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Paedipod
·day 2 of an all-titanium week.....
WRUW Today?
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flw
··history nerdSummer's over ... back on the bracelet.
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Dr No
·Since yesterday morning.
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scv55
·
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ghce
·Caravelle this morning.
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Lou P
··YaY!Big and blue...YaY!
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Canuck
·Not wearing it yet, but after we are back from a camping trip this week, I will inaugurate it.
About 20 years ago, a fellow brought me the subject watch for an estimate for repair. The movement is only a 7-jewel model. When I quote on a 7 jewel watch, I quote a higher price than I do for watches with 15, 17, 19 jewels, or more. I usually have to contend with worn bearings on 7-jewel models. He declined the repair, and never picked it up! I took a look at it on Sunday, and decided it had possibilities. I’m sure it hasn’t been worked on after it left Elgin in 1919, or so. It had likely been lubed with whale oil! I could not believe how it was gummed up. It was difficult to take the movement apart. I had to peg the bearings, scrub it with Mr. Clean solution and water, rinse it, dry it thoroughly, and clean it again, in L & R Extra Fine cleaner. Even at that, I had to glass brush the congealed oil off the bearings, and re-clean it. Turned out nice!
The case is a 10 year gold filled case. The style is called a Demi hunter (half hunter), and the numerals are translucent blue vitreous enamel. The enamel is not damaged, and that is unusual! The movement is Elgin. The inner cuvette indicates it was a presentation to the secretary of a union in Newtownards, County Cork, Ireland, in 1920. The hour hand is a “double spade” style, typical of a Demi-hunter, allowing the time to be read without opening the front cover.
Well, it has been returned to the family of the original owner. The watch was presented on September 27, 1920, as an award. The inner cuvette was engraved with all the details, and his name. He never used it. It was left to his son, same name, and he never used it. He, in turn, left it to his son, same name, and he never used it. To day, the great grandson of the original owner picked it up after I serviced it. He has the same name as the three previous owners! The third generation owner is now deceased. It is now in the hands of the fourth generation. The watch is now back in the original owner’s family, 6 days short of the original presentation date, 101 years ago. And to think that the watch was brought to me for repair decades ago, and the (then) owner declined the estimate, and never picked it up! I could have added it to my collection, and the family would have been none the wiser. Strangely, I feel good about letting it go!
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ckhaing
·stepped dial but 861
and a few irregularities
and a few irregularities
Edited:
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Canuck
·Had you reached out to them or did someone happen to remember that the watch was with you for the last 20 years!?
I was rummaging in a box of orphan watches. Many of which were abandoned by their owners when they got the estimate for repair. That is where I stumbled on this one. Abandoned by the owner. It was still in the original repair bag with phone number. I slid it out of the bag and took another look at it. I decided it had potential. I spent about 5 hours working on it, ten days ago. What I uncovered was the watch you likely saw in the images. I checked the engraving on the cuvette, and discovered the initial and last name was the same as the guy who brought it to me. And a presentation date of Sept. 27, 1920 (101 years ago). I was torn. Do I keep it as my own, or do I try to contact the family. I did a reverse search on the phone number, and found the name was the same. I phoned the number, and a lady answered. I asked for her husband, and was told he died years ago. I told her who I was, and why I was calling. The watch belonged to her late husband’s grandfather, and I told her that for the price of the repair I had just finished (as per the original quote), the watch would be returned if the family wanted it. I sent her pictures. This all happened five days ago. Her son (fourth generation, and same name as his great grandfather, his grandfather, and his father) picked it up today! In six days, it is the 101st anniversary of the presentation in 1920. The family is overjoyed (and I feel good having done it!)
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perks713
·I love it. I would have loved to hear the conversations the family has had since picking it up. Hopefully it gives them some an opportunity to relive some great memories. Hell if it was my dad we’d surely be saying something like “of course he decided not to get it fixed and was too lazy to go pick it up”
My dad and I try to hit antique and junk shops when they visit. He’ll appreciate hearing this story next time I get the chance to tell it to him.
Good job tracking them down 😀
My dad and I try to hit antique and junk shops when they visit. He’ll appreciate hearing this story next time I get the chance to tell it to him.
Good job tracking them down 😀
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Canuck
·I love it. I would have loved to hear the conversations the family has had since picking it up. Hopefully it gives them some an opportunity to relive some great memories. Hell if it was my dad we’d surely be saying something like “of course he decided not to get it fixed and was too lazy to go pick it up”
My dad and I try to hit antique and junk shops when they visit. He’ll appreciate hearing this story next time I get the chance to tell it to him.
Good job tracking them down 😀
The fellow who picked it up today is the eldest of two sons of the deceased chap. It is tradition in that family that the eldest son is always named after the original owner of the watch. He, his father, grandfather and great grandfather all named the same. I spent about an hour with him today, giving him all the information he’ll need re: enjoying the watch, and the warnings about the DOs and the DONTs, I also sold him a treasure dome to keep it in when not in use. I asked if he had a 3-piece suit. He has one! I told him I bet he’ll wear that suit on Sunday! Yeah! I’d like to be there too, when the family gathers! (I also gave him a Waldemar pocket watch chain so he can wear it safely.)
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Barking mad
··Prolific Speedmaster HoarderBM LE for tonight..
Bit of chatter about display backs lately and being one to oblige where possible, the beast that ticks within😀
Morning coffee..
Bit of chatter about display backs lately and being one to oblige where possible, the beast that ticks within😀
Morning coffee..
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Zdzislaw
·Happy Wednesday!
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YYTIN
·
Good morning
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CPRwatch
·Morning ,
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Alpha
··Kilt Owner, Beagle Parent, Omega Collector
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