BS: Old Pocket Watches

Subject: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 04:27 PM

I love the things, the feel of them, the elaborate cases and the history associated with great old pocket watches. One of the things that really presses my buttons is the technology. If you look inside one of them or get a book on how they were put together it is mind blowing to know each and every part was hand made by some craftsman in the 1800's. Rail Roads depended on them for the safety of their passengers. I read where the lever set on them was invented because the engineers watch accidentally changed when it was in his pocket because they were stem set .. A terrible accident occurred that killed many people so they put a small lever inside so you can set the time and it cannot be changed unless the lever is pulled out

A few weeks ago I bought a great old gold elgin 1892 from an estate sale for 25 dollars. Took it apart , cleaned it up .. been keeping flawless time ... Just gave it to my daughter .. I have a bunch of them. Every time I stumble on one I am like a little kid again watching the railroad trains go by ..

anyone else share my passion for these old gems.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:22 PM

Count me in old dude. I have two that belonged to my Father. Inexpensive but I still hope to have them running well some day. I have a new one - a Tissot - that my wife bought me for our tenth anniversary. I usually wear it to church on Sunday. And when I retired the folks in my office gave me a Waltham. But it still needs a little work.

I also love cufflinks and small pocket knives. And of course old guitars and mandolins. But you could have guessed that already.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:39 PM

I have a pair of silver and lapiz lazuli cufflinks which I bought at a car boot sale in the UK for £2...... made by Georg Jensen and worth somewhere between £150 and £200. I also have a small collection of fruit knives which are made of silver and mother of pearl.. mostly made between 1829 and 1920....... Have owned and sold on a few pocket watches over the years.. love anything antique or old which shows quality and the work of an artisan.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:39 PM

A school buddy, Carl,in long ago days, carried cheap pocket watches instead of wearing a wrist jobbee. He walked in on a bunch of us in a dorm room, said something about his "new watch", and tossed it to one of the other guys; it disintegrated into a handful of parts; it was a discarded watch Carl had taken apart. So inspiration struck, and a bunch of the guys went up on the observation deck of the Hancock tower (Chicago). Carl would give the crowd time to change, then drop the thing and start bemoaning what had happened to "my grandfather's watch"; had all kinds of people clucking in sympathy and helping him pick up gears and screws.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Greg F.
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:44 PM

Any real professional watchmakers still out there that can do complicated repairs on these? Anyone have any experiences pro or con?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 06:42 PM

Greg
yes there is a master Amish guy down the road from me ... the last total repair that was way beyond my skill cost me all of 70 dollars. There is a couple of guys on the net but they are quite expensive. A total rebuild about 260 dollars ... . I can help you out if you tell me what is wrong with it

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 07:17 PM

My grandfather left me his Illinois 1917 model railroad watch. He bought it new when he signed on at the L&N in Louisville KY and had it until he retired in 1967. It had a cracked crystal and hadn't worked since I got it in about 1972, but I had it repaired by a Russian watchmaker about a year ago for about 150, and now have it in a shadowbox with a photo of a steam engine behind it. Keeps perfect time (when I wind it).

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 07:31 PM

Oh the Illinois RR Watches were superb ..The kept such accurate time even my today's standards .. Wonderful heirloom for sure and such great family history also with it ...Thanks EJ

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 08:01 PM

Doesn't Spaw have an old railroad watch? His fathers or Grandfathers if I remember correctly.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 08:37 PM

I have several pocket watches certified for railroad use. Most are in good running order.

It is a time-consuming procedure to clean and adjust any mechanical timepiece. Unless one learns how and assembles the tools, expect to pay on the order of the quote olddude gave.

There are watch and clock clubs in most cities, most are affiliated with NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors). Membership is not cheap, but they have a good library and a fine journal.
Local chapters, conventions, etc. are all listed here:
NAWCC

Cracked crystals are generally replaced with plastic; otherwise prowl the watch shows looking for parts.

There is a big NAWCC national each year, the next in Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kansas, June 8-12, 2011. Many dealers and collectors gather at these conventions; the displays are excellent, and dealers have much of interest in their sales booths and tables. Tools and literature there as well. There are also regional conventions.

