Let's See Your Watches! The Vintage Watch Thread.

[jamespowers]

I recently obtained a two tone 17j Special Railway myself, all original. Two tone 17j SR's aren't even listed in the Shugart watch listings, so it's pretty rare. Regards! Michaelson

Ok, now I need pictures. I would really like to see that one. Does it have GJS too?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Yes, it does. I'll have to see if I can find any photos in my files! It's a pretty one! Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

Now I am really interested. That was a good find there. Next thing you are going to tell me is that it has a gold train and a 60 hour mainspring.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Gold train? yes, 60 hour mainspring? You're thinking of a Bunn Special. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

Gold train? yes, 60 hour mainspring? You're thinking of a Bunn Special. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

Well, you said rare.

 

[Michaelson]

I said rare....not priceless. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

 

[Chad Sanborn]

Hey Chad, Where did you find your watch? It intreges me.

The citizen was a gift. I am not sure where it came from. The watch for the blind was in a catalogue. I think it was a Johnson Smith catalogue full of "things you never new existed".

Chad

 

[jamespowers]

I said rare....not priceless. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

Hahahhaha. I was just being facetious.
I have my eye on a nice watch that should be just perfect for my collection---eight day mainspring.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Sounds like either a Waltham or a Waterbury! Regards. Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

Sounds like either a Waltham or a Waterbury! Regards. Michaelson

Don't even remind me of the Waterbury. I gave one away when I was about ten. I am still kicking myself for that one. :cry:
No, it is neither of those. Think rarer--much rarer.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Ok....an 18s 17j Hampden Special Railway with a solid gold train with a 60 hours mainspring? (grins) Sorry.....couldn't resist! I give...what? Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

Nope. A Knickerbocker Watch Company--Barclays 8 Day. It was a cheap watch for its day but rare enough to make one willing to go for it. Sort of like the Longwind.
I got three chains and an extra case with it. Not bad for $50.
By the way, I need a pallet fork for one of my other swiss 8 days. Know of anyone who would have one of those?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Knickerbocker, eh? I had one in my hand last winter, but it was in REAL bad shape, so I passed on it.

You may want to check with Dashto, Inc. Tom Mister has a lot of parts to choose from, and probably has exactly the part you need! Dashto

Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

Thanks, I will check it out.
You had an 8 day in your hand eh? Not bad. Considering what they are worth, it might have been worth the effort to fix it up. The face on mine is not exactly great but they can easily be rebuilt---not cheaply though I am afraid. The regular Knickerbockers aren't exactly worth messing with unless they are nearly mint---with the original box.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

No argument there. Problem with me and my collection is I carry what I collect, and I'd be pretty reluctant to carry that Knickerbocker, so why get it? Let the true collector grab it up for their collection. As for me, I'll keep looking around for those unloved Hamilton's, Hampdens, Elgins, and Illiniois out there....(grins) Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

As for me, I'll keep looking around for those unloved Hamilton's, Hampdens, Elgins, and Illiniois out there....(grins) Regards! Michaelson

Unloved? Good luck. Those brands are loved around the world---especially the high grade ones. There will always be a nut willing to pay $200 for a 7 jewel of any one of them on e****.

Regards to all,

J

Have you kissed your Elgin today?

 

[Michaelson]

They're not looking in the right places. I'm carrying at this moment a Hamilton 974 'Electric Special', 17j, 1915, 16s, 14k gold case, picked up for $85 month before last. Like I said with the glasses frames, ya gotta turn over a lot of rocks, but I'm finding them, and they're all keepers too....Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

That is a very nice buy. Unusual as well in a solid gold case. Must have been a rich conductor.
I am guessing it is an open face model?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Sure is. Mint dial too. I was lucky, but it's been a good year in finding watches so far....

How about a Hamilton 18s model 940 21j for less than $125? Recently overhauled too. Gold filled swing out case wasn't the best, with some brass showing, and a few dents, but that's to be expected from an actual used railroad watch.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[jamespowers]

You definitely need to get that camera back. We need pictures here. Those movements are interesting to look at with all their jewels, damaskeen and engraving. They were not only time pieces but works of art put together by master craftsmen. I suppose only the swiss still do it the old fashioned way but gone are the gold jeweled settings and gold trains. Unless you want to spend about $10,000 or more for such a watch.

Regards to all,

J