Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Mar 26, 2026

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/1020024

Truly one of my favourite American watches. Hamilton followed the 950 with the 950 E, then the 950 B. The cosmetics of the 950 is by far the nicest of the 3 in my opinion. I have a 950 and a 950 B, but I hope (hope, hope) to eventually acquire a 950 E. These are scarce. I think @Waltesefalcon has been absorbing a lot of what this thread offers, by osmosis. Beautiful!

Waltesefalcon · Mar 26, 2026

Canuck
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/1020024

Truly one of my favourite American watches. Hamilton followed the 950 with the 950 E, then the 950 B. The cosmetics of the 950 is by far the nicest of the 3 in my opinion. I have a 950 and a 950 B, but I hope (hope, hope) to eventually acquire a 950 E. These are scarce. I think @Waltesefalcon has been absorbing a lot of what this thread offers, by osmosis. Beautiful!

I have a long term goal of having a 992, 992E, and 992B; as well as a 950, 950E, and 950B. Right now I have a 992 (1st pattern), a 992 (second pattern), this new 950, and a 950B. So, I need to find a 992B still, and both a 992E and 950E.

I'm only a so so watchmaker, so I utilize a talented one down in Texas that @TexOmega referred me to. Chris, in turn has a fairly large collection himself and also sells watches, so every once in awhile he finds something he knows will strike my fancy (like this 950) and kind of dangle it in front of me until I swat at it like a cat.

Canuck · Mar 26, 2026

I am holding a Ball Hamilton ORRS that is owned by a friend. The movement is marked (typically) for Ball, but the movement is a 950E. One of few I have ever seen. This one is pristine, and is in a gorgeous white gold filled case. Perhaps if I win a significant lottery!

We’re in the early stages of preparing for one of the two annual railroad hobby shows we exhibit in. We show railroad standard wrist and pocket watches, and railroad standard clocks. We’ve been exhibiting at these shows for many years now. On occasion, someone will show up with a collectible watch that is for sale. One never knows! I usually prepare for these shows by taking along a few shekels, just in case! Maybe the gods will smile on me, and someone will show up with a 950E that I can afford 😃!

Waltesefalcon · Mar 26, 2026

I am going to the NAWCC show and sale in Wichita next month, who knows what I'll come home with it.

Canuck · Mar 26, 2026

I belonged to NAWCC for 33 years. I found that many who attended NAWCC marts were looking for the items I was looking for. And exhibitors who had these items, knew it! I rarely bought at these marts for that reasons.

Waltesefalcon · Mar 27, 2026

Canuck
I belonged to NAWCC for 33 years. I found that many who attended NAWCC marts were looking for the items I was looking for. And exhibitors who had these items, knew it! I rarely bought at these marts for that reasons.

I do mostly collect Illinois and Hamilton, so I imagine I'll run into a lot of folks hunting for the same things as me.

But, I've never been to one before, so it'll be an experience at least.

ghce · Mar 27, 2026

Waltesefalcon
I do mostly collect Illinois and Hamilton, so I imagine I'll run into a lot of folks hunting for the same things as me.

But, I've never been to one before, so it'll be an experience at least.

I do envy you guys and your geographical closeness to these sort of functions. I can only imagine all the bad deals I would allow myself to buy in my rush of enthusiasm at being in attendance 😆

Canuck · Mar 27, 2026

ghce
I do envy you guys and your geographical closeness to these sort of functions. I can only imagine all the bad deals I would allow myself to buy in my rush of enthusiasm at being in attendance 😆

The NAWCC regionals we attended over 33 years were in Portland (Ore.), Tacoma, Seattle, Clackamas (Ore.), Spokane, and Denver. We live on the Canadian prairies. Double jeopardy. Travelling 2,000 kms + (round trip) to one of these events, and having to deal with unfavourable currency exchange! If you want to go badly enough, you’ll find a way!

ghce · Mar 27, 2026

Canuck
The NAWCC regionals we attended over 33 years were in Portland (Ore.), Tacoma, Seattle, Clackamas (Ore.), Spokane, and Denver. We live on the Canadian prairies. Double jeopardy. Travelling 2,000 kms + (round trip) to one of these events, and having to deal with unfavourable currency exchange! If you want to go badly enough, you’ll find a way!

