Having recently made the mistake of pulling out all the pocket watches I collected in the 80’s, for the first time in maybe twenty years, I’m now condemned to a cycle of watchmaker visits to get them serviced — at least the nice ones. It’s interesting to see all the stuff with fresh eyes. Here’s one of my nicest American pocket watches, a Waltham Riverside Mamimus. It hasn’t been serviced yet! Gold train and diamond balance end jewel. Double sunk porcelain dial. And, just back from the watchmaker, this early 1900’s Vacheron & Constantin hunter case pocket watch. This is the part I didn’t fully understand until I already had too many watches: the cumulative expense of all that periodic servicing can get enormous really fast. That’s why I put them away for so long. And, I stopped wearing three piece suits. Pocket watches were real easy when you were wearing a vest.
Your quality photographs really do justice to the two watches. May I take the liberty of showing a few of mine? 1/ A 17-jewel 1892 Waltham CRTS. 2/ Hamilton 19-jewel grade 952. 3, 4, and 5/ E Howard series 5. (Not a Keystone Howard). 6/ Keystone Howard series 11, 21/ jewel railroad chronometer. 7/ Waltham 1883 CPR, 17-jewels. 8/ Waltham Crescent Street, 21-jewels. Served a railroader over his 48-year career with CPR. 9/ Brandt (Omega) grade CCR, 19-jewels. Railroad approved in a Canada. Circa 1905. 10 & 11. See labels.
Great Idea. I don't collect pocket Watches but I'm very grateful to learn and see the gorgeous movements of the Members on OF.
I keep toeing the line on these and stepping back. I am fascinated by these old birds. My watchmaker always has a few for sale.