Pocketwatches

[esteban68]

here's one I picked up yesterday at a vintage fair, a 'Kays screwback lever' in a white metal case ...........I was standing at the fair and I saw it at the start but waited til some cash came in, it didn't take long and I was back at the stand purchasing it.....not anything of great value or even rare but a good example of it's type and for £35 a decent find I think...it keeps within a minute or so a day which is good enough for me;

....the dial is in great condition save for one very tiny mark just above the 30 seconds .

 

[dnjan]

Baylor Pocketwatch

I have a Baylor pocketwatch (was my father's), 17-jewel, silver (well-worn) hunter case. Sorry, forgot to take a photo.
Has run in the recent past, stopped now.
Worth sending off for a check-up/repair? Or just keep as a sentimental display watch?

 

[Don Dahlberg]

It depends on what you mean by "worth". The cost of a proper overhaul will probably exceed the value of the watch. However, if you want to run the watch, it needs to be overhauled every 4-5 years. If you do not plan to run the watch, then just keep it dry.

Don Dahlberg
National Association Watch and Clock Collectors
www.nawcc.org

 

[dnjan]

If I can get 4-5 years out of an overhaul, then I will probably go for it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[esteban68]

Here's a 7J Swiss Pinnacle I got last weekend for £20 including the protective case. it keeps fantastic time,

I re felted the case as the original red felt had long since seen better days!

 

[esteban68]

The dial has damage at 11 but I reckon I can soon paint/fix that and you cant see it when it's in it;s caseanyway.

There is one retaining screw missing from the movement and no servicing marks on the inside of the back cover, however as I say it runs great.

Diameter of watch is 47mm and is made of nickel/white metal.

 

[tealseal]

I've got a 1912 Hamilton that I picked up in the humidish climate of Ontario, Canada in 2011 in beautiful running condition from a qualified watch-doctor. Since I've moved down to Tucson, I haven't been keeping it wound like I should have, however I'd like to wear it again. Should I be able to just wind it up and go, or should it be looked at before I wind it again?
Wondering about the effects of idleness plus the climate change.

Thanks!
-TS

 

[jamespowers]

I've got a 1912 Hamilton that I picked up in the humidish climate of Ontario, Canada in 2011 in beautiful running condition from a qualified watch-doctor. Since I've moved down to Tucson, I haven't been keeping it wound like I should have, however I'd like to wear it again. Should I be able to just wind it up and go, or should it be looked at before I wind it again?
Wondering about the effects of idleness plus the climate change.

Thanks!
-TS

That depends. Have you taken the back off and checked for rust/corrosion? if it still looks fairly clean then I would give it a try. With rust or corrosion present, you are just grinding down the movement where corrosion meets the gear train.

 

[tealseal]

That depends. Have you taken the back off and checked for rust/corrosion? if it still looks fairly clean then I would give it a try. With rust or corrosion present, you are just grinding down the movement where corrosion meets the gear train.

Thanks for the reply. The movement looks clean. No obvious corrosion or rust. Is there a concern that any lubricant would have dried out and cause problems? I'll give it a shot and see what happens! Would it sound different if there was a problem?

 

[jamespowers]

Thanks for the reply. The movement looks clean. No obvious corrosion or rust. Is there a concern that any lubricant would have dried out and cause problems? I'll give it a shot and see what happens! Would it sound different if there was a problem?

Modern lubricants that your watch doctor likely used are much more resilient than that of lubricants used when the watch was made. You get longer service out of the modern oils. Even after two years, you should be ok. If it sounds different then it could be an indication of a problem.

 

[Shangas]

I shouldn't worry. So long as the watch has been well-stored and kept shut and sealed all that time, a change in climate shouldn't affect it.

 

[Glacierman]

Here's an unusual Illinois from my collection. It has a transparent back. I had these plastic things replaced with glass, but haven't taken new photos yet :


The case is a custom job in 10k rolled gold plate, obviously not original. Illinois Model 2, Grade 60, 15j, Chalmers regulator, 18s. It is supposed to be a lever-set movement, but this one is pendant set. Modified, perhaps?

 

[viclip]

Here's an unusual Illinois from my collection. It has a transparent back. I had these plastic things replaced with glass, but haven't taken new photos yet :
View attachment 72806 View attachment 72805 View attachment 72803 View attachment 72804

The case is a custom job in 10k rolled gold plate, obviously not original. Illinois Model 2, Grade 60, 15j, Chalmers regulator. It is supposed to be a lever-set movement, but this one is pendant set. Modified, perhaps?

Nice find from 1893, I like those 18 size full-plated timepieces that were built like battleships.

You know, I doubt that the setting mechanism would have been modified by someone from lever to pendant. Illinois would include variants &/or special order items in batches as small as 10 watches, stuck somewhere in the middle of their regular runs so in all likelihood this was done at the factory. You never know what pops up, including some pretty rare & collectible pocket watches.

 

[Glacierman]

Yup. The full-plate movements are solid. My daily wear watch is one such, an Elgin 18s B. W. Raymond, grade 77, model 5, class 7; 15j, open face config, gilt finish, full plate, stem wound/set, RR grade. Whew! It is in a somewhat worn coin silver case and keeps superb time. It has a glass crystal which was perfect when I received it, but I have put a couple of small scratches on it since. Lesson learned: Keep metallic objects out of the watch pocket when it is occupied. This watch was a gift from my wife, and she picked a good one! It was the watch which really fired up my interest in antique pocket watches.

