Time and Time-TellersBenson, James W., active 1857-1887
Philosophy
Time and Time-Tellers
Benson, James W., active 1857-1887
Clocks and watches
The keyless mechanism to a watch is one of the great modern
improvements in watch work; it does away with the old-fashioned key,
with which so many persons have ruined their watches, the watch is
wound by turning a knurled knob, placed on the handle or bow (see
illustrations, pp. 96-7) instead of by the ordinary means: the hands
are set in the same way, with the addition of pressing a small
projection on the side of the case. The advantages of these
improvements are obvious; the case, which never need be opened in
winding, is made air tight and dust tight, thus preserving much longer
the fluidity of the oil, and greatly prolonging the intervals between
the necessary cleaning of the watch. Besides which, the keyless
mechanism being attached to the watch, the key can never be lost or
mislaid, or worn out.
_Strict attention to the following simple Directions is necessary for
the proper Management of a Watch._
1st.--Wind your watch as nearly as possible at the same time every
day--the morning is the best. Care should be taken to avoid sudden
jerks.
2nd.--Be careful that your key is in good condition, free from dust
and cracks. It should not be kept in the waistcoat pocket, or in any
place where it is liable to rust or get filled with dust.
3rd.--Keep the watch while being _wound_ steadily in the hand, so as
to avoid all circular motion.
4th.--The watch, when hung up, must have support, and be perfectly at
rest; or, when laid horizontally, let it be placed on a soft substance
for more general support, otherwise the action of the balance will
generate a pendulous motion of the watch, and cause much variation in
time.
5th.--The hands of a duplex or chronometer watch should never be set
backwards; in other watches this is a matter of no consequence, but to
avoid accidents it is much better to set them always forward.
6th.--Should the watch vary by heat or cold, as when worn or not worn
in the pocket, the hands may be set to time, but the regulator should
not be altered; but when it is found necessary to alter the regulator,
it should be done gently, and very little at a time.
7th.--_The glass should never be opened in watches that are set and
regulated at the back._
8th.--Keep your watch-pocket free from dust or nap, which generally
accumulates in the pocket when much used.
9th.--Be cautious to whom you give your watch for repair; the best
watches being frequently irretrievably damaged by inexperienced
workmen. Never allow your watch to go longer than two years without
being cleaned.
HOUSE CLOCKS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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