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TexOmega
·Don't worry about the number of pictures, what's the point of a Watch Forum(or any collectible item) if there are no pictures?
Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs
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Canuck
·Another watch with a story. Mrs. C’s maternal grandmother was born in Nova Scotia, in 1872. The family moved to Iowa when she was 12 years old. The family was farming in Iowa, She became quite an accomplished horse woman. At age 16-years, at her parents insistence, she married a lumber buyer, and for a time, they lived in San Francisco. The subject watch in this post was bought by her, in San Francisco, circa 1895. Her first husband was a boozer, and the marriage only lasted about 15-years. She came to Alberta to visit family. She met my wife’s grandfather in Carstairs, Alberta, where he was ranching, and they were married in Spokane, Wash. where he had family. Then, back to the ranch in Alberta.
Back to the watch! Her grandmother was wearing the subject watch one day, on the ranch. Her horse threw her and the watch was dented when she hit a rock.
The watch is a 6-size Elgin hunter cased model, in a four-colour gold filled case. The case is yellow gold, and the decoration is done in white, pink, and green gold. Mrs. C wears it on a 24-inch heavy 10 karat gold chain, on occasion.
Back to the watch! Her grandmother was wearing the subject watch one day, on the ranch. Her horse threw her and the watch was dented when she hit a rock.
The watch is a 6-size Elgin hunter cased model, in a four-colour gold filled case. The case is yellow gold, and the decoration is done in white, pink, and green gold. Mrs. C wears it on a 24-inch heavy 10 karat gold chain, on occasion.
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LesXL
·This thread is a pleasure... Damn you all for pulling me into the dark side!
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Canuck
·In the early days of the “electric clock”, the type you plug into the wall, these clocks tended to be very inaccurate. Their design relies on (in North America) 60-cycle current from the electric company. There were problems with steady 60-cycle power delivery. In the days of hydro-electric generation, as demand increased and the generators slowed down, synchronous clocks would lose time, and as demand fell, generators would speed up, and synchronous clocks would gain.
In order to control the speed of the generators, a highly precise regulator clock with a pendulum, often weight driven, was employed. The operator on shift on any day would obtain the precise time by phone or telegraph, and make sure the regulator clock read the time, to the second. The control room would have a synchronous clock operating off the grid. The electric clock would be set to read the same time as the regulator. Through his shift, it was the operators job to monitor the electric clock. When it lost time, the operator would increase flow of water to the generators to speed them up. If the clock gained time, he would reduce the flow to slow the generators down. This was the way many power companies operated in the mid to late 1920s, and into the 1930s when systems were developed to automate the process of controlling 60-cycle consistency. Today, we take accurate time for granted.
In order to control the speed of the generators, a highly precise regulator clock with a pendulum, often weight driven, was employed. The operator on shift on any day would obtain the precise time by phone or telegraph, and make sure the regulator clock read the time, to the second. The control room would have a synchronous clock operating off the grid. The electric clock would be set to read the same time as the regulator. Through his shift, it was the operators job to monitor the electric clock. When it lost time, the operator would increase flow of water to the generators to speed them up. If the clock gained time, he would reduce the flow to slow the generators down. This was the way many power companies operated in the mid to late 1920s, and into the 1930s when systems were developed to automate the process of controlling 60-cycle consistency. Today, we take accurate time for granted.
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Fritz
·I wonder why the emphasis on making only men’s sized watches. Was another brand making sissy ladies watches and this was the marketing niche that Howard was carving out? 📖
i guess because the damn thing sold and you want to stay alive!
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Canuck
·I wonder why the emphasis on making only men’s sized watches. Was another brand making sissy ladies watches and this was the marketing niche that Howard was carving out? 📖
The Keystone Howard company produced the series 0, series 5, series 10, and series 11 which were all aimed at supplying the need for standard watches for use on railroads. The company did produce other grades that were not for use on railroads, and also 12-size pocket watches of varying grades, including some very high grade models. They also produced 10-size watches. They were in business from 1903 (with the takeover of the E Howard name for watches), until 1930. Their main focus was on watches for use by railroaders. They succeeded the E Howard Co. who produced only pocket watches for men. By 1930, the wrist watch dominated the market. Had Keystone Howard ever wanted to expand into wrist watches, they were up against very stiff competition, and would have had to jump into wrist watches before about 1915. They were happy catering to the market for pocket watches, At least, this is my view.
