Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

vbrad26 · Sep 25, 2023

I don’t think this deserves its own thread and I don’t imagine there is any better place to post this.
While cleaning out some grandparent junk, I found this little thing.
So far, I have found out the obvious.
Not sure about the movement though. I just can’t quite make out some of the letters.
Any ideas?

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

Rockford Watch Co. “Iroquois”

12s 17j circa 1909
1st run (of 3)grade 350 Model 1
Gold Gilt
Lovely 3- finger bridge
Total production 1800

Strong runner

Absolutely gorgeous Wadsworth engine-turned gf case.

Canuck · Sep 25, 2023

The loop at the 6 position indicates to me (right or wrong) that this is possibly an early 20th century watch a woman might have worn. These watches might have been worn on a dress front or a lapel, with the watch hanging by the loop at the six, hanging from a type of chatelaine. Such a chatelaine might have been a brooch in the shape of a bow, flower, bird, or another decorative theme which was pinned to a dress front or lapel. In addition, the watch might have had a bail (loop) through the bow at the 12, and a long (40”) chain through the bow, and hung around the neck. The watch hung from the chatelaine, and may have been unhooked when the wearer needed to read the watch. The combination I describe was fashionable before women adopted wrist watches.

It could also be a transitional wrist watch. If the bow at the 12 swivels, the watch might have been fitted with a bracelet hooked to the bow, and to the loop at the 6, to permit for wear on the wrist. Case is gold filled, movement is Swiss, and has 15-jewels.

Canuck · Sep 25, 2023

TexOmega
Rockford Watch Co. “Iroquois”

12s 17j circa 1909
1st run (of 3)grade 350 Model 1
Gold Gilt
Lovely 3- finger bridge
Total production 1800

Strong runner

Absolutely gorgeous Wadsworth engine-turned gf case.

Quite a scarce watch, and indeed rare in this condition. Pretty movement, pretty case. You’d want this one, even if you weren’t a Rockford collector!

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/rockford/814030

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

Happy to say I was smitten on Rockford watches when I first bought the open faced Rockford with the Ladd case in the mid 1990's. 15 years later I found the Hunter cased twin in a Ladd case. My 2 favorite after my great-uncle's 992B.

Canuck · Sep 25, 2023

I had a Rockford 18-size pop up in the hands of a young friend, yesterday. Not as pretty as yours, though. This young friend also acquired a Vibrograph B200 timing machine that needs work. Another friend is an electronics genius, and by co-incidence also a Rockford collector. I guess you know where this is going! Fix my B200 and the Rockford is yours! 😀

ghce · Sep 25, 2023

Well the 1883 arrived in at lunchtime and even more beautiful than the sellers pics showed.
Mine probably aren't that good either just my phone.
The glass while in great condition is somewhat pitted and lightly scratched making the dial look much worse than it actually is, difficult I imagine to polish it but a replacement would need be a nice thick glass one the same.

What intrigues me the most other than the pristine movement is the case markings, first time I have seen Warranted to wear Permanently!
Fahy case.
Keeping great time.

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

Well, sure it is.....there is a big 'ol hunk of brass under the gf layer.😁

Glass will not polish out without severe intervention....best to replace it.

Can you open the bezel and take a picture or two of the dial?

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

vbrad26
I don’t think this deserves its own thread and I don’t imagine there is any better place to post this.
While cleaning out some grandparent junk, I found this little thing.
So far, I have found out the obvious.
Not sure about the movement though. I just can’t quite make out some of the letters.
Any ideas?

Rebberg probably made these or someone copied them. They supplied movements to Gruen and Rolex among others.

ghce · Sep 25, 2023

TexOmega
Well, sure it is.....there is a big 'ol hunk of brass under the gf layer.😁

Glass will not polish out without severe intervention....best to replace it.

Can you open the bezel and take a picture or two of the dial?

Bit of a shame about the dial.

Maybe the steradent trick might remove / lessen the darkness of the cracking.

My previous pic of the back looks like it's wearing thin however it's not, so another pic.

