Nice watch!

 

Like a piece of artwork!

 

An Illinois pocket watch carried this Friday. Given to me years ago by my grandfather which was his daily watch until the early 40s and one I occasionally use. Don’t know much about it.

 

Jules Jürgensen

 

My 18-size, 17-jewel, pendant set Waltham, for the Canadian Railway Time Service. 24-hour, double sunk vitreous enamel dial, Canadian case.

 

1917 15j Elgin.

 

I bought this one about 10 years ago. Waltham, 1908 Crescent Street, 21-jewel model. I bought it because the price was right, not because of its appearance. I figured I’d fix it and flip it. But when I got into it, a Pandora’s box of interesting history emerged.

In 1916, the original owner (at about 16 years of age) took a job with Canadian Pacific railway in town. He was an engine wiper, a scut job at best. My late father was there at that time as well, as an engine wiper, working the night shift for 7 cents per hour. He hated the job because he was unable to speak Chinese!

The owner of the subject watch graduated to apprentice fireman in 1917, at which time he bought this watch. He graduated to fireman, then to locomotive engineer in 1938. He retired circa 1965. He carried this watch in his bib overalls for 48 years. I have a wealth of archival material from the family, as well as a printout of the complete service history of the watch. Flip it? No way! It has become a favourite.

 

What makes this a Canadian case Canuck? Manufacture or style?

 

What a great story

 

The case was made by the AWCCo. (American Watch Case Co.) of Canada. For reasons of avoiding higher tariffs on watches that were cased when they were imported to Canada Movements were shipped in, in dedicated metal tins, and cased in Canadian made cases when they arrived.

 

Surely to goodness I am not the only one wearing a pocket watch today! For shame, being the New Year, and all! I wind a tower clock today, so I’ll wear one of my Hamilton 992Bs. I bought this one about 30 years ago from a couple whose business was in trouble, and they needed cash. I told them that once they got them selves on sold footing again, to give me a call, and I’d sell it back to them. Never heard from them. I haven’t shown this one here, before. It is one of 7 992Bs in my collection. Double sunk, vitreous enamel, 24-hour (Canadian) dial.

 

I almost picked up a pocket watch today, but I chickened out due to lack of confidence in my knowledge. Also, my wife is accepting of wristwatches but I think pocket watches may be a bridge too far.

The interior of the screw-front Waltham was finished really well, but I goofed up the pic I took of it.

 

Give your wife a list of the veritable banquet of things you might spend your money on, and she’ll be happy to let you buy pocket watches!

 

Oh no! I tried your advice but accidentally started the list with fully funding my IRA and recasting our mortgage! Now she's frozen my watch fund!

But seriously, yes, there could be worse hobbies.

 

Love your Brandt CCR. Mine says HI.

 

John Roger Arnold from around 1820:

 

I’m wearin, I’m wearin!!
I’m just nowhere near a computer with my photos on it.

its a 48 Ball 999B... a not so distant cousin to your 992B.

ah hell... let’s be truthful here... its your Hamilton’s ugly sister.

with a Canadian dial and case.

 

No matter the day of the week my one and only is never far away, persuaded by my dearly beloved to purchase it in a Brocante in the south of France many years ago