She had previously given me an Elgin, Grade 320, Model 2, Class 116, 0s in a Wadsworth 25-yr gold filled hunter case, but it was that 18s Raymond that really got me fired up. I'm up to 14 watches right now, 15 if you count the Howard I have on lay-away at my watchmaker's shop. Will be going down there (Polson, Montana) tomorrow to pick up the watch shown above (had the plastic replaced with glass) and slap down some more cash to get the prisoner closer to freedom.

Here's the Raymond:



I don't have any decent photos of the dial right now. I need to take new photos of several watches anyway, so will post it here when I have a decent shot.

 

[viclip]

Yup. The full-plate movements are solid. My daily wear watch is one such, an Elgin 18s B. W. Raymond, grade 77, model 5, class 7; 15j, open face config, gilt finish, full plate, stem wound/set, RR grade. Whew! It is in a somewhat worn coin silver case and keeps superb time. It has a glass crystal which was perfect when I received it, but I have put a couple of small scratches on it since. Lesson learned: Keep metallic objects out of the watch pocket when it is occupied. This watch was a gift from my wife, and she picked a good one! It was the watch which really fired up my interest in antique pocket watches.

She had previously given me an Elgin, Grade 320, Model 2, Class 116, 0s in a Wadsworth 25-yr gold filled hunter case, but it was that 18s Raymond that really got me fired up. I'm up to 14 watches right now, 15 if you count the Howard I have on lay-away at my watchmaker's shop. Will be going down there (Polson, Montana) tomorrow to pick up the watch shown above (had the plastic replaced with glass) and slap down some more cash to get the prisoner closer to freedom.

Here's the Raymond:
View attachment 72815


I don't have any decent photos of the dial right now. I need to take new photos of several watches anyway, so will post it here when I have a decent shot.

It sounds like you've got quite the nice little collection, I strongly suspect that your 15 watches is just the beginning.

Is that Howard an original Howard or is it E. Howard (Keystone) ? I'll likely pick up one of the Keystones in due course but for now I'm keeping an eye on Seth Thomases showing on eBay.

Some shots of your Howard once you've taken possession would be appreciated, happy hunting...

 

[Glacierman]

It sounds like you've got quite the nice little collection, I strongly suspect that your 15 watches is just the beginning.

Is that Howard an original Howard or is it E. Howard (Keystone) ? I'll likely pick up one of the Keystones in due course but for now I'm keeping an eye on Seth Thomases showing on eBay.

Some shots of your Howard once you've taken possession would be appreciated, happy hunting...

You know, it's been a while since I last had my peepers on that thing that I can't be sure which it is. Be assured, when I get it in my hands, photos will be taken/posted!

I've got a Rockford I picked up about a month ago. Interested in seeing that one?

 

[viclip]

You know, it's been a while since I last had my peepers on that thing that I can't be sure which it is. Be assured, when I get it in my hands, photos will be taken/posted!

I've got a Rockford I picked up about a month ago. Interested in seeing that one?

By all means post your Rockford !

Coincidentally, about 2 or 3 months ago I acquired a 15j Rockford with a perfect dial housed in a silver swing-out case. While running, it's in my queue for servicing just to make sure that the oil hasn't dried up. I don't have any pics of it yet.

 

[Glacierman]

One Rockford coming up!



16s; 17j; grade 573, Model 5, manuf. ca. 1907; stem wound/set; S/N 722805; 3/4 plate, open face, nickel w/gold engraving; Fahys Montauk gold filled open face case, 20-yr guarantee.

This was just recently serviced, but it needs to go back as it now runs for a bit, then stops. I think my guy didn't quite finish the job......

Then there's the Illinois with the second hand that falls off every six months or so. Oy. Seems there's always something that needs to go to the watch hospital. I also have a nice Illinois movement that needs a hunter case which seem to be hard to come by for less than an arm and a leg. Open face, no problemo. Hunter? Mortgage the house!

 

[viclip]

One Rockford coming up!

View attachment 72817 View attachment 72818 View attachment 72819

16s; 17j; grade 573, Model 5, manuf. ca. 1907; stem wound/set; S/N 722805; 3/4 plate, open face, nickel w/gold engraving; Fahys Montauk gold filled open face case, 20-yr guarantee.

This was just recently serviced, but it needs to go back as it now runs for a bit, then stops. I think my guy didn't quite finish the job......

Then there's the Illinois with the second hand that falls off every six months or so. Oy. Seems there's always something that needs to go to the watch hospital. I also have a nice Illinois movement that needs a hunter case which seem to be hard to come by for less than an arm and a leg. Open face, no problemo. Hunter? Mortgage the house!

That's a very nice Rockford. i especially like the finger/bridge configuration of the third, fourth & escape wheel plates. I hope that your watchmaker can solve the stoppage issue. And he should be able to tighten the seconds hand on your Illinois no problem.

Thanks for posting !

 

[Shangas]

My pride and joy - a 1950s Swiss-made Ball RR watch: