Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Dec 7, 2022

noelekal
Back in the day when silver coins were struck for general circulation in the U. S., they were .900. Fineness varied by nations though so don't know for certain what "coin silver" indicates.

It has long been my understanding that U S coin silver is .900, and English coin is .800. How a case on a U S made watch has a .800 case is odd to my way of thinking.

For more information of precious metal marking, check out the following.

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/swisshallmarks.php

WestCoastTime · Dec 8, 2022

Nice old Elgin gr 381, c.1918. Someone's everyday timepiece for many years...

Well worn & grimy, but still running after 104 years, guess it's due for a refresh...

Time to send it off in to its second century 😀

Canuck · Dec 8, 2022

That one cleaned up really nice. Here’s what the pocketwatchdatabase has to say about @WestCoastTime ’s handsome hunter cased Elgin.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/20368255

noelekal · Dec 9, 2022

Fun post about that Elgin WestCoastTime!

I enjoy those photos of watches in exploded view. Yours is nicely staged. It occurred to me to inquire about how long it takes to stage the component parts for a photograph? You did a precise job there.

WestCoastTime · Dec 9, 2022

noelekal
... It occurred to me to inquire about how long it takes to stage the component parts for a photograph? You did a precise job there.

Thank you for the nice compliment.

Probably about 10 minutes to stage the parts. Having done a few other photos like this, it makes a difference going in at the start to have an idea of what I want the composition to generally look like.

noelekal · Dec 9, 2022

It's educational to see the Elgin three-finger bridge disassembled in that photograph. I have a Elgin 270 which features 21 jewels, but which looks like it could be from the same basic design. I've not seen such a movement disassembled before.

WestCoastTime · Dec 9, 2022

noelekal
It's educational to see the Elgin three-finger bridge disassembled in that photograph. I have a Elgin 270 which features 21 jewels, but which looks like it could be from the same basic design. I've not seen such a movement disassembled before.

OF / Watchmaking Forum hosts some good inside-the-movement threads
https://omegaforums.net/forums/watchmaking.52/

TexOmega · Dec 9, 2022

mmmmmmmmm.....3-finger bridge👍

Alpha · Dec 9, 2022

A rare outing today which is quite sad as it deserves a lot more attention 🙁

MarktheTime · Dec 9, 2022

Three very different Movado pocket watches from the 1930s/1940s. Breguet numerals. Art Deco numerals. Solid gold. Steel. Blued steel hands. All beautiful. 😀

ghce · Dec 11, 2022

Well we sat sat down together and a deal was done. Accomplished because a sweetner was added, in the form of a 30 Jewel day date Fortis watch in very good going condition, purchased in 1966.

The downside is actually the Illinois as it has a broken balance staff, missing glass and minus the sub second hand, as I pointed out the repair cost would far far outweigh the actual value by about 4 to 1.

I doubt my Watchmaker will want to touch the balance wheel repair as at his age his inclination to do very testing and time wasting jobs has reached a limit, so it may just sit as one of those "one day" projects that never happen, unless I can come across a replacement balance wheel and staff.

The total cost to me for both was USD $64.00

Canuck · Dec 11, 2022

I could bore you with pictures of the watches in my collection that weren’t worth being returned to health! And costs of servicing many of them are out of pocket expenses, only! Not taking into account that I do my own work! The cost of a big ticket dinner at a fancy restaurant is a total waste. A big ticket repair on an artifact such as the Illinois, and you have it for life! If you like it, fix it!

Fritz · Dec 11, 2022

Agreed! I have a few watches I’ve paid too much for because I simply loved the watch. If the watch is worth it to you, spend the money and enjoy it.

If nothing else you’ll be wearing something rare and special that will bring you pleasure. Some of my worst junk makes me far happier than the truly rare and valuable pieces that share the display case, its not always about worth or investment value. Sometimes you are investing in yourself!

pretty isn’t it... solid silver too... but there’s a 15 jewel turd inside so its pretty much worth squat!

Fritz · Dec 11, 2022

Lets take a tour of the parts bin!

Canuck · Dec 11, 2022

I’m always intrigued by these “jewelled” dials. The decoration is applied to the vitreous enamel dial while the enamel is still molten (right out of the kiln). When the dial cools, it is given a coat of clear flux, and fired again. If you look very close, the “jewelling” is completely embedded in the clear flux. Lots of spoilage back in the day when dials were done this way.

Fritz · Dec 11, 2022

I found that dial on a favourite “parts” website and had to have it as it is pretty much flawless. These dials usually show some damage when they show up, so you grab them when you can.

I think I paid 60 US for it and I’ll bet the dial is worth more than the movement under it.

Canuck · Dec 11, 2022

My “parts stash. Six drawers. Plus a 100 year accumulation of NOS obsolete watch parts. I am constantly astonished at how often I am able to find what I need!

Canuck · Dec 11, 2022

Fritz
I found that dial on a favourite “parts” website and had to have it as it is pretty much flawless. These dials usually show some damage when they show up, so you grab them when you can.

I think I paid 60 US for it and I’ll bet the dial is worth more than the movement under it.

Because of the overly thick enamel on these dials, the flux is prone to crazing.

Fritz · Dec 11, 2022

Canuck
Because of the overly thick enamel on these dials, the flux is prone to crazing.

YUP... too delicate!

this was mint until my not very observant son leaned on it whist it was sitting on my bench awaiting installation.

To return the favour I got him a contract job as a cleaner on a pig farm in Uganda, he should be paid off and able to return home in about 2030.

noelekal · Dec 11, 2022

Oooo... that's painful Fritz.

There's bound to be some great watches that could be resurrected out of the content of your drawers and bins Canuck.