Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
Four local collectors (myself included) participate in two train shows locally, each year. The exhibit consists of 90 pocket watches (90% railroad standard), three railroad standard wall clocks, and about 20 railroad standard wrist watches. In order to be able to assemble this exhibit quickly on show day, preparation is required. Here you see 80 pocket watches (all run, by the way) assembled with individualized display cards to match each watch. There are two other exhibits, watches not shown here. On show day, we can put the display together in about 1/2 hour, but it takes a lot of organizing to make it happen. These cards will be stacked in the order shown and the watches will go into storage cases in the order shown. On show day, it is tick-tack-toe and watches placed in display cabinets with their cards in the order shown. The show happens in mid-September.

 
Posts
5,930
Likes
43,176
That's a few pounds of pocket watch goodness right there!

It would be entertaining to peruse them all in detail.
 
Posts
141
Likes
122
Dear Canuck; what do you think of Hulburds and corscans?
 
Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
Dear Canuck; what do you think of Hulburds and corscans?
Never heard of either, sorry!
 
Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
That's a few pounds of pocket watch goodness right there!

It would be entertaining to peruse them all in detail.

Brands included are:

Ball Hamilton, Elgin, Hampden, Illinois, Keystone Howard, E. Howard, Illinois, Waltham, Brandt (Omega), Dawson (English, not rr. grade) , Electa (Gallet). Everything runs. Included are numerous Canadian private labels by Waltham and Hamilton. Several CPR Walthams, several CRTS Walthams, etc. Approximately 90% railroad standard. This assortment belongs to two of us. About 40 each. Plus several other exhibits we do. Railroad standard wrist watches, Rodania, Bulova Accutron, Ball Trainmaster (mechanical, Seiko Railtroader, Elgin (USA). And Seth Thomas railroad standard clocks.
 
Posts
16,331
Likes
34,407
Never heard of either, sorry!
Nor had I, but the internet tells me they are varieties of Elgin watches.
The Hulburds look to be quite exceptional.

There is also an Elgin Corsican for sale locally (locally as in Australia) but a bit exy I feel.
Edited:
 
Posts
141
Likes
122
Never heard of either, sorry!
Hulburds: named After the boss of Elgin. They started off by using unique cases. Corscans, especially thé 2nd gen are nice
Edited:
 
Posts
141
Likes
122
Nor had I, but the internet tells me they are varieties of Elgin watches.
The Hulburds look to be quite exceptional.

There is also an Elgin Corsican for sale locally (locally as in Australia) but a bit exy I feel.
That's thé Corsican, 2nd génération. Last one ( kicking myself) went for under 800 dollars on eBay. Nicer example then the one in your area. Hulburds go for under 1,5 k ( on eBay) very seldom to find proper American watches where I live. 8 adjustments on thé movement
 
Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
UG in SS and 41mm across


As slim as the UG is, and lacking a seconds hand, I’ll bet that one has a wrist watch (11 1/2 ligne?) movement in it. Bulova ownedUG for a time, around about when the watch was made.
 
Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
I have a lot to learn. I don't see a huge difference between the two. There's the 2 jewels, dial condition and company name. But they are both model 6, 18s, have the same damaskeening. I wouldn’t think there's a huge difference.


The two jewel difference between the 21-jewel Bunn that I showed, and the 23-jewel Bunn showed by @pdxleaf is likely the jewelled barrel. You may notice the 23-jewel version is marked “jewelled barrel”.
 
Posts
141
Likes
122
this Tavannes has been for sale for a while. Maybe where the regulator sits puts People off. The enamel reminds me of a court jesters' hat
 
Posts
7,922
Likes
57,278
As slim as the UG is, and lacking a seconds hand, I’ll bet that one has a wrist watch (11 1/2 ligne?) movement in it. Bulova ownedUG for a time, around about when the watch was made.


It has a Unitas #347 movement and 17j
 
Posts
14,273
Likes
41,129
992B for a RR line that crosses Time Zones


The double hour hand came on wrist watches like this Ball Trainmaster, as well.

 
Posts
8
Likes
8
This watch, found in a box belonging to my grandfather (1890-1946), is, if not a railroad watch, at least a bit of a train wreck. The case is bashed, the face is defaced, all hands are lost at sea and the movement is anonymous. The case is marked 'H VI', 'IL 629' and very faintly scratched 'H f v' in handwriting.