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Canuck
·A bit of a curiosity! The name on the dial is Porte & Markle, Winnipeg (Manitoba). This firm was likely a railroad watch inspector which merged with Henry Birks & Sons Jewellery in 1913. The movement in the watch has been identified as having been made by the Swiss maker Electa. Electa was acquired by Gallet, early in the 20th century. This movement is curious because it is marked 23-jewels. Legislation concerning jewel counts was changed (likely about 75 years ago) which specified that jewel counts could apply ONLY to jewels that were functional. This watch has four jewels that serve no real function. They serve only as decorative cap jewels that cover actual functional hole jewels. Thereby, by the current definition, the watch has only 19 active jewels in it. But circa 1910 when this one was produced, no laws were ignored.
But even more curious was a recent call I got from the fellow who runs the Alberta Central Railroad Museum at Hobbema, Alberta. He had acquired a SethThomas number 17 railroad regulator clock that needed attention. Pictures include the clock showing the same name (Porte & Markle) on the door. This clock leads me to believe this jewellers regulator likely hung in the Porte & Markle railroad watch inspectors store circa1910. I have included pictures of the finished repair of the clock, without the front door.
But even more curious was a recent call I got from the fellow who runs the Alberta Central Railroad Museum at Hobbema, Alberta. He had acquired a SethThomas number 17 railroad regulator clock that needed attention. Pictures include the clock showing the same name (Porte & Markle) on the door. This clock leads me to believe this jewellers regulator likely hung in the Porte & Markle railroad watch inspectors store circa1910. I have included pictures of the finished repair of the clock, without the front door.
