A Second Lease on Life for this Ball Trainmaster 999

Опубликовано: 05 Май 2026
на канале: C Spinner Watch Restorations
37,513
1.7k

This gorgeous antique Ball Trainmaster 999G pocket watch was sent in by a viewer who stated it was in serious need of a service. These trainmasters were approved for use on the railways and so the expectation is that it should be able to keep time to a gain or loss of a maximum 30 seconds per week.

The Ball watch company, founded in 1891 by Webb C. Ball, pioneered new safety standards in timekeeping as a result of a horrific and fatal head-on-collision between two trains in Kipton, Ohio.

Can I restore this watch close to railroad grade accuracy?

#restoration
#watchrepair
#pocketwatch

Contact info: [email protected]

Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.

Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: https://amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: https://amzn.to/3D02WGb

Tools:
Micrometer: https://amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Micrometer Stand: https://amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Microscope: https://amzn.to/3ZrQ3Pn
Movement Holder (pocket watches): https://amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): https://amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: https://amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: https://amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: https://amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: https://amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: https://amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: https://amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: https://amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: https://amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: https://amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: https://amzn.to/3Xr7gqo

Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: https://amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: https://amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: https://amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: https://amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: https://amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: https://amzn.to/3QPnSp8

Lubrication:
Oilers: https://amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: https://amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: https://amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: https://amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: https://amzn.to/3ITqikE

Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: https://amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: https://amzn.to/3QQ1r33

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:25 Disassembly
9:40 Cleaning
12:59 Making a Spring
14:07 Assembly
22:13 Balance Install & Timegrapher
24:27 Final Steps & History