Help with pocket watch jewel

[pkamargo]

Hello!

I received for repair an unsigned pocket watch that someone already tryed to fix and ended messing up with the balance, hairspring and a few things more...

Well, I just discovered that the jewel and cap jewel in the balance bridge were replaced with a single piece red thing - not sure it is a sinthetic jewel or something way cheaper (plastic?) but surely it is low quality. And the hole for the balance pivot is too big. I need to replace this thing with decent jewels.

So I got another balance bridge with a good jewel that is a good size for this replacement... But I simply don't know how to remove it safely! Just one chance to get this done!

Help, please!

[Bob Tascione]

Hi pkamargo,
From your description I'm not too clear on what type of setup you have. I'm assuming it's an older pocket watch with hole and cap jewels set in a removable settings and that you want to remove the setting from the watch. If so you would need to use a jewel pusher or something made like one to push the settings out.

If you take a look at the following videos you'll see the jewel pusher in action. The second video shows the pusher being used on a train gear jewel setting but it's the same principal.

This first video touches on cap jewel removal. Note: you won't need to remove the cap jewel with Rodico if you plan to remove the hole jewel setting as you can push both settings out together.
First video: Watch Course Videos, Watch 2 part 1 then quick navigate menu to "Remv Cap Jewel".
Second video: Use of the jewel pusher. Watch 1 - part 2 quick nav. to Remv Jewels.
If you don't have a jewel pusher it's easy to make one up. Just remember to make the face concave as shown in the video to prevent damaging the jewel.

Hope this helps pkamargo,
Bob

[pkamargo]

Hello Bob,

No, the jewel I refered was the type that is directly pressed in the plate without screws, like a bushing - only the cap jewel is put in place over it with a screwed brass part... Sorry I am not that good with descriptions - next time I will remember that pictures worth a thousand words and take some.

But well, I tryed removing the jewel the same way I would remove a bushing - hitting with a stake - and I got it out without damage.

This watch gave me a lot of headache but at the end I successfully put it in working order.

Thank you anyway!

[Bob Tascione]

Hi Pkamargo,
Glad you got it sorted out. Yes those jewels are usually pressed out and in with either a staking set with a jeweling press attachment or a Seitz jeweling tool to avoid damaging the jewel and for getting the pressed depth correct. Sounds like you did a good job though so congratulations!
Bob