Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

On the topic of posts, being as you are dealing with an antique English pocket watch, I thought it might be of merit to discuss the pillars or posts between the plates on early an English watches. A lot can be told about the origin and the vintage of these English pocket watches by looking at the pillars between the plates. I don’t have any reference material in front of me at the moment but I think that probably when I get out of the bathtub a little bit later, I’ll see what I can do about finding out some reference material that might be interesting to those who have an interest in antique pocket watches from England.

I like @Duracuir1 ‘s idea for displaying his pair cased pocket watch. I’m still wearing the Hamilton grade 952 pocket watch that I vowed I would be wearing when I see in 2024 (not in the bath tub, of course!) It is still on my @Duracuir1 leather lanyard. With 50 pocket watches, I couldn’t begin to find the space to display them in a similar fashion. I might do a photo collage of them, and paper a wall. But then I’d have to do the same with my wrist watches. I’d need a bigger house!

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

Canuck
On the topic of posts, being as you are dealing with an antique English pocket watch, I thought it might be of merit to discuss the pillars or posts between the plates on early an English watches. A lot can be told about the origin and the vintage of these English pocket watches by looking at the pillars between the plates. I don’t have any reference material in front of me at the moment but I think that probably when I get out of the bathtub a little bit later, I’ll see what I can do about finding out some reference material that might be interesting to those who have an interest in antique pocket watches from England.

I like @Duracuir1 ‘s idea for displaying his pair cased pocket watch. I’m still wearing the Hamilton grade 952 pocket watch that I vowed I would be wearing when I see in 2024 (not in the bath tub, of course!) It is still on my @Duracuir1 leather lanyard. With 50 pocket watches, I couldn’t begin to find the space to display them in a similar fashion. I might do a photo collage of them, and paper a wall. But then I’d have to do the same with my wrist watches. I’d need a bigger house!

On the subject of “pillars” (as in posts), the style of pillars used on watches from the 16th to 19th centuries, followed trends set by significant watchmakers. Some conclusions may be drawn from the style of posts exhibited in watches from these eras. @Duracuir1 didn’t show many details pertaining to his English pair cased watch, but chances are the pillars on this late 18th century watch may bear some resemblance to a pillar shown in the attached. Credit to my Shugart, Engel, & Gilbert collector’s bible.

Happy New Year to pocket watch nuts (and converts!)

Duracuir1 · Dec 31, 2023

The pillars looks pretty plain. Like number 1 perhaps? Maybe 6? The cat also had a look.

CBM1590 · Dec 31, 2023

Canuck
On the subject of “pillars” (as in posts), the style of pillars used on watches from the 16th to 19th centuries, followed trends set by significant watchmakers. Some conclusions may be drawn from the style of posts exhibited in watches from these eras. @Duracuir1 didn’t show many details pertaining to his English pair cased watch, but chances are the pillars on this late 18th century watch may bear some resemblance to a pillar shown in the attached. Credit to my Shugart, Engel, & Gilbert collector’s bible.

Happy New Year to pocket watch nuts (and converts!)

Thanks Canuck! Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

If you’ll indulge me a bit, and since you have 50 pocket watches in your collection and are our resident expert, what would be your suggestion to add to my Waltham (no idea of age) and Hamilton military 24hr pocket watches? Let’s cap it at around $500 for my investment. What brand and model would you add to anchor a very small collection? That’ll give me some direction as I search in the coming new year. Thanks! (And others are more than welcome to chime in!).

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

Duracuir1

The pillars looks pretty plain. Like number 1 perhaps? Maybe 6? The cat also had a look.

You’ll notice the pillars are plain, but tapered. It occurs to me they more closely resemble #6 in the examples shown.

Alpha · Dec 31, 2023

Just the usual suspects hanging around this evening, best wishes to you all for a happy and healthy new year 👍

ghce · Dec 31, 2023

CBM1590
Thanks Canuck! Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

If you’ll indulge me a bit, and since you have 50 pocket watches in your collection and are our resident expert, what would be your suggestion to add to my Waltham (no idea of age) and Hamilton military 24hr pocket watches? Let’s cap it at around $500 for my investment. What brand and model would you add to anchor a very small collection? That’ll give me some direction as I search in the coming new year. Thanks! (And others are more than welcome to chime in!).

There are so many nice US PW brands out there.
You already have two fine brands you might want to look to extending brands.
One brand to me that I think encapsulates the quality craftsmanship and beauty of US PW's would be Illinois RR grade models more so than any other.

