Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

SpeedyPhill · Aug 10, 2023

I'm always amazed that 18th & 19th century pocket watches are still avaialble at low prices, on eBay movements can be found for $ 50.00 😲

Canuck · Aug 10, 2023

I’ve sold three pocket watches in the last year. A 16-size, 23-jewel Waltham Vanguard, a 17-jewel, 18-size Elgin, and a 21-jewel Hamilton 992B. I hope future potential enthusiastic buyers don’t see the earlier post by @SpeedyPhill re: pocket watches for $50.00! 😲

Bernhard J · Aug 10, 2023

Talking of market values, this one cost me just a bit over the gold material value.

It might be noted that it runs properly. Antoine Melly was a member of the well known Swiss Melly "dynasty", this watch having been made around 1790.

Cheers, Bernhard

Canuck · Aug 10, 2023

Three colours of gold. Rose, green, and yellow. A gorgeous piece, for certain. Melly is listed in my copy of Brittens as Melly freres, circa 1790. Hence your use of the word dynasty. Likely a verge, fusee movement. Count your blessings that it is all there, and runs! Being of that vintage, I must ask if it is a pair cased watch?

Bernhard J · Aug 10, 2023

No, French and Swiss watches of this period rarely had pair cases, and if so, were intended for the English market.

Melly Freres was founded by two sons of Antoine Melly.

Antoine Melly is believed to have been involved in founding Blondel & Melly.

Antoine´s father André founded Les Freres Melly, not to be confused with Melly Freres.

There were plenty Mellys in Geneva since the 17. century, and my of them were related with each other in one or the other manner. And quite a lot of them were in the watchmaking or jewellery business.

Canuck · Aug 10, 2023

Bernhard J
No, French and Swiss watches of this period rarely had pair cases, and if so, were intended for the English market.

Melly Freres was founded by two sons of Antoine Melly.

Antoine Melly is believed to have been involved in founding Blondel & Melly.

Antoine´s father André founded Les Freres Melly, not to be confused with Melly Freres.

There were plenty Mellys in Geneva since the 17. century, and my of them were related with each other in one or the other manner. And quite a lot of them were in the watchmaking or jewellery business.

@Bernhard J ,

You clearly have done thorough research, and knew what you were buying. On this side of the world, we don’t see a lot of these watches.

Waltesefalcon · Aug 11, 2023

Bernhard J
Talking of market values, this one cost me just a bit over the gold material value.

It might be noted that it runs properly. Antoine Melly was a member of the well known Swiss Melly "dynasty", this watch having been made around 1790.

Cheers, Bernhard

Bernhard, that is absolutely stunning.

Bernhard J · Aug 14, 2023

Here is one for arguing, whether European movements of high grades are lesser, equal or better than US railroad grade movements 😎 😉 🍿

noelekal · Aug 14, 2023

I'm not qualified to sit in judgement on that topic, but your Zenith appears first rate.

What year was it produced?

Bernhard, you're just "handy as a pocket on a shirt," as my mother used to say, for your contributions to our Forum pocket watch thread.

Canuck · Aug 14, 2023

Bernhard J
Here is one for arguing, whether European movements of high grades are lesser, equal or better than US railroad grade movements 😎 😉 🍿

High grade Zenith watches were approved for railroad use in Canada. The subject watch appears to be in every way of railroad standard. With one possible exception! It is not lever set. But the CPR was approving some stem set watches well into the 20th century. The subject watch is in an American made case. Cases with hinged backs and bezels were not often seen on 16-size railroad standard pocket watches. Anyone who wanted a watch with a railroad standard movement, could buy one. Even if it was lacking a feature or two that was usually required for railroad approval. Very sharp, Bernhard.

DrmexicoII · Aug 14, 2023

I have no idea... But those blued Breguet hands are *chef's kiss*

Bernhard J · Aug 15, 2023

noelekal
What year was it produced?

1917-1919, the sources with dates for serial numbers vary slightly.

Bernhard J · Aug 15, 2023

It was presumably imported by Edmond E. Robert, see the E.E.R. mark, which probably was added above the Wadsworth mark.

Bernhard J · Aug 15, 2023

Here is one of somewhat "average" nature in that the movement is very similar to other Swiss quarter repeaters in the first two decades of the 19th century. But this one stands out in that it has a 18K case, is in nearly perfect condition and bears the signature J.D. Piguet & Meylan on the dial, the cuvette, and the movement. Both originally from the village of Le Chenit in the Vallée de Joux, Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) and Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845) came to Geneva as young men, and formed a partnership, which lasted from 1811 to 1828. The company specialised in elaborate and beautifully decorated musical watches, including skeleton and automaton watches, and mechanical animals. So, this one is a watch for the "poor" (compared with those, who e.g. had the resources for buying a "barking dog" watch).

Furthermore it is believed that the Bagnolet caliber (a very thin movement with many unusual technical features) had been developed by Meylan.

noelekal · Aug 15, 2023

That's pretty!

I love the gilt movement and the barleycorn on the case.

TexOmega · Aug 15, 2023

@Duracuir1 latest and greatest accessory holding my Hamilton grade 996.

Soft, Supple deerskin, with gold stitching and a Lone Star. Texas is the Lone Star State.

don’t miss his postings showing his 120-30 year old Singer Sewing Machine used on the matching stitching on the Lanyard and belt loop.

Outstanding, Quality Workmanship

thanks again, @Duracuir1

Canuck · Aug 15, 2023

An outstanding lanyard on an outstanding watch, may I say! I have only ever seen one grade 946, and it was an 18-size, 23-jewel Ball 999 that I serviced for one of the local watch repair fraternity. He’d been trying to locate a balance staff for it, but he didn’t know it was a Hamilton! I told him I HAD staffs for it. The 946 and the related Ball 18-size 999 uses the same balance staff as the Hamilton grades 940, 941, and 944. He had the watch back, repaired, the following day! The 23-jewel, 18-size Ball 999 is ultra rare. There were only 100 of them produced for Ball, and all were made in 1911. I do know that one fortunate participant in this thread also has a grade 946. Please forgive me for forgetting who it is that owns it!

Waltesefalcon · Aug 15, 2023

That sounded like a request to show off. So here is my 946, it's a later production one made in 1917.

Waltesefalcon · Aug 15, 2023

Bernhard J
Here is one of somewhat "average" nature in that the movement is very similar to other Swiss quarter repeaters in the first two decades of the 19th century. But this one stands out in that it has a 18K case, is in nearly perfect condition and bears the signature J.D. Piguet & Meylan on the dial, the cuvette, and the movement. Both originally from the village of Le Chenit in the Vallée de Joux, Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) and Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845) came to Geneva as young men, and formed a partnership, which lasted from 1811 to 1828. The company specialised in elaborate and beautifully decorated musical watches, including skeleton and automaton watches, and mechanical animals. So, this one is a watch for the "poor" (compared with those, who e.g. had the resources for buying a "barking dog" watch).

Furthermore it is believed that the Bagnolet caliber (a very thin movement with many unusual technical features) had been developed by Meylan.

Bernhard, that is a beautiful piece. You have an outstanding collection.

Canuck · Aug 15, 2023

Waltesefalcon
That sounded like a request to show off. So here is my 946, it's a later production one made in 1917.

@Waltesefalcon

Forgive me for forgetting your Hamilton grade 946. It seems then that there are two other regular posters who have a 946. So it seems there are three of the grade 946 Hamiltons amongst this group. I don’t have one! 🫨