- Posts
- 8,008
- Likes
- 57,654
TexOmega
·992 +E was made 1903-40
990......1903-13
yes, my favorite along with 996
990......1903-13
yes, my favorite along with 996
Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·
The 992 was replaced by the 992E circa 1929, and the 992E was made until it was replaced by the 992B circa 1941. My point being that the 990 was never done in a 990E version. Too bad! It is a good looking watch.
- Posts
- 3,817
- Likes
- 16,137
Fritz
·I just about disjointed my fingers trying to unscrew the bezel on this lever set monster to set it this morning...
then I noticed the hinged cover. DUH!
obviously I haven’t worn it in a bit.
then I noticed the hinged cover. DUH!
obviously I haven’t worn it in a bit.
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·A number of years ago, a fellow brought me an 18-size Waltham with a perfect double sunk vitreous enamel, 24-hour dial. It was in a nickel silver swing ring case. I spent a lot of time trying to coax the bezel off so I could assess the movement. I tried epoxying a steel ruler over the heavy chamfered crystal. No luck. So, I retrieved my pneumatic impact wrench from the garage, hooked it up to my compressor, put a 2-inch diameter socket on the impact wrench, retrieved an old leather glove to protect the watch, applied the socket to the leather glove, and hit the trigger. It took about 30 seconds or so to break the bond between the bezel and the case, but the vibrations of the impact wrench did the job. I might add, with no damage to the case or the movement. In the case was an 18-size, 21-jewel, 1892 model Waltham movement, engraved Canadian Railway Time Service. The owner is an executive with the Canadian Pacific Railway. I serviced it for him, and he was thrilled.
- Posts
- 3,817
- Likes
- 16,137
Fritz
·I’d love to find a CRTS, but the days of these things turning up at a reasonable price have dropped into the realm of rocking horse manure and hens teeth.
In my list of “wants” it would still be below a 950 series Hamilton though... Mmmmmm... bridge movements!
actually, beyond the above mentioned Hamilton, I think all of my watch needs are currently met, which explains the fact that I’ve not bought a single watch this year.
In my list of “wants” it would still be below a 950 series Hamilton though... Mmmmmm... bridge movements!
actually, beyond the above mentioned Hamilton, I think all of my watch needs are currently met, which explains the fact that I’ve not bought a single watch this year.
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·
Naughty of me to tantalize you, but check these out.
- Posts
- 4,933
- Likes
- 14,979
DaveK
··Yoda of YodelersHamilton grade 943(unmarked) Model #2
Very small production run(2700)
18s 21j with the "gold pkg"👍
Year 1901with correct handset and upside down "30" at six, correct for early runs
Decorative Champion GF Hunter case
Hamilton ledgers state it was finished on 12-22-1902 and sold to J.W. Forsinger in Chicago 5-18-1903, (a watch inspector 1893-1913).
That’s nice to look at 😎
- Posts
- 4,933
- Likes
- 14,979
- Posts
- 3,817
- Likes
- 16,137
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·This one was sent to me for my opinion. This is the oldest Hampden I have ever encountered, with its S# 73303. This is circa 1877, according to the pocketwatchdatabase.com. site. My reference indicates that this watch was produced during 1877, the first year of the company. The data base indicates that this watch is from a series comprising many private label watches. The dial on this one is marked Hampden, and the movement is engraved F Schneider, Lawrence Massachusetts. Key wind, key set, coin silver case. Depending on the source, coin silver can be .800 fine silver, or .900 fine silver. I have read that typically U S coin silver is .900 fine. The trade mark is No. 1, in a shield. I riffled through the pages of Warren Neiblings book on U S watch case makers which lists 126 U S case makers, but I was unable to pin down who the case maker might have been. For a watch that might well be 145 years old, it is in remarkable condition.
On the web, I found a rendering of a trade card for the firm of F Schneider, jeweller.
I found a listing from a U S auction house from July of 2022 where a nearly identical Hampden in a sterling case, sold for $80.00 U S! Yes! $80.00!
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hampden/73303
On the web, I found a rendering of a trade card for the firm of F Schneider, jeweller.
I found a listing from a U S auction house from July of 2022 where a nearly identical Hampden in a sterling case, sold for $80.00 U S! Yes! $80.00!
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hampden/73303
Edited:
- Posts
- 8,008
- Likes
- 57,654
TexOmega
·
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·Another one that came my way for an opinion. This one is an English lever with fusee in a sterling case, key wind, key set. The case is hallmarked In Newcastle (England), in 1847-48. The engraving on the movement is likely the name of a retailer name of A Bauerle of Edinburgh, Scotland. My references don’t give any information on this person. The movement is a typical Lancashire (England) calibre, and not made by Bauerle. The trade mark inside the case back indicates the case might have been made by either of two case makers. Either Alfred Wolfe of Clerkenwell, or Alfred Waterfall of Coventry. Typical of English movements of the era, the balance wheel is under sprung. The hairspring is beneath the balance wheel rather than above it as in later English watches. This watch is in remarkable condition for a 170 year old watch. It runs quite well.
