Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

DaveK · Jun 22, 2022

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

That Elgin site has a lot of info. What a labour of love to put together. http://elginwatches.org/index.html

Canuck · Jun 22, 2022

I think I may have neglected to upload Wayne Schlitz’s part of hi site which discusses Elgin’s dura power mainspring, as well as a LOAD of other excellent antique and vintage watch information. Credit Wayne Schlitt, not me.

http://elginwatches.org/help/what_is_a_watch.html

Alpha · Jun 22, 2022

French friend in service today 😀

Canuck · Jun 22, 2022

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.

TexOmega · Jun 23, 2022

PW/alarm
1j

Accurate over 24 hrs, alarm rings on time.
Win/Win

Canuck · Jun 24, 2022

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.

Friday morning, 06:00 hrs., MDT, and it finally ran down. It surprised me. I wound it Wednesday, 16:40 hrs., MDT. It actually ran for 37 hrs and 20 minutes on a wind. More than I expected. Will wind it today, and continue wearing it.

Waltesefalcon · Jun 24, 2022

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

Erik_H · Jun 24, 2022

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

Similar to mine.

DaveK · Jul 1, 2022

For a while now I’ve wanted one of those old Toronto streetcar destination sign scrolls as a happy home decor piece that reminds me of my time in Toronto. When I was more actively looking for one I didn’t have the money, now I don’t see them for sale very often.

My fascination with railroad pocket watches allowed me to scratch that itch a bit when I saw these railroad destination signs available at auction recently. They are apx 18” x 34”, and painted on a very old vinyl/canvas backing that is attached to a roller-shade mechanism. These are most likely from the London, Ontario, Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) c1930.

This is a pic of how they would have been used

Canuck · Jul 1, 2022

@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 · Jul 2, 2022

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

DaveK · Jul 2, 2022

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.

That’s so very cool! When the RR destination signs arrived, my wife’s first comment was “our living room WILL NOT look like a scene out of American Pickers”. But she’s since grown to like them! If I move my small collection of electrical insulators, I’d certainly have room for a clock like that 🙄. If you’re going to have a clock, it might as well be a unique one 👍

Canuck · Jul 2, 2022

View attachment 1440124

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

That movement has shown up on the message board before. As I recall, someone with a keen eye actually identified the maker. But so help me, I do not recall who the actual maker of the movement was.

Turpinr · Jul 3, 2022

Canuck
View attachment 1440124

That movement has shown up on the message board before. As I recall, someone with a keen eye actually identified the maker. But so help me, I do not recall who the actual maker of the movement was.

I think I put on either TZUK or maybe thewatchforum and i thought it was an Helvitia but it could equally be a Cyma.

Canuck · Jul 3, 2022

I checked Ranfft for Cyma, Record, and Helvetia, and didn’t see it.

Waltesefalcon · Jul 3, 2022

I added another RR grade Illinois to the collection. This one is an 1897, 18s, 17 jewel, model 6, grade 61, "Lakeside." The case shows no brassing. The dial has a couple of light hairline near the 6 and the 5.

Here's the link to the pocketwatch database.
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/illinois/1357656

Canuck · Jul 3, 2022

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.

Canuck · Jul 3, 2022

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.

@DaveK ,

The widow just informed me that the ITR punch clock has been sold. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for another one for you. 😉

Waltesefalcon · Jul 3, 2022

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.

My Model 6 Bunn Special is just a tad bit older than yours, 1905. I acquired a donor for the swan neck missing on my Bunn Special last month, I just need to put it on. I am now up to three model 6s in the collection, and two model 6 donor movements in the parts bin. From left, my new grade 61, Bunn Special, and my great grandad's grade 89.

Canuck · Jul 3, 2022

When I view all the fine offerings in this forum, I harken back to the days of the 5 cent weekly allowance, and heading for the candy store! What to choose, what to choose?