeyman joiner, made a case of oak looking like a miniture floor clock for this watch. He did it while my mother was pregnant with me, but he didnt quite finish so I had to finish it myself when I was grown up. It stands on the mantelpiece of our 220 years old summerhouse. The watch works a while and then stops I think it only needs cleaning and oiling. But our local watchmaker wont do it, as he says it isnt worth it. I think it would be worth it, even though it probably is a simple watch. I watch theese videos to learn how to do it myself, and one day I will, thank you for the teaching!

[@MichaelB-qx1eh]

Heck yes you earned the like. Bluing only to turn around and then unbluing the new stem was rad.

[@GWServices]

Top notch work on the video, really impressive.

[@bogartaspen]

Chris, I enjoyed this video. I like watching you repair old RR pocket watches.

[@robertbutler8005]

Absolutely excellent walk through a classic. It is staggering to think of the talent in Waltham MA that was present in the day these were made. So nice to see the old ways kept alive. Thank you for the effort required to film this work restoring a family heirloom to fully working order

[@lostinlife647866]

I enjoyed your restoration so much that I had to subscribe to your channel. Amazing Craftsmanship !!!!