On another note and to keep in theme with the Christmas period is to display your collection on a Christmas tree. I even googled it and could find few satisfactory results ( one PW on a Christmas tree, ho hum) but with the significant collections on here and elsewhere I would have thought a PW Christmas tree decoration a no brainer, I have approx 30 in my collection and next year am intending a suitable tree decoration ( might even do it on the existing tree as it's still up just for a photo).

Well that's my new year meanderings.

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

CBM1590
Thanks Canuck! Happy New Year to you and yours as well.

If you’ll indulge me a bit, and since you have 50 pocket watches in your collection and are our resident expert, what would be your suggestion to add to my Waltham (no idea of age) and Hamilton military 24hr pocket watches? Let’s cap it at around $500 for my investment. What brand and model would you add to anchor a very small collection? That’ll give me some direction as I search in the coming new year. Thanks! (And others are more than welcome to chime in!).

@CBM1590,

Regarding military watches, I fear you are talking to the wrong guy. Military watches are of little interest to me. I do have one. A 16-size Elgin “jitterbug” timer that I use for regulating 400-day clocks. I’ve certain all the US makers were in the military watch business, but Hamilton (3992B, 4992B) seem to get most of the play on the message board. I have two Hamilton marine chronometers (a model 21 and a model 22) that are more naval than military. But based on your post, these are likely out of your comfort zone.

CBM1590 · Dec 31, 2023

Canuck
@CBM1590,

Regarding military watches, I fear you are talking to the wrong guy. Military watches are of little interest to me. I do have one. A 16-size Elgin “jitterbug” timer that I use for regulating 400-day clocks. I’ve certain all the US makers were in the military watch business, but Hamilton (3992B, 4992B) seem to get most of the play on the message board. I have two Hamilton marine chronometers (a model 21 and a model 22) that are more naval than military. But based on your post, these are likely out of your comfort zone.

Not looking for another military piece. Just looking for a nice addition to the collection.

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

CBM1590
Not looking for another military piece. Just looking for a nice addition to the collection.

Since you included “military” watches in your post, I concluded that was what you were looking for. As to what I would suggest you add to your small collection? Pocket watches have been around since the 17th century. Portable (not pocket) watches were around in the 16th century, soon after the mainspring and the verge escapement were invented. However, until the last quarter of the 17th century, men often didn’t have pockets in their clothes. 17th century English King Charles (not the incumbent) carried a watch, likely in a velvet pouch. He instructed his tailor to made him a waistcoat (vest) with pockets. Thereafter, he wore a “pocket” watch. So, take your pick out of 350 years of pocket watch evolution! It isn’t possible for me to suggest specific watches. I have mostly Hamiltons, with Waltham, second, and Illinois, third, then Howard. I collect mostly U S made watches, but I have a few Swiss ones as well. Out of the hundreds of watches featured in this thread, surely there must have been one or two that piqued your interest! As to budget? Better to have one you love that you paid too much for, than to have multiple watches in your comfort zone that you wonder why you bought them! Find one you love, and you’ll soon forget how much you paid!

Suggestions:

-Hamilton 992B, 950, 950 E, 950B, 936,
-Waltham Vanguard, Crescent Street, 1883 CPR model.
-Illinois Bunn Special
-Howard series V
-Elgin B W Raymond, Veritas, Father Time.
-Louis Brandt & freres grade CCR (Swiss).

Problem! The ones listed above are popular collectible pocket watches, and many may be out of your comfort zone. There are several different watches you should be on the lookout. A/ Low priced junkers, B/ high priced junkers, C/ prime examples that are out of your comfort zone. Don’t buy A or B!

CBM1590 · Dec 31, 2023

Canuck
Out of the hundreds of watches featured in this thread, surely there must have been one or two that piqued your interest!

Suggestions:

-Hamilton 992B, 950, 950 E, 950B, 936,
-Waltham Vanguard, Crescent Street, 1883 CPR model.
-Illinois Bunn Special
-Howard series V
-Elgin B W Raymond, Veritas, Father Time.
-Louis Brandt & freres grade CCR (Swiss).

Problem! The ones listed above are popular collectible pocket watches, and many may be out of your comfort zone. There are several different watches you should be on the lookout. A/ Low priced junkers, B/ high priced junkers, C/ prime examples that are out of your comfort zone. Don’t buy A or B!

Many thanks! That’s two votes on the Illinois. I’ve been interested in the Hamilton 992b as well.

I’ve seen plenty of pocket watches that piqued my interest listed in this thread. Only problem is my understanding of value, worth, and cost. I’ve got some work to do to figure out the difference between your A, B, and C choices. ;-)

Canuck · Dec 31, 2023

As to figuring out the difference between A, B, and C, it is a learning process. There is much to be learned by reading posts and learning from the experience of others regarding how to judge a watch that interests you. Almost a case of learning by osmosis. I have never bought a watch I didn’t have in my hands before I paid my money. Buying on line, depending on a picture and the seller’s description, doesn’t appeal to me. I’m not certain there is an effective way to validate a possible purchase when buying on line. If anyone has all the answers, we’d be glad to hear from you.

