Reviving History! Waltham Pocket Watch Restoration from eBay

[@csspinner]

I hope you enjoy the video. Apologize in advance for the music/mixing- I have adjusted this in future videos.

[@juanmejia6067]

How much will cost a restoration of a pocke watch?

[@rowejon]

Thank you. For me, the music is a distraction from what you are doing. That is amazing skilled work & is best accompanied by silence.

[@ElainaKendal]

Thank you the music Is a distraction. Your work is amazing. I have a love for old pocket watches ❤

[@rogerlishman2532]

I thought the music complemented your skills.

[@Concionator]

Amazing work - breathtaking machanics!

[@davidjowett8195]

I have no idea why, but I love the serenity of watching time pieces being restored so methodically. Also, how can you not like a man who has amazing tools in beautiful boxes? What's not to like about tools in bespoke wooden boxes? Thank you for sharing

[@jasonmaccoul]

I’m glad you were the one to buy it and restore it. Shame to be sitting in a drawer somewhere. It’s a work of art.

[@iandawood6086]

Wow. A broken screw head, another was missing, and its threads in the main plate were gone. Mismatched hands and a ton of yellowed glue on the seconds sub dial. And now look at it, a beauty that keeps perfect time. What an absolute artist this man is.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Ian! That’s very kind of you. This comment made my day. Glad you enjoyed it. More to come. - Chris

[@iandawood6086]

@@csspinner Pleasure, Chris. Big fan of your work! Both, repairs and videography that captures and delivers them. Choice of music too. Keep up the beautiful work. Happy 4th of July : )

[@BeckVMH]

Restoration of antique, vintage watches is so much more interesting than other items from the past because watches were so personal and literally attached to the owner throughout their daily lives. Imagine the intimate details of history they have shared and could tell. Thank you for using your skills to bring this watch back to life and sharing your work.

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I’m sure these watches have stories to tell. It’s always a rewarding feeling holding one in my hand, watching it tick for the first time in who knows how many decades

[@jonashagstrom4664]

Working at a museum I can feel that replacing the dial and missmached hands was unnessesary since it robs the watch of part of its history.

[@ForestWoodworks]

Awesome!

[@mrt34487]

İzlerken tüm dertlerimi unutuyorum. Tam bir terapi. müzik de harika. 🙏

[@redbxstr]

Wow, that was absolutely amazing. Love the precision work, the injection of humor, and I found the replacement screw creation so interesting. Great job Chris.

[@csspinner]

Thank you!

[@dale4034]

I was wondering what you would do about the shim but I see you have already addressed the question. I wish I had the tools and knowledge to make my own screws and a great tip on the alum too. Thanks.

[@russcorbett3923]

This watch was absolutely gorgeous !!! Thank you so very much for letting us all sit in and watch you rebuild and clean this watch!!!! This was a true treat to watch !!! Thank you !!!!

[@csspinner]

Thank you Russ!! More to come.. - Chris

[@oliverw3646]

Excellent video. Fascinating and very well narrated.

[@Infamous_Outlaw]

The skills of the people who made these is amazing with the kit they had engineering at its best and pleasure to look at.

[@AnestaKrautz]

How fortunate that old watch was to find you. Great talent!

[@rogerlishman2532]

I'm full of admiration for the engineers (they must have been), who imagined how a watch would work, make drawings, procure suitable materials, fabricate the gears, spindles and bearings, and assemble a timepiece of incredible accuracy. Well done for restoring such a fine piece of history.

[@jawadnimer4430]

Nice work, all the tools are in the hands of a professional man in crafts, like playing with these tools and sure he can fix any watch

[@usuduwj5685]

My grandfather passed me down his father's pocket watch from 1920. It still ticks perfectly even though it went through 5 years of war and has sat in my grandfather's cabinet for a few decades.

[@dfeuer]

If you can, get it serviced every 5-10 years to make it last as long as possible.

