In reply to Series II (1928-1930). by Stephen Ollman
The hour hand looks a little off also, it's too wide and should reach across the track to touch the numeral. Seconds hand looks right on.
Hate to jump in but Plainsman 'wound tight' is the oldest mechanical issue in the book and in reality it doesn't exist. - Ask if the balance spins, can the hands be moved and set, does it tick if shaken?
In reply to The hour hand looks a little by FifthAvenueRes…
Plains
I had a case of darn near terrminal tinkeritus the other day. I took the back off an overwound aquisition to see if the balance was free using the old wrist twist trick. I laid it on it's face and it took all night to run down & kept time to boot! I lucked out!
Wayne
In reply to Plains I had a case of darn by Wayne Hanley
Wayne, kinda hard to check the time while wearing it face down on the wrist. : )
I have one right now that wont run while in the case that was bought as a 'non working'. I took the movement out of the back and it took off, runs perfectly and keeps perfect time! Place it back in and it stops! a humdinger.
In reply to Wayne, kinda hard to check by FifthAvenueRes…
I'm not professionally trained by any stretch of the imagination but I have been fixing these 10AN movements for about 5 years so know them like the back of my hand.
'Wound tight' is a correct term (IMO), but 'over wound' isn't. You can't overwide a mechanical watch...and if you tried something would break/snap.
For the most part...wound tight basically means fully wound. If the watch won't tick when fully wound there could be a number of issues, most serious of all is a broken staff somewhere or a screwed balance wheel assembly.
If the watch works when only facing down or facing up (this one I hate with a passion) chances are its either a broken staff or the balance spring touching something due to gravity when the watch is placed in that position. It doesn't take much to hinder the freely swinging balance wheel so it runs slugish.
My first action if to strip and clean...the watch that is...I usually keep my clothes on when pulling these beauties apart.
Bottom line is if the watch isn't running but the balance wheel freely swings back and forth when the watch is spun side to side, chances are a cleaning will get it running again without any repairs as such.
Just one other comment, it it runs one way up and not the other it could well be a case of worn balance jewel(s), cracked jewels or it could be missing a jewel cap where applicable. I have found this many times before, and you are right Stephen, a real pain in the neck!