- Posts
- 4,933
- Likes
- 14,979
DaveK
··Yoda of YodelersThis one was sent to me for my opinion. This is the oldest Hampden I have ever encountered, with its S# 73303. This is circa 1877, according to the pocketwatchdatabase.com. site. My reference indicates that this watch was produced during 1877, the first year of the company. The data base indicates that this watch is from a series comprising many private label watches. The dial on this one is marked Hampden, and the movement is engraved F Schneider, Lawrence Massachusetts. Key wind, key set, coin silver case. Depending on the source, coin silver can be .800 fine silver, or .900 fine silver. I have read that typically U S coin silver is .900 fine. The trade mark is No. 1, in a shield. I riffled through the pages of Warren Neiblings book on U S watch case makers which lists 126 U S case makers, but I was unable to pin down who the case maker might have been. For a watch that might well be 145 years old, it is in remarkable condition.
On the web, I found a rendering of a trade card for the firm of F Schneider, jeweller…
242 Essex St today https://maps.app.goo.gl/4oWtsthgD6GNrjMz6?g_st=ic
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·Thanks to @DaveK for his legwork to research the web to find a picture of the modern day building which (I am certain) has replaced the jewellery store of F Schneider.
I recently posted a picture of an English pocket watch with the name Stewart Dawson, Liverpool, on the dial. I was fortunate to be able to locate a picture of the store that may well have sold that very watch, about 135 years ago.
I recently posted a picture of an English pocket watch with the name Stewart Dawson, Liverpool, on the dial. I was fortunate to be able to locate a picture of the store that may well have sold that very watch, about 135 years ago.
- Posts
- 8,008
- Likes
- 57,654
TexOmega
·Ball-Elgin Commercial Standard
1st 18s Ball Hunter..... in a coin-edged GF Keystone decorative case.
16j Grade 327 Model 10
Year: 1905
One production run of 250 only, and if the database can be trusted, a handful known to exist.
Recent acquisition
Hunter cased Ball's are extremely uncommon whether RR grade or not, as this one was for trolly/InterUrban lines, or the person wanting a very nice, accurate Hunter from Ball.
1st 18s Ball Hunter..... in a coin-edged GF Keystone decorative case.
16j Grade 327 Model 10
Year: 1905
One production run of 250 only, and if the database can be trusted, a handful known to exist.
Recent acquisition
Hunter cased Ball's are extremely uncommon whether RR grade or not, as this one was for trolly/InterUrban lines, or the person wanting a very nice, accurate Hunter from Ball.
Edited:
- Posts
- 14,435
- Likes
- 41,626
Canuck
·Ball-Elgin Commercial Standard
1st 18s Ball Hunter..... in a coin-edged GF Keystone decorative case.
16j Grade 327 Model 10
Year: 1905
One production run of 250 only, and if the database can be trusted, a handful known to exist.
Recent acquisition
Hunter cased Ball's are extremely uncommon whether RR grade or not, as this one was for trolly/InterUrban lines, or the person wanting a very nice, accurate Hunter from Ball.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/ball/11956010
The pocketwatchdatabase.com site appears to be quite conclusive. It specifies one run, with 250 movements in that run. However, in his book American Railroad Watches, Col. George Townsend reports different figures.
On page 38 of his book (see image), he seems to indicate that the serial number range for the jewel count of @TexOmega ‘s handsome Ball Elgin, model 10, grade 327 (16-jewels), ran from 11956001 to 11957000, and comprised 1000 watches! The model 10 was also made in grade 328 (17-jewels), grade 329 (17-jewels), and 330 (21-jewels). The list (below) specifies that the watches listed were made by Elgin, for the Ball Watch Co.
The pocketwatchdatabase site indicates the Elgin serial number list as its source. The Elgin s# list substantiates that there were 1,000 watches in that run. I suppose that possibly there were 750 made and marked as Elgin, and 250 made and marked as Ball. The Elgin serial number list isn’t specific.
Which ever source is correct, it is still a great watch, in an even greater case!
Edited:
- Posts
- 4,933
- Likes
- 14,979
DaveK
··Yoda of YodelersCool looking book cover 😎
- Posts
- 8,008
- Likes
- 57,654
fonts off
- Posts
- 8,008
- Likes
- 57,654
TexOmega
·https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/ball/11956010
The pocketwatchdatabase.com site appears to be quite conclusive. It specifies one run, with 250 movements in that run. However, in his book American Railroad Watches, Col. George Townsend reports different figures.
On page 38 of his book (see image), he seems to indicate that the serial number range for the jewel count of @TexOmega ‘s handsome Ball Elgin, model 10, grade 327 (16-jewels), ran from 11956001 to 11957000, and comprised 1000 watches! The model 10 was also made in grade 328 (17-jewels), grade 329 (17-jewels), and 330 (21-jewels). The list (below) specifies that the watches listed were made by Elgin, for the Ball Watch Co.
The pocketwatchdatabase site indicates the Elgin serial number list as its source. The Elgin s# list substantiates that there were 1,000 watches in that run. I suppose that possibly there were 750 made and marked as Elgin, and 250 made and marked as Ball. The Elgin serial number list isn’t specific.
Which ever source is correct, it is still a great watch, in an even greater case!
1000 blocked out for a run, 250 actually produced is my interpretation.
wish there were “finishing” records as found with Hamilton research.
- Posts
- 3,817
- Likes
- 16,137
Fritz
·One for the wrist & one for the pocket... and nobody knows I have the weird habit of wearing two watches...
except this guy, and he ain’t talkin.
except this guy, and he ain’t talkin.