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barmy
·In the early days of the “electric clock”, the type you plug into the wall, these clocks tended to be very inaccurate. Their design relies on (in North America) 60-cycle current from the electric company. There were problems with steady 60-cycle power delivery. In the days of hydro-electric generation, as demand increased and the generators slowed down, synchronous clocks would lose time, and as demand fell, generators would speed up, and synchronous clocks would gain.
In order to control the speed of the generators, a highly precise regulator clock with a pendulum, often weight driven, was employed. The operator on shift on any day would obtain the precise time by phone or telegraph, and make sure the regulator clock read the time, to the second. The control room would have a synchronous clock operating off the grid. The electric clock would be set to read the same time as the regulator. Through his shift, it was the operators job to monitor the electric clock. When it lost time, the operator would increase flow of water to the generators to speed them up. If the clock gained time, he would reduce the flow to slow the generators down. This was the way many power companies operated in the mid to late 1920s, and into the 1930s when systems were developed to automate the process of controlling 60-cycle consistency. Today, we take accurate time for granted.
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Waltesefalcon
·My Waltham Premier model made in 1940. I bought it four $40 at an antique store when I was in high school (back in the mid to late 90s). I wore it some, tired of it and was going to resale it in a different antique store a few years later. Something happened and the watch quit running. I suppose I should probably tear it down and take a look. I suspect that the pallet fork jumped the roller jewel.
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TexOmega
·Hamilton 4992B GCT 22j
circa 1952.......with sleeve
circa 1952.......with sleeve
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Canuck
·Another pocket watch with a story.
In the late 1970s (Jeez, over 40 years ago), I was running a chain jewellery store in a major mall in our city. One of these “gold buyer” outfits that descend on cities all over, and run full page ads that they buy gold jewellery, gold scrap, coins, paper money, stamps, watches, silver hollowware, etc., had set up in town for several days. One day, I was in the store, and a fellow, likely in his 80s, brought in a duffel bag full of silver plated hollowware and some other miscellaneous stuff. He was headed toward the location of the “buyer”, but wanted some advice, first. I told him what I could about what he had. In particular, this watch was of interest to me. At the time, fine silver was going for about $8.00 an ounce. The watch is coin silver which (being a U S made watch) was .900 silver. So I suspect the case might weigh, say, about 2 ounces, max. I knew the watch wasn’t operational, so I told him that I suspected he’d get scrap silver value for it! I knew I could fix what was wrong, and I liked the watch! I offered him $100.00 for it, but he should see what the buyer would offer. He took his things, and left. He was back the following day with the watch. This watch had been his grandfather’s, and he hated to see it go for scrap, so he decided I should have it. The cannon pinion had a tooth out of it. I brought it home, had supper, and headed for my shop. By 2:00 am, I had it fixed!
Here’s the skinny on my Illinois. Made in Springfield, Ill., by the Illinois Watch Co.18-size, Model 1, key wind, key set, 7-jewels, made in 1886. Dial has been changed. This was my first Illinois, and I have gathered 4 or 5 more over the decades, since.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/978500
In the late 1970s (Jeez, over 40 years ago), I was running a chain jewellery store in a major mall in our city. One of these “gold buyer” outfits that descend on cities all over, and run full page ads that they buy gold jewellery, gold scrap, coins, paper money, stamps, watches, silver hollowware, etc., had set up in town for several days. One day, I was in the store, and a fellow, likely in his 80s, brought in a duffel bag full of silver plated hollowware and some other miscellaneous stuff. He was headed toward the location of the “buyer”, but wanted some advice, first. I told him what I could about what he had. In particular, this watch was of interest to me. At the time, fine silver was going for about $8.00 an ounce. The watch is coin silver which (being a U S made watch) was .900 silver. So I suspect the case might weigh, say, about 2 ounces, max. I knew the watch wasn’t operational, so I told him that I suspected he’d get scrap silver value for it! I knew I could fix what was wrong, and I liked the watch! I offered him $100.00 for it, but he should see what the buyer would offer. He took his things, and left. He was back the following day with the watch. This watch had been his grandfather’s, and he hated to see it go for scrap, so he decided I should have it. The cannon pinion had a tooth out of it. I brought it home, had supper, and headed for my shop. By 2:00 am, I had it fixed!
