Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

ghce · Sep 4, 2023

TexOmega
The next generation of my American Watch Co-(Waltham)

Their Top of the Line Movt
Grade: Appleton Tracy & Co.
Model: 1883 Swing-out case
Double sunk dial/Morning Glory Hands
Circa 1888-89
18s 15j
4oz Coin Silver American Watch Co. case, with copper accents and copper/gold(?)inlay on back
Sold as a complete watch list price:$60

Why, Hello there.

TexOmega · Sep 4, 2023

Won't be long before just Waltham will be on the dial.

Appears yours was made for the Canadian Market.

Very nice damascening.👍

ghce · Sep 4, 2023

TexOmega
Won't be long before just Waltham will be on the dial.

Appears yours was made for the Canadian Market.

Very nice damascening.👍

Yeah a big heavy Canadian silver case makes this 18s Waltham a perfect fit in the hand.

I am always amazed by the high grade US movements, I really know nothing of this watches history but it's probably a safe bet that it hasn't seen a service in many decades but when it arrived to me it was running in less that 2 seconds out accuracy in all positions!

sonicosa · Sep 4, 2023

Growing up, my parents had a pocket watch that they kept under a glass dome somewhere in my house, but I can’t remember where. When I started getting into watches, it came up, but they didn’t know where it was and thought it might have been sold at auction with other antiques at some point. Well, apparently they found last week week and sent me this picture.

They’re coming to visit in a couple weeks, and I’m hoping they might bring it with them! If they do, I’ll post more pics and info about who in my family owned it originally, etc. I would be pretty thrilled to add it to my collection.

Canuck · Sep 4, 2023

sonicosa
Growing up, my parents had a pocket watch that they kept under a glass dome somewhere in my house, but I can’t remember where. When I started getting into watches, it came up, but they didn’t know where it was and thought it might have been sold at auction with other antiques at some point. Well, apparently they found last week week and sent me this picture.

They’re coming to visit in a couple weeks, and I’m hoping they might bring it with them! If they do, I’ll post more pics and info about who in my family owned it originally, etc. I would be pretty thrilled to add it to my collection.

Once you have it in hand, please get back to us with pictures of the movement, and pictures inside the case back. Looks like 18-size. Could be grade 936, 940, or 944. Let’s hope!

TexOmega · Sep 7, 2023

TexOmega
Elgin National Watch Company
Circa1876-77
Grade 11 17s 7j Lever set
Coin Silver case
Leader model 2
#31 of one run of 10,000
Elgin’s 1st lever set 17s

I had a custom made staff installed at the time I bought along with a service circa 1998 including glass crystal.

It appears the “Elgin” was added on the movement…. Initially they were National Watch Company.

My other 17s Elgin National Watch Co "Leader"
Grade 59 Model 1 7j KWKS Open Face
Y: 1877
Elgin National Watch Co 3-hinge Coin Silver case with a nicely designed mid-case.
Runs pretty well!!

Alpha · Sep 8, 2023

Smiths Empire in action today 😀

TexOmega · Sep 8, 2023

Hamilton Watch Co

grade:974
16s 17j
Circa 1903
Fahy’s GF case
Gorgeous double sunk porcelain dial and font( numerals and brand)….so elegant.
Moon hands
Pendant set
Not a RR grade but made for electric Interurban rails/trams or bus drivers.

A very early example:
1. Releasing screw direction arrow
2. Double screw on winding wheel
3. Gold screw heads(even the ones securing the gold jewel settings(chatons)
4. Gold gilt writing
5. No grade marking

excellent time keeper
My earliest 974

ghce · Sep 12, 2023

Bought today a nice working Waltham serial number 20893858 with a perfect dial, a bit Ho Hum but it's not the movement I want but the sterling silver open face case so that I can transplant a nice 17 Jewel Waltham Royal into it.

Canuck · Sep 12, 2023

I suspect the 7-jewel, 1898 model movement is marked “Traveller”? The case marking indicate the case is English. That watch would have been put together for sale in the British Commonwealth (England?). The “Royal” movement is likely engraved for Royal Robbins, the chap who rescued Waltham from the brink of bankruptcy, and built it into the company it became.

Bernhard J · Sep 12, 2023

Here a Zenith for the US or Canada market.

Canuck · Sep 12, 2023

The Zenith movement is railroad grade, but the watch would not have been railroad approved. It is stem set, not lever set. At one time, hinged cases such as the Wadsworth case were ruled out for watches that were railroad approved. Somehow, Webb Ball got away with using hinged cases, however! I am unaware whether or not Zenith watches were ever approved for railroad use in the U S A. However, they certainly were used on the railroads in Canada. Railroad grade and railroad approved watches would have been available to non-railroaders, certainly. Anyone who wanted to ante up the necessary shekels to buy an expensive railroad grade or railroad approved watch, could certainly buy one. Being non-railroad approved, and with the 12-hour dial, it could have been for either Canada, or the U S A. I just riffled throughWarren Niebling’s book on American watch case makers which has information on the Wadsworth Watch Case Co., and he doesn’t elucidate on the meaning of the E E R stamp in the case back. Very significant watch, in excellent condition.

Bernhard J · Sep 12, 2023

E E R presumably stands for this US agent (also agent for Omega and Vacheron):

Canuck · Sep 12, 2023

Bernhard J
E E R presumably stands for this US agent (also agent for Omega and Vacheron):

Excellent bit of sleuthing, Bernhard! Good to know.

TexOmega · Sep 12, 2023

And, Hamilton made lever set 974 watches, too

Circa 1911
Double Sunk( which is kinda cool) metal replacement dial. This one dates post 1918. Should be Script and porcelain.

Pedestrian looking movement compared to their earlier version I posted above.

strong runner

noelekal · Sep 12, 2023

Thanks for the Hamilton dial signatures TexOmega! You're "handier than a pocket on a shirt."

Here's a more recent addition to the pocket watch menagerie here. A 1905 vintage, 18s, Elgin Father Time with 252 movement.

This one was a stinker-roo to open. The set of Ebay auction photo showed a movement photo with the back off of it, however when it arrived the back was stuck tight. With much careful pain and anguish the back broke loose. The watch has proven to keep reasonable time, being a little fast.

The watch was well loved by a previous owner. This afternoon I used a Magic Cloth to wipe the back so as to diminish the brassing on the case for photography purposes.

Here is the 1905 Elgin Father Time with a Colt Single Action Army revolver with 4 3/4-inch barrel and chambered for the .38 WCF (.38-40) also from 1905 with an early 20th century Brill holster correct for the Colt. The watch is worn, the revolver is worn, and the holster is worn, all having seen use since 1905. That's ok. Their current owner is well worn as well.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 12, 2023

@noelekal that's a nice looking old Brill holster you have there.

The watch and Single Action ain't bad either.

ZeKay · Sep 13, 2023

Hi There
I am sorry for jumping into this discussion but it is somehow related to my problem.
I am looking for a replacement dial for my newly acquired Canadian railway pocket watch - Brandt CCCR.
Unfortunately, the Past was not too kind to this dial. (attached image should explain)
Thanks

ZeKay · Sep 13, 2023

I believe this movement was sold us well under Omega's name.

TexOmega · Sep 13, 2023

One and the same company, he was the Head Dude of Omega

eBay