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General Information
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
Lots of great information, a Museum in PA, and membership around the country.
Makers Marks
Watches are all marked to denote the maker of the movement. Many Watch companies used movements from large supply houses like computer companies today use processor chips. You could have two watches from completely different companies with the exact same movement. These marks will help you identify which manufacture made the movement. Click the image to download the PDF.
The Watch Index
A great site with loads of information, check out their glossary of terms, and watch size guide for selecting the right size watch for your wrist. Also, I will be guest blogging for them on occation.
COSC Chronometer Certification parameters:
Average daily rate: -4/+6 seconds / day
Mean variation in rates: 2 seconds / day
Greatest variation in rates: 5 seconds / day
Difference between rates in Horizontal & Vertical positions: -6/+8 seconds / day
Largest variation in rates: 10 seconds / day
Thermal variation: ±0.6
Rate resumption: ±5 seconds /day
Mean variation in rates: 2 seconds / day
Greatest variation in rates: 5 seconds / day
Difference between rates in Horizontal & Vertical positions: -6/+8 seconds / day
Largest variation in rates: 10 seconds / day
Thermal variation: ±0.6
Rate resumption: ±5 seconds /day
Very nice site with great pictures and well written articles covering vintage to modern watches and everything in between.
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This is a great site for history of watches. It is a timeline of watches. With beautiful pictures and detailed write-ups.
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Watch Identification
Elgin Online Serial Number Database
Enter the movement serial number from any Elgin and get detailed manufacture information including dates.
MyBulova.com
Anything and everything you need to know about Bulova watches. Extensive library of Bulova information including: Date codes, movements, Advertising images from 1920 - 1980, forums with panelists. Uploaded images of watches.
PocketWatchDatabase.com
More than just Pocket Watches. Manufacture information for Elgin, Waltham, Ball, Hampton, Illinois, Hamilton, etc.
Balance Bridge Post on NAWCC.ORG
Swiss Import Balance Bridge Codes (ie. BUX). These three digit "Makers Marks" are on most imported Swiss movements. They can be helpful in identifying more unknown brands.
Watch Repair
AdjustingVintagewatches.com
This blog explores watch adjusting, the venerable craft of making watches run well in many positions....This blog will teach you how to adjust your watch, from start to finish. We’ll review the basic principles of adjustment, describe essential tools, and demonstrate watches being adjusted....I assume that you know some basic watchmaking and can already clean and oil a watch. This blog takes the next step of showing how to adjust your watch to keep accurate time across several positions.
Stefanv.com
One of the best concise articles on watch repair. Written by a hobbyist that could pass as a professional.
CousinsUK.com
Phenomenal site for all supplies related to watch repair from parts to tools and more. They also have great full color catalogs. Shipping from the UK is not outrageous on small things. For mainsprings, which they have a lot of, they are the same with shipping as Ebay this side of the pond.
Here is a copy of the Sternkuetz catalog. It is their crystal supplier.
Here is a copy of the Sternkuetz catalog. It is their crystal supplier.
| sternkreuz_gesamtkatalog_g22.pdf |
The Watch Guy (USA)
Helpful information on cleaning and oiling.
Esslingers
This site is a treasure troove of riches, like GS Crystal Catalog downloads. They have some great parts and tool prices, and they take Paypal. Also, they have an extensive learning library, whenever I am on this site I find something new.
Jules Borel
Very cool site for tools, the free catalog downloads have some great information, like Swiss watchmakers hallmark charts.
WatchGuy (UK)
Hundreds of searchable images of watch breakdowns. Lots of information.
Otto Frei
Ancient wisdom and tons of parts.
Abbey Watch Clinic
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Great repair related articles. I like the one on replacing balan_ce staffs.
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www.hanseckert.com - Watch Parts, Jewels, by movement, very reasonable prices. Located in California.
Quick References
