Just lately a very good buddy, Neil, was visiting the workshop and carrying a really cool watch. A classic electrical Whittnaur with a really early motion. So early this electrically powered watch makes use of mechanical contacts to manage an electromagnet slightly than the extra widespread transistor. An awesome piece of historical past but additionally an incredible wanting watch, take a look at the dial and palms on the backside of this publish.
Although he loves the watch, he did have one main criticism. Normal battery sizes have modified because the watch was made, and are actually a lot smaller. The individual that offered him the watch had fitted a band across the trendy battery to carry in in place, however it was a poor match and the battery may nonetheless transfer and disconnect from the contacts. This meant that the watch may generally cease with out warning till the case again was eliminated and the battery refitted; there’s no level in having a watch which you’ll’t depend on so I stated I’d repair it for him.
A bit of black delrin was machined to snugly (however not tightly) match contained in the case again, with a bore giant sufficient to carry the battery in place with none motion. It’s a really small job however requires the precise instruments and correct measurement.
Now Neil can put on the watch with out worry of it stopping and might be assured he gained’t miss his subsequent assembly the place this watch is certain to catch the attention of anybody that notices it. One good factor about these early electrical watches is the excessive velocity stability pushing a gear prepare means a sweeping second hand not like the ‘useless second’ ticking seen in quartz watches.
