Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Apr 5, 2026

Likewise, my Hamilton 952 has the four footed dial, and two screws on the crown wheel. And the one-piece barrel bridge.

Canuck · Apr 13, 2026

Preparing for one of the two train shows we do, each year. This one is a model train show at which we exhibit (mostly) railroad standard pocket and wrist watches, as well as railroad standard wall clocks. Each item is labelled. The picture shows 77 of the 88 pocket watches we’ll display. Each watch with its own descriptive label. This exercise is part of the preparations that are necessary to enable us to do the final set up, quickly and accurately on day one of the show. All watches and clocks will be running and on time for the two day show. This year we will feature an additional display of Canadian private label watches (not shown).

noelekal · Apr 13, 2026

A lot of effort is represented in your set-up.

JimInOz · Apr 13, 2026

Impressive display, wish I could be there.

JimInOz · Apr 13, 2026

noelekal
A lot of effort is represented in your set-up.

That's only half the effort, the watches now need to go into display cases to prevent "sticky fingers".

Canuck · Apr 13, 2026

noelekal
A lot of effort is represented in your set-up.

This display has evolved over decades of doing this exhibit. Each year, as we do feature exhibits, (this year, private label Canadian pocket watches), the influence changes and the watches and labels need to be re-organized. But what you see is the result of years of improving the exhibit. With about 20 hours of preparation before show day, the final set up can be done in about 2 hours. Tic-tac-toe.

Canuck · Apr 13, 2026

JimInOz
That's only half the effort, the watches now need to go into display cases to prevent "sticky fingers".

That part of the exhibit is the easy part. Labels stacked in order, watches in the same order in carry cases. Labels in order in the display cases the evening before the show. Watches in order in the carry cases. Takes about 1/2 hour to put the display together. All watches will have been wound and set the evening before the show starts. You have to do it!

Lucky14 · Apr 13, 2026

I dropped a Hamilton 996 last night. I had just removed the leather lanyard so I could wrap it up in bubble wrap and it slipped right through my fingers. It hit the corner of my kitchen table and then the tiled floor. Five seconds must have elapsed before I took my first breath and opened my eyes. As expected, the crystal was shattered and the hour hand slightly bent. Fortunately, the dial was not damaged. It already had a broken mainspring, so I was not able to wind it and check the timekeeping. It’s now on the way to Tim Tells Time for him to work his magic. Hoping for the best.

noelekal · Apr 13, 2026

You’re scaring me!

Lucky14 · Apr 13, 2026

noelekal
You’re scaring me!

Yeah, no kidding. I can still hear the shards of broken crystal scatter on the floor. Not my finest moment.

watchmann44232 · Apr 14, 2026

Total pocket watch amateur here, so please bear with me (and also I hope this is a proper thread for this). How do you feel about / how legit is this Omega pocket watch? Faintly visible case number 1238843 (?) and dial style would put it to the end of 1800s. Movement (bridge) shapes seems to match or are similar to other movement(s) I found online for this era, except this one has much less decorations and totally lacks Omega symbol or text. Minute/hour hands I assume aren't original and seconds hand is almost too dark to see. As for the dial, Omega text looks legit, whereas the logo looks to me a bit stretched, but everything else looks sharp and similar to other dials from 1890s/1900s I could find.

What would be a fair ballpark to offer for this (it's part of a bigger lot and seller wants to hear an offer, and frankly I have very little idea what to start with)? Unfortunately these are the best pics I could get unless I do a bit of a driving and go and take a look at it.

ghce · Apr 14, 2026

This Transatlantic traveler is back from resuscitative ministrations from one of our esteemed members but unfortunately the long-term diagnosis ( indeed the short one too) is not good but for the moment it's runner albeit poor. So for our occular edification a few photos of this iconic PW are in order.

I may wear it a bit with one of Steve's wonderful lanyards which also made the return journey ( photos later) from the Northern Hemisphere but in the meantime I am on the lookout for a 940 or 946 movement to embellish this lovely Sterling case as a long-term solution to this one's mechanical deficiency.

Waltesefalcon · Apr 14, 2026

watchmann44232
Total pocket watch amateur here, so please bear with me (and also I hope this is a proper thread for this). How do you feel about / how legit is this Omega pocket watch? Faintly visible case number 1238843 (?) and dial style would put it to the end of 1800s. Movement (bridge) shapes seems to match or are similar to other movement(s) I found online for this era, except this one has much less decorations and totally lacks Omega symbol or text. Minute/hour hands I assume aren't original and seconds hand is almost too dark to see. As for the dial, Omega text looks legit, whereas the logo looks to me a bit stretched, but everything else looks sharp and similar to other dials from 1890s/1900s I could find.

What would be a fair ballpark to offer for this (it's part of a bigger lot and seller wants to hear an offer, and frankly I have very little idea what to start with)? Unfortunately these are the best pics I could get unless I do a bit of a driving and go and take a look at it.

Nothing about this watch jumps out to me as fake. Nothing about this watch really strikes my fancy either. I'd probably offer between $75 and $125 depending on where you live.

Waltesefalcon · Apr 14, 2026

ghce
This Transatlantic traveler is back from resuscitative ministrations from one of our esteemed members but unfortunately the long-term diagnosis ( indeed the short one too) is not good but for the moment it's runner albeit poor. So for our occular edification a few photos of this iconic PW are in order.

I may wear it a bit with one of Steve's wonderful lanyards which also made the return journey ( photos later) from the Northern Hemisphere but in the meantime I am on the lookout for a 940 or 946 movement to embellish this lovely Sterling case as a long-term solution to this one's mechanical deficiency.