Here’s the skinny on my Illinois. Made in Springfield, Ill., by the Illinois Watch Co.18-size, Model 1, key wind, key set, 7-jewels, made in 1886. Dial has been changed. This was my first Illinois, and I have gathered 4 or 5 more over the decades, since.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/978500
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TexOmega
·Your Ball Commercial Standard has a mono-metallic balance wheel, and probably also an alloy hairspring. Electric trains came into use circa 1898. By 1931, diesel-electric trains were being used. How pocket watches with steel hairsprings and bi-metallic balance wheels reacted to being used on electric and diesel-electric trains, one can only wonder. After 1931, time service rules often mandated that railroad standard watches for entry level service, had to be non-magnetic. Elgin, Waltham, Hamilton, Illinois (and others) were using alloy hairsprings and alloy balance wheels in order to meet the requirements for non-magnetic watches. Hamilton introduced the 992E (for Elinvar) in 1931. Years ago, I saw a Waltham 1892 model with alloy hairspring, and the Non-Magnetic Watch Co. (1887-1905), used Elgin, Illinois, Peoria, and Swiss non-magnetic movements. Your Ball Commercial Standard watch was likely produced in the mid to late 1960s when the last U S watch manufacturer (Hamilton) was winding down. Thanks for showing it.
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Canuck
·@TexOmega ,
Notice that the ad specified that the picture was taken in the cab of a diesel-electric locomotive. By 1928, the diesel-electric locomotive was becoming popular among railroads.
Thanks for that. This ad was from 1932, one year (or so) after Hamilton introduced the 992E which is touted in the ad. The 992E was identical to the 992 which had been a very popular railroad watch. Identical, except the bi-metallic, split rim, temperature compensating balance wheel with the steel hairspring of the older 992, was replaced by a solid rim, Elinvar balance wheel, friction balance staff, and Elinvar hairspring on the 992E. No longer any need to worry about temperature compensation or magnetism. At about the same time, Hamilton changed the 950 to the 950E, by adding a solid rim balance wheel and Elinvar hairspring. Thereby affecting the same changes to that model. One difference though, is that the upcoming 950 B was virtually unchanged from the 950 E, but the 992B was a totally different watch to the 992E. The 992B was far and away the most popular railroad standard pocket watch, with 555,000 having been made. Great archival material!
Notice that the ad specified that the picture was taken in the cab of a diesel-electric locomotive. By 1928, the diesel-electric locomotive was becoming popular among railroads.
Thanks for that. This ad was from 1932, one year (or so) after Hamilton introduced the 992E which is touted in the ad. The 992E was identical to the 992 which had been a very popular railroad watch. Identical, except the bi-metallic, split rim, temperature compensating balance wheel with the steel hairspring of the older 992, was replaced by a solid rim, Elinvar balance wheel, friction balance staff, and Elinvar hairspring on the 992E. No longer any need to worry about temperature compensation or magnetism. At about the same time, Hamilton changed the 950 to the 950E, by adding a solid rim balance wheel and Elinvar hairspring. Thereby affecting the same changes to that model. One difference though, is that the upcoming 950 B was virtually unchanged from the 950 E, but the 992B was a totally different watch to the 992E. The 992B was far and away the most popular railroad standard pocket watch, with 555,000 having been made. Great archival material!
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Canuck
·Here is a watch for which I don’t have a story. I think I recall a jewellery store having sent it to me for one reason or another. Perhaps because the glass was broken. I don’t remember. But I do remember being impressed enough with the watch that I saved pictures of it.
