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Pocketwatches

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
I am partial to these old 18s full plate hunting-configured pocket watches which are wound & set using a key. There's just something about them, harkening back to a different era.

That Ellery which was made in 1864, could very well have been carried by a combatant in the American Civil War. After some initial hesitancy (which led to the parting of ways of one of the company's founders), the young Waltham Watch Co. targetted the huge market composed of Union troops, recognizing the desirability if not the necessity for them to be able to know the time courtesy of affordable timepieces.

I hope that you'll have both the Elgin Wheeler & the Waltham Ellery serviced &/or restored as the case may be. You'll find them to be quite the conversation starters, just try winding one up in public!

When was the photo of your father taken & have you kept up the family tradition?

Thanks Viclip! The photo was from the late 1970s IIRC. The image was made into a silhouette that was used by the local (Springfield, Missouri) newspaper for any Wilson's Creek Battlefield story for years. I have not carried on the tradition, sad to say.

If I end up with the watches some day I will surely get them serviced.
 
Messages
18,210
Another desirable 18s full plate hunting-configured pocket watch, made in 1905 featuring crown winding & lever setting. A 15-jewel Elgin to boot!

That chain really stands out. Is it vintage?
Yes the chain is vintage. I like most anything horn, elk tooth & ivory, etc. The watch was last serviced 5-6 yrs ago. Original crystal, 20 yr case, etc.

PS: wanted to add that I think the chain is probably 1920's. A little Western for this particular watch but I like it on there.
 
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Messages
12,969
Location
Germany
Freakin' friday, my loungers!
Today, I did it! I decided spontaneously to finally visit department store and get one of their nice storebrand pocket watches, which will be pulled from the store, any time soon.

Here we are:

33111929ep.jpg


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33111932ms.jpg


33111933zu.jpg


But it's truly a very unfamiliar thing for me and I will have to exercise a little with it. But we will surely have a good time together.
 

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
I have a Studebaker watch circa 1920s, to go with my much newer Studebaker car , anyone here have some of those watches 59LARK
Is your watch a "Studebaker" produced by the Studebaker Watch Co., or is it "The Studebaker" being a model produced by the South Bend Watch Co.?
 

59Lark

Practically Family
Messages
569
Location
Ontario, Canada
i am pretty sure that it is a Studebaker watch made by the Studebaker watch co which I was told went out of business in 1925 approx. bare with me as I am getting easily mixed up with data stored in my noggin. 59lark
 

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
i am pretty sure that it is a Studebaker watch made by the Studebaker watch co which I was told went out of business in 1925 approx. bare with me as I am getting easily mixed up with data stored in my noggin. 59lark
This linked article may be of some assistance in distinguishing between the Studebaker/Studebaker & The Studebaker/South Bend watch versions. Although both were actually made in the South Bend Watch Co's plant, these were different watches:

http://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/364101939/m/398107005

It's neato that you were able to match up a pocket watch using the Studebaker name, with your Studebaker motor vehicle. As you're probably aware, the horological & automotive undertakings were a Studebaker family affair.

Keep us informed & be sure to post pics of your timepiece. And of your car too!
 
Here is a new addition I just picked up.....a 14? Size 17 jewel adjusted from 1926. As you can see it has a interesting 14k gold filled case with a February 1925 "shape pat." patent date. Dial exactly emulates the case shape in the hour and seconds painted outlines. The shape really drew me to this, the blued hands are interesting and flawless. Size is bigger than the 12 size and definitly not a 16.....so apr. a 14 size. It is a very thin movement........
UPDATE.........Thanks to the link from viclip I was able to determine the watch size....it is a 12 size, not the 14 I suspected. The case and dial through me off.......I should have measured the movement!!:oops::rolleyes: The dial is an unusual 4cm across which makes the watch look a lot bigger when sitting with my other 12 size which have dials of 3.5c or less.....rookie mistake :rolleyes:.
Movement is a 17 jewel adjusted grade 479......
Thanks viclip!
M
M
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viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
Here is a new addition I just picked up.....a 14? Size 17 jewel from 1926. As you can see it has a interesting 14k gold filled case with a February 1925 patent date. Dial exactly emulates the case shape in the hour and seconds painted outlines. The shape really drew me to this, the blued hands are interesting and flawless. Size is bigger than the 12 size and definitly not a 16.....so apr. a 14 size. It is a very thin movement........
M View attachment 125027 View attachment 125028 View attachment 125029
Your shaped Elgin pocket watch is striking!

I couldn't make out the serial number of the movement from your photo, or else I would have run it in the on-line pocket watch search engine in order to ascertain your watch's size & other pertinent specs. Here's the link to the search engine:

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/

I'd be quite interested as to any info which that site can shed on your watch ...
 
Your shaped Elgin pocket watch is striking!

I couldn't make out the serial number of the movement from your photo, or else I would have run it in the on-line pocket watch search engine in order to ascertain your watch's size & other pertinent specs. Here's the link to the search engine:

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/

I'd be quite interested as to any info which that site can shed on your watch ...
Finally got on the site and have updated my post!
M
 
Messages
12,969
Location
Germany
Oh man, pocketwatch is definitely so much fun! :D Two days ago, I replaced the battery. It's a standard AG4/626 button cell. And now, all seems to be fine. :)
 
Messages
12,969
Location
Germany
The accuracy of my storebrand quartz pocketwatch seems to be good. Only half a second derivation forward in the last fifteen days!

EDIT:
Post corrected and completed.
 
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Messages
17,215
Location
New York City
The accuracy of my storebrand quarz pocketwatch seems to be good. Only half a second in the last fifteen days!

As someone who only owns old mechanical watches, half a second in fifteen days is like counting angles on the head of a pin, i.e., your watch is very accurate; enjoy it and don't obsess about such an incredibly small difference.
 
Messages
12,969
Location
Germany
But, if the small fifth pocket on jeans was indeed invented for pocketwatches, why it's called "coin pocket", in general?
Since I got my pocketwatch, I realized, that the pocket is perfect for the pocketwatch. :)
 

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