Winding & Setting of Seth Thomas Pocket Watches
Overview of Winding & Setting Methods
Winding Methods:
Setting Methods:
Stem
Lever
Key
Key
Stem
Pin
The Seth Thomas pocket watch product lines include the manufacturing of Stem Wound models and Key Wound models. All four method of setting can be found in the range of Seth Thomas Pocket watch movements, Lever Set, Key Set, Pin Set, and Pendant Set. In discussing the method of winding and setting a pocket watch most people only refer to the setting method, as the winding method is already inferred in that. Because a Key Wound movement doesn’t have a Stem; it would not be Lever Set, Pin Set, or Pendant Set.
In the first photograph above we can see a Lever Set Seth Thomas Model 1. Also among the Lever Set models are Models 2, 3, most of Model 5, all of Model 6 and 7, most of model 8, all of models 9, 10, and 11, the early, un-numbered, portion of Model 12, all of Model 13, 14, 15, 16, most of Model 17, and some of Model 18 and Model 19 [*1.n].
In the second photograph above we can see the Key Set Seth Thomas Model 4. The two-hundred movements in Model 2 from serial number 36001 to 36200 were also Key Set. Model 4 movements were used in the Seth Thomas Traveler, a travel timepiece that was cased in a leather covered bronze block, which was used by people traveling for pleasure or who wanted a small clock to take with them to work [*1.n].
In the third photograph above we can see the Pin Set Seth Thomas Companion variant of Model 8. The Companion was also a Pin Set variant in Seth Thomas Model 6. Like the Seth Thomas Traveler, the Companion was a travel timepiece.
In the fourth photograph above we can see the Pendant Model 12. Also among the Pendant Set models are some of Models 5, 8, 17, 18 and 19, and all of Models 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 [*1.n].
Stem
Pendant
Stem Wound & Lever Set Movements
In the Stem Wound & Lever Set Movements the crown is used to both set the time of day and to wind the mainspring depending on the position of the setting lever. As seen in the first video below, with the setting lever pulled out turning the crown results in movement of the hands. By returning the setting lever to the normal hidden position turning the crown results in winding the mainspring. The second video demonstrates the mechanics of how these functions each work.
In the Stem Wound & Lever Set Movements the crown is used to both set the time of day and to wind the mainspring depending on the position of the setting lever. As seen in the video below, with the setting lever pulled out the yoke is tipped to engage the intermediate setting wheel, and in turn disengages the mainspring winding function permitting setting of the hands to indicate the correct time. By returning the setting lever to the normal hidden position the yoke is tipped to engage the intermediate winding wheel, disengaging the intermediate setting wheel, to permit winding of the mainspring.
Key Wound & Key Set Movements
Seth Thomas Model 4 movements are all key wound and key set. A small number of Model 2 movements are also key wound and key set. Key winding and key setting are more direct less complicated than other methods. As you can see in the photographs below, both the cannon pinion and the barrel arbor have square protrusions that can be captured by a watch key for setting the time and winding the mainspring respectively.
The square hole of the minute hand engages with the square top of the cannon pinion. When using a key to turn the portion of the cannon pinion that protrudes through the minute hand, the bottom gear teeth of the cannon pinion turn the outer gear teeth of the minute wheel. The upper central gear teeth of the minute wheel pinion engage with the teeth on the bottom of the hour wheel upon which the hour hand rides. In the video below, the hour wheel can be seen to turn much more slowly than the key is turning the cannon pinion upon which the hour wheel rests.
When using a key to turn the square portion of the barrel arbor that protrudes through top plate of the movement, the mainspring is wound within the barrel. The winding energy is stored and maintained within the barrel by means of a ratchet wheel, click, and click spring which can all be accessed by removing the dial to expose the pillar plate, and then removing the ratchet bridge.
Stem Wound & Pendant Set Movements
The photo on the left below shows the ratchet wheel, click, and click spring, components that are protected below the ratchet bridge. The photo on the right below shows the main winding wheel, intermediate winding wheel, intermediate setting wheel, and yoke spring, components that are protected below the yoke.
In the Stem Wound & Pendant Set Movements the crown and stem are used to both set the time of day and to wind the mainspring. As seen in the first video below, with the crown pulled into the uppermost position turning the crown results in movement of the hands. By returning the crown to the normal downmost position turning the crown results in winding the mainspring. The second video demonstrates the mechanics of how these functions each work.
In the Stem Wound & Pendant Set Movements the crown and stem are used to both set the time of day and to wind the mainspring. As seen in the video below, with the crown pulled into the uppermost position the yoke is tipped to engage the intermediate setting wheel, and in turn disengages the mainspring winding function permitting setting of the hands to indicate the correct time. By returning the crown to the normal downmost position the yoke is tipped to engage the intermediate winding wheel, disengaging the intermediate setting wheel, to permit winding of the mainspring.
Stem Wound & Pin Set Movements
In the Stem Wound & Pin Set Movements the crown and stem are used to both set the time of day and to wind the mainspring depending on the position of the setting pin. As seen in the video below, with the in its normal, undepressed, position turning the crown results in winding the mainspring. By depressing and holding the setting pin turning the crown results in movement of the hands, and the ability to set them to the correct time.
Seth Thomas Stem Wound & Pin Set movements were limited to use in the Companion travel timepiece, which was manufactured in two variants, the 1896 Model 6 version and the 1906 Model 8 version. These versions are illustrated below. You can see more about the Companion travel timepiece on Seth Thomas Fan Space at this link.
Sizes & Models, Winding & Setting
*References
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1.a 1885 R. & L. Freidlander Jobbers In American Watches Illustrated Price List, 65 & 67 Nassau Street, New York NY
1.b 1890 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 495
1.c 1892 Illustrated Catalogue of Seth Thomas Clocks No. 531
1.d 1890 & 1895 Illustrated Catalog of Tools Materials, Finding and Supplies, Lapp & Flershem, 98 State Street, Chicago IL
1.e 1895 Illustrated Catalog of Tools Materials, Finding and Supplies, Lapp & Flershem, 98 State Street, Chicago IL
1.f 1896 Illustrated Catalog of Watches, A. C. Becken, 103 State Street, Chicago IL
1.g 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Catalog No. 650
1.h 1904 Seth Thomas Watch Material Illustrated Price List No. 671
1.i 1905 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 15, 1905
1.j 1908 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List September 1, 1908
1.k 1909 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List October 1, 1909
1.l 1913 Seth Thomas Watch Movements Illustrated Price List Centennial Edition September 1, 1913
1.m 1914 Seth Thomas Clock Company Supplement No. 705 to Catalog No. 700 Illustrated Price List September 1, 1908
1.n Catalog of Seth Thomas Watch Models and Grades, compiled by Daniel J. Gaenger
1.o Seth Thomas’ Watches: Thirty Years of Manufacture, by Chris H. Bailey
1.p United States Patents granted to Herman A. T. Reinecke and Charles T. Higginbotham for watch features utilized by the Seth Thomas Company
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22. National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors
22.a The Railroader’s Corner – A Forum for the Discussion of Railroad Pocket Watches; Standard Watches of the Seth Thomas Clock Company; December 1998; National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
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35. Seth Thomas Clock Company; Seth Thomas Clocks No. 531;1892-1893; 49 Maiden Lane, New York New York.
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