Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck

Nobody asked about the dp symbol on @DaveK ’s Elgin pocket watch dial, but just in case someone wondered, it refers to the patented “Elgiloy” Dura-Power unbreakable mainspring used in Elgin watches of that era.

This link takes you to Wayne Schlitz’s Elgin site. It discusses the Elgin mainspring, but it is a wealth of information covering antique, and vintage watches, generally. FWIW

Canuck

I don’t regularly wear an 18-size pocket watch, but this Elgin has reminded me of something. I runs only about 30 to 32 hours on a full wind. Most of my smaller 16-size pocket watches run a bit over 48 hours on a wind.

Waltesefalcon

The two 18s watches I keep serviced tend to run right around 36 hours at a wind.

Canuck

@DaveK ,

Your having branched out into other forms of collectible railroad artifacts, here’s one that is right up your alley. It is a 100 + year old International Time Recorder “punch clock” used by employees to time their shifts. Used by the paymaster when making up the pay sheets. The clock mechanism was made by Seth Thomas, the rest by ITR (later IBM). The big wheel had 100 “stations” on it, each with an employee number. An employee chose his number, pushed a plunger into the correct hole, and the date and time were punched onto the paymaster’s detail tape which was removed each day. I know where there is one for sale.

Turpinr

This is my dad's old pocket watch.
I always thought he'd got it when he was demobbed from the RAF at xmas 1946 but someone on another watch forum said it may have been an aircrew watch as he'd been a Lancaster rear gunner.
There's no manufacturers name that I can see and it's in poor condition.Even back in the 60's it looked ancient

Canuck

@DaveK ,

Your having branched out into other forms of collectible railroad artifacts, here’s one that is right up your alley. It is a 100 + year old International Time Recorder “punch clock” used by employees to time their shifts. Used by the paymaster when making up the pay sheets. The clock mechanism was made by Seth Thomas, the rest by ITR (later IBM). The big wheel had 100 “stations” on it, each with an employee number. An employee chose his number, pushed a plunger into the correct hole, and the date and time were punched onto the paymaster’s detail tape which was removed each day. I know where there is one for sale.

Canuck

I have a cousin of your Illinois in my collection. A 6th model, but circa 1907. The only 18-size, railroad grade Illinois that I have. Yours is indeed in fine condition. Mine was made after the introduction of the newer standards for approved watches were introduced. These standards included that the adjustments (position, temperature, isochronism) be marked on the movement. And after the ruling regarding Roman/Arabic numerals. Mine has the Montgomery dial with marginal minutes.