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JwRosenthal
·I had no idea...thanks for the heads up, sir.
I would think [hope] that like-new or pre-owned copies would be available via various vendors.
Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs
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Canuck
·I had no idea...thanks for heads up, sir.
I would think [hope] that pre-owned copies would be available via various vendors.
The information contained in the front of the “bible” is always good to have. It hasn’t changed a lot, over decades. The prices will no longer be current in the earlier guides. Older copies should be readily available on line.
Guides are only that. A guide. How your collection evolves is based on how your interests develop. I am intrigued by how railroads, telegraphy, time zones, and standards for railroad grade and railroad standard watches evolved. And how the railroads tried to operate safely and profitably over almost a century, considering how they were handicapped by inadequate systems as they evolved. The guides don’t tell you WHAT to collect. They help you learn about what is available, and how to judge quality.
I have long found that the best way (for me) to collect, is by networking. That way, you don’t have to rely on having to find collectibles. They often find you!
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Mad Dog
·Not at “book stores”?
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TexOmega
·This Hamilton sits at the pinnacle of my pocket watch collection.
A Masterpiece and priced accordingly.
12s size
Sterling silver dial
18kt yellow gold hands and numerals
Hand chased heavy 18kt white gold case
A segregated group of Hamilton's best artisans were only allow to produce these, and only by special order.
Most have presentations/initials/decorations, mine does not.
Roughly $3800 in todays dollars per one online calculator.
A Masterpiece and priced accordingly.
12s size
Sterling silver dial
18kt yellow gold hands and numerals
Hand chased heavy 18kt white gold case
A segregated group of Hamilton's best artisans were only allow to produce these, and only by special order.
Most have presentations/initials/decorations, mine does not.
Roughly $3800 in todays dollars per one online calculator.
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noelekal
··Home For Wayward Watches@noelekal...the first 100 pages of the Complete Price Guide to Watches contains some pretty good info regarding pocket watches in my humble opinion...and I would say that American pocket watches are emphasized. This book is published yearly and is available at most book stores. Following the first 100 pages is a handy valuation/price guide for pocket watches...and a handy valuation/price guide for wrist watches follows the pocket watches.
LATE ENTRY: I just learned from @140dave that the Complete Price Guide to Watches is no longer being published.
I have that! I think it's that very edition on the shelf here. I've likely perused the pages to which you refer. I've also likely forgotten everything I read because that's what I do these days unless I read it at least twice.
Thanks Mad Dog!
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Mad Dog
·This Hamilton sits at the pinnacle of my pocket watch collection.
A Masterpiece and priced accordingly.
12s size
Sterling silver dial
18kt yellow gold hands and numerals
Hand carved heavy 18kt white gold case
A segregated group of Hamilton's best artisans were only allow to produce these, and only by special order.
Most have presentations/initials/decorations, mine does not.
Roughly $3800 in todays dollars per one online calculator.
🥰🥰🥰
🥰🥰🥰
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DaveK
··Yoda of Yodelers...my father gave this to me when I had my Bar Mitzvah. Anyone know what this is?
Never too late to ask JW 👍 here’s some info from Wikipedia on what a Bar Mitzvah is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_and_bat_mitzvah
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Canuck
·This Hamilton sits at the pinnacle of my pocket watch collection.
A Masterpiece and priced accordingly.
12s size
Sterling silver dial
18kt yellow gold hands and numerals
Hand chased heavy 18kt white gold case
A segregated group of Hamilton's best artisans were only allow to produce these, and only by special order.
Most have presentations/initials/decorations, mine does not.
Roughly $3800 in todays dollars per one online calculator.
The poor man’s Hamilton Masterpiece is the Hamilton 922, for anybody with a yen to own the real thing. The 922 movement (in my view) is every bit as nice as the Masterpiece. Or, the Hamilton 902 could be a capture if you can find one.
