How to Repair a Majesti Open Skeleton Mechanical Pocket Watch

Open the watch's back to clean and adjust a Majesti.

Majesti skeleton pocket watches were distributed by the New York Majesti watch company from 1990 to 2001. To prevent expensive watch repair service fees, there are a few simple things you can do to get a Majesti skeleton watch to work again. But when parts are damaged, scratched or scored, you should take the watch to a competent watch repair service.

Instructions

1. Close the pocket watch until it snaps shut. Turn the watch over so the back is facing you. Remove the screws with a small precision flat-head screwdriver. Insert the edge of the screwdriver in the front and back cover seam, and slowly pry the back cover off.

2. Lift the back of the watch from the inner workings. Remove this cover carefully so none of the parts falls out.

3. Inspect the interior of the watch and look for bent or jammed parts. Pull pieces of dirt and debris out from between gears, with craft tweezers.

4. Examine the pallet lever -- the lever that holds the balance wheel. Check to make sure it works correctly. Move the hands to see if it first holds and then releases the balance wheel correctly. If the pallet lever does not move toward and away from the wheel, you may need to have the lever inspected and repaired by a professional watch repairman.

5. Attach the slim straw that comes packaged with the compressed air spray can to the nozzle. Blow a few short puffs of compressed air into the watch workings.

6. Examine the balance wheel and its motion. Ensure that it moves rotates freely. Blow a few more short puffs of air around the wheel. Adjust the balance wheel screw, if it doesn't rotate freely.

7. Look for small obstructions, screws or other parts that might interfere with the wheel movement. Tighten screws in these areas, if possible.

8. Inspect the balance shaft and wheel through a loupe, to see if there are scores, scratches or lines. If these parts are damaged, contact a watch repairman to get them replaced.

9. Add a drop of fine watch oil to the wheel and lever pivots.

10. Reclose the watch cover and replace the screws. Turn the watch over, and wind it up to see if it works. Otherwise, take it to the nearest watch repairman for further repair.

References

• Watch Repair: Watch Repair, Hints and Secrets
• The Time Zone Watch School: The Balance Wheel in Detail
• Carignan Watch Company: Cleaning, Oiling and Checking a Basic Mechanical Watch Movement