CBM1590
Many thanks! That’s two votes on the Illinois. I’ve been interested in the Hamilton 992b as well.

I’ve seen plenty of pocket watches that piqued my interest listed in this thread. Only problem is my understanding of value, worth, and cost. I’ve got some work to do to figure out the difference between your A, B, and C choices. ;-)

Duracuir1 · Jan 1, 2024

My display is completed. I used the old typewriter on a thin strip of leather to add a caption.

It’s hanging next to a clock that is a bit younger than the watch, but only by a few decades.

TexOmega · Jan 1, 2024

CBM1590
Many thanks! That’s two votes on the Illinois. I’ve been interested in the Hamilton 992b as well.

I’ve seen plenty of pocket watches that piqued my interest listed in this thread. Only problem is my understanding of value, worth, and cost. I’ve got some work to do to figure out the difference between your A, B, and C choices. ;-)

I would say a 992 or a 992B should be a cornerstone in a PW collection. Hamilton produced the 992 from roughly 1900 to 1940 and the 992B from 1940 to 1969 when they closed their doors.

Iconic, workingman's American RR grade watches and they sold as many as they could produce because they were designed well, durable, easily serviced by qualified WM and always at a modest, middle class price point.

Plentiful now, so finding one in your price range should be easy. $200-$300 should bring an extremely nice example with a double sunk porcelain dial with no damage, and an excellent movement. I always evaluate the screw heads in any pictures to see if a ham-fisted amateur with incorrect tools decided to play WM.

Case material(gold) will increase price accordingly.

If you must have a very nice GF Hamilton Case in the era of your movement(no evidence of being recased), expect to pay a bit more, maybe $50.

And...........if you can be happy with a double sunk porcelain dial with a minor hairline or two and a tired looking GF case, the price will drop to $100-150. and sometimes less.

Over the years, I have bought many because there are variations, etc but this is the PW that my dad's uncle had that I remember crawling up into his lap and watching him wind this cool, giant thing that ticked real loud...Dad eventually received it, then me. It will stay in the family. This watch started it all for me.

Canuck · Jan 1, 2024

A quick check on line at Hamilton 992B pocket watches currently offered for sale shows me that just under $400.00 seems to be the floor price for ones currently offered. Prices range upward from there to in the $1,000.00 range. I sold a 992B earlier this year for $800.00 (Cdn.). Perfect double-sunk vitreous enamel 24-hour (Canadian) dial, case was very good to excellent, showing no brass. Perfect 992B movement fully serviced (by me). When checking out prices, bear in mind that the prices quoted are often based on what people would like to pay for a particular watch, not what you may have to pay to buy a prime example. If you are looking for a prime example at a low price, best of luck! If you find one in your price range, be prepared to receive a less than prime example that needs a bunch of expensive repairs. In an ideal world, you might find the watch you want, with the features you want, in the condition you want at a price you like, and one that doesn’t require expensive repairs. Has that recently happened to anyone?

As to servicing the Hamilton 992B compared to servicing an (older) Hamilton 992, expect to have to pay more for servicing the Hamilton 992! The 992B is a much simpler movement to service than the 992. I have 3 Hamilton 992B models. In a world where prices for watch repairs continue to amaze me, the 992B would be a good place to start. Older models with bi-metallic, temperature compensating balance wheels and up to 5 or 6 cap jewels held in place by tiny screws are often a challenge for technicians who haven’t experience working on them. Thereby, expect to have to pay more for service on them. The 992B is much less challenging to service.

usasuisse · Jan 1, 2024

Size 16 Omega 2 position adjusted way above in this thread

Beautiful watch chain on the OMEGA. Is it solid gold? If so, what karat? Thanks

Canuck · Jan 1, 2024

If you will organize your questions so we understand what you need to know, and if these questions pertain to a watch you have in your possession, and if you can show pictures of any stampings on the watch case or the chain, perhaps we might be able to help. We aren’t magicians!

usasuisse · Jan 1, 2024

This is the gold OMEGA Chronograph Pocket Watch I own. Can anyone explain the outer rim numbering up to 300? Tia

Alpha · Jan 1, 2024

Not even remotely associated with the Pocket Watches this little one often hangs out with them, a birthday gift from the love of my life 🥰

Bernhard J · Jan 2, 2024

Happy New Year.

@Duracuir1: A great idea for displaying!