The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-04-01
TINE EXPERT GIVES
Rules GOVERNING
CARE OF WATCHES
Superintendent of Time Service of
the Reading Company Tells
of Part Timepieces Play
In Modern Life

ITO most people a watch Is just
watch" says Alexander Mueller,
Superintendent Time Service Of the
Reading Company. "They know little
Of its development and improvement
during the last half century. In a
general way, they know it must be
wound up; that it has a handspring
and a hairspring; by some method
related to a lot of wheels-and con-
ception they call the works
1.-THE part taken by the modern
watch and clock in the harmonious
working Of the great and intricate
machinery Of modern civilization is
not fully understood nor appreciated.
If the millions of timepieces in the
pockets of busy men and women, and
on the walls of their homes and Offices
were suddenly and permanently to
stop, a decentralization would result
that could not be obtained from the
removal of any other device of mod
ern ivilization-disorder and chaos
would reign supreme.
"The modern locomotive and the
modern watch are both distinctively
American. Practically, they have
been developing within the same
period of time-and within the life
span of people now living. The
mechanism of the one, inducing high
speed, has demanded of the mechan-
ism of the other safety through an
exact indication of time. That the
watchmaker's efforts have kept pace
with the advancement of the locomo-
tive is evidenced by the simple state
ment that railway travel is safer than
ordinary vocations of life. As greater
speed and safety have been added to
the locomotive achievements by ac-
cepted mechanical devices, more
weight, an enlarged frebox and a
broadened and heightened boiler, the
American watch factories have pro-
duced a stronger and more exact
watch to accompany it.
"If the engineer had forgotten TO
ell his locomotive and the express
train you were on should stop for half
an hour that an overheated journal
bearing might be renewed, you might
feel like suing some one for damages.
The driving wheels of the class Gil
locomotive makes 1880 revolutions
an hour, and so on an average, are
oiled after three or four hours of SER
vice-the balance wheel of watch
makes $4,000 revolutions an hour, yet
when the matchmaker mildly suggests
that your pocket timepiece should be
cleaned and oiled after running a year
or about nine thousand hours, you
call him a legitimized pirate and
classify him with Jesse James A
modern watch movement is composed
of one hundred and fifty distinct
parts, and correct timekeeping de-
ponds upon the unity Of action of all
these parts.
"As gravitation keeps the great
machinery of the universe in har-
monious working order without varia-
Ton, from sunrise to sunset, so the
ingenious device of mantle watch
and clock-keeps the great business
and social systems of the civilized
world in one moving unit of order"
Mr.. Mueller offers the following
timely suggestions ON the care Of your
watch:
Remember to wind the watch up
full at least once in every twenty-six
hours. Thus only will the handspring
receive its fullest power.
Always keep watch in same position
when not in use as when it is carried.
If you carry watch in vest pocket,
allow it to remain there when you
retire, hanging vest on clothes poe
or back of chair.
Expecting your watch to give
close rate if hung on hook or nail i
erroneous. This causes watch
oscillate slightly. therebv giving ba,-
ance wheel a contrary motion.
Don't expect a seven-jewel unad-
justed movement to last as long CT
run as accurately as full-jeweled
adjusted, standard watch.
Never carry wetch in pocket of un-
buttoned coat or jumper. 1t Should
be carried in c,ose-ns.ing pocket clos
to TIE body.
If your watch is not keeping time
do not attempt to regulate it yourse'f
but call on man competent in tn
business. A watch is not always regu
lated by means of the regulator.
Give your watch to competer
watch repairer to oil and overhau
at least once in every eighte
months. After that period all oil ha
practically evaporated.
Realize that you must treat vou
watch right. 1t is the most servic
able machine ever invented. but don
forget that it is governed by natur;
laws.