Yeppers...those American railroad machines ain’t too good for workouts at the gym. No worries...just store them in the watch pocket of the Levi Strauss 501 watch roll. Hammy Niner Fife Zero stored in the Levi Strauss 501 watch roll pictured below... @DaveK lanyard playing peek-a-boo indicated by the red box...
Did you know? King Charles II of England (1630-1685) is credited with being the instigator of the waistcoat (vest). During his reign, only the wealthiest might own a personal timekeeper. Pockets in men’s clothing weren’t fashionable during Charles’ reign. Timepieces that were small enough to be portable, were often carried on a chain around the neck, or occasionally in a velvet sachet (pouch). Charles acquired a watch that must have been small for the era. He commissioned his tailor to design and make a waistcoat with pockets so he could carry his timepiece more comfortably. (Source, Brittens ninth edition).
The inscription on the inside of that Waltham is beautiful and deeply moving. As a student of history, it is very meaningful to me.
Did you know? Florimond Robertet (1531 to 1567) was likely the first watch collector in history. He was the treasurer for several French kings, and a nobleman. At his death, he left a collection of 10 or 12 timepieces to his wife. Rumour has it she spent the rest of her years winding up the estate! Source Brittens 9th edition. (I added the bit about winding up the estate!)
This was not intended as a joke, entirely. The part about the very first watch collector was true. I added the bit about his estate, and his widow. Jes’ tryin’ to add a bit more colour to the thread.
I have a Shreve & Co. cased C. H. Meylan Brassus 21J Hi Grade Hunter that my mother-in-law collected from one of her relatives who had passed. She knew I had a thing about watches so she gave it to me. Shreve & Co. is a jeweler in Union Square where they've been for the last century or more. The watch itself was a gift to a businessman from his wife on Christmas 1904. It runs fine but is in long need of a service. The only damage is a rather nasty knock on one side near the hinges, you can see it in the profile. I'm sure that required a restaffing. Other than that, it's in fine shape.
Kienzle Antimagnetic, Got it NOS in the 1980s. Does anybody know the time of production of this model ...?! Thanks, appreciate Ur help! Omega pocketwatch Case seems to be from around 1923. If the movement ist matching to the case, after more internet search, I more and more doubt it! The movement seams to be too thick for this case. Movement no. should be under the enamel face I learned here, so I have to wait until I meet my watchmaker again to find out ... Anyway, love this watch!
Outstanding watch, very high grade, and splendid photography. The exquisite dial appears to have survived the “bump” with no effect. Thanks for contributing.
Here’s the skinny on your beautiful Illinois. The model 6 has what is known as “straight-line lever” instead of side lever like many American 18-size watches. I have a few Illinois watches, but not a model 6. https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/2253457
Here are a few. Only one is working. Three have been in a sealed shadow box of junk watches and likely belong there. The Ingersoll goes well with the lemons in the photo! But looks new! The key wind Waltham looks nice but I cannot open the movement protector. Looks soldered. The only working one is the New England Watch and the watchmaker (about 5 years ago) could not set it better than - 15 to - 20 minutes per day. (The photos were loaded with iphone and will not likely be in the desired order).
Might it be possible that your “New England Watch Co.” is a Swiss fake? It doesn’t bear any resemblance to any of the New England Watch Co. models in my reference. The New England Watch Co. arose from the Waterbury Watch Co., and both companies only produced “popular priced” watches (read as “cheap”), and both were located in Waterbury, Conn., not Providence R I. Is there something I am not seeing? Yours doesn’t bear any resemblance to Waterbury movements, either. The watch business in that era was full of contradictions.
Only you will be able to tell. I did not wind it this morning, but it is ticking away. Must not have completely unwound last time I cranked it. I have your address. If you want to do an autopsy, it’s yours. Then you can give it a proper funeral!
As t happens, I DO have a model 6 Illinois. This one is marked “ruby jewels”. Mine is a bit later that the one uploaded by @Mad Dog .
I have edited the picture of the movement in @Mad Dog ’S Illinois to clarify the term “straight line lever”. The arrow at “A” points at the escape wheel upper jewel. The arrow at “B” points to the pallet arbor upper jewel. The arrow at “C” points at the balance wheel upper jewel. Note that the three jewelled bearing describe a “straight line”, hence the term “straight line lever.”
Compare the straight line lever to a “side lever” arrangement as shown on this Waltham 1883 model. The arrow at “A” points to the escape wheel arbor jewel. The arrow at “B” is the upper pallet arbor jewel. The arrow at “C” points to the balance staff upper jewel. The three jewels describe an “L” shape, hence a “side lever” arrangement.