Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Waltesefalcon · Dec 9, 2025

I spent way too much money on this one ($410), but the choo choo dial did me in. This is my new Columbus 16J Model 2 Railway King, circa 1892. The dial is pretty nice, there are a couple of hairlines between the 7 and 8 and between the 10 and 11, but other than that it looks good. It arrived in an old Dueber gold filled open face case, but I am pretty sure I have a 4oz coin silver hunting case squirreled away someplace that it will look rather handsome in. Honestly, the case is the only part of this watch that I don't love. The dial, the fleur de lis hands, the two tone damaskeening on the mov't with blued screws and gold accents on the regulator, it's all great.

noelekal · Dec 9, 2025

Yeah TexOmega, the choo choo clinches it.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 9, 2025

noelekal
Yeah TexOmega, the choo choo clinches it.

Tex might like it too.

JimInOz · Dec 10, 2025

Waltesefalcon
two tone damaskeening on the mov't with blued screws and gold accents on the regulator

and the engraving of all of the text.
🤗

Was this all done by hand, or had they started using pantograph engravers by that time?

Canuck · Dec 10, 2025

JimInOz
and the engraving of all of the text.
🤗

Was this all done by hand, or had they started using pantograph engravers by that time?

I have read that the rudimentary form of the engraving was stamped into the plates, then the plates were turned over to an engraver for finishing. Pantograph machines (at one point) had been developed that permitted engraving of multiple watches at one time. Pantograph engraving usually leaves a one-dimensional image where hand-engraving leaves a three-dimensional image. Pantograph letters don’t remove any metal. Hand engraving does.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 10, 2025

JimInOz
and the engraving of all of the text.
🤗

Was this all done by hand, or had they started using pantograph engravers by that time?

It looks like it was hand engraved, there is a certain dimension to the letters that makes me believe that. Sadly, I must go do my job for a little bit. I'll try to take a close up of the engraving later.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 12, 2025

Okay, I was finally able to sit down and take some shots of the engraving. The lettering on the barrel bridge and decoration on the cock is definitely cut by hand as you can clearly see in these. The engraving of 'safety pinon' and 'adjusted' on the top plate is very uniform and it may well be pantograph.

Canuck · Dec 12, 2025

It looks to me as though the Columbus Railway King and Columbus Ohio were finished by hand engraving, the plain block lettering might have been die struck, or applied by a pantograph. Likewise the pattern on the balance cock.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 12, 2025

Canuck
It looks to me as though the Columbus Railway King and Columbus Ohio were finished by hand engraving, the plain block lettering might have been die struck, or applied by a pantograph. Likewise the pattern on the balance cock.

My initial thought on the balance cock is that it was pantograph or die, and probably the "flowers" are, but the arrows look hand cut as does the border under the regulator spring. I could be wrong there though.

I kind of wonder if Columbus had a basic set of decorations that were die struck or pantographed, and then added hand embellishments on higher end mov'ts.

TexOmega · Dec 12, 2025

Cool dial!!! Congratulations on the capture.

Model 3 1895
Love Fleur-de-lis hands on these old pw’s

TexOmega · Dec 12, 2025

And then 1901-2 we have a 17j New Columbus WC and the Columbus King, their”higher Grade” and adj to 5positions and Temp.

Sold to South Bend WC in 1903

Hunter movt quite uncommon at roughly 830 units

Waltesefalcon · Dec 12, 2025

@TexOmega those are a great looking pair of Columbus watches. I have to agree the fluer de lis hands on these are terrific.

Speed2Sea · Dec 12, 2025

I hope everyone is having a great day. I want to share a beautiful Robert & Cie 18k gold pocket watch my father gave me many years ago that belonged to his father. Unfortunately, I don't have too much information on this Robert & Cie pocket watch other than believing the movement is an extra thin model and requires depressing the pin or as some say nail head to set the time. I would welcome any thoughts or observations. By the way, it keeps excellent time! Thanks all.

TexOmega · Dec 12, 2025

Nice watch. Write up all the history/provenance you and the family knows so the next generation can add their memories.

Speed2Sea · Dec 12, 2025

TexOmega
Nice watch. Write up all the history/provenance you and the family knows so the next generation can add their memories.

Thank you and great idea. I'll pass it on to my son, who isn't into timepieces, so understanding the history and meaning will go a long way. I also need to make sure he knows the correct procedure to set the time because pulling on the crown will not end well.

TexOmega · Dec 12, 2025

I attach 1 of these tags with a description and value (along of course, a digital file on my computer &backup thumb drive).
Add a second with setting/winding instructions.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 12, 2025

I undertook a very minor project this evening. The paint has been flaking off the dial of my 50s BW Raymond. Recently I looked for a new dial and found an enamel dial in beautiful condition. So, now this old watch looks nearly new!

Before:

After:

UncleBuck · Dec 12, 2025

A perfect match?
What a great find, good for the next 75+ years.
Set those hands before happy hour, brother!

Speed2Sea · Dec 13, 2025

Good day OF members. To the experts, I have a question about my Robert & Cie pocket watch. When the movement is stopped (fully unwound) and I wind the watch, it won't start running until I depress the set pin and adjust the time. Is that normal?

Waltesefalcon · Dec 15, 2025

Shown here before (a time or two), my 1903 Model 6 Bunn Special is in the pocket today.