The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-04-25
0heGntelEfQeute
now TO TAKE CARE OF wArCnEs.
VALUABLE Information.
Compiled from q. PggerI 1Yeatfse on ne
Wdfeh.

RdtSh.
Always have key with good pipe
or square, and one that fits properly on
the square ofyour watch, for If II does
not fit good and firm 1t will be apt to
slip, often breaking either the chain,
the ratchet, or the click. II the square
of your watch is too short, or worn
nearly round, get Matchmaker to re-
pair ii, or make a new one. Be par.
ticular to wind your watch the proper
way. English watches, or those with
fuzee and chain, usually wind to the
left, and almost all the Swiss ones, or
those with the going barrel, wind to
the right. While being wound, the
watch should be held steadily in one
hand, SO as to have no circular mo-
ton, which always produces variation
In the vibration of the balance, and
sometimes considerable arrangement
in the escapement. It is better TO keep
watch continually going than to lay
1t by and wind 1t up occasionally. The
going of the watch keeps the oil in
limpid state, and the watch keeps its
regulation better. Many will (when
their watch Is first wound up, after
having lain by for some time), say, 81
nave not wound or used il for so long"
They do not consider that the oil will
thicken or evaporate, and cannot be in
the same state, as II the watch was kept
going regularly. Always wind steadi-
ly and slowly, holding on the key to
TO hold the spring while the click slips
from one tooth to the other, otherwise
there Is danger OF breakage OF chains,
clicks, ratchets, etc. The click chain
or spring is sometimes broken by wind
ing watch too fast. When a watch
stops in winding it, II in one with a
chain, II is frequently by the going
fuzee works not being correct. In a
Il, "a Il l.,
by some defect in the escapement, or
by the stop works on the barrel being
out of order; in either case take IL to \
matchmaker.
Watches frequently stop by the
springs breaking, owing to the changes
of the atmosphere, particularly in cold
weather. This Is one of the accidents
which cannot possibly be avoided by
the best workmen, and in the very best
watches. 1t Is impossible to make a
main spring which Will not be infiu-
enced by the sudden changes OF the
weather. Therefore, II the spring of
your watch brakes, do not blame the
matchmaker, as they often break from
the same cause while the watch is in
his care. 1 have frequently, on taking
watches out of the safe in the morning,
that had been put in good order on the
previous evening, found several with
the springs broken; in that case, 1t is
k6ueIdlly LnOEo lOSS 10 tue "OEhLuhn
than to the wearer of the watch.
Be not afraid that your watch will
not go as we'll after a new spring has
been put In as before; IL u good new
spring has been properly put in, your
watch will go as well as ever.
English, or watches with chains, will
usually wind about four and half
(41E) turns TO every twenty-fOur hours,
while those with a going barrel about
three and a half go turns; this will
partly servo as u guide to ascertain If
your watch winds right.
II the springs or chains break ire
Quently, be sure there is some defect in
the stop work, which must be corrected
by a matchmaker.
Many persons say, 81 have over
wound my watch;n it may be possible
TO do it in winding very fast, and IN
hurry. If the stop-works of large
aud thick watch, or ono with chain,
to resist the strain that you can give to
over-wind 1t. If not in order the chain
will break. In a fiat watch, or one
with going barrel, if the stop.works
are not in good order, Or there is only
one, or perhaps none, and you force 1t,
you will break the spring, or some OF
the teeth of the wheels, or pinions. and
sometimes both; II, when the spring Is
broken, you keep winding, you are
likely to break or injure some other
parts of the works.
Be particular never to trifle with a
good watch, or use 1t as toy, but as
piece OF delicate and complicated me-
chanism, requiring great care; by SO
doing, you may preserve your watch,
and avoid a great deal of expense for
repairs.
Before winding or setting your watch,
1t is advisable TO see that the key and
the Inside of the pipe contains do dirt
hot WnF ON 1Nl lTnN
ing or setting square and from thence
10 the wheels or escapement.
When a watch is hung up, 1t should
be perfectly at rest. II hung on round
hook without further support, the mo-
ton of the balance will generate PEN
dulous motion of the watch, and Will
cause much variation in the time. Pow
erful watches should never be laid
horizontally, unless placed on soft
If placed on smooth fiat
surface, from the conveXity of the glass
or case, the watch only rests on point,
and the vibration of the balance alone
is sufficient ito produce motion in the
watch.
Should a watch stop, see If the hands
rub on the dial, and are free of each
other, If they arc caught together you
may free them yourself by taking the
point of small knife blade, and dis
engaging them; your watch, II there Is
nothing more the matter with it, will
then start by giving it slight shake.
Frequently, after watch has had
new glass put in, it will stop; that is
through the glass being too fiat, and
touching either on the center pinion,
or by pressing on the hands; in that
case, blame the person who put the
glass in, and let him put another In;
II there is not, as in very fiat watches,
room enough for the hands to work
fraa NJ zach other IL will often be adj
visable to have the cover of the case
raised littlei in thin watches, the case
may have been pressed flat in the CEN
ter by wearing.
If anything is the matter with your
watch, which you cannot discover i'm
mediately, do not try to put II In order
yourself and NEEDLE with the works, but
show It at once to a good matchmaker.
1 have had watches to repair in which
the wearer thought he could detect the
defect himself; in opening 1t he would
see the spiral spring, and think 1t was
some hair which had no business there,
and in trying to remove 1t, would spoil
or breakit.
Many watches are Injured by the
wearers thinking that they can make
them go by opening, winding, ana
Watches should be opened as little
as possible, merely to wind, set or reg
ulate them. By continually opening
them, particularly In the inside cap
opportunity is offered to minute partl-
Giles of dirt from the case, or otherwise,
10 intruda into the works. have
known many watches which had been
recently cleaned, stopped by some
small particle OF dirt sticking last
between the teeth OF some OF the
wheels, particularly near the escape
Particular care should be taken TO