44 
hints to Travellers. 
the bezel (or frame which holds the glass) should have neither hinge tlOf 
spring, but should fit very closely oyer the watch-case, and snap tightly 
when pressed home, or screw on, as is the case with the watches supplied 
to travellers by this Society. Great care should be taken to see that the 
marking of the minutes on the dial is correct, so that in whatever part of 
the hour circle the minute hand shall point to a division, the seconds 
hand shall at the same time point to 0. This perfect coincidence for the 
whole circle of the dial is by no means common; its absence is chiefly due 
to the great difficulty of getting the dial painters to divide every minute 
division exactly to a second as marked in the seconds dial, and the error 
is often so great as to be a cause of annoyance to the traveller, who 
will have frequent difficulty in deciding as to which minute the seconds 
belong. The seconds dial-plate should be sunk, and the glass should be 
thick flat crystal. The cost of a good watch of this description varies 
from 30Z.-40?., according as to whether it is a going-barrel or fusee. The 
latter is preferable, as it is certain that the fusee watch will keep an 
exact proportion of its daily rate throughout the twenty-four hours, and 
it is also fitted with an up and down dial, showing when the watch was 
last wound, and when it will require winding, a very important thing for 
exploring work in unknown regions. Both fusee and going-barrel 
watches for observation purposes should be “ free sprung/' as a much 
steadier rate is obtained therewith. 
The keyless watch has many advantages over the old form, of 
which the following are some:—It cannot be wound the wrong way. 
It cannot be over-wound, and the case has not to be opened for 
winding. When the glass and back are made to screw on, as made 
by Herbert Blockley, 41, Duke Street, St. James's, and the winding- 
button is fitted with a screw cap, a watch of this kind has been placed in 
water, and proved impervious to damp after several hours’ immersion. 
Should the winding mechanism get out of order, the watch can be wound 
with a common key in the same manner as an ordinary watch. 
Care should be taken to wind a watch at about the same hour every 
day, and as nearly as possible to subject it to the same daily treatment 
with regard to its position in the pocket, or the place where it is laid 
down at night. 
In purchasing a watch, be sure to go direct to the manufacturers, and 
make them responsible for it. 