[@DG-Ullar]

Vielen Dank für dieses tolle Video und Einblicke. Habe mir eine neue 1950er Phenix gekauft als meine erst Uhr. Beste Grüße aus Nürnberg😊

[@alylyshua74937]

Everything, and I mean EVERY THING is great about this video... Calm, collected. You explain the steps and what you see, the video quality is great, along with the audio quality. And the tools strike that balance between hobbyist and profesionnal in a way perhaps impossible to explain... The screw-making also gave us a glimpse at how such marvels of engineering and manufacturing were possible at the time. Thank you so very much for making that repair and that video. You just earned yourself an earnest subscriber!

[@csspinner]

Thank you!! This really means a lot. I appreciate the comment

[@brandonthebritish]

How much did all the equipment cost?

[@cawalker1143]

I'm so very glad I found your videos. Much more relaxing to me than listening to a meditation tape. Just what I needed. Thank you!

[@dougdottery1284]

Wow. You have the tools. That's for sure.

[@billcochran1940]

Great rebuild of a beautiful watch. Also I am truly in awe of your skill with the lathe.

[@TailSpinRCSpain]

Awesome rescue of a beautiful timepiece.

[@billweidert3470]

The master at his craft......

[@tonyaxeman4381]

I like the trick with the green stuff and the pallet fork . There have been times I wish I knew that . Thanks .

[@k9six185]

You guys have all the coolest tools……..LOL Great job on the watch

[@marksmallman4572]

your skills and videos are beautiful, cannot stop watching them, thankyou.

[@TPINSC]

You are amazing. You never cease to provide great work unlike anyone that I know. The kinds of repairs that You do show a true craftsman at work.

[@marionchase-kleeves8311]

I can almost smell the ancient air caught in such a delicate vault. So lovely

[@RickRoberts-r2z]

I love you watching you bring those 1857 models back to life! They are my favorite American Watch Co. movements. I wish I had all your skills! Rick

[@rhyan4321able]

Nice video, I just serviced one like that last week 1871 PS Bartlett. It was just as dirty, but after a week of registration, and 48 hours,, it's 3 seconds fast to my phone. Excellent time piece. Rolex, eat your heart out. Great job. Tim S.

[@csspinner]

That’s what’s satisfying about repairing these 1800s watches- despite their age they can still be extremely accurate.

[@caesarillion]

Wow, great watch watch, but I wish I could have seen the original dial cleaned up before deciding to replace it with a non identical item. Thanks for the show, Thailand Paul

[@csspinner]

Thanks. The issue with the dial it came with was the sub seconds dial was broken and it had been poorly “glued” back onto it in a past repair. I understand some people’s preference would be to leave it as found, but mine was to replace it with a nicer period correct version

[@davidaugustinho664]

Wow, wow, wow, a true artisan.

[@frankthomas855]

It's so hard putting words to a video that leaves you wondering how do they know all this stuff!!!

[@avianfish8732]

Great job I cant find staffs for these either

[@AGoogleUser-h2r]

What amazing skill and craftsmanship. You gave that pocket watch life again. The music I enjoyed really engaging. Thank you.

[@mikenye5745]

Love the repair job video not just a part replacement

[@fredschroyer584]

Magnificent documentary! Beautiful videography, lighting. Even your carefully chosen music works nicely, meditative and never distracting. What a 20-minute education, especially with the part names in URH corner! How exciting to restore a castaway antique to like new. I love watching a real pro at work, to see how it's all done. Thank you for making this!

[@GeoffWildehawkphoto]

you've now become another I'll watch videos on watch-related content. There's a lot of bad content but your's in not that. So well done, and I appreciate the explanations as you went along.

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Hello Chris ! Very interesting video, funny to saw the mainspring barrel soaked of oil ! 😮. Each step of this video are so interesting and of course the final result is perfect ! Thank you for sharing !!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Alain!

[@serpentza]

Excellent video mate

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

[@keithbetts3921]

Fantastic, I'm just getting into watch repairs and I'm in the process of restoring 2 WW1 trench watches, your videos are an inspiration for me, I feel the passion.....

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Keith! I'm in love with those trench watches, though it's hard to find one in good condition these days.

