Mechanical watch stops randomly, Any simple check?

[iamrcb]

I've found a nice looking old mechanical hand wind watch that I'd like to fix up. Rather than spending any money on it I'd like to know if there are any basic "servicing" type fixes that I could do to improve it. Are there any common culprits when it comes to a running watch that stops randomly?

It seems to run for an hour or two and then stops. It will restart if nudged/shaken.

Any ideas?

When the top button is pressed the second hand will stop. When the bottom hand is pressed it will start again from the stopped position.

The winder turns but never seems to stop, unlike my other hand wind watch, although there is some resistance and spring back when it feels wound up fully. I don't understand the other two small dials (yet).

When the top button is pressed and the second hand stops and the watch is shaken, the second hand jumps around to any position. This doesn't happen when the watch is operating normally.

Edited by iamrcb on Saturday 25th June 22:51

[RichB]

Not being a watch amker I cannot give authoritive advice but it will probably require lubricating. I recently inherited my grandfather's pocket watch, non-running. I mixed 50/50 3-in-One oil with WD40 to thin it down and dabbed it into the jewels and spindles with a fine modelling paint brush. Gave it a wind and it's been running perfectly ever since, keeps good time too

p.s. I'm sure I've done it all wrong and knackered it