Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Dec 21, 2023

There are several styles of pocket watch chains. Waldemars, Dickens, Alberts, and double Alberts. There are variations thereof, of course. Generally, the Waldemar will be long enough ( ~ 10-12 inches), to permit the watch to be worn in a vest pocket, the chain going through a button hole, and a (generally) pocket knife in a pocket across the vest. The long one you show is a double Albert. The “T” bar goes through a button hole. On occasion, that “T” bar will have a short chain below it where a (usually) signet is carried. In the days of the quill pen, the pen knife was used to cut a new quill pen, the letter sealed with wax, and the signet pressed into the soft wax. The symbol in the signet might be a family crest in a mirror image that left a positive image in the wax. The signet might be carved onyx, bloodstone, sardonyx, banded agate, or langenstein ( blue onyx). A single Albert is half a double Albert. Watch in pocket, “T” bar through a button hole. Your selection doesn’t contain a Waldemar. The leather lanyard would be best suited to carrying a watch in a watch pocket as it is too short for a Waldemar, but also not suited to going through a button hole. If it had a spring ring at one end, it could be used as an Albert.

I have a 9-karat gold English pocket watch chain that is different to all the above. It is a Waldemar with a signet, zodiac sign, medallion, or coin hanging about 4” from one end of the chain. See picture. I have an English half-sovereign on mine.

Alpha · Dec 21, 2023

I can only hope that I have not previously posted these images from a visit to Fort George some time ago ?
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/fort-george-p245961

Duracuir1 · Dec 21, 2023

Canuck
There are several styles of pocket watch chains. Waldemars, Dickens, Alberts, and double Alberts. There are variations thereof, of course. Generally, the Waldemar will be long enough ( ~ 10-12 inches), to permit the watch to be worn in a vest pocket, the chain going through a button hole, and a (generally) pocket knife in a pocket across the vest. The long one you show is a double Albert. The “T” bar goes through a button hole. On occasion, that “T” bar will have a short chain below it where a (usually) signet is carried. In the days of the quill pen, the pen knife was used to cut a new quill pen, the letter sealed with wax, and the signet pressed into the soft wax. The symbol in the signet might be a family crest in a mirror image that left a positive image in the wax. The signet might be carved onyx, bloodstone, sardonyx, banded agate, or langenstein ( blue onyx). A single Albert is half a double Albert. Watch in pocket, “T” bar through a button hole. Your selection doesn’t contain a Waldemar. The leather lanyard would be best suited to carrying a watch in a watch pocket as it is too short for a Waldemar, but also not suited to going through a button hole. If it had a spring ring at one end, it could be used as an Albert.

I have a 9-karat gold English pocket watch chain that is different to all the above. It is a Waldemar with a signet, zodiac sign, medallion, or coin hanging about 4” from one end of the chain. See picture. I have an English half-sovereign on mine.

You inspired me to dig up my small knives. The one with wood handles has a blade from Ireland. No loop. I found it in the air vent while renovating our circa 1892 house in 2009.

The gold coloured knife was in a large circa 1880 duplex that we bought with contents in 2016. There were lots of treasures in there. The blade is from England.

The fish knife is brand new. A gift from an old friend last summer.

I carry a Spyderco.

Photo with watch to show the sizes. A big fish in a very small pond!

Thank you Canuck for showing yours with a knife. I was confused about the two chain ends.

Canuck · Dec 21, 2023

Duracuir1
You inspired me to dig up my small knives. The one with wood handles has a blade from Ireland. No loop. I found it in the air vent while renovating our circa 1892 house in 2009.

The gold coloured knife was in a large circa 1880 duplex that we bought with contents in 2016. There were lots of treasures in there. The blade is from England.

The fish knife is brand new. A gift from an old friend last summer.

I carry a Spyderco.

Photo with watch to show the sizes. A big fish in a very small pond!

Thank you Canuck for showing yours with a knife. I was confused about the two chain ends.

The pen knife I showed on my Waldemar is 14-karat gold. When I bought it, it had no loop, so I drilled one end, fabricated a 14-karat gold loop, fitted it to the knife, and riveted it. Voila! It is now on my Waldemar.

Alpha · Dec 22, 2023

Smiths Empire cleaned and lubricated and now performing just fine 😀

DaveK · Dec 22, 2023

ghce
Just bought this and picked about an hour ago.
No cleaning attempted yet.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/23016922

It's in great cosmetic and great working order but could obviously do with a service.

The back inscription gives it a great provenance and the case looks to be original even though date of movement production and presentation years are somewhat separated.

