Hello All,

I just thought i would share a family heirloom of mine.

14 K rose gold, pocket watch.

Dial Signed Ryrie Bro's Toronto.
Longines has confirmed it as a Longines movement Cal. 13.56. Invoiced on November 20th 1900 to the company A. Wittnauer. Archives also mention a white dial with the inscription "Ryrie Bro's Toronto" Which was a department store at the time.

The watch is also attached to a heavy, rose gold chain as well.
It is inscribed with my Great, Great Aunts name, and the date ending in 1901.
Just lovely.

 

The condition is impressive for a 120 year-old watch. I see no obvious cracks in the enamel dial and the movement appears quite clean and unmarred. This would have been an expensive piece when new so maybe it did not see much use. As with many Longines movements, the caliber 13.56 came in different forms. This example is especially nice with a swan-neck spring for the regulator, a screwed chaton for the center wheel pivot, and a polished steel cap for the escape wheel cock. The Ryrie Bros branding is also a neat historical detail. Thanks for sharing.

 

It has been preserved throughout my family for generations. Typically kept in a soft pouch, in a safe.
I love when extracts align !
Thanks for your kind words and information !

 

Toronto’s archives have some of the Ryrie Bro's catalogues, maybe you can find the 1900 catalogue to go with your watch https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca...www.archive.org/details/diamondhall00ryriuoft

 

Very cool to have the name of the dept store on the dial and movement. Enjoy it.

 

This is so very cool. Thank you for sharing. I am going to sift through it.

 

Thank you very much ! It will reside in a safe for most of its life.

 

This is great. There’s nothing like family history to make a piece sentimental. Thanks for sharing!

 

I found it in the documents you provided.
Just fantastic.

"14k heavy gold case" - $25

 

Thank you everyone! this was a very worth while post.

 

Ryrie Bros. Ended up part of the Birks group. I’ve got a jewellery box from the thirties from Ryrie - Birks.

 

Thats a great piece of information.

Can you post of photo of your jewellery box?

 

Huge thank you to Dave K.
In the archival documents he provided i found the original advertisement, or at least a very similar case. (my relatives name is engraved in the shield as well.)
Here is a side by side comparison.

 

Actually, not a jewelry box.... more like a clock box. From the mid thirties, and still full!