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Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck
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The 16-size, 23 jewel Vanguard might one of my favourites. I have 3 of them, one with the up/down indicator. These movements are about as photogenic as any pocket watch. This one is quite a bit older than the one posted by @TexOmega.

https://omegaforums.net/posts/2410151/ Canuck
Canuck ·
The 16-size, 23 jewel Vanguard might one of my favourites. I have 3 of them, one with the up/down indicator. These movements are about as photogenic as any pocket watch. This one is quite a bit older than the one posted by @TexOmega.


P2248564.webp P4077772.webp

P2248564.webp P4077772.webp
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DaveK
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Many thanks to @Waltesefalcon for sending me a leather fob to make a pattern from. That’s a class act my friend.

IMG_1537.webp


As much as I’ve seen these in photos, I’ve never come across one in a thrift shop / flea market and don’t know the dimensions or how they worked. As planned, I was able to make one for a customer who has her own medallion to put on it.

IMG_1533.webp IMG_1535.webp IMG_1536.webp
 
ghce
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TexOmega TexOmega
16s Waltham 23j Vanguard circa 1937

RR grade

IMG_5701.webp IMG_5702.webp IMG_5706.webp IMG_5705.webp IMG_5704.webp IMG_5707.webp

I struggle to easily tell one fine Vanguard movement from another at times for example here is my 1899 model and for the life of me it appears (other than the patent regulator ) to be identical to your 1908.


IMG_7479.webp IMG_7476.webp IMG_7475.webp
 
Canuck
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ghce ghce
I struggle to easily tell one fine Vanguard movement from another at times for example here is my 1899 model and for the life of me it appears (other than the patent regulator ) to be identical to your 1908.


IMG_7479.webp IMG_7476.webp IMG_7475.webp
There are a few differences of which I am aware. The winding stop click on the 1908 model was changed to what is often. Called a “Breguet” click which has an integral spring. Another difference in the 1908 model is the setting lever is over by the numeral 11, rather than at 2:00 on the 1899 model. The arrow in the attached picture from @ghce points at the click on his 1899 model. I tried to upload a picture from my photo files, but my iPad seems to be acting up. However, I was able to upload the photo of @TexOmega ‘s 1908 model. The red arrow points at the Breguet click on his Vanguard.

1899
IMG_2741.webp IMG_2742.webp

1908
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Waltesefalcon
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DaveK DaveK
Many thanks to @Waltesefalcon for sending me a leather fob to make a pattern from. That’s a class act my friend.

IMG_1537.webp


As much as I’ve seen these in photos, I’ve never come across one in a thrift shop / flea market and don’t know the dimensions or how they worked. As planned, I was able to make one for a customer who has her own medallion to put on it.

IMG_1533.webp IMG_1535.webp IMG_1536.webp
I was happy to help Dave.
 
DaveK
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I have the house to myself on a rainy weekend

IMG_1522.webp


So I hauled out an old prototype and am making a bunch of pocket watch belt cases today

IMG_1544.webp
 
TexOmega
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12s 15j Elgin circa 1924-5 encased by a 15 faceted Illinois Watch Case Co. gf case(white or green I'm never quite sure)
Art Deco all the way, even enamel inlay on back.

IMG_5725.webp IMG_5728.webp IMG_5729.webp IMG_5726.webp IMG_5723.webp IMG_5724.webp IMG_5727.webp
 
Canuck
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@TexOmega ,

I feel the best way to identify green gold is to compare the watch with a selection of yellow gold ones. The difference in hue is subtle, but green gold alloy definitely stands out when you do that. I don’t collect 12-size watches generally, but I think I mighta jumped on that one!
 
DaveK
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TexOmega TexOmega
12s 15j Elgin circa 1924-5 encased by a 15 faceted Illinois Watch Case Co. gf case(white or green I'm never quite sure)
Art Deco all the way, even enamel inlay on back.

IMG_5725.webp IMG_5728.webp IMG_5729.webp IMG_5726.webp IMG_5723.webp IMG_5724.webp IMG_5727.webp
I love that typeface, reminds me of B&W movies
 
ghce
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TexOmega TexOmega
12s 15j Elgin circa 1924-5 encased by a 15 faceted Illinois Watch Case Co. gf case(white or green I'm never quite sure)
Art Deco all the way, even enamel inlay on back.

IMG_5725.webp IMG_5728.webp IMG_5729.webp IMG_5726.webp IMG_5723.webp IMG_5724.webp IMG_5727.webp

Beautiful PW, likewise as Canuck I don't hunt up 12's preferring 18 or 16 sizes but that would probably have gone home with me though I would be torn as I always like to see those thumbs up words "Adjusted" firmly emblazoned on the movement.
As Canuck says the best way to ascertain gold color is to see them amongst red, pink, yellow watches then it becomes obvious.
 
TexOmega
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ghce ghce
Beautiful PW, likewise as Canuck I don't hunt up 12's preferring 18 or 16 sizes but that would probably have gone home with me though I would be torn as I always like to see those thumbs up words "Adjusted" firmly emblazoned on the movement.
As Canuck says the best way to ascertain gold color is to see them amongst red, pink, yellow watches then it becomes obvious.


The 15j variety hit a lower price point favoring the vast majority of the merchant class who also enjoyed daily access to reference clocks to compare easily and set as needed.

I found this at a pawn shop in Missoula, Mt about 25 years ago. I like to think it tagged along with its' owner on his nightly visits to the abundant number of Sportin' Houses for which Missoula was famous. (yet many had closed by 1925.)

Read the novel, "A River Runs Through It"

I am still Haunted By Waters.......

And, dryfly only!!
 
ghce
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TexOmega TexOmega
The 15j variety hit a lower price point favoring the vast majority of the merchant class who also enjoyed daily access to reference clocks to compare easily and set as needed.

I found this at a pawn shop in Missoula, Mt about 25 years ago. I like to think it tagged along with its' owner on his nightly visits to the abundant number of Sportin' Houses for which Missoula was famous. (yet many had closed by 1925.)

Read the novel, "A River Runs Through It"

I am still Haunted By Waters.......

And, dryfly only!!
Saw the movie but not read the book, its probably on one of my book shelves though.

Its that connection to history that makes Pocket Watches ( and WW) extra special for me.
 
Canuck
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Here is an Elgin hunter that came through my wife’s family, to her. It has four colours of gold on it which makes discerning which colour is which very easy. #1 is rose gold. #2 is yellow gold. #3 is green gold. #4 is white gold.

P1010024.webp
 
TexOmega
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ghce ghce
Saw the movie but not read the book, its probably on one of my book shelves though.

Its that connection to history that makes Pocket Watches ( and WW) extra special for me.


Yep

For the US, Study railroads, pocket watches, telephones(electricity) and radios.

History comes alive, 1865-1941.
 
Bernhard J
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I think I did not show this one yet. Chronometer escapement, but untypical, because it is according to Earnshaw, but the detent is not under the plate, but within the plate, as typical for Arnold´s chronometer escapement. I had, thus, at a first glance though it were an Arnold escapement, but at a second look found that the detent would then be on the wrong side of the escape wheel, resulting in the seconds wheel turning the wrong way around 😀.

4.webp 3.webp


See here, in particular both animations, for comparison. https://redfernanimation.com/arnold-and-earnshaw/
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Waltesefalcon
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Bernhard that is an incredible watch. Thank you for sharing it, and for sharing the link to the escapement descriptions and animations.
 
Canuck
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On the topic of watch advertising? Bulova, always in the forefront!

 
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