The Illinois Watch Co. was bought out by Hamilton in 1928, according to the Meggers & Ehrhardt “blue book” on Illinois. Serial numbers after 5 million on Illinois watches are generally considered to have been produced by Hamilton. With a 5 million + serial number, this one would have been made by Hamilton. Here is the skinny on the subject Illinois grade 161A, Bunn 60-hour, 21 jewel watch shown in the pictures. I notice the hairspring on the subject watch is blue. It must be one of the early Elinvar hairsprings which were white, until they were dyed blue. The balance wheel is also Elinvar, and it has a solid rim. A dead giveaway that it has an Elinvar, or Elinvar Extra hairspring.
Other U S A WATCH companies had experimented with producing a 60-hour watch, but only Illinois succeeded. Probably one important reason that Hamilton bought Illinois.
Early Elinvar hairsprings (circa 1931) were a softer alloy, tended to be susceptible to damage, and to be less stable than Elinvar Extra that replaced it. They also tended to sag, after the watch had run for a while.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/5561741
And here is the watch. I don’t own one of these, but perhaps one day.
The Illinois Watch Co. was bought out by Hamilton in 1928, according to the Meggers & Ehrhardt “blue book” on Illinois. Serial numbers after 5 million on Illinois watches are generally considered to have been produced by Hamilton. With a 5 million + serial number, this one would have been made by Hamilton. Here is the skinny on the subject Illinois grade 161A, Bunn 60-hour, 21 jewel watch shown in the pictures. I notice the hairspring on the subject watch is blue. It must be one of the early Elinvar hairsprings which were white, until they were dyed blue. The balance wheel is also Elinvar, and it has a solid rim. A dead giveaway that it has an Elinvar, or Elinvar Extra hairspring.
Other U S A WATCH companies had experimented with producing a 60-hour watch, but only Illinois succeeded. Probably one important reason that Hamilton bought Illinois.
Early Elinvar hairsprings (circa 1931) were a softer alloy, tended to be susceptible to damage, and to be less stable than Elinvar Extra that replaced it. They also tended to sag, after the watch had run for a while.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/5561741
And here is the watch. I don’t own one of these, but perhaps one day.
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TexOmega
·@TexOmega ,
Notice that the ad specified that the picture was taken in the cab of a diesel-electric locomotive. By 1928, the diesel-electric locomotive was becoming popular among railroads.
Thanks for that. This ad was from 1932, one year (or so) after Hamilton introduced the 992E which is touted in the ad. The 992E was identical to the 992 which had been a very popular railroad watch. Identical, except the bi-metallic, split rim, temperature compensating balance wheel with the steel hairspring of the older 992, was replaced by a solid rim, Elinvar balance wheel, friction balance staff, and Elinvar hairspring on the 992E. No longer any need to worry about temperature compensation or magnetism. At about the same time, Hamilton changed the 950 to the 950E, by adding a solid rim balance wheel and Elinvar hairspring. Thereby affecting the same changes to that model. One difference though, is that the upcoming 950 B was virtually unchanged from the 950 E, but the 992B was a totally different watch to the 992E. The 992B was far and away the most popular railroad standard pocket watch, with 555,000 having been made. Great archival material!
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Jopi
·Love pocket watches. This was my first one and a gift from my father (who collected watches for many years). Omega from 1930.
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TexOmega
·My 992E circa 1939 with a Model #2 case and Blind Man's Dial.
This "scrolled script" font Montgomery dial is highly sought when found undamaged. Hamilton called it a "Marginal Minutes" dial.
Blued Hands
This "scrolled script" font Montgomery dial is highly sought when found undamaged. Hamilton called it a "Marginal Minutes" dial.
Blued Hands
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Canuck
·@Jopi ,
Welcome to the roundhouse! Pleased you found your way here, to join the rest of us pocket watch “nuts” that are seemingly growing by legion! That is just about as nice an Omega pocket watch that has popped on the MB in a while. Sentimentally and intrinsically nice to have. Enjoy! And stick around, won’t you?
Welcome to the roundhouse! Pleased you found your way here, to join the rest of us pocket watch “nuts” that are seemingly growing by legion! That is just about as nice an Omega pocket watch that has popped on the MB in a while. Sentimentally and intrinsically nice to have. Enjoy! And stick around, won’t you?