The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
Regulating Watches.

X. COwLES writes as follows To the
| Scientific american concerning popular
errors regarding the watch:
Most people suppose the regulator is put
in the watch for the use of the watch
maker, when, the fact is, it is principally
FOR the convenience of the owner. The
matchmaker does not absolutely need it,
some fine watches being entirely without
one 1t is we'll known that every in
dividual watch has its own whims and
caprices of actiOn-an individuality by
which it differs from another of precisely
the same construction some persons have
gone so far as to assert that watch par
takes of the character of the wearer, that
there is kind of assimilation between the
two; there is no doubt, however, but that
the action of the watch is materially and
sensibly affected by the habits OF the
wearer, which fact brings us face to face
with the subject of regulation, which
should be done entirely by the user of the
watch.
This is quite contrary to the general
opinion, which is, that it is especially the
business of the matchmaker. A customer
rushes painting into the shop, eXclaiming
"Mr. Pivot, my watch is away behind
time-I missed the train by the COMPOUNDED
thing being five minutes too slow this
morning, and ever since you have had it, it
goes too slow. Now want you to keep
it here till it is right" and he lays it down
on the counter with whack sufficiently
hard to do it injury, and with an air which
plainly says he is much offended, either
with the egligence or want of skill Of
Mr.. Pivot.
Hold on! hold on! shouts the watch.
maker, as the indignant man is slamming
the door after him, How long is it since
/ set it,"
II can't tell; i. must have been ten or
fifteen days-you ought to know-don't
you remember-it was the day you mended
my wife's gold spectacles."
Now, my dear sir" says Mr.. Pivot, "do
be reasonable; don't you know that can't
exactly regulate your watch hanging here {?
Neither can regulate it in your pocket
unless know how long it has been run.
ming since last set, so as to know its rate
of going. You say ten or fifteen days I;
which is it? If ten days, it is half minute
per day; if fifteen days, it is only one
third of minute per day. Now how can
l move the regulator intelligently on such
uncertainty? or how can you expect me to
remember when | set it, or when your
wife's glasses were mended? for as soon as
your watch was out Of my hands some
other one WAS in, and in the ten or fifteen
days since moved your regulator have
done the same to a hundred others; now
don't you see what impossibilties you re.
quire of me?'
Yes; see how it is, but never thought
of it before"
Il knew it, continues Mr.. Pivot" and
that's the reason have given you such a
plain talking to, and now take your watch,
put it in your pocket, and make a mem
Orandum of the date on which it was set ;
then when you have ascertained its rate of
going, move the regulator yourself; the
amount of movement it will require to af
feet it certain quantity you will soon
learn, and as that amount differs in every
watch, it becomes necessary to know it in
order to regulate it with the greatest nicely;
this particular knowledge of every watch,
no matchmaker can have. But should you
prefer he should move it, never ask him to
do it until you can tell how much it gains
or loses in a given time, for it is only
troubling him and yourself needlessly, and
he will be just rs likely to keep your
watch perpetually wrong as to ever get it
right; that is why say to you so bluntly,
but honestly, if your sight be good and
your hand steady, regulate it yourself, but
be especially careful to avoid attempting
to make your watch agree with every
clock you chance to look at, or every
watch the owner says will not vary a
minute in year"