Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

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I won this one at a Detroit auction just now. Looks to be 42 or 43 mm. I like that size and it’s a nice looking watch. $325 plus auction fees etc… should be right around $600 CDN. I may try to pick it up tomorrow if weather permits.

That's a nice dressy watch right there. Would be perfect for a night at the symphony.

I'm sticking up this movement to compare with yours. It's a 16s watch, but there are similarities. I have a proper gold screw to install in it.



The watch is a great runner and because it's pendant set it's easy peasy to fire up when one requires a pocket watch in a hurry.



This one shows more rose gold when seen in person.
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Well done! That would indeed be a reason to visit Detroit! Come to think of it, that might be the only reason to visit Detroit! It is rare to find an enamelled case with the enamel is such exquisite condition! You’ll have to start wearing a vest.
 
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Well done! That would indeed be a reason to visit Detroit! Come to think of it, that might be the only reason to visit Detroit! It is rare to find an enamelled case with the enamel is such exquisite condition! You’ll have to start wearing a vest.
Thank you for the encouraging comments (you also, Noelekal). The auction included pieces of art and all pieces from the estate of the guy who owned this Illinois were impeccably maintained. I am hoping for the same with this watch.
 
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It would be fun to see your photographs of it after it arrives.
 
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Hamilton
Grade 902 model 2 19j
White gold filled Wadsworth case
Dial has a 3D granite like appearance at the perimeter
Applied gold numerals
Kite hands
1926

Mother was a peach
 
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Although European, you might also like this one (auction win of yesterday) 😎😉



The engraver apparently was not an English native speaker ... 😁

Cheers, Bernhard
 
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Although European, you might also like this one (auction win of yesterday) 😎😉



The engraver apparently was not an English native speaker ... 😁

Cheers, Bernhard
That’s really nice! What is the part that looks like a piece of orange peel? See my arrow. Some type of spacer?
 
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That is a quite substantial balance weight, the other one is below the balance cock. The height can be seen in the third photo.

The special features are:
- Pivoted detent chronometer escapement
- Chronometer balance
- Gold wheel train
- Reversed fusee
- Spherical hairspring (inventor: Houriet)
- Gold hairspring (Arnold was known for such)
- Free sprung
- 3. and 4. wheels between movement and dial (so not visible when looking at the movement)
- Temperature scale and hand on the dial

The engraved Losada address indicates that is was made in the 1850s.

Best, Bernhard
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Although European, you might also like this one (auction win of yesterday) 😎😉



The engraver apparently was not an English native speaker ... 😁

Cheers, Bernhard

That's quite the interesting piece. You'd think that a thermometer would not be all that practical since the watch will be carried against a body.

The 3rd and 4th wheels being on the dial side of the pillar plate is something rather unusual. At least, it is something I have not seen.
 
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The 3rd and 4th wheels being on the dial side of the pillar plate is something rather unusual. At least, it is something I have not seen

Me neither ...

The thermometer might tell you why you have frozen during the night 😁
 
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Finally picked it up. Weather has been terrible. Snow storms, freezing rain, dense fog… and two beautiful days when the auction house was closed on Sunday and Monday.

Winds smoothly and runs… but… how do I set the time?



And the nice border agent waved me through when I declared it. Bonus!
 
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Lever set probably.
Unscrew the front bezel, pull the lever located at either at the 11.00 or 2.00 position, turn crown to set , push lever back in and carefully screw bezel back on so as not to cross thread. All done.

Alternatively:

Photo the movement so we can see the movement serial. The pocket watch data base will tell you if lever or stem set.

PS stunning looking pocket watch.
Illinois is by far my favourite manufacturer!

My guess is it's a 21 jewel Lincoln, the suspense is killing me 😁
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Looks much better in your nice photos.
 
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Lever set probably.
Unscrew the front bezel, pull the lever located at either at the 11.00 or 2.00 position, turn crown to set , push lever back in and carefully screw bezel back on so as not to cross thread. All done.

Alternatively:

Photo the movement so we can see the movement serial. The pocket watch data base will tell you if lever or stem set.

PS stunning looking pocket watch.
Illinois is by far my favourite manufacturer!

My guess is it's a 21 jewel Lincoln, the suspense is killing me 😁
Auction photo. Does this help? And it is 21 Jewels.
 
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Finally picked it up. Weather has been terrible. Snow storms, freezing rain, dense fog… and two beautiful days when the auction house was closed on Sunday and Monday.

Winds smoothly and runs… but… how do I set the time?



And the nice border agent waved me through when I declared it. Bonus!
Beauty of a watch! Well done!
 
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Bezel and case back appear to be hinged, not screwed on. Open front bezel and look for setting lever near the 2 at the edge of the dial. Catch it with a finger nail and pull outward radially to engage hand setting. When done, push lever back in and close cover. (That is, IF the watch is lever set!) . Worth the trip, even considering you had to go to Detroit to get it!
 
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There seems to be a notch right here to open it. It is in immaculate shape. So… fingernails only. Not my tool. Late entry. Fingernails not strong enough. More Calcium needed in my diet? Needs servicing anyway so I am not worried. Inner case pic from auction site.
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Crown pulled out. I was not sure how hard I was allowed to tug on it. Time set. Still have not opened the case. I have a tendency to destroy things so I am being careful! The Sterling chain is quite nice. I may make a leather adapter for it, including a small leather case for the knife.

Now I am just enjoying the different light reflections.
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