What to do on a day when winter has hit with a vengeance, and there is a 6” accumulation of the stuff that makes Christmas white, and you are recovering from oral surgery the day before? You play with watches like so many others appear to be doing.
How often is it that you pick up a watch you like but know little about, other than it is a Waltham. I acquired this private label 1883 model Waltham about 10 years ago. The movement is engraved
Canadian Railway Time Service. 17-jewels,
adjusted, stem set, 18-size. In Canada, stem set railroad standard watches were approved by some railroads. Notably, the CPR! This watch s from circa 1900.
Fairly standard stuff, until you get to the dial. This Waltham is a private label for the jeweller, G W Beall, Lindsay. Lindsay? So? Well, Lindsay Ontario. I like Canadian private label watches, a lot! But I was to discover several years ago when I bought the book on the Canadian Watchmaker’s Institute (written by Gary Fox) that operated in Toronto from about 1890 until early in the 20th century, the name Beall appeared in that book. The son of G W Beall was a student at that institute for about two years. He later was to take over the store in Lindsay, founded by his father.
I recall about 40 years ago when I attended my first NAWCC convention in Portland, Ore., you could buy ordinary grade 1883 model Walthams, in Siveroid cases, running, for around $20.00. Or several non runners for about the same price. I became rather ho hum about 1883 model Walthams. But I have come to admire the higher grade 1883 models such as this one.
I like to think that Beall junior may have worked on this watch, or perhaps even sold it! It is displayed on my leather lanyard by @Duracuir.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/9536515