[@freqenc]

People take time so seriously. But time makes some beautiful things. Time is precious.

[@freqenc]

Balance wheel was the Kicker to have me subscribe. True watchmakers know how the balance works in the world.

[@robertmills3682]

You are so talented. I am hooked on this channel!

[@genghiskhan7041]

That old watch was in pretty decent shape considering it's age. Good work on the restoration, I enjoyed it.

[@Ritopher]

What a magnificent restoration! You have to be a detective to establish the faults and then a craftsman to repair them. Such skill and knowledge. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for posting. 👍

[@csspinner]

I really appreciate that!! Thanks so much for the comment.

[@laserwizard1982]

I not only learned some things, but was thoroughly entertained as well! Thank you for the great video!

[@csspinner]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for visiting

[@frankthomas855]

What incredible work you do! I love those early watches...

[@csspinner]

Frank! Thank you so much- it’s folks like you who motivate me to keep sharing this with the world. - best, Chris

[@rickkearn7100]

Darned if I didn't just listen to great music here while watching Mozart perform a symphony. For a self-proclaimed ameteur you're pretty epic. That was phenomenal, as always. Cheers.

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Rick. I really appreciate that!

[@Keile1111]

Just found your channel and this was the first video I got to see. I loved it. You have a great voice and your setup is quite amazing. The skill and love you show for your craft is just wonderful. Thank you for what you do!

[@davestelling]

At last - a video with background music that I enjoyed! Thanks for this, nice work...

[@NZotyoka81]

I loved the video and the beautiful tool sets what you using. The dial looked salvageable to me so i would just cleaned it and put it back in order to keep the watch as original as possible.

[@jika3355]

Awesome. Your work is very clean and precise. Great job.

[@csspinner]

Thanks!!

[@JamesMoore-un3cu]

The skill and experience brought to this process by this gentleman are truly remarkable! I tried to have several of my family's pocket watches restored, but the cost was prohibitive. I wondered, however, why the casing and some of the other "brass" components were not more thoroughly cleaned before reassembly? I'm sure this gentleman knows best, but I think I would have been a stickler with more cleaning detail. Of course, if that would have resulted in a loss of metal that would have been prohibitive, I fully would understand why. Thank you for this great video! I could watch this stuff for hours, just for the sheer appreciation.

[@avianfish8732]

nice job. Waltham's are such good quality way ahead of their time too. It was another 60+ years before the swiss had 'part numbers'.

[@csspinner]

I was fascinated when I learned that the Swiss created knock off English watches for some time turn of the century. That was long before it became THE Swiss watch industry

[@4211Rob]

Incredibly beautiful! Thank you!

[@Looey]

Fun to watch this video! Thanx for popping this one up.

[@CheetahFoxx]

I've done a few repairs but today I finished my first ever full service. It's a 1905 Rockford grade 160 with a fancy dial and a solid gold case. It was not running and my boss planned to scrap it out for the gold (this is what happens to most gold watches now). I paid him the gold value (about $600) and took it home. Its been 10hrs so far and has kept right on the minute.

[@harrygreen1406]

So cool, so many pieces love all the special tools used. what a art form.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Harry!!

[@TheHitman-]

You are one of the very best left doing this fine work.

[@amme30]

Great video, loved seeing your work with the balance.

[@csspinner]

Thank you!!

[@stevemahrer7097]

Great watch, great work on restoring it, and well done to keep the video centered around the important basics. I have a few such watches.. I learned a few tricks here, thanks!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Steve! - Chris

[@TexanUSMC8089]

That was history. When that watch was made, the Civil War was still going . Great save. Thanks for sharing.

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

I was just looking at my grandfather's American Waltham. It had been displayed for many years in a frame with WWl memorabilia and has not run in I don't know how many years. He had a special leather wristband made to hold it securely when he went to France to be in the Great War. I tried to open the back but scratched the gold surface with a cheap jeweler's screwdriver a few times without success so I went here. I decided to lay out and hung it inside his wife's grandfathers' clock along with a peacepipe and Civil War cavalry sabre. I was thinking to add something from my dad's artifacts from WWll in the US Navy (inside the clock). Am currently half way through WAR AND PEACE..everything takes time! Thanks for the well-made doc.