May I ask what maladies plague this fine looking old 940?

watchmann44232 · Apr 14, 2026

Waltesefalcon
Nothing about this watch jumps out to me as fake. Nothing about this watch really strikes my fancy either. I'd probably offer between $75 and $125 depending on where you live.

Thank You. I live in EUR side of the bond. Appreciate the estimate! I was thinking around a double that (while realizing I'm flying sort of blind here).

I've been tempted lately by older watches (aka pre 1950s) and as an extension I've started eyeing pocket watches. A rabbit hole I thought I would not enter, but here we are... The black dial and roman numerals caught my attention with this one (as opposed to white dials /w arabic numerals that seem to dominate). Let's see if this will be my entry point / learning pocket watch. Thank You again.

Waltesefalcon · Apr 14, 2026

watchmann44232
Thank You. I live in EUR side of the bond. Appreciate the estimate! I was thinking around a double that (while realizing I'm flying sort of blind here).

I've been tempted lately by older watches (aka pre 1950s) and as an extension I've started eyeing pocket watches. A rabbit hole I thought I would not enter, but here we are... The black dial and roman numerals caught my attention with this one (as opposed to white dials /w arabic numerals that seem to dominate). Let's see if this will be my entry point / learning pocket watch. Thank You again.

Oh, man. I'm not going to be much help with pricing in that case, prices on that side of the pond are totally foreign to me (pun intended).

I will say this, for me watch collecting is more about my passion for it than the money. I try to be smart but I've over paid more than once for a watch I really wanted. So, figure on what a service is going to cost and add that to the price. If that doesn't make you balk, then go for it.

watchmann44232 · Apr 14, 2026

Similar story here. But also if I've learned anything over the years, it is that when exploring new territory, keep the purse tight, especially when excited, and get one or three inexpensive learner things and play with them for a while. edit: easier said than done.

ghce · Apr 14, 2026

I think Walters evaluation is good. Whilst the black dial is less seen that is quite a pedestrian looking PW. Where I am in New Zealand Omegas in better looking pop up all the time at prices ranging from NZ100 to NZ400 with no real distinction as to quality, just the seller asking dream prices or some being more realistic for a quick sale.
Truly nice Omegas may cost a little more but when one is looking at a really high grade movement you would pick that in a heartbeat compared to the more plain Jane movements even though the one you show seems to be an unsigned 15 jewels movement. I would rather otpt for a signed Omega higher jewel count 17 to 21 or if lucky better which has been stamped for a higher amount of adjusted positions and with a better regulator on the balance cock. Omega has a grading system for higher grade PW's that's worth looking up.

I have 5 or 6 15 jewels Omegas in my collection, they are ok but boring, nothing you would feel a sense of particular pride in, all I have had repaired and serviced and they make a competent time peice but not exceptional, I also have a chronograph ( in sterling case) that is very very nice and one you would stick your hand deep in your pocket very quickly to secure it and be left with the thought that you had bought something special, somthing you could have pride of ownership in.
This isn't the case of your one, put in a low offer, if you get it, good but there are plenty of fine looking Omega fish in the sea which tick more bells.

watchmann44232 · Apr 14, 2026

Good advice and thank you for bringing up the grading system - wasn't aware of that. And yes, the pricing appears to be all over the place, even more so than with the wrist watches. Now that I've come out of the closet so to speak, I suppose there is no escaping, and sooner or later I'll land one, or two. And as you said, if this one doesn't bite, there are always others. I'll be sure to share my experiences once I land something.

bobertdob · Apr 14, 2026

watchmann44232
Total pocket watch amateur here, so please bear with me (and also I hope this is a proper thread for this). How do you feel about / how legit is this Omega pocket watch? Faintly visible case number 1238843 (?) and dial style would put it to the end of 1800s. Movement (bridge) shapes seems to match or are similar to other movement(s) I found online for this era, except this one has much less decorations and totally lacks Omega symbol or text. Minute/hour hands I assume aren't original and seconds hand is almost too dark to see. As for the dial, Omega text looks legit, whereas the logo looks to me a bit stretched, but everything else looks sharp and similar to other dials from 1890s/1900s I could find.

What would be a fair ballpark to offer for this (it's part of a bigger lot and seller wants to hear an offer, and frankly I have very little idea what to start with)? Unfortunately these are the best pics I could get unless I do a bit of a driving and go and take a look at it.

This is a beautiful Omega watch I believe was made for the military during WW1. I am a Regina collector here in Ontario Canada and Regina was a very successful watch company out of Toronto that purchased most of its movements from Omega casing them in Toronto and distributing them across Canada through their network of Jewelers etc.....the Regina company was taken over by Omega in 1911 and the movement you are picturing is their basic 15 jewel model. They also made 7 jewel 17 jewel and 21 jewel models but the 15 jewel model was very common. The movements were almost always serialized. During the early 1900s Regina and then Omega offered customers for slightly additional cost the opportunity of engraving their name on the dial and movement sometimes excluding reference to Regina or Omega itself. I think your watch is a military contract either with the British or Canadian military given the black dial and gun metal case and the movement consistent with the early style of movement. Omega also provided military watches both pocket and wrist during WW2. The movements I have seen for the WW2 period are different than yours hence my assumption yours is a WW1 contract likely before the British and Canadian govts started doing the broad arrow stamps perhaps for the early RAF as pilots would need watches in their cockpits.
I think its worth around $200 to $250 $Can if its running....