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Canuck
·Did you use UV light on the dial? Could it be the enamel was fluorescent? I keep preaching to the choir that pocket watches really are more interesting as collectibles than (ahem!) some things! 😉
Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs
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TasMike
·The hallmark is London, the date letter C in that cartouche appears to be 1798-99. What appears to be the case maker’s mark (IB or IH, incuse) could be any one of about half a dozen case makers. If it is IH incuse, it could be John Hadley, 10 St. James Buildings, Rosomans Row (London?), reg’d 1789. If it is IB incuse, it could be John Bullocke, 40 Ironmonger Row, Old St. (London?), reg’d 1782. My initial guess of circa 1734, based on the Baillie listing for this watchmaker, was way early. But English maker’s names were often used for decades after the death of the scion, as these businesses often remained in the family. Unfortunately, the case maker’s stamp is not well defined. Thanks to Steve for daring to remove the case papers. These papers alone, often tell a story.
I think your first date of 1734 is closer to the mark @Canuck. The cartouche could fit either (at a stretch), but there should have been 4 marks if it was 1798:
1798:
1738:
... and the IB would then fit John Bent.
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Canuck
·The name on the movement appears to be John Bent. If the case maker’s mark is I B (not I H), it could mean John Bent. However, in Phillip Priestley’s book on English watch case makers, Bent doesn’t show up as a case maker. The upper case C shows numerous times in the London information for the 18th century. The actual font and the shape of the shield are the determining factors as to the year the case was hallmarked. Based on that, the year 1798 appeared to me to be the logical choice. My copy of Ian Pickford’s book Jackson’s Hallmarks bears out your opinion re: the duty mark (4th mark) which appears to have been introduced about 1784. The case on the subject watch is missing the duty mark which might imply the year 1734. But I tend to rely more on date letters in cases as opposed to dates ascribed to makers of movements. Somewhere lies the answer, but where?
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ghce
·Does the serial No 508 shed any light, how many did John Bent make, possibly the number could be used in corroboration with other known serials from Mr Bents production timeline.
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CBM1590
·I picked up the old watch this morning. Here are photos. I used a large stitching needle to remove the paper. Some photos may be redundant.
The outer case is a perfect match to the inner case.
Have a look.My Smiths is only to show how thick the old one is.
The watch reminds me of this movie…
I should have perhaps taken shots of the inner and outer cases side by side. In my photos above the inner case has the key hole.
The key is not a match by the way, so maybe it can be wound. Do the guts look good? The little bicycle chain looks pretty cool.
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Duracuir1
·I’m still blown away, Steve! This is the most stunning and intricate early engineering marvel that I’ve ever seen. Thanks for sharing it with us!
https://omegaforums.net/threads/poc...omp-ca-1800-1820-verge-1-4-repetition.166770/
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Canuck
·Does the serial No 508 shed any light, how many did John Bent make, possibly the number could be used in corroboration with other known serials from Mr Bents production timeline.
I doubt very much that Bent actually made the movement, OR the case for that matter. The resource Britten’s which is a reference for English watch & clock makers list about 28,000 names of watch & clock makers in Britain. There were NOT that many watch & clock makers in Britain. A few actual makers, and thousands of retailers. Perhaps somewhere, someone has a reference that could help. But who, and where? My resources tell me no more information.
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CBM1590
·@Bernhard J has a beautiful one for sale, plus it’s a repeater…
https://omegaforums.net/threads/poc...omp-ca-1800-1820-verge-1-4-repetition.166770/
I am however interested in this one but there are no serial numbers or shots of the inside that are given. I have no idea what year it might be or of the background. It is Bucherer with an extremely ornate case. It’s a size 22. Starting price is $299.00 (and may not be worth that.). Hands and dial are nice too.
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Canuck
·Beauty, but more than I’m willing to invest at the moment. Thanks for passing along.
I am however interested in this one but there are no serial numbers or shots of the inside that are given. I have no idea what year it might be or of the background. It is Bucherer with an extremely ornate case. It’s a size 22. Starting price is $299.00 (and may not be worth that.). Hands and dial are nice too.
That one is likely from this century. Not antique or vintage. A “tribute” to the real thing.
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CBM1590
·That one is likely from this century. Not antique or vintage. A “tribute” to the real thing.
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Waltesefalcon
·Beauty, but more than I’m willing to invest at the moment. Thanks for passing along.
I am however interested in this one but there are no serial numbers or shots of the inside that are given. I have no idea what year it might be or of the background. It is Bucherer with an extremely ornate case. It’s a size 22. Starting price is $299.00 (and may not be worth that.). Hands and dial are nice too.
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Duracuir1
·I made a black lanyard of the same design as my previous ones, only much narrower and more refined. Here it is on the old watch. Someone already scooped this one, so I will make another one.
It was just for show at this time anyway, since my old watch is without a key.
See pics next to one of my previous lanyards to see how narrow this new one is. Way more links means super flexible.
It was just for show at this time anyway, since my old watch is without a key.
See pics next to one of my previous lanyards to see how narrow this new one is. Way more links means super flexible.
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CBM1590
·
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Canuck
·You appear to have acquired a Longines pocket watch or two. You enquired about a Longines with a 2 million serial number recently. When you check a data base, it indicated a date of 1832. The subject watch has a 4million serial number, and that same data base also indicated 1832! You need to no longer refer to that data base. A lot of the background relative to Agassiz/Longines company names appears in the thread, so there is no sense repeating the information here. The site I checked indicated circa 1928. Value? Not much I fear, based on the scanty information you have supplied. Plus the fact the watch needs repair.
I have copied my answer to your query about the earlier Longines thread you posted.
I have copied my answer to your query about the earlier Longines thread you posted.
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CBM1590
·You appear to have acquired a Longines pocket watch or two. You enquired about a Longines with a 2 million serial number recently. When you check a data base, it indicated a date of 1832. The subject watch has a 4million serial number, and that same data base also indicated 1832! You need to no longer refer to that data base. A lot of the background relative to Agassiz/Longines company names appears in the thread, so there is no sense repeating the information here. The site I checked indicated circa 1928. Value? Not much I fear, based on the scanty information you have supplied. Plus the fact the watch needs repair.
I have copied my answer to your query about the earlier Longines thread you posted.
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Canuck
·2 different watches that I was scoping for potential purchase. I am aware that there were similarities in the two watches according to the database info, although different looking in terms of movement. I’m ever on the hunt for a bargain, it seems. I’ll inquire less.
Investigate before you invest. Ask away, at your leisure. But had you compared the false data base answers you got on the two watches, you might have answered your own questions.
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