Was this the world’s first portable timekeeper?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_1505

 

Way back in 2014, @Fritz uploaded two images to the MB that I thought have some merit for being re-posted. This post goes back to a time before I knew of this forum. There is a chance there may be those who frequent this forum today, that likewise, missed the pertinent thread, or otherwise were not aware that such a watch exists.

This is a watch by Waltham, referred to as a “stone” watch. Anyone interested in perusing that thread can use the SEARCH feature, and type in “Waltham stone watch.” The top plates are made of transparent rock crystal. Thanks to @Fritz .

 

We’ve enjoyed a huge variety of pocket watches over the past few weeks. Some exotic, some not so exotic, some high quality ones, some, not so. We’ve had platinum ones, silver ones, steel ones, aluminum ones, gold one, gold and steel, and the list goes on. But we haven’t had one like this, before. Not from my collection, by the way!



If you’d like to know more about it, here is a link.

https://www.macautimemuseum.com/en/pocketwatches/369

 

the last one I saw for sale had an asking price of 500,000 USD...

and you wouldn't want to wear it because the plate crack easily and spares simply do not exist.

I'll stick with my model 92s

 

Hamilton grade 918
12s 19j pendant set
Metal dial Blued hands
Circa 1931
Gorgeously hand tooled white GF case

 

I’ve always liked that style of hand that is on @TexOmega ’s 12-size Hamilton. In the Watchmaker’s and Clockmaker’s Encyclopaedic Dictionary, Donald DeCarle calls that style of had, “Lozenge.” Here is the skinny on this relatively scarce watch. The pocket watch data.com site calls that having been made in only one run, of 17,600. Made in 1931. Odd for a watch to be produced in only one run!

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/3141268

I have only ever run into a white gold Hamilton with the cuvette decorated the way this one is. It almost looks to be acid etched. Overall, the watch is in exquisite condition.

 

With that charming Hamilton 12-size, model 918, posted by @TexOmega , I got digging into my archives for this artifact. This is one I serviced about 5 years ago. This one is a grade 902, 12-size, also in a white gold filled case. This one has the etched cuvette, just like the previous Hamilton 918. This one is fitted with a motor barrel, adjusted to 5 positions (eight adjustments). This grade was produced in two runs totalling fewer than 10,000 watches. I have mixed feelings on the dial. Character, for sure, but all the heavy darkened etchings I feel are a bit over the top! What do you think? Here’s the skinny on it:

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/3058401

 

I've seen these hands described as Solid Kite

 

An interesting video from RGM on making vitreous enamel, single-sunk dials.

 

That also would make sense. The hands on the Hamilton 902 I showed are called “Arrow”, by De Carle

 

And I've seen the term "Headstone" to describe the 902 dial you show.

 

My earliest 992B Circa 1940-1
US Army Issue
I have a question whether the dial was for a 992B destined to the US Army

 

The best reference I know of for the military 992B is Art Zimmerla in his pamphlet on the watch, from 2003. He gives chapter and verse on the movement differences, and information about specialized dials (2974B comparing watch, 3992B for aerial navigation, 4992B 24-hour model for navigation, and 7992B 24-hour dial for long range aircraft.) Of all, your dial is closest to the dial on the 2974B, but it is 17-jewel, 3-position, stem set, comparing watch. There is no mention of a highly adjusted comparing watch.

The 992B was introduced in November, 1940. Approximately 40,000 made in 1941, one of which is yours. Your dial is different to what would likely be accepted as railroad standard. I am unable to read the engraving on the case back, so I wonder if there might be a clue there. I am not into military watches, so I am no expert.

Here’s the skinny on your watch.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/C8772

 

Case back:

Ordinance Department
USA
No. OE-782

 

@TexOmega ,

I know there are folks on the MB who are knowledgeable re: military items. There is a thread on the MB called “Which Military Watch are you Wearing Today”. Could be none of those folks haunt this thread, and are not aware of your question. Might be worth a punt to list your Hamilton in that thread, in hopes someone will have an answer for you. Let us know if anything turns up.

 

Another one not seen often, low production numbers for Elgin at 8000. Their answer to the 992B, it appears.
RR Grade 590 ....BW Raymond....Circa 1944
Gorgeous Montgomery dial

 

upgraded 478 to match the innovations found in the 992B, elinvar equivalent being the most important, in my opinion.

 

Your B W Raymond grade 590 retains some of the nicer features of earlier models. Notably, the jewels are in chatons which are held in place with screws. Of course, the 992B uses the modern friction set jewels. Yours resembles the B W Raymond grade 571 which, like the 992B, uses friction set jewels.

Your Elgin appears to be a “low mileage” example. Nice, clean! as to the “Elinvar” reference. Waltham and Elgin also had alloys the equivalent of the Hamilton patented Elinvar Extra. If I recall correctly, Elgin called their alloy Elginium, and Waltham called theirs “Conium”. I hope I’m right on the Conium. Conium is also “poison hemlock!”

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/elgin/43146519

 

Some time ago, a thread made its rounds on the MB. One item that was included in that thread was uploaded by a real gentleman, and connoisseur of watches. The member’s user name was @verithingeoff which related to collection of guitars. Late in 2020, it was announced on the MB that Geoff had passed away after a prolonged illness.

As an example of Geoff’s taste in watches, he uploaded pictures of his Patek Philippe pocket watch. I hope I am in bounds by seizing this opportunity to include pictures of Geoff’s Patek in this thread.

 

From the cremè de la cremè of pocket watches, to the dregs. Patek to Waterbury.

An early attempt at a “dollar” watch was the Waterbury “Longwind”. It is said that some owners would run the winding crown along a board fence, in order to wind it. The mainspring on these was so long that it’s length had to be contained in the back half of the case, as shown in the image.



The skinny on the Waterbury Longwind.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1203481