Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

JimInOz · Sep 4, 2026

I realise it's a 90%+ lost cause, but in the likely case it becomes an ornament I'd like to give her a little bit of history about the watch so shen can identify with what her GGF carried with him.

So far I know about the case. Just the movement puzzles me.

Canuck · Sep 4, 2026

This movement may be too old to be listed in any of the usual fingerprint catalogs (I.e. Bestfit). I suspect that, once the movement is identified (should that happen), it may not be identified as a product of an internationally known maker. If you can pull the dial, someone with a Bestfit fingerprint catalog (me), may be able to put a name the the maker of the movement as an aid to locating parts, or a donor movement. But then there’s the case, and the dial…….!

Waltesefalcon · Sep 5, 2026

I wouldn't touch that one, personally.

Canuck · Sep 5, 2026

@Duracuir1 may still have his service revolver. I know he has a solution for watches that are hopeless cases!

ghce · Sep 5, 2026

Canuck
@Duracuir1 may still have his service revolver. I know he has a solution for watches that are hopeless cases!

I have seen that Swiss movement before, shouldn't be to hard to find a replacement BUT what a lot of trouble to go to try and get that one going. Would be like the old broom: new head and new handle but still the same old broom lol.

JimInOz · Sep 5, 2026

As I noted before, restoration will be nigh on impossible, but if it's to become an ornament on a shelf, it'd be nice if the lady could tell her kids more about her GGFs watch.

Many people these days have no idea that when you bought a watch like this, it was a two part process. First, choose the movement, then the case, and the seller would have them assembled (or in reverse if the buyer was more interested in the look of the case). A bit of an explanation would help her understand why a Swiss movement is in a Canadian case.

I've found all I need about the Empress GF case and can weave that into the story of the watch.

I'd like to identify the maker of the movement so I can piece together the probable life of the case and movement.

bobertdob · Sep 5, 2026

Canuck
Before we discuss resuscitating the movement, we need to look at the case.

I don’t see the bezel and crystal.

The hinge on the front cover is badly sprung.

I very much doubt the latch will hold the front cover closed.

The trade mark A W C Co. Is the trade mark for the American Watch Case Co. A Canadian company.

So right off the bat, there are several major problems you need to address.

The movement:

Rust. All screws!

Missing parts.

Maybe someone other than me can identify it as an aid to locating parts.

Dial:

- If you are by a miracle, able to deal with everything else that is wrong, that dial is going to look patched.

In short, it would be interesting to see if anybody who replies, would be more optimistic than I am that this sow’s ear might be made into a silk purse. I know you are one to welcome a challenge. But…….!

I have to agree with this assessment. If the case is missing its bezel plus the damage and wear to the hinges this alone for me would preclude a restoration attempt. The movement is Swiss but I thought perhaps more recent than 1900 given the Swiss indication on the bottom of the dial but since the A.W.C.Co Empress case indicates a 10 year wear warranty the case had to be produced before 1908. The movement is not a Regina movement which excludes it being an Omega product as well in my opinion. It looks to me to be a common Swiss ebauche but sourcing parts would be a challenge and the overall expense prohibitive.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 5, 2026

@JimInOz , if you really want to know more about it, I'd pull the dial and look for an ebauche on the pillar plate. I think that's your best bet for finding a maker.

JimInOz · Sep 6, 2026

Getting a bit closer to establishing what it is.

The stamp on the barrel bridge reads "D.F&C", so Dimier Frères & Cie, a Swiss based company with a London office.
The Dimier name is one of the well known ones in the Swiss watch industry, even to current times.

With the name of an importer of Swiss ebauches I was able to find a similar movement, although a bit more elaborate that the subject one. Sadly this is another "no-name" brand, possibly assembled by Dimier or maybe another English jeweller.

So, did Dimier Bros in London import the movement from Switzerland and import an Empress case from Toronto, or is it possible the movement made it's way to Canada and was cased there?

I'm still waiting on the owner to decide if they are going to send it to me (purely for forensic purposes now) so until I get the watch I'm no wiser.
To me there are genetic Tavannes traits with the barrel/ratchet wheel on the right of the movement, a greater number of calibers from other makers have the opposite (barrel on the left of the movement). There is also the unusual train bridge shape, almost as if a full plate bridge has been cut in half, I find it attractive though.

If this progresses I'll provide an update.

noelekal · Sep 6, 2026

Please keep us informed if you identify it to your satisfaction. The mystery is interesting for where it may lead.

