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Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck
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I too have a favourite Elgin. I’ve shown it here, before, but it is so plain Jane, I seldom show it. This one is also an 18-size model with 7 jewels. It is in a decorated coin silver case. This watch belonged to my grandfather who died in 1908, in Elyria, Ohio. The Elgin was made circa 1898. The watch may have also been used by my grandmother’s second husband, based on the amount of wear on the inlaid rose gold case back. She re-married in the early 1920s, and her second husband died circa 1960.

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TexOmega
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Elgin
16s B. W. Raymond 19j grade 455
RR grade
Year: circa 1919-20
Nice case
Blued Hands
Bought Bozeman, Montana 1988 one of my first PW’s so a favorite of mine.
Edited:
 
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Canuck
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TexOmega TexOmega
Elgin
16s B. W. Raymond 19j grade 455
RR grade
Year: circa 1919-20
Nice case
Blued Hands
Bought Bozeman, Montana 1988 one of my first PW’s so a favorite of mine.

The pocketwatchdatabase story on @TexOmega ’s handsome B W Raymond. The B W Raymond grade name was employed by Elgin for most of the years of the existence of the company. To the best of my knowledge, it was always considered railroad grade. As model features changed over the decades, the B W R name persisted. I have a 16-size grade 571 (not as nice as the subject watch), and an 18-size B W R from 1903. A friend has a B W R wrist watch produced probably in the mid to late 1950s.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/22882458
 
Canuck
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ghce ghce
Oh so much nicer than mine! 19 jewels, patent regulator, jeweled barrel and adjusted to positions plus double sunk dial.
Just don't see them over here, color me green.


As a matter of fact, Omega DID produce Omega brand watches that are very close to being the same grade as the Brandt CCR. I have one of those (no case) in a drawer with numerous other basket cases, donor watches, parts watches, and possible future projects. However, nowhere have I ever seen that the Omega version was ever railroad approved in North America. But I suppose that somewhere, someone may possibly have approved the Omega version.
 
gbesq
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I'm very comfortable assessing vintage Omega wristwatches, but I confess that I'm well out of my comfort zone when evaluating pocket watches. I have an opportunity to add this Omega pocket watch to my collection. All that I know at this point from my research is that it appears to be from the 1930s, the case is gold filled, and that the dial and hands appear to be original and in very good condition. The inside case back reference is 10300391. Can anyone tell me more and give me an approximate idea of what this should sell for? It runs, but I suspect that it will need a service. Thanks for any help that our pocket watch experts can provide.
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Waltesefalcon
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I'm no expert on Omega pocket watches, but do be aware that they are worth considerably less than their wristwatch brethren. Swiss pocket watches in general are much less collectible than Swiss wrist watches.

The number in the caseback is the case's serial number.

Do you know what the watch's service history is? Being gold filled I would imagine this watch is worth around $150, maybe even as much as $250 depending on location. so if it is in need of a service that is a serious consideration as it could easily double the investment you make in it.
 
gbesq
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Yep, it’s not an expensive piece and I’m buying it as a gift for a family member. I expect that I’ll have to have it serviced. Not going to be a money maker.
 
Waltesefalcon
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If it's a gift and you are okay with losing money then go for it. Is the caseback in good shape or does it show any signs of brassing? If it has no brassing I would say that buying it for around $200 wouldn't be a bad deal, and a service for an additional $200. Even as a gift, I wouldn't want to be more than $500 all in on this watch.
 
gbesq
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The case is in nice shape as is the rest of the watch. I would expect to come in at between $400-$500 all in. That's less than I've paid for any of my vintage wristwatches and a fraction of the value of my complete collection.
 
dougiedude
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I’m really glad to see this thread, because I’ve always loved watches of all kinds, but the pocket watch just has a special charm all of its own.

I have a few, including a Seikosha I adore, pics later…

My dad passed not long ago, and the one I’d like to share most is his; the most cherished, of course .

I think I remember when he acquired this one; from a jeweler or a pawn shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma when I was a child back in the 70s.

I really know nothing else about the watch; runs fine.

I’d love to hear some comments about it; approximate age? …maybe what its value might be today, although this one will not be sold in my lifetime!
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ghce
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dougiedude dougiedude
I’m really glad to see this thread, because I’ve always loved watches of all kinds, but the pocket watch just has a special charm all of its own.

I have a few, including a Seikosha I adore, pics later…

My dad passed not long ago, and the one I’d like to share most is his; the most cherished, of course .

I think I remember when he acquired this one; from a jeweler or a pawn shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma when I was a child back in the 70s.

I really know nothing else about the watch; runs fine.

I’d love to hear some comments about it; approximate age? …maybe what its value might be today, although this one will not be sold in my lifetime!
IMG_8262.jpeg IMG_8250.jpeg IMG_8251.jpeg IMG_8255.jpeg IMG_8252.jpeg IMG_8258.jpeg IMG_8260.jpeg IMG_8261.jpeg

Interesting PW and nice case.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/4266261

You can have a lot of fun trying to chase down the original owner on the net, I see a few possibilities popped up in a breif search of that name and date though of course its a fairly common name.
 
dougiedude
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ghce ghce
Interesting PW and nice case.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/4266261

You can have a lot of fun trying to chase down the original owner on the net, I see a few possibilities popped up in a breif search of that name and date though of course its a fairly common name.
Yes, Lots of Ed Mc Evoys out there!

Although there were a lot fewer at the turn of the century 123+ years ago when the watch was new!

Who knows when he owned it, however..
 
ghce
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dougiedude dougiedude
Yes, Lots of Ed Mc Evoys out there!

Although there were a lot fewer at the turn of the century 123+ years ago when the watch was new!

Who knows when he owned it, however..

Given the late date of appearance at a Pawn shop it may have been a multi generational watch with the son having the same name or variant of it ( I saw a few with appropriate timelines).
 
Canuck
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dougiedude dougiedude
I’m really glad to see this thread, because I’ve always loved watches of all kinds, but the pocket watch just has a special charm all of its own.

I have a few, including a Seikosha I adore, pics later…

My dad passed not long ago, and the one I’d like to share most is his; the most cherished, of course .

I think I remember when he acquired this one; from a jeweler or a pawn shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma when I was a child back in the 70s.

I really know nothing else about the watch; runs fine.

I’d love to hear some comments about it; approximate age? …maybe what its value might be today, although this one will not be sold in my lifetime!
IMG_8262.jpeg IMG_8250.jpeg IMG_8251.jpeg IMG_8255.jpeg IMG_8252.jpeg IMG_8258.jpeg IMG_8260.jpeg IMG_8261.jpeg

Here is the pocketwatchdatabase info on you Elgin.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/4266261



The case is by the Dueber Watch Case Co., and the case features what is called “box hinges”. I don’t see any karat gold stamps inside the front or rear covers, so I suspect it is gold filled (karat gold veneer over brass). The company that made it was originally called the National Watch Co. The name was later changed to the Elgin National Watch Co. (yours), then later simply the Elgin Watch Co. Located in Elgin, Ill. Elgin was the largest producer of jewelled, quality watches in the U S A. Waterbury made more watches, but they were mostly pin lever with no jewels, many of which sold for about one dollar. The engraving on both covers was all done by a hand-engraver. Beautiful case.
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dougiedude
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arturo7 arturo7
Just matter of which one is the real McEvoy!

sorry, it's late...
😁
::rimshot::
 
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