Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Oct 1, 2023

noelekal
I certainly wasn't aware that non-magnetic was a thing prior to 1900.

Certainly the things folks came into contact with during their lives in the 19th century could cause watches to become erratic because they became magnetized. In this thread there are two watches discussed that were designed to be anti-magnetic, and that were made late in the 19th century, or very early in the 20th century. And electric inter urban trains appeared on the scene in 1898.

ghce · Oct 1, 2023

Just an observation that I have been making over the last couple of weeks.

I am not sure if it's my storage methods of using individual jewelry storage pouches for each PW and I don't get the visual reminder of seeing the watch itself or just my general advancing ( advanced ) years, I suspect the later but every time I go to look in said jewelry pouches I get a very pleasant suprise and the mental comment " I didn't know I owned that! "

Last night I looked thru the 30 odd PW'S and had that mental comment about 20 times.
I can't wait for this advancing Alzheimer's to continue as I will be saying this 30 times and so adding to the enjoyment of these wonderful pieces.

Canuck · Oct 2, 2023

Think of the money you’re saving! My problem is the opposite! I am unable to locate a favourite Accutron! Haven’t seen it for years!

Tire-comedon · Oct 2, 2023

Another one?

Pocketwatchdatabase says Model 1899 Grade 645, produced in 1906.

Canuck · Oct 2, 2023

I have often wondered what the difference is between the 1898 model, and the1908 model. I suspect one difference might be that the 1898 model was made in grades lower than the 1908 model was made in. And I believe the 1898 model was made in both single and double roller. I think the 1908 model was double roller only. But don’t quote me! I have also often wondered what the grade number 645 is based on. This one was railroad approved. Waltham also made an 18-size grade 845 which also was railroad approved. Evidence inside the case back might indicate the watch saw watchmakers, rarely.

TexOmega · Oct 3, 2023

Hamilton Watch Co
18s Grade 926 17j
Year: 1906
Adjusted to Temperature only so, not RR grade.
Case: later era
Gold Pkg
Double sunk dial, beautifully scripted font
Correct “of the era” handset, blued

solid watch, solid runner

ghce · Oct 4, 2023

This one in today.
Was bought for it's Sterling Silver case but unfortunately the movement and dial are perfect so I am in a quandary as to proceed with my plans for it or just leave it as is even though it's only a low jeweled movement.

Zapatta · Oct 5, 2023

Canuck · Oct 5, 2023

I recently bought a hunter cased, 18-size Waltham for its case (or so I thought). The movement is an 1877 model which came only lever set (not stem set). This one was made circa 1884. I had planned on using the case on a later model movement, but I found that wasn’t going to work. The movement has 11-jewels, and it looked to be in nice condition, so I serviced it. I was expecting several worn bearings, but was delighted to find no worn bearings in it. Your 7-jewel model appears to be a prime candidate for conditioning, or at least an assessment to gauge what chances are it will run well.

Here’s my 1877 model in its hunter case. I love it! It is shown on my @DaveK mystery braid lanyard.

Bernhard J · Oct 5, 2023

Canuck · Oct 5, 2023

Looks like a cylinder escapement? I’ve never seen an English fusee with a cylinder escapement! Vintage? It appears to have a diamond end stone on the balance cock. Late 18th century? In your picture, it appears to be running, but it would appear to be almost run down as shown on the fusee.

ghce · Oct 5, 2023

Canuck
I recently bought a hunter cased, 18-size Waltham for its case (or so I thought). The movement is an 1877 model which came only lever set (not stem set). This one was made circa 1884. I had planned on using the case on a later model movement, but I found that wasn’t going to work. The movement has 11-jewels, and it looked to be in nice condition, so I serviced it. I was expecting several worn bearings, but was delighted to find no worn bearings in it. Your 7-jewel model appears to be a prime candidate for conditioning, or at least an assessment to gauge what chances are it will run well.

Here’s my 1877 model in its hunter case. I love it! It is shown on my @DaveK mystery braid lanyard.

Lovely PW!

When I bought this one it was the sole intention to ditch the movement and replace with a 17 jewel higher grade Waltham but when face to face with what is a good order and well preserved movement it feels like an unnecessary sacrifice to end its life.
It has a great daily rate ( for unadjusted) and looks to have good amplitude, it may yet live and I will just have to find some more Sterling open face ( and Hunter) cases with less deserving movements.

Canuck · Oct 5, 2023

ghce
Lovely PW!

When I bought this one it was the sole intention to ditch the movement and replace with a 17 jewel higher grade Waltham but when face to face with what is a good order and well preserved movement it feels like an unnecessary sacrifice to end its life.
It has a great daily rate ( for unadjusted) and looks to have good amplitude, it may yet live and I will just have to find some more Sterling open face ( and Hunter) cases with less deserving movements.

The case is trade marked A L D which is for an American, Aaron Dennison, who was involved in the early years of the American Watch Co. (Waltham), and who lived in England for a good share of his life. He was the agent for the Waltham Watch Co. in England. The “Traveller” marked movements produced by Waltham were exported to England, and this one is in a case by Dennison. It is an “honest” watch if left as is. It is a plus if it’s condition is such that it runs well. I know you buy a lot of movements without cases, so you may have a movement on hand that would be a good candidate for that case. Your call!

TexOmega · Oct 5, 2023

Elgin Watch Co.
18s 11j model 3 grade 10
Year: 1893
3 oz. Coin Silver case👍
Had this one 20-30 years
Loved the case, then and now
A working man’s watch

Canuck · Oct 5, 2023

Missing in all your pictures is the bezel which will be necessary to hold a crystal. I hope you have it, or fitting a crystal might be a problem! Hope, hope! Otherwise, an outstanding case. I have a heavy coin silver, open faced case with a 7-jewel, 18-size Elgin movement in it. It had belonged to my paternal grandfather who died in Elyria, Ohio, in 1908. Case on mine is plain, compared to your hunter case, but the watch means a lot to me.

TexOmega · Oct 5, 2023

Yes, I edited it after seeing the big pictures, probably(memory lapse) why I got it for $25.

Dug through my records.....bought Dumas, Texas pawn shop 1996, $25....."Bought For Hunter Case"

Bernhard J · Oct 6, 2023

Canuck
Looks like a cylinder escapement? I’ve never seen an English fusee with a cylinder escapement! Vintage? It appears to have a diamond end stone on the balance cock. Late 18th century? In your picture, it appears to be running, but it would appear to be almost run down as shown on the fusee.

Correct. Early English cylinder escapements had brass escape wheels, later ones (like this) steel. This one is from 1816 (hall marks in the case, matching numbers). Yes, diamond endstone, and yes, nearly run down.

TexOmega · Oct 6, 2023

A.W.C.
American Watch Co. Transition name, destination will finally be Waltham, after a few more names.
18s 11j 1877 model 1, William Ellery
Year: 1879
Double hinge, engine turned, handsome Sterling Silver case
Solid, accurate working man’s watch.
Hunting movement so probably not original case, but, “of the era”.