Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Jan 31, 2023

You may or may not have noticed how rusty the hands are! That is because of the horrible yellowed crystal on the Omega. These older plastic crystals emit corrosive gases as they deteriorate. Your hands may not be salvageable. Suggest you should have the watch attended to promptly before the damage gets any worse. Show us the mechanism and we can tell you a lot more.u

DaveRam · Jan 31, 2023

Canuck
You may or may not have noticed how rusty the hands are! That is because of the horrible yellowed crystal on the Omega. These older plastic crystals emit corrosive gases as they deteriorate. Your hands may not be salvageable. Suggest you should have the watch attended to promptly before the damage gets any worse. Show us the mechanism and we can tell you a lot more.u

Would any omega repair center do, or is there a specialist for these watches?

Canuck · Jan 31, 2023

If we had a ballpark idea of your location, we might be able to make a recommendation for a specialist (not Omega) to attend to the watch for you. But be prepared for a fairly hefty fee, given the deteriorated hands and that horrible crystal, in addition to a service of the movement.

DaveRam · Jan 31, 2023

New York/New Jersey area.

Canuck · Jan 31, 2023

New York……state of, or City of?

DaveRam · Feb 1, 2023

New York City Area

Canuck · Feb 1, 2023

Bump! I find it hard to comprehend that nobody has been able to recommend a watch repairer in the New York City area! Is nobody able to help the poster?

DaveRam · Feb 1, 2023

Canuck
Bump! I find it hard to comprehend that nobody has been able to recommend a watch repairer in the New York City area! Is nobody able to help the poster?

Ty!

SOG53 · Feb 1, 2023

I’ve been enjoying my Waltham model 1877 key winder as my daily desk timekeeper since buying it for $100 on impulse late one night a few weeks ago. Running a little bit slow but winding well.
Alas I wound it last night and all seemed well, but not running this am and when I wound it today it has very little resistance and doesn’t wind at all. So I assume I broke the mainspring last night?
I have eBay listing for replacement looking to confirm it’s correct one so here is shot of the listing and the watch. I quite like it.
Serial number 2322929
Broadway model

Canuck · Feb 1, 2023

Waltham introduced the “Broadway” model name in 1873. It replaced the “Home” model. These two models were produced to compete with cheap Swiss-made cylinder watches which were appearing on the market. They were the lowest priced Waltham models at the time. Here is the pocketwatchdatabase report on the subject watch.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/2322929

The subject watch is in a coin silver case (.900 fine). A nickel silver case would have been cheaper. The mainspring should be close to 2.95 mm wide, about .22 mm thick, and about 18” long, and with a “T” end.

Ticker5 · Feb 1, 2023

This pocket watch is listed today in the Washington area Craigslist. I've never seen the Omega logo look like this, and I have zero knowledge of pocket watches. I thought the group here may find this of interest. Is is authentic? I have no way of knowing. I've not seen the watch. The listing has a number of good photos. FYI!
00q0q_kNvFUwtwoqqz_0pO0jm_300x300.jpg

Canuck · Feb 1, 2023

Based on the image shown, it is my judgement that the only way one could come any real decision is with the watch in the hand. The link you listed shows only one image.

Zapatta · Feb 2, 2023

And anotheeeer one, this time Ebel 😵‍💫

DaveK · Feb 2, 2023

Zapatta
And anotheeeer one, this time Ebel 😵‍💫

Nice choice of stand for that watch

Canuck · Feb 9, 2023

SOG53
I’ve been enjoying my Waltham model 1877 key winder as my daily desk timekeeper since buying it for $100 on impulse late one night a few weeks ago. Running a little bit slow but winding well.
Alas I wound it last night and all seemed well, but not running this am and when I wound it today it has very little resistance and doesn’t wind at all. So I assume I broke the mainspring last night?
I have eBay listing for replacement looking to confirm it’s correct one so here is shot of the listing and the watch. I quite like it.
Serial number 2322929
Broadway model

The 1877 model Waltham was made as a key winder (the subject watch), but also as a stem wind, lever set model. My 1877 models (2 of them). Notice the dials are both marked A W Co. Waltham, (American Watch Co.). The company went through several name changes before it became Waltham.

ghce · Feb 11, 2023

I know I am going to regret buying this one, hopefully will arrive next week so I can know the full extent of my buying folly.

Canuck · Feb 11, 2023

@ghce,

Daring! I wouldn’t consider buying an English watch without having a chance to check it out. That watch has all the earmarks of an English made case, but it was imported. It looks like the London hallmark for 1874-75. The case looks good, so with luck, the movement will be okay. The dial might lead you to believe the movement has a Swiss lever escapement. You have to hope, anyway.

ghce · Feb 11, 2023

I probably would be happier with an English movement and yes I know the Swiss one is likely superior but at the age of the case I am not sure as all my Swiss ones are a later time.
My Watchmaker however suggests that the English movement are so much more expensive to service.
One of my main reasons for taking a punt on this one is it's size, 53 and a bit millimetres.
The seller says the watch is overwound, I fear the worst a broken staff but won't know till it's in my hot hands.

noelekal · Feb 13, 2023

I'm way behind on posting photos from the "Great 2021 Pocket Watch Buying Madness" experienced here. So, today being cloudy I thought to try to photograph this Illinois Bunn Special in a white gold filled case to feature here. I think it dates to 1928. I've got it written down somewhere.

These Bunn Specials have dramatic eye-popping movements which must be seen in person in order to gain the full effect.

Canuck · Feb 13, 2023

Nice! The Pocketwatchdatabase site has information on @noelekal ’s handsome Illinois.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/5138198

The Meggers & Ehrhardt “blue book” confirms 1928 as the year of manufacture. I have never read information as to exactly what serial number would indicate when Hamilton took over Illinois. But serial numbers in the 5 million range seem to be the reasonable guess. The “blue book” lists this as:

Bunn Special- Illinois Watch Co., Springfield 21-jewels adjusted to temperature and 6-positions- double roller- Sixty-Hour (type III).
Gold balance screws and jewel settings, gold train, Reed patent regulator, rayed (4th pattern) damaskened, motor barrel, double sunk vitreous enamel dial, bold Arabic numerals, cased at the factory, model 14.

An optional dial for this model was marked “Illinois Bunn Special” below the 12, and “21-jewels 60-hour” above the seconds orbit.

It would be interesting to find out what proportion of this model was cased in yellow, and white gold filled cases.