Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck · Oct 15, 2021

Love the case, and love the dial. White gold filled is a bonus. The bow is still stiff, and the case shows little to no wear. They are still out there to be found, but you have to keep your eyes peeled.

Canuck · Oct 15, 2021

Out of TIME!
The microphone pick-up usually disinegrates, like puffs up on these units.
Haven't figured out a replacement for the clip on microphone for clocks yet.
Austrian salts crystals? I think.
I put a piezo crystal on mine in the closet. It does work, but I don't like the noise that it makes. Witsche is quiet.....
The Griener is a good unit if you can find one, more quiet than the B200
For what it is worth!
Ciao! Mike

My B200 came with a plug-in cable with an alligator clip on the end, for timing things that don’t fit the pick up. I had one when I decommissioned the machine, but I have no idea where it is now. It may turn up, and I hope it does. I have two marine chronometers I could use the remote pick up on.

Out of TIME! · Oct 15, 2021

Canuck
I realize you didn’t ask, but here it is, anyway. Wearing it again today.

Are you the party on Youtube, that decided to replace a balance staff on a Patek- Philip as a first repair attempt?
If not, it is like the people calling in to the Mercedes dealers wanting to know where the oil filter & drain plugs are so they can change their oil.
Youtube some times ::facepalm1::

Ciao! Mike

Canuck · Oct 15, 2021

Out of TIME!
Are you the party on Youtube, that decided to replace a balance staff on a Patek- Philip as a first repair attempt?
If not, it is like the people calling in to the Mercedes dealers wanting to know where the oil filter & drain plugs are so they can change their oil.
Youtube some times
Ciao! Mike

Um, ah! You’re kidding, right? I have been at this craft since before your parents were born (I suspect)! I’m 81!

Out of TIME! · Oct 15, 2021

I

Canuck
My B200 came with a plug-in cable with an alligator clip on the end, for timing things that don’t fit the pick up. I had one when I decommissioned the machine, but I have no idea where it is now. It may turn up, and I hope it does. I have two marine chronometers I could use the remote pick up on.

I have a manual on the shef, some where for it also.
Also, a book with print outs for diagnostics on the ticker print outs.
Chips in pallets, bad tooth, so many & haven't looked at it in years!
Ciao! Mike

Out of TIME! · Oct 15, 2021

Canuck
Um, ah! You’re kidding, right? I have been at this craft since before your parents were born (I suspect)! I’m 81!

Hope you are not offended as not my intention.
Didn't think you were!
But, thought folks here would get a chuckel out of it.
Good group on this site.
Ciao! Mike

TexOmega · Oct 15, 2021

Canuck
Love the case, and love the dial. White gold filled is a bonus. The bow is still stiff, and the case shows little to no wear. They are still out there to be found, but you have to keep your eyes peeled.

Fewer, I expect, than 20-25 years ago when I bought this one.

Out of TIME! · Oct 15, 2021

Out of TIME!
Hope you are not offended as not my intention.
Didn't think you were!
But, thought folks here would get a chuckel out of it.
Good group on this site.
Ciao! Mike

I have been orphaned for years now.
Folks born way before you were.....
I am 67, by the way.... take care & keep the mainspring wound Mike

Canuck · Oct 15, 2021

Out of TIME!
I have been orphaned for years now.
Folks born way before you were.....
I am 67, by the way.... take care & keep the mainspring wound Mike

So you were born in 1954, or thereabouts. It would seem that your folks were born before I was. And I must say, if you were suggesting that I might be the You Tuber who undertook replacing the balance staff on a Patek, and you meant it to be amusing, I was NOT amused!

TexOmega · Oct 16, 2021

Elgin National Watch Co
16s 7j grade 157 Model 1
Circa 1896
Fancy Dial

jjen · Oct 16, 2021

My Le Phare minute repeater/chronograph

WestCoastTime · Oct 17, 2021

Elgin 'De Luxe' gr647, s8/0, c1950

Elgin also used the 647 as a wristwatch movement, cased here as a mini pocket watch.

I like the calligraphy for the numerals.

Judging but the well worn case & the rich payload of pocket grime, this was someone's everyday timepiece for many years, not just some mini-sized novelty. Balance staff is good & balance turns freely, but going train does not advance.

Well, that would be why...
(no impulse jewel)

The 647 is not a rare or expensive movement, donor balance complete off of eBay for less than $20US & back in business.

Broken down & ready for the cleaner.

Back together.
We all do love these infernal little machines...

I'll take that.

Yes it's a pocket watch, but still dwarfed by a modern wristwatch.

Hope everyone is safe & healthy.

Canuck · Oct 17, 2021

An interesting watch, equipped with Swiss Incabloc shock protection on the balance wheel. The little “squiggle” on the dial indicates the copyrighted symbol of the Elgin unbreakable mainspring. That basic movement was around for a long time. I have an “opera” pocket watch from the 1920s (no sweep hand) that used the basic movement.

DaveK · Oct 17, 2021

TexOmega
Elgin National Watch Co
16s 7j grade 157 Model 1
Circa 1896
Fancy Dial

When you think about what most folks had to entertain themselves with in 1896, that dial must have been a real conversation starter

DaveK · Oct 17, 2021

WestCoastTime
Elgin 'De Luxe' gr647, s8/0, c1950...
...Yes it's a pocket watch, but still dwarfed by a modern wristwatch.

Thanks for sharing.

That Elgin would be an excellent candidate to go onto a wrist strap

Canuck · Oct 17, 2021

I think these little “pocket” watches were intended for use by nurses, worn clipped to a uniform apron of blouse. They have also been used by nuns, to be worn on the front of a habit. Or of course, either pocket or pendant watches.

TexOmega · Oct 17, 2021

DaveK
When you think about what most folks had to entertain themselves with in 1896, that dial must have been a real conversation starter

Same reason cowboys took art and color with them on their cattle drives.

Canuck · Oct 17, 2021

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

Someone who brought a lot of colour to the history of the west. Charles Russel. He painted the life he lived.

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

And also Frederic Remington.

Alpha · Oct 19, 2021

Some snaps taken on a visit to Fort George https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_George,_Highland

Canuck · Oct 21, 2021

This one landed here, earlier this week, for repair. I thought it might be of interest, so here it is. The dial is not marked, but the inner cuvette is marked, Watchmaker by Warrant to the Queen, Examined by J W Benson, 62 & 64 Ludgate Hill, London- Swiss Made. Case and movement both Swiss made, but interestingly, there are no hallmarks, date letters, or British standard marks inside the case. The Swiss standard mark (0.935) is there. J W Benson was in business at Ludgate Hill until 1937. The name was sold to Garrards in 1967. While the watch can’t be dated, it is useful to consider the “Queen” mentioned on the inner cuvette would be Queen Victoria. Is it is reasonable to assume the watch is from the late 19th century. The movement is stem wound and lever set, and has 15 ruby jewels, and is not identified. But I have a strong suspicion it might be either Agassiz or Longines. Bi-metallic, temperature compensated balance wheel, blued steel hairspring, nicely made, nicely finished, and for a Swiss pocket watch of the era, well made. A strong runner.

This case was Swiss made, and marked 0.935 (fine) silver, a standard that was not accepted in Switzerland. The Swiss produced 0.935 fine silver cases specifically for the English market. In 1887, the Swiss approved a standard mark showing two large standing bears, and one small standing bear for 0.935 fine silver watch cases. This case is marked in that manner. So it would have been produced after 1887, but before Queen Victoria’s death.