Canuck · Sep 6, 2026

The Roman numerals and general look of the dial appears to me to be of a style typical of English dials of the era. So, Swiss watch, English dial, Canadian case. There would have been little reason for the case to have been imported to England from Canada in that era as there would have been many English case makers to choose from, at the time. With no name on the dial, this watch was likely assembled out of bits “off the shelf” by a watch broker. On occasion, a watch broker may have printed a name on a dial using India ink! Ask me how I know.

Maybe a watch assembled for the market in England that found its was to Canada to be re-cased here? To then have found its way to wherever it is now. Pure conjecture!

ghce · Sep 6, 2026

Certainly a worthy project if you can find a donor movement, I will keep my eyes skimmed on some local auctions and maybe my WM display junk pile, I've definitely seen this one before having spent hours trolling thru internet auctions trying to find other such movements for hopeless restorations. Often on my local auction site people are selling 10 or 20 moments at a time in especially Swiss from crap to craptastic.

AHW · Sep 11, 2026

I was very lucky to be offered to buy this movement, which is a LeCoultre, but the finisher is unknown. There is one very small makers stamp but so far no luck identifying it.

Easily my favourite in my small collection. The details are incredible (I think I actually prefer the dial side).

I have also started 3D printing little stands for them as the ones I found for sale are just too big. These were originally designed by someone as coin stands, but I have adapted each one to be a perfect fit for each movement. I have also ordered some small glass cloches from AliExpress to try as a cover. Eventually I will design a holder that allows me to safely hold and run the movement.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 11, 2026

AHW
I was very lucky to be offered to buy this movement, which is a LeCoultre, but the finisher is unknown. There is one very small makers stamp but so far no luck identifying it.

Easily my favourite in my small collection. The details are incredible (I think I actually prefer the dial side).

I have also started 3D printing little stands for them as the ones I found for sale are just too big. These were originally designed by someone as coin stands, but I have adapted each one to be a perfect fit for each movement. I have also ordered some small glass cloches from AliExpress to try as a cover. Eventually I will design a holder that allows me to safely hold and run the movement.

I don't know if this would work for many Swiss movements or not, but in the US movements were shipped and displayed in tin or nickel cases with glass on both sides. Maybe with a spacer one such case could be adapted. Here's one of my Waltham cases with an Illinois Model 5 Bunn I put in it while its case was getting some repair work done.

AHW · Sep 11, 2026

Waltesefalcon
I don't know if this would work for many Swiss movements or not, but in the US movements were shipped and displayed in tin or nickel cases with glass on both sides. Maybe with a spacer one such case could be adapted. Here's one of my Waltham cases with an Illinois Model 5 Bunn I put in it while its case was getting some repair work done.

That is really interesting! That is very similar to what I am planning on designing, except in plastic. I was also thinking of having some sort of hinge system for a base to attach on and off easily so that I can stand it up for display.

AHW · Sep 11, 2026

@Waltesefalcon If it isn’t a big hassle would you mind taking some pictures of the inside of the case so I can see how the movement is attached?

The one I just posted came with the spacers luckily, but one of my designs questions was whether to also print spacers for each movement or just fasten it using the case screw hole. Although I suppose it mostly depends on the specific movement design.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 11, 2026

AHW
@Waltesefalcon If it isn’t a big hassle would you mind taking some pictures of the inside of the case so I can see how the movement is attached?

The one I just posted came with the spacers luckily, but one of my designs questions was whether to also print spacers for each movement or just fasten it using the case screw hole. Although I suppose it mostly depends on the specific movement design.

I will tonight or this weekend.

AHW · Sep 11, 2026

Waltesefalcon
I will tonight or this weekend.

Thank you!

Duracuir1 · Sep 12, 2026

I had a visit from a guy yesterday who had a small pendant/pocket watch to sell.

He mentioned that he had just bought it and overpaid. He mentioned this twice before I asked how much he paid. He said $300.

The watch…

Crown was wobbly but it was ticking. I opened it up and although I know very little about watch movements, it looked pretty cheap.

Yes, you overpaid, I told him.

I would have paid up to $20 just because I like 1930s World’s Fair items. I have some from Chicago.

Canuck · Sep 12, 2026

Somewhere around here I have a die-cast aluminum “key to the city” wall ornament that my late father bought when he visited Chicago for the “Century of Progress” World’s Fair in Chicago in 1933. My spouse and I bought souvenirs in Montreal when we visited Expo 67. I bought a meerschaum pipe, and she bought a ruby and pearl ring and a wolverine turban (winter hat).

Edited to add.

I found the key to the city of Chicago that my late father bought when he visited the 1933 Chicago “Century of Progress” World’s fair.