In the early days of horology the apprenticewas taught the art of making a complete watch.Production was slow, very few duplicate watcheswere constructed, and it was necessary that extramaterial be made individually by hand in thesame way that the original part was produced. Astime passed the value of the repairer was indicatedby his ability to make new parts and to replace themso that the watch would again be in running condition.This was the prevailing situation for manyyears and the repairer was judged according to hisskill in making and finishing the various parts.
A similar method of judging ability is still inforce among some employers, although the developmentof the industry into machine and specializedwork has made many changes in regard to the mostimportant duties of the repairer.
It is no longer necessary for him to know how tomake a complete watch and only on occasional instancesis it necessary for him to make a part.Genuine material for modern watches is suppliedby the manufacturer at less expense than it can beproduced by the individual and in this particularbranch of the work the repairer's requirementshave been very considerably curtailed.
A more exacting and a higher standard of timekeepinghas developed, however, and in this fieldthe requirements of the watchmaker have increasedto the extent that it is no longer sufficient to merelyrestore a good watch to running condition. Itmust keep time. This development has growngradually and surely and the past twenty-five yearsmay be assumed as the period of greatest advance.
It has been made possible by scientific and practicalrefinements which permit the adjustment ofwatches so that they will keep time within closelydefined allowances under varying conditions.
The larger problem of the successful repairer of[Pg iv]today, therefore, is that of understanding theprinciples governing close time and of knowing howand where to look for the causes of variation, sothat the higher standard of timekeeping may berestored in case of damage since the original adjustment.
It is naturally essential to know when materialis correct, how to make it fit in its proper place, andhow to make and finish some of the individualparts. It is also commendable to be skilful in allclasses of lathe work, as this at times gains prestigefor the workman through restoring old modelwatches to running condition.
It is, however, a disadvantage to develop one'sability in making parts for watches of a bygone ageand neglecting the training that happens to be mostessential and of daily advantage in repairingmodern watches so that they will keep time as consistentlyafter repairs have been made as they didwhen new.
The object of this book is to present the essentialpoints of watch adjusting in an elementary andnon-technical way that will interest the averagewatchmaker and to enable him to have a convenientsource of information, covering the necessary refinementsthat are fundamental in repairing, regulatingand adjusting the better class of watches.
The author trusts that the experienced successfulwatchmaker will read the book with interest andalso with profit and that the novice will be enabledto for