To good to melt! I sick of scummy money hungry pricks wanting to melt every bloody thing down!

 

The scoop on S# 6735421:
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/6735421

The scoop on 9092778:
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/9092778
@Pastorbottle is right about some who would melt watches like these. But collectors need to stand to the fore and offer more than scrap value for these cases. According to the pocketwatchdatabase site, S# 9092778 (the three fingered bridge model) is fairly scarce. A scarce movement in a beautiful case, and you’d think it would be snapped up right pronto! Gold is at a record high of $2,384.00 U S today. That’s $3,287 (Cdn.). I hope the family is able to find it within them to keep the watches. But I am afraid……!

 

Few more

 

1/2 of my humble collection

 

Some proper use for the Elgin today

 

With thanks to @Alpha for showing his barometer and getting me fixated on them, I picked up this c1890 barometer from Facebook Marketplace today. Still trying to learn more about the company. Apparently optricians originally, they also made a lot of barometers and other scientific equipment. Mr Chadburks was apparently neighbours with Mr Ismay, owner of the White Star Line, and ended up making ships telegraphs for their fleet - including the Titanic. I’ll need to google whatever happened to the Titanic…

 

Elgin in action today

 

Every time I happen upon your Elgin, I am reminded of the one I sold in 2022. Other than the perfect 24-hour dial, the watch might have been considered by some to be a basket case. It needed, balance foot hole jewel in setting, balance staff, mainspring, recondition, crystal, seconds hand, and the case was poor. I had everything the Elgin needed, on hand, so I serviced it. I went through my stash and found a much better gold-filled case. I added the finished watch to my collection, and enjoyed wearing it. Until I got an offer which I couldn’t turn down from a local railroad enthusiast. Dam! I miss this watch!

 

On the topic of Elgins, I’ll take the liberty of showing this one again. From my wife’s family. The watch had belonged to her grandfather’s third wife’s first husband (complex, I know!). When he died, the widow wanted the watch to be buried with him, in his vest pocket. After the ceremony, but before the interment, the funeral director removed it from the pocket. Some weeks later, after burial, the funeral director gave the watch back to her! She was pist! The style is called an “opera” watch, wrist watch movement in a pocket watch case of 14-karat white gold. It came to me after the old family initial had been removed. I gold soldered three holes in the case and fitted our family initial set with 0.50 carats of diamonds. Circa 1920s.

 

Stunning

 

And here an English watch from the 1810s (Date letter is too rubbed for clear identification). The balace is very unusual in that it has screws and five spokes. It was presented to me by a great collector friend.

 

So much to say about that one. Undersprung hairspring, aquamarine or rock crystal “Liverpool windows”, ruby end stone on the balance staff, exquisite condition for a 225 year old watch. No “bull’s eye” on the glass, might seem to not have the typical pair case, lever escapement (?), fusee (?), maker’s name(?), steel balance wheel(?), no latch on the front cover, and no push button on the pendant(?). Comments and questions.

 

Wow! That one is an absolute masterwork in early 19th century watchmaking. Like Canuck, I want to know more.

 

For context, this watch was made 60 years prior to the invention of the lightbulb. Yet, look at the level of complexity, finishing and longevity that is 99% absent from any consumer good made today

 

See above

 

Smiths Empire in action today and keeping great time

 

Today, if one were to go foraging in a landfill looking for collectable watches, I have bad news. The only stuff you’ll find is stuff from the last half century. The stuff you’re looking for will be in someone’s collection! Collectable watches today are either too expensive to buy, too expensive to fix, or are otherwise not repairable because the manufacturer won’t supply the necessary parts! Those of us who collect 100-year old (+) watches are blessed. No conceit among watchmakers of old!

 

Do you know if it utilizes a Massey escapement? I see that the cock is marked "patent," and my understand of early nineteenth century English watches suggests that this was usually reserved for Massey escapements.

 

Call me odd, but I would prefer that my cock was left unmarked!

 

Did you hear about the lady tattooist who had designs on every man in town?