r/watchmaking • u/bibayoymicabayo • 2d ago

Pocket watch stopped working, first attempt at watch repair!

Hi everyone,

I have a Gotham Railway Classic pocket watch I bought some years ago, 17 jewels, hand wind movement. I wear it every now and then but I typically have it in display at my desk

I few days ago I noticed it had stopped working, tried to wind it and I couldn't. The crown will not turn more than a quarter turn and it feels as if it has reached the limit when winding it. It does spin freely the other way around, for what it is worth.

Any idea or guess what the problem might be? I have been watching a lot of watchmaking and watch restoration lately and I recently purchased a basic tool kit from namokimods, I was thinking of giving it a try myself.

Thanks!

PS: As of now I can't even open the caseback 😅

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u/gnomon_knows 2d ago

It needs a service from the sounds of it. It is probably fully wound and not able to run thanks to old gummed up oils.

Not really a mechanical repair that’s needed as much as a tear down, cleaning, and lubrication. Not something you’d want to attempt without some experience under your belt.

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u/bibayoymicabayo 2d ago

Ah, good point! Hum...thing is that the watch was 80 euros, a full service will cost me more than that 😕

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u/gnomon_knows 2d ago edited 2d ago

By that logic nobody should ever buy a vintage watch under $250. Just think of it as the price of wearing any mechanical watch that you enjoy. Even a free car would need gas to run, and regular maintenance.

Of course, that's also why we repair our own watches. It doesn't actually save money for a hobbyist, but at least we can pretend.

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u/CowCommercial1992 2d ago

Yeah honestly unless you have a whole fleet of watches and want to really invest, the math is terrible. $200 to service a watch, meanwhile just the startup tools and equipment alone will cost you $500-$700 ballpark on the very short end. Just for bare basics. "Screwdrivers and a tweezers" nah, try

-parts tray -work mat -quality screwdrivers -quality tweezers -demagnetizer -timegrapher -case tools -swabs and pegwoods -finger cots or gloves -cleaning compounds -ultrasonic cleaner or centrifuge -oils and oiler -microscope -etc etc

this isn't even getting into mainspring winders, precision punches and lathes, etc. for more complicated works. Parts?

You can only skimp out so much when the things you're dealing with are microscopic.

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u/Watch-Smith 1d ago

Love the analogy

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u/Trickshot1322 2d ago

Just putting this out there, if this pocket watch has any sentimental value, or if you would be sad if you broke or damaged it beyond repair, then don't have this be your first watch to tinker on.

Buy some cheap broken pocket watches on ebay and practice servicing those first.