At Set Back in Time, we are a group of dedicated vintage watch collectors. We enjoy owning and wearing vintage timepieces. We are not buying for investment purposes. That said, vintage watches can have investment potential, and that is the topic of this post. In this guide, we explore why vintage watches are potentially a…Read more
Category: Movement
The mainspring barrel: the power behind a mechanical watch
A mechanical watch is a complicated piece of machinery, with dozens of tiny parts working in perfect harmony. At the centre of it all is the mainspring barrel, the crucial component responsible for powering the entire movement. Understanding how the mainspring barrel works, along with its various types and historical developments, helps us appreciate the…Read more
Is my vintage watch overwound?
Is my vintage watch overwound? As vintage watch collectors, we hear this question a lot from both new and experienced watch collectors. But here’s the thing, for as many times as we’ve been asked about overwinding, we’ve never seen a watch that was actually overwound. It’s simply not possible, if a watch is fully wound and not working,…Read more
Why do vintage watches tick?
When people think of vintage watches, one of the first associations that comes to mind is the sound of ticking. Almost all watches tick, and this distinctive sound has become synonymous with the passage of time itself. A common belief is that quartz watches tick, while mechanical watches exhibit a sweeping motion. While this appears…Read more
Mechanical watch movement frequency
Frequency is a term that is used regularly in these pages when discussing the specifications of watch movements. Movement frequency in a mechanical watch refers to the number of oscillations or vibrations the balance wheel makes per hour. It’s typically measured in Hertz (Hz) or vibrations per hour (VPH) or beats per hour (BPH). For…Read more