[@csspinner]

Behind every watch of that generation is a great story. Thanks for sharing

[@garryrindfuss5349]

Hi Chris, another very enjoyable video, thank you. I did a repair/service on a similar but newer Waltham (1883 11 jewel model I purchased off of eBay) a few months ago. I'm always amused by these sneaky 11 jewel movements, that put all the jewels on the side of the movement that you can see, and hide the plain metal bushings under the dial. I mean, really?

[@csspinner]

I know, right? You have to go through the trouble of removing the dial to really see what you have. Quite sneaky indeed

[@brucebarlow6604]

Wow you have done a great job on this one most likely the best repair and service that it have ever had. Regards from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@csspinner]

I really appreciate that, Bruce! - Chris from South Carolina

[@johnrzepka2008]

Literally just found and bought a similar Waltham, but unsure of year but according to the serial number, should be an 1888 or 1890 royal model. Its a lever set and double hunter, hoping to get it serviced with my local jewler and get it running again.

[@peterh.holmander565]

Meticulous work. I recently purchased a William Ellery model in silver with a full hunter case. Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Your knowledge and attention to detail is impressive. Plan on checking out more of your videos.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Peter! - Chris

[@clarencewilliams7207]

Wow I enjoyed watching this video and learned so many new things about reviving pocket watches so thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge with us 🎉

[@art1muz13]

You do the most craftsman-like work, very satisfying watching, and you made an old pocket watch happy!!

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Artemus. It gives me much pleasure to breathe new life into these beautiful old timepieces. They’re a work of art. - Chris

[@tuffymartinez]

Thank You Chris.... Very enjoyable and I use your shows to learn about your craft and to have a very enjoyable wakeup with coffee before the sunrise... TM

[@cudamank]

Recently found your channel and this was the 4th or 5th video. Enjoy how your channel and videos have grown and your style has developed.

[@citizaniac149]

Awesome restoration. Only a real master can bring this mess back to life! And I envy you about your nice vintage tool collection you carried together. Especially the lathe ;)

[@csspinner]

Thank you!!

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you so much for a most beautiful, enjoyable and instructive video. 👏👏👏👍👌!

[@csspinner]

Thank you!

[@Large_Sarge]

The quality of content and editing keep getting better and better. Thank you for sharing.

[@csspinner]

I appreciate that, Sonny. Thank you! - Chris

[@johnstudd4245]

This is some real "watch making", not just replacing some parts and cleaning it up. As much as I can respect that also.

[@ASWCo09]

I have a similar one of these in a silvered case with the same movement, I forget the exact serial but mine is definitely within 30 thousand of yours, lovely restoration!

[@javierpandolfi237]

MASTERPIECE!!! WITH UPPER CAPITALS!

[@CeesMaas]

Well done! Very nice made video with a pleasant professional presentation. Amazing watch, too. I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the comment! I really appreciate that. - Chris

[@keithschwartz7318]

GlD I caught this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@mariajefferies5563]

Wonderful video great tools always wanted to learn but i have a long way to go thank you so much 😁

[@kevins4229]

Going through all of your past videos. Can't get over your attention to detail and your EXCELLENT narration, the explanation of why you are using the tools you are and how is awesome. You are true genius when it comes to watch repair. Really enjoying your videos! Keep up the great work!

[@JosuePineda-lz7jd]

Nice to work with you ,on my wood gear clock! Thanks for another great video

[@kylermiller6729]

nice touch of adding what each componet is and the name of the oil used

[@jmcosmos]

Hey, that's MY watch! Or nearly so ... I have an 1857 P. S. Bartlett made in 1876, going by its movement serial number, in a coin-silver hunter case. I had a local watchmaker overhaul it and bring it to running condition year before last, only to break the spring through ham-handed over-winding, so now he has it again and is hunting for another suitable spring.

