I recently came across a "watch care" document printed by the Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pa. in 1931. Along with advising one not to place their pocket watch under a pillow while sleeping (!), they offered the following interesting tidbit:

It has been calculated that a locomotive would make almost twenty-eight complete circuits of the earth if it were started running on the equator and run until its wheels had performed the same number of revolutions that the balance wheel of a watch makes in a year. Can you imagine a locomotive doing this continuous running without frequent examination, cleaning, and oiling?

These little engines in our watch cases are indeed hard workers. Considering the frequency in which some of these vintage timepieces are bought, sold and traded, I wonder how many of them actually receive their required servicing on a timely basis. We covet the original and well-preserved case, dial and hands, but what of the powerplant? Are you making your V72, Cal 11, Cal 321, etc., smile every few years by giving it a clean & lube?

Jim