Yes that exchange rate is a killer! Being a 60's kid I grew up pre decimalisation and NZ£'s currency was pegged ( and was) to the UK pound, you could buy a lot back then when 1£ was 2 US$, sad to see how this has evolved.

Waltesefalcon · Mar 27, 2026

My second new Hamilton arrived. A 1909 992. I didn't own one with a 1st pattern dameskeening and this one was being largely ignored on ebay, so I couldn't pass it up.

Canuck · Mar 28, 2026

@Waltesefalcon ,

I just checked damask pattern on your latest Hamilton 992, and compared the pattern to my own 992. Yours is purtier! I was unaware that there were at least two damask patterns on the 992 over the years. Eyes peeled!

Waltesefalcon · Mar 28, 2026

Canuck
@Waltesefalcon ,

I just checked damask pattern on your latest Hamilton 992, and compared the pattern to my own 992. Yours is purtier! I was unaware that there were at least two damask patterns on the 992 over the years. Eyes peeled!

Thank you, kindly.

Duracuir1 · Apr 2, 2026

Re-united with my Gruen (above). It needed a bit of work. I have carried this watch for well over 100 days last year. Thank you Canuck.

A man came by my shop with a pile of old watches that he wants to sell. Quite a few silver ones.

The gold filled one has a decent case. Not sure if it’s worth it. I think I can get it for $100. But only if worth saving.

See pics.

Canuck · Apr 2, 2026

Buy the yellow one only if you plan on using the case to complete a more worthy watch. It is Swiss. Only buy name brand Swiss in case the watch needs parts.

ghce · Apr 2, 2026

Duracuir1

Re-united with my Gruen (above). It needed a bit of work. I have carried this watch for well over 100 days last year. Thank you Canuck.

A man came by my shop with a pile of old watches that he wants to sell. Quite a few silver ones.

The gold filled one has a decent case. Not sure if it’s worth it. I think I can get it for $100. But only if worth saving.

See pics.

To be honest none of those are worth the repair cost but as a collection as they are they might make a cool display.

Duracuir1 · Apr 2, 2026

Thank you fellows. I told the man that the movement on that GF looked Swiss but that you guys would confirm. Will give the lot back to him. A great weekend to all.

Canuck · Apr 2, 2026

As I reflect on my collection, I can’t help but think of the times someone offers me a watch for free, simply because they want to find a new home for it, not because they want to “sell” it. Since he approached you, to make this guy an offer on that sad lot puts you in a ”seller’s” market! Where else can he find a buyer when he is offering a dog from every town? I am frequently offered watches that I would like to own, for free! I make them an offer. Most recently, i was offered 3 watches for free. I was only interested in one, and I made him an offer on it. He declined my offer because it was ”all or nothing”. So I re-iterated my offer of $100.00. He accepted, so I got all three for $100.00. I later found out that the chain on the one watch (16.5 grams of 10 karat gold) had a scrap value of about $500.00! I phoned him and he picked the chain up! The guy is my friend, and I have a clear conscience! When someone approaches you, you are in a “buyer’s” market! Take advantage of it. This lot, the guy should be glad to get rid of it!

Think of it this way. Would you want to build a collection of a few $500.00 watches, or a shoe box full of $100.00 watches you wonder why you bought. (Especially since the $500.00 watches might be had for half or less, if you play your cards right!)

Waltesefalcon · Apr 2, 2026

I think I would pass on this lot.

Duracuir1 · Apr 4, 2026

Gruen model No 9 in my pocket today.

Erik_H · Apr 4, 2026

Duracuir1
Gruen model No 9 in my pocket today.

Gruen made interesting watches. I have to dig out my Gruen Very-VeriThin one of these days. It’s been sitting in a box for about 15 years I think. I once had a target of finding a nice Gruen Ultrathin, but as life goes, priorities change.