Dennison cased Waltham Royal with gold settings and centre wheel and regulator presented to a Railroad worker from the Dunedin Railroad by fellow workers, can't do better than that.

Adjusted to 3 positions.

Presentation watches are really neat. Congrats on finding it.

Duracuir1 · Dec 22, 2023

I ordered some keys from a Toronto watch supply store.

I am extremely happy to report that with a quarter to maybe a half counterclockwise turn, as recommended by @Bernhard J , the watch is working!!!

Thanks Bernhard and Canuck for your knowledge and guidance.

It’s been ticking strongly for over ten minutes now.

Key #8 did the job.

Wow!

It’s likely going back in the shadowbox but with the satisfaction of knowing that it works.

Canuck · Dec 22, 2023

@Duracuir1

Be satisfied that it runs. Don’t make the mistake of trying to wind it FULLY, or you could be in a world of hurt. Those watch have powerful mainsprings in them. If and when they snap, they can inflict a lot of damage! The closer they are to fully wound if they snap, usually, the greater the damage! Well done!

Duracuir1 · Dec 22, 2023

Canuck
@Duracuir1

Be satisfied that it runs. Don’t make the mistake of trying to wind it FULLY, or you could be in a world of hurt. Those watch have powerful mainsprings in them. If and when they snap, they can inflict a lot of damage! The closer they are to fully wound if they snap, usually, the greater the damage! Well done!

Thank you. It’s back in the shadowbox. I will email you a short video. You can hear it ticking!

I will post a photo when it stops. Late entry. It ran for 45 minutes with the 1/4 ish turn of the key.

Duracuir1 · Dec 22, 2023

I spent a couple hours in an old bookstore again. Searching for treasures.

Behold a jeweller’s booklet from 1894! My sister lives near there.

Alpha · Dec 23, 2023

Smiths desk clock today 😉

CBM1590 · Dec 23, 2023

Alpha
Smiths desk clock today 😉

Makeshift watch holder or one of which I could find? Nice idea that I may well duplicate!

ghce · Dec 23, 2023

CBM1590
Makeshift watch holder or one of which I could find? Nice idea that I may well duplicate!

I am not a fan of any metal on metal contact points for holders.

Alpha · Dec 23, 2023

CBM1590
Makeshift watch holder or one of which I could find? Nice idea that I may well duplicate!

A little diy 😀

Alpha · Dec 23, 2023

ghce
I am not a fan of any metal on metal contact points for holders.

Totally understand your thinking and I do agree with you but I can assure you that the stand is well finished with no sharp edges and I doubt any vibration will cause damage.

pdxleaf · Dec 24, 2023

Greetings and salutations,

Hope you are relaxing with friends and family.

I came across this reprint of a catalog of Waltham movement numbers and was wondering if anyone would like to have it. If so, I will send it to you no cost. It seemed too interesting to not pick up, even though I don’t have a need for it.

First one to call dibs gets it.

Afterwards, please PM with the address to where you'd like it sent.

Thank you in advance for helping me declutter.

Dave

Canuck · Dec 24, 2023

Compliments of the Season to pocket watch nuts. (you know who you are 😀) Shown with the Hamilton grade 952 pocket watch I swore last week, I’d wear until next year. 🥰

Duracuir1 · Dec 24, 2023

Circa 1910 Postcard. No pocket watches, but he needed one. What’s the expression? “Train time is anytime”.

And a leather postcard, likely not much newer.

And finally… a pocket watch (or sorts) on a post card.

And the stamp from that 1910 post card…

Canuck · Dec 24, 2023

The post card made me think of Sandford Fleming, in Wales.

Prior to the establishment of Greenwich Mean Time as a time standard for the British Isles in 1881, Sir Sandford Fleming, deeply involved in establishing a coast to coast railroad in Canada, was in Wales, waiting for a train which he reportedly missed by about 12 minutes. He was to, later, become heavily involved in the General Time Conference in Chicago whose purpose was to deal with the tangle of time standards observed by railroads all over North America. IIRC, it was 1883 when Greenwich Mean Time was adopted in establishing standard time for North America and for the world.

Edited to add: Actually, Fleming was in Ireland, not Wales, and the printed schedule said AM rather than PM. But the rest of it I got right!

Duracuir1 · Dec 31, 2023

Long stretch without any posts here. Trusting that all are having a nice relaxing end to the year.

I am working on a display for the old verge fusee. I just started but this is the general idea. I bought the old frame - a clock dial cover I presume, a while ago. The windows contain photos of the inside.

Interesting to note that the watch started ticking for a bit while I handled it. I have not wound it since trying it out a few posts (above) ago.

Happy New Year!