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JwRosenthal
·Never too late to ask JW 👍 here’s some info from Wikipedia on what a Bar Mitzvah is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_and_bat_mitzvah
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JwRosenthal
·Possibly at “used book stores”...but most likely not at “used Hooters stores”. 😁
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Mad Dog
·Never too late to ask JW 👍 here’s some info from Wikipedia on what a Bar Mitzvah is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_and_bat_mitzvah
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Canuck
·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!
@Duracuir1 ,
Thank you for your generous offer. But no thanks. Some folks collect such watches. But not me.😀
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Canuck
·One significant difference in how railroad grade and railroad approved watch standards changed over decades, was how these movements are marked. I have shown the model 6 Illinois Bunn Special belonging to @Waltesefalcon , along with my Illinois Bunn Special model 6 which was made a bit later. According to Bill Megger’s and Roy Ehrhardt’s “blue book” on Illinois, s# 1729840 was made in early 1905. My Illinois Bunn Special model 6, s# 1916379 was made about two years later. Compare the markings on the two virtually identical movements. At one point, standards concerning how railroad approved watches were marked, changed. Notice the model 6 with the earlier s# is simply marked “Adjusted”, and shows the jewel count. The later s# shows”Adjusted to Temperature (heat & cold), 6 positions and Isochronism”, “Double Roller”, and the jewel count. Yet they are virtually identical movements. Both produced to the same standards. I don’t know when these changes were made as to how railroad standard movements were marked, but at one point, railroad standard watch movements had to have these added markings.
View attachment 1173028
View attachment 1173028
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Mad Dog
·For Saturday, a railroad grade Elgin B.W.R. 571 from the early 1950s...
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Canuck
·Notice the cut out (see arrow) in the case rim on @Mad Dog ’s Elgin grade 571, B W Raymond. This shows up on these Elgin cases which allows access to the regulator screw on the balance cock. The “P” prefix on the s# of the watch indicates 1952. After about 1937, Elgin replaced the first two digits of serial numbers (representing millions), with a letter prefix.
Edited:
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DaveK
··Yoda of YodelersWeighing in at 6oz 😲 and originally made as a anchor for navy cruisers...
...this 1893 Hampden, Grade 21, Model 3 lever set pocket watch is still ticking away 128 years later. It would have cost you $8 to purchase this new, the same year that Webb C. Ball introduced railroad chronometers, and the 1893 World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, opened to the public in Chicago, Illinois, not far from the Hampden factory in Ohio.
Check out that super-thick crystal, it plays with the light and distorts the dial in a very fun way 😎
Many thanks to @Fritz for this charming piece
...this 1893 Hampden, Grade 21, Model 3 lever set pocket watch is still ticking away 128 years later. It would have cost you $8 to purchase this new, the same year that Webb C. Ball introduced railroad chronometers, and the 1893 World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, opened to the public in Chicago, Illinois, not far from the Hampden factory in Ohio.
Check out that super-thick crystal, it plays with the light and distorts the dial in a very fun way 😎
Many thanks to @Fritz for this charming piece
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Canuck
·Weighing in at 6oz 😲 and originally made as a anchor for navy cruisers...
...this 1893 Hampden, Grade 21, Model 3 lever set pocket watch is still ticking away 128 years later. It would have cost you $8 to purchase this new, the same year that Webb C. Ball introduced railroad chronometers, and the 1893 World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, opened to the public in Chicago, Illinois, not far from the Hampden factory in Ohio.
Check out that super-thick crystal, it plays with the light and distorts the dial in a very fun way 😎
Many thanks to @Fritz for this charming piece
In 1889, case maker John C. Dueber, bought the Hampden Watch Co., and moved it to Canton, Ohio. We often find these Hampden watches with movements marked Dueber Watch Co. Here is a picture of a later iteration of the Hampden, with the dial marked Dueber Watch Co., and the movement similarly marked. But it is a Hampden watch in every respect, except for the name.
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DaveK
··Yoda of YodelersNote the boat anchor 
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Canuck
·Dueber used the anchor trade mark on his cases as well.