{"id":1342,"date":"2025-05-27T15:42:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/?p=1342"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:53:14","slug":"how-a-mechanical-watch-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/how-a-mechanical-watch-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Mechanical Watch Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9_QsCLYs2mY?si=Li6lUbZKUjx6ndOj\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chapters<br><br>0:00 Intro<br>0:44 Crown<br>1:36 Mainspring<br>2:14 Wheel Train<br>2:57 Jewel Bearings<br>3:11 Motion Works<br>4:10 Escapement &amp; Balance Wheel<br>6:38 Supporting Structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>___________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9_QsCLYs2mY?si=BUnZdaALNo5s4Y8y\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/9_QsCLYs2mY?si=BUnZdaALNo5s4Y8y<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>___________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a Unitas 6497 handwind movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This movement was originally designed for pocket watches so it&#8217;s quite big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It only fits into big watches (at least 43mm in diametre).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That also means it&#8217;s one of the easiest to take apart and study since the components are also proportionally big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s also one of the simplist in terms of complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most watches nowadays have at least a winding rotor (an asymmetrical weighted rotor that winds the watch using the momentum of your wrist movement) and a date function (an additional 24-hour counter with 31 clicks per rotation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not to mention some of the more complex functions like chronograph (stopwatch), minute repeater (chimes the precise time to the minute) and tourbillon (a revolving escapement) etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some more complicated watches can easily have 3 to 5 times more parts than the watch shown in this video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now imagine doing all those purely mechanically within the space of a wrist watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then imagine these technologies existing 200 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Swiss precision movement<br>Long Lugs\/Historic Radium watches<br>ETA\/UNITAS 6497-1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>The ETA\/Unitas caliber 6497-1 is a Swiss made mechanical manual wind movement with 17 jewels. This caliber is one of the most popular hand-wound mechanical movements in the watch industry. The 6497 is often referred to as a \u201cpocket watch movement\u201d because that is the origin of the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unitas 6497: 18,000 bph, L\u00e9pine (open face) movement, pallet fork cock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>L\u00e9pine watch (Open-face)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a pocket watch, a structure in which the seconds hand is positioned in line with the winding stem, as opposed to the hunter calibre in which the seconds hand is at a right angle to the winding stem, at 6 and 3 o&#8217;clock respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/watch-movements-archive.com\/watch-movement\/unitas-6497\/\">https:\/\/watch-movements-archive.com\/watch-movement\/unitas-6497\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>______________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-image-1343\" style=\"width: 300px;\" src=\"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_2.jpg 300w, https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_2-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-image-1344\" style=\"width: 300px;\" src=\"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Unitas_6497_1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>______________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Captain Convey Pocket Watch Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crown, Mainspring, Wheel Train, Jewel Bearings<br>Motion Works, Escapement &amp; Balance Wheel<br>Supporting Structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The above video shows you how a basic pocket watch functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is based on Unitas 6497: 18,000 bph, L\u00e9pine (open face) movement, pallet fork cock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This video is exactly what I wanted to find and archive on my blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It explains how a pocket watch movment functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how an antique mechanical pocket watch functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning how to repair an antique pocket watch is much more<br>detailed information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My goal is to just understand how an antique pocket watch functions.<br><br>Repairing one is not my goal although I plan to watch some videos<br>on how to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have watched a few that were very interesting and complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From watching those I can understand why it must be done by<br>someone with the know how and correct equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The correct equipment can be original or newer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From what I have seen, to repair an antique pocket watch correctly<br>it should be original type of repair equipment which is costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding what the Crown, Mainspring, Wheel Train, Jewel Bearings<br>Motion Works, Escapement &amp; Balance Wheel Supporting Structure<br>functions are is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The above video explains what you need to know first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The videos on the Watch Odyssey goes into how antique watches<br>are repaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is exactly what I wanted to know about antique pocket watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watchmaking is the perfect balance of 50% knowledge and 50%<br>skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>50% of watchmaking is understanding the horological basics of<br>a Watch Movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is enough for me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don&#8217;t actually need to repair antique pocket watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I just want to know how they function and also information<br>about their maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also I don&#8217;t plan to pay any money to learn this information<br>because as you can see, it can be found for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The link below to Watch Odyssey will reveal why.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This channel is paced and well done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The person repairing the antique pocket watches reminds me of a<br>golf commentator lowering his voice as he describes what is<br>happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why I really like Watch Odyssey Youtube Channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its presented in a way you can learn without having to wonder<br>what was said or done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@watchodyssey4894\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@watchodyssey4894<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch Odyssey is a journey through time. We track down and restore vintage timepieces long lost to dusty drawers, an old shoebox in the attic, perhaps at the back of a musty cupboard. Often these are family heirlooms with a story to share. Our mission is to investigate the faults and, using vintage watchmaker tools, see if we can bring these magical marvels back to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch Odyssey is for entertainment and relaxation purposes only. Caution &#8211; amateur watchmaker at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>____________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1892, Waltham made a bold claim for it&#8217;s <em>Vanguard Railroad Grade Pocket Watch<\/em>, &#8220;The finest 18-Size movement in the World&#8221;. Perhaps, with it&#8217;s stunning damaskeening, gold settings, rubies and diamonds! This one needs a vintage watchmaker&#8217;s lathe to make it right (any excuse). Join us on the restoration journey of this very fine American railroad grade pocket watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/62nSG65f_TQ?si=V8TXviEBXRBiBC36\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=62nSG65f_TQ\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=62nSG65f_TQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>___________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find Information about watch movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/watch-movements-archive.com\/\">https:\/\/watch-movements-archive.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapters 0:00 Intro0:44 Crown1:36 Mainspring2:14 Wheel Train2:57 Jewel Bearings3:11 Motion Works4:10 Escapement &amp; Balance Wheel6:38 Supporting Structure ___________________________________________________________________ https:\/\/youtu.be\/9_QsCLYs2mY?si=BUnZdaALNo5s4Y8y ___________________________________________________________________ This is a Unitas 6497 handwind movement. This movement was originally designed for pocket watches so it&#8217;s quite big. It only fits into big watches (at least 43mm in diametre). That also means it&#8217;s one [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[136,138],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antique-pocket-watches","category-railroad-grade-pocket-watches"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1342"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1347,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1342\/revisions\/1347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/audaciouscat.com\/rabbit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}