Repeating Attachments

American Watchmaker and Jeweler (1892)

Fig. 272 illustrates the repeating attachment recently patented and put on the market by the American Repeating Watch Factory, of Elizabeth, N. J. The complete mechanism is arranged on a small plate which can be fastened to any of the American made movements by the aid of a few screws, and the construction is such that it can be wound either by the stem or by the repeating slide, the latter being similar to those used on all Swiss repeaters. The stem winding pattern can be applied to Elgin 16 size hunting, Illinois and Dueber-Hampden 16 sizes, Waltham 14 sizes and Lancaster 18 sizes, all hunting movements. The repeating slide style can also be applied to these watches. The slide pattern is adapted particularly to Elgin 16 size open face and Elgin interchangeable 16 sizes and to Waltham and Columbus 16 size hunting and open face, Waltham 14 sizes, Illinois 16 sizes in open face, Howard 16 and 18 sizes and Paillard non-magnetic watches, both open and hunting. The attachment can also in various ways be applied to other American and Swiss watches. Fig. 272 represents the attachment applied to an Elgin 16 size hunting movement. To attach this mechanism to a watch, first wind its mainspring completely and then let it down only one-quarter turn. Set stop wheel in position with its shoulder against the stop piece, to prevent further winding, place both racks above the stop wheel and let the mainspring drive the parts back to their normal position. The lever winding parts are arranged under the repeater plate and are similar in construction to those used in Swiss repeaters. The stem winding connection is composed of a ratchet wheel which is geared with the crown wheel of the stem-winding mechanism of the watch, and a ratchet stem, that passes through the wheel and both watch plates, carrying on its other end a pinion, that gears into the repeater barrel wheel, which winds its mainspring when the stem is turned to the left.