Repairing antique pocket watches with chiming bells

#repeater #chronograph #watchrepair
In this video, I take on the restoration of a Henry Sandoz minute repeater chronograph pocket watch, which is a beautifully made, century-old movement that recently took a fall and hasn’t been the same since. The hands are frozen, the repeater doesn't chime the correct time, the movement is wound tight, and I suspect at least one jewel didn’t survive the impact. From disassembly and inspection to jewel replacement, pivot burnishing, and full reassembly, follow along as I attempt to bring this complicated mechanical watch back to working order.

Henry Sandoz was a Swiss watchmaker known for producing high-quality mechanical watches in the early 20th century. While not as well-known today as some of the major brands, Sandoz pieces (especially those with complications like chronographs and repeaters) were considered to be of higher quality. This example, with its minute repeater and mono-pusher chronograph, is a rare and challenging piece that shows the ingenuity of early Swiss horology.

Whether you're a seasoned watch enthusiast or simply curious about the world of horology, this video offers a captivating glimpse into how an amateur like me is trying to master the art of watchmaking.