WRUCarrying? Pocket Watch Friday ☼

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This is one I don’t wear often. It is a 12-size Waltham, and I prefer larger pocket watches. So why do I have this one? It came up at auction locally. It came just as you see it. Cardboard outer box, display box, linen sachet with the case maker’s label on it......Keystone. The case is 14-karat gold, the movement a 17-jewel grade. The cuvette (inner case back) is engraved as a presentation by the Winnipeg Paint & Wallpaper Company to an employee who was celebrating his 25th year with the company.......in 1937. The watch has hardly ever (never?) been used! The outer case back is engraved with the recipient’s initials. I can visualize it now. The presentation banquet the president shaking hands with the celebrant, him accepting the watch, and thinking to himself, “nice, but what am I gonna do with it?” He started with the company in 1912, and either had a favourite pocket watch, a wrist watch, or didn’t wear watches.

This is why they should give new hires watches and not retirees- don't need to be on time when you're no longer going to work. Perhaps the retiree gift should be a compass instead- I would think that a much better way to kick off a retirement.
 
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This is why they should give new hires watches and not retirees- don't need to be on time when you're no longer going to work. Perhaps the retiree gift should be a compass instead- I would think that a much better way to kick off a retirement.

They guy might not have been retiring! It was in celebration of 25 years with the company. However he had been managing to do it, he had been showing up for work for 25 years! I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go!

i didn’t quite make it to 25 years with one firm I worked for. If I had stayed for 10 more months and attained the lofty goal of 25 years service, the Rolex dealer I worked for would have given me a plastic Seiko clock! I wouldn’t have been able to endure the humility, and I quit.........and was paid one year of salary as a manager. Is more better than a plastic Seiko clock, yes?
 
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Thread revival!
Here is a really nice Bunn Special 163A, with the rare desirable “Flying J” dial and really rare 14k two-tone model 206 case with factory pattern back.
And pictures tho my skills don’t do this justice....
 
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As long as I have them out, a couple other of the Illinois Bunn Special factory pattern back cases. A 14k white gold filled model 173 case and a two tone 14k model 28 case. Factory pattern back was an extra $2 in 1930, that was big $ for the Great Depression.
 
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Happy to see posts here today! I forgot to update the thread on my recently back from the spa 1938 Hamilton Traffic Special.

New, period correct, crystal, full takedown service; now banging away and keeping great time! Not too shabby for a $25 antique store pickup in rural Montana!
 
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Bunn Special

Circa 1917 with Montgomery dial, Fourth rayed pattern, Model 9, 21j movement, KeyStone/JBoss case.


 
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Happy to see posts here today! I forgot to update the thread on my recently back from the spa 1938 Hamilton Traffic Special.

New, period correct, crystal, full takedown service; now banging away and keeping great time! Not too shabby for a $25 antique store pickup in rural Montana!


Dial has hallmarks of the art deco era, very cool.
 
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Thread revival!
Here is a really nice Bunn Special 163A, with the rare desirable “Flying J” dial and really rare 14k two-tone model 206 case with factory pattern back.
And pictures tho my skills don’t do this justice....
Wow. 🥰

Wow again. 🥰

And we’ll do another wow. 🥰
 
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First time posting in this thread since acquiring my @DaveK leather lanyard. Check these out in the Parts & Accessories For Sale forum. These leather lanyards are braided but have no glue, staples, rivets, etc, but two bronze studs to button them up. I have mine on the pocket watch I will wear today (again!). This model 1623, 23-jewel Waltham Vanguard has been shown in this forum, previously, but never with @DaveK lanyard. Watch is 68 years old, and like new.
 
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This just in to me from @140dave (Thank You). A 1929 Bunn Special Type IIIB railroader. I’m loving it on this dark blue lanyard I made. No sunlight to speak of today, so better pictures will come later on the Illinois Pocket Watch thread. The photos just don’t do it justice. Many thanks to @Canuck and @Fritz for their guidance on this 👍

 
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This just in to me from @140dave (Thank You). A 1929 Bunn Special Type IIIB railroader. I’m loving it on this dark blue lanyard I made. No sunlight to speak of today, so better pictures will come later on the Illinois Pocket Watch thread. The photos just don’t do it justice. Many thanks to @Canuck and @Fritz for their guidance on this 👍

Oh you sick little puppy... you have no idea of the depth of the rabbit hole that you have fallen into!

first its some sad little 12s, innocent enough.

then some 18s lump of nickel (sorry ‘bout that)

then some nice railroad piece, a Bunn Special is a spectacular start

then.... 940 Hamilton? B.W.Raymond? Model 92 Vanguard...

its all down hill from here buddy

Bwaa ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa. (Imagine your best Snidely Whiplash laugh)
 
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This just in to me from @140dave (Thank You). A 1929 Bunn Special Type IIIB railroader. I’m loving it on this dark blue lanyard I made. No sunlight to speak of today, so better pictures will come later on the Illinois Pocket Watch thread. The photos just don’t do it justice. Many thanks to @Canuck and @Fritz for their guidance on this 👍

Damn! Thats a nice watch!
 
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Oh you sick little puppy... you have no idea of the depth of the rabbit hole that you have fallen into!

first its some sad little 12s, innocent enough.

then some 18s lump of nickel (sorry ‘bout that)

then some nice railroad piece, a Bunn Special is a spectacular start

then.... 940 Hamilton? B.W.Raymond? Model 92 Vanguard...

its all down hill from here buddy

Bwaa ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa. (Imagine your best Snidely Whiplash laugh)
LOL, I should have stopped at the Ingersoll Midget :whipped: And yes, I was already looking at a nice 992b before this even arrived. “I really like your watch, but you see I’ve spent all my money on this Bunn Special recently, but I would gladly pay you Tuesday if you could just ship it...” “hello, hello?..”
 
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You did well to jump on the Illinois when it became available. A nice 992B would be a good addition, but they come along much more frequently than watches like your Illinois. Well done! I hope Mrs. K will forgive @Fritz and me for encouraging you.
 
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Pocket Watch Friday?

Damn. Is that a thing?

I've been looking for an excuse to buy one...
 
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Pocket Watch Friday?

Damn. Is that a thing?

I've been looking for an excuse to buy one...
Welcome to the rabbit hole
 
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My 1857 Waltham, grade W W Co., 18-size, 15 ruby jewels, key wind, key set, made circa 1875-76, coin silver, open faced case. This one has what was called a called a “coarse train” escapement, at 14,400 bph. Later Walthams went to an 18,000 bph escapement. There were 59,722 of this model made. Listed as “adjusted”, so might have passed for railroad use in that era. Notice the dial is marked American Watch Co. Later on, the dial might have been marked American Watch Co. Waltham. Eventually the American name was dropped, and the company became just Waltham. Waltham Mass. is a district in Boston.

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