I have an 1890-something Waltham I got on eBay. It runs but drops time erratically. When I took it to the shop, they couldn't get it to drop time at all. But when I carry it around, it loses chunks of time. It's not a stem-set. I don't dare open it myself; every time I try to do something like that I end up with a lapful of parts and a sad expression. I don't have the money for the professional clean and tune-up. Do any of you watch people know what might be wrong with it?

I love real clockwork, and the flywheel pocketwatch (anybody else read Longitude? if you love old watches, read it!) is a masterpiece of human ingenuity.