[@tmmkk1]

Nice job Chris 👍👍

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Thomas!! - Chris

[@vicrod5]

I recently discovered your channel and thoroughly enjoy the content and your delivery, keep up the good work!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Victor! I really appreciate that. More to come. - Chris

[@smarthome2660]

Definitely next level above some others I watch do this work. The fact that you manufacture the screws and blacken them, modify balance shafts and take the time to go above and beyond by tuning them to get the best results on Timegrapher. As a machinist, I love your lathe. So many tiny collets would come in handy to make tiny crosses that thread together. I used to make tiny crosses that pressed together.

[@billg125]

Thankyou - nice work

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Bill! - Chris

[@fredwexler1362]

I also restore old pocket watches and I am impressed with your extreme care in the process. One suggestion that has made reassembly more efficient for me. I usually assemble the balance completely and then attach it to just the upper plate without any wheels or other parts. Then I can check the freeness of the balance and jewels and look at the position of the roller jewel at rest. If you totally assemble the movement and find a problem with the balance motion you must then disassemble everything all over again.

[@csspinner]

100% !! Test fitting the balance is great, especially with these full plate movements where it’s so hard to estimate the beat error with it fully assembled.

[@jimwiskus8862]

You sir are a true craftsman.

[@csspinner]

I appreciate that, Jim!

[@JimmysGarden]

Thank you for the great video and very nice job done. 👍👍

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Jimmy! - Chris

[@Bristol1]

My Retro Watches sent me here. Very nice job on this watch and on the video. Subbed, cheers!

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

[@alanpreston3111]

Another informative, skilful restoration. Love the work , the tools and the music .. time well spent ( pardon the pun) 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😎

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed it- Chris

[@EnriqueOchoaMaldonado-uc8kl]

Ese reloj llegó muy maltratado y con óxido, fue mucho el trabajo que le dedicaste, a ese bello Waltham, yo tengo uno que era de mí abuelo, y mi papá me lo heredó..!! Eres un maestro relojero C S Spinner, disfruté y me divertí viendo ese muy interesante documental..!! Excelente video..!! Saludos P. D. Me gustaría que me arreglaras mi Waltham, y que hicieras un vídeo con el .!!

[@FerozKhan-um5sh]

I love the method of restoring old watch Chris ❤❤❤

[@markperez9633]

I definitely learned a lot from you. Thank you very much.

[@csspinner]

Great to hear that, Mark! Thanks for the comment. - Chris

[@NikiNiki-hc3ex]

Браво Майсторе,успехи.Живот и здраве 🇧🇬

[@eddie3314]

I have this same exact watch in immaculate condition. I believe I spoke to you via email regarding its value. Amazing work you do

[@csspinner]

Thanks again for visiting, Eddie!

[@rustythecat2163]

Fun to watch. It’s a shame the seconds hand is so thick when compared to the hour and minute hands. Was not familiar with that type of movement so it was a learning experience. Cheers.

[@josephmartignetti8941]

I just started watching you, I think your a amazing… I can’t tell you how much I respect your talent, I was wondering do you sell any watches, I would love to look into buying a pocket watch like the one you just fixed, if possible please respond back…. Thank you

[@scottthorning3963]

Well done, keep them running!

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Scott! - Chris

[@alaskanguy7413]

Great video I just recently acquired the same watch made also in 1872 in a coin silver case (serial 615xxx) . Thanks for explaining the likely reason for the mismatched hands. Mine also had the same hour hand as yours but a different minute hand. The subdial looks like like yours where it looks like it was glued on from the top so I don't know if that was done later to fix a bad original subdial. It runs when it feels like and sometimes the hands get stuck. I'm guessing it hasn't been serviced in long time. I'm going to send it out for service. Thanks for taking it apart I like being able to see how the movement works in something I also actually own.

[@ronaldosilva6234]

Very good

[@horstb29]

Good work as always! Thanks for sharing.

[@dunebuggy1286]

I found it very enjoyable. I also found that all those tools to do a propper watch repair are out of my relm. Lol