Pocket watch stem is broken.

• Setting an Elgin stem-set pocket watch. Pull the stem out of the crown at the 12 o'clock position of an Elgin stem-set pocket watch. Rotate the stem clockwise to move the hands to the correct hour and minute. Depress the stem and wind the crown to keep the watch running.

SORRY BUT I AM NOT A JEWELER THEY MIGHT KNOW

The first answer is a canned answer. Seen it before. Examine the edge of the pocket watch. Start at the stem and look for a slight gap where the back cover meets the case. It is usually at the stem side or hinge side. Once located take a strong sharp knife and carefully pry up the back cover. It should remove fairly easily. I have about 12 pocket watches and they all work the same way. Once open there may be a small screw or two holding the battery in place. You will need a precision screw driver set or a small screw driver for glasses.

Sounds like a broken main spring.

This is a fairly easy fix and may also be due for a cleaning and service.

Find a local repairman in your area.

http://www.nawcc.org/business-directory/

Hope this tip helps

R/
David

If your watches case does not have a hinge then pulling the crown out won't do anything but allow you to set the time if it is a stem set watch. If it is a lever set watch then the lever which is under the bezel will need to be pulled out before you can set the time.

On a pocket watch without a hinge the case back and or bezel will unscrew from the case.

Hope this helps,
Ken
Yellowstone Watch Inc.
www.yellowstonewatch.com

Do not open the watch yet, as you do not know how to get the stem out.
Take an eyeglass and examine the crown. You will find the small hub in the centre of the crown. If the centre of this hub is hollow and you can see the thread in it- you will be able to screw it back on stem (all watch crowns are screwed on to stems, never pressed).
If the centre of that hub looks filled with metal, then the stem end is broke and you will need replace stem AND crown (the metal filling the hub is the broken end of stem).
In case if the crown still in tact, let me know by asking questions and I'll guide you through all the process HOW TO.

Rate me, please.

did you figuer it out because i am having the same problem, i don't want to take apart the balance just to change the and fix the face

mcdevito75 here, Unless you have a good knowledge of takeing apart, even just the back off your watch / pocket watch it"s best to look for a small watch repair shop in your area, but here is what you can do to possibly start your watch / pocket watch. If your watch / pocket watch hasn"t been wound in some time and that time varies from watch to watch, the oil in the watch can become a bit thick so as to not allow the mechanism to work smoothly, leave the watch / pocket watch in a warm place, window sill in the sunlight wrapped in a paper towel for anywhere between a few minutes to 1/2 hour, after the watch / pocket watch has been warmed up hopefully the oil in the mechanism has liquified enough to allow the movement to start working. You can also give the movement a little boost, after the watch /pocket watch is warm, pull out the stem as if to set the time of day, move the stem and hands, sometimes this action will get the watch ticking again. If this fails, BEST BET specially if this is an expebsive or keepsake watch, look for a small watch repair shop in your area for serviveing. approx. $45.00

First you must say what type as there are differences depending on the mfg and model.Be the following basics apply.
1- Put the stem in the setting position (usually pulled out if stem set).
2 Them open cover to expose the movement. ( Screw off or snap open).
3- Remove the movement (Usually held in place with 2 screws at the outer edge.
4-Then if there is a screw in the part that holds the stem loosen that.
5- The stem can be held with a pair of pliers on the flat and the crown unscrewed. Be careful not to damage the square (FLATS), with the pliers. A rag or other safety measure should be taken.
6- then inside the stem hole, looking from the ouside the is an annular area around the stem that has a ferrule screwed into the case this has to be unscrewed and will bring out the stem and the ferrule.
This siounds complicated but the steps are more involved to write than they are to perform.
There are many variations to this process, and each type should be understood before proceeding.
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