The only wear thru I can find is at the top of the crown / Bow tube.
I must research the case to see how thick they were, is it thicker than other manufacturers 25 year wear rating?

The seller now in his 70's has had this in his care for about 45 years and checking out the service marks looks to have been last serviced in 1981.

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

This watch predates many requirements, so the thickness could be just about whatever they wanted to do.

Generally, the higher the years they guaranty, the thicker the GF.

Permanently is a pretty high number of years, and Fahy's made great cases.

Unique bullseye fracturing......well let's call it patina😁

ghce · Sep 25, 2023

TexOmega
This watch predates many requirements, so the thickness could be just about whatever they wanted to do.

Generally, the higher the years they guaranty, the thicker the GF.

Permanently is a pretty high number of years, and Fahy's made great cases.

Unique bullseye fracturing......well let's call it patina😁

Yeah that's why I was scratching my head with the Permanent grading, the only permanent wear guarantee is solid gold lol.

The fracturing is nowhere as evident in real life, with the camera it really pops.
The glass has more of a detrimental effect on the cosmetics as the pitting is very fine, not deep but of course makes the glass less transparent.

Overall I am extremely pleased by this watch the daily rate is consistent in all positions and only about 19 to 20 seconds a day out but as the service was so long ago I am reluctant to to adjust the regulation.
Worth far more than the US$47.00 I paid for it!

TexOmega · Sep 25, 2023

Rule of thumb tip for cases....if any indication for years, always GF.

kgb · Sep 26, 2023

Here is the second of my three family heirloom pocket watches. I'm hoping @Canuck or others can give me some insight.

This watch belonged to my grandfather, for whom I'm named. We're both Kenneth; he's KHB, I'm KGB. He died just 2 years before I was born. I opened the watch back tonight for perhaps the first time in 60+ years and snapped some movement photos. From my quick research, movement s/n dates it to 1913 when he was 19 years old. He was an inventor and I'm an inventor/engineer/entrepreneur. Nice connection.

Strange that it is a Waltham watch (dial and movement) yet the back case says Elgin with a different serial number. What is the likely story here?

I gave it a little wind and after an hour it is still keeping good time!!

I am a wristwatch enthusiast, but my nephew actually wears a pocketwatch (he's a trendy millennial!) I may have it serviced and offer it to him on a semi-permanent loan.

Bernhard J · Sep 26, 2023

Interesting. I cannot see any tell tale marks indicating a recase.

Cheers, Bernhard

Bernhard J · Sep 26, 2023

TexOmega
Rockford Watch Co. “Iroquois”

12s 17j circa 1909
1st run (of 3)grade 350 Model 1
Gold Gilt
Lovely 3- finger bridge
Total production 1800

Strong runner

Absolutely gorgeous Wadsworth engine-turned gf case.

Absolutely stunning condition, congratulations!

ghce · Sep 26, 2023

Bernhard J
Interesting. I cannot see any tell tale marks indicating a recase.

Cheers, Bernhard

Its the Illinois Watch Case Company located in Elgin, not related to either Elgin or the Illinois watch company.

vbrad26 · Sep 26, 2023

TexOmega
Rebberg probably made these or someone copied them. They supplied movements to Gruen and Rolex among others.

Thanks! I'll dig into that a little more...
I thought perhaps this was the name, but again, I can't make it out.

koppsg · Sep 26, 2023

amcclell
There are 3 in my home and 2 others - a size 12 Waltham gf hunter that my daughter wears on a slip chain and a size 14 gf Omega that my son has. The 3 remaining ones are all serviced and functional. None are particularly noteworthy, although the Waltham has a nice inscription and was presented by the town upon return from WWI.

Size 16 Waltham gf

Size 12 Waltham gf

Size 16 Omega 2 position adjusted gf

What a nice group of watches! While all are very nice, I find that I'm partial to the Omega.

TexOmega · Sep 26, 2023

Elgin # 478
B.W. Raymond
16s 21j Year:1925
RR Grade/Approved and was Elgin's long time competitor to Hamilton's 992 and 992B..... solid, easily serviced, and affordable

Unique "Elgin RR" at stem