Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-01-05
Regulating Watches.

| X. CowLEs writes as follows TO the
| Scientific american concerning popular
errors regarding the watch 7'1'
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 well 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 a watch par
takes of the character of the wearer, that
| there is kind of assimilation between tho
two there is no doubt, however, but that
the action Of the watch is materially and
sensibly affected by the habits Of tho
wearer, which fact brings us face to face
with the subject Of regulation, which
should be done entirely by the user Of the
watch. ts.t... .s.e# l4 ss#.t
This is quite contrary to the general
opinion, which is, that it is especially the
business of the matchmaker. A customer
PUSHES 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
Il 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 thel egigence or want Of skill Of
Mr.. Pivot. a..u.,.r.f. -e
i. "IIold on! hold on shouts the watch
maker, as the indignant man Is slamming
the door after him, "How long is 1t since
set it?" @ g...t s. F..
81 can't tell; it must have been ten or
fifteen days-you ought to know-dont
you remenber--it was the day you mended
my wifes gold spectacles." Us HI.- a
Nov, my dear sir" says Mr.. Pivot, edo
be reasonable; don't you know that can't
exactly regulate your watch hanging herep
Neither can | regulate il in your pocket
unless know how long it has been run
ming since last set, so Us to know its rate
of going You say ten or fifteen days;
which is it? If ten days, it is half minute
per day; if fifteen days, it is only one
third OF q minute per day. Now how can
move the regulator iiHHtteiiffgcntfy on such
uncertainty? or how can you expect me TO
remember when l set it, or when your
wifes glasses We're mendcd? 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 hundred others; now
don't you see what impossibilities you re-
quire Of me?" 4yI5A 1ra
Yes / see how 1t is, but never thought
of it before" ~ il't'A ~ =.
Il knew it, continues Mr.. Pivot" and
that's the reason have given you such
plain talking to- and now take your watch,
put 1t in your pocket and make mem
orandum Of the date on which twas set;
then when you have ascertained it's rate Of
going, move the regulator yourself; the
amount OF movement it will require TO at
feet it a certain quantity you will soon
learn, and as that amount differs in every
watch, it becomes necessary to know it in
order to regulate 1t with the greatest nicely;
this particular knowledge OF every watch,
no matchmaker can have. e But should you
prefer he should move it, never ask him to
do it until you can tell how much II gains
or loses in given time, for it Is only
troubling him and yourself needlessly, and
he will be just as likely to keep your
watch perpetually wrong as to ever get It
right; that ia why ! say to you so bluntly,
bat honestly, If your sight be good and
your hand; STEADY, regulate 1t yourself, but
be especially careful to avoid attempting
10 make your watch agree with every
clock you chance to look at, or every
watch the owner says will not vary q
minute In yea" 7aIi3 gaiza1ah FGnif'e