Several companies made watches to railroad standards; Illinois, Hamilton, Waltham, Hampden, Howard, Ball and others.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:00 PM

Wesley
we are two peas in a pot my friend. I have a box full of cuff links and I will buy a Remington pocket knife every time I see one. I bought a Remington RS 3333 circa 1927 boy scout knife for two bucks a month ago in a flea market ..wow that was a find for sure.

yesterday I picked up a Ulster Boy Scout knife circa 1950 for a couple of dollars in a yard sale .. and when I dress up ..

yup it is cuff links ... love em

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:20 PM

I'm always suprised when a store sells cufflinks but not frech cuffed shirts.

It sounds like I need to send you 20 bucks and have you start checking out the garage sales. Those were some pretty impressive deals.

If you want to double your money on those scout knives just let me know. And keep your eyes peeled for a good bowie knife or a ceramic jug I can blow....

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:29 PM

I do super well Wesley in the flea markets lately. I just seem to route around and find stuff. They have a big one every weekend about 5 miles from me .. lots of junk stuff but some real deals if you go through the boxes ... The elgin watch blew my mind, the guy said 25 bucks and I said sure thing ...didn't know it only needed a cleaning .. Then I found the Ulster scout pocket knife ... that was a pretty good picking for an hour or so for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:30 PM

I have my fathers old Waltham. I give it a wind and run every couple of months and it still keeps great time.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:31 PM

Have you watched "American Pickers" and "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:38 PM

Love those shows, been doing it for years and always just called it Junk collecting ... LOL

At the flea market every weekend there are rows of yard sales and house hold sales also along the same road ... loads of fun for sure ...

Sandy, I have several old Waltham's .. I carry my 1902 one around all the time and it still keeps incredible time

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:40 PM

I am at the stage where I should get rid of things. But I will probably collect till I die. The kids can worry about disposal, the heck with it.

There is a de-clutter thread that has been going for some time- to me the idea is unhuman and inhuman as well.

Good old American stoneware jugs are pretty scarce now. I have a few. A couple of 5-gallon size, too heavy for blowers. Even better are those old apothecary glass jugs, the bulbous ones, about two-gallon size or so. I picked up a dark green one a while back at a household auction.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:54 PM

I cant compete with Railroad watches , but i DO have my dad's ex RAF pocket watch - NOT fancy , but it works ! There's a guy in Uxbridge who did a service on it for me , and NOT expensive .
I like a pocket watch on a chain AND cuff links when I am in Gigging Poseur Mode , though I do lean to modern Quartz action , rather than spring !

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 10:03 PM

The new ones Lead fingers still have all the charm of being a pocket watch .. I love em ... old and new

Wes
This is the sound out of the espana 1966 classical guitar I got for 30 bucks picking recently. Beautiful guitar all mahogany. Hey PM me your mailing address my friend, got something fer ya

espana classical 1966

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: BK Lick
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 10:09 PM

Utah Phillips's hope to be presented with a gold pocket watch on his retirement:
Utah's Modest(?) Proposal Regarding His Retirement

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:04 AM

Just a quick step-in from a female - I've got 2 gold plated pocket watches: one my grandfather's and one my father in law's. I also have my great-grandfather's silver key-wound pocket watch, which works after some restoration in the 1970s. I can't remember the makers and the exact date of the silver one, because I have them all put away in storage boxes at the moment.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Zen
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 06:20 AM

I have a fine old English pocket watch from around 1770, and also an Omega pocket watch from 1938 which I use daily and which keeps perfect time. I prefer pocket watches to the encumbrance of a wristwatch. There are still experts around (though beginning to disappear) who can service and repair these and I've just had the mainspring replaced on the Omega.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:06 AM

Zen
wow, is your English one made by Dauber, if so it is worth a fortune like 20K plus ...

I love the Omega's, probably 17 Jeweled ... amazing accurate ...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:09 AM

Andrea
take them out and wind them up once in awhile. When left idle for too long they start to seize up an quit working ... a good wind will never hurt them only help

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 11:58 AM

Don't over -wind, the key word is gentle, wind it slow and steady until you feel it tight .. it is relatively easy to break the main spring on an old watch ..

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:03 PM

Dan, or Wesley: I'll sell you this one for best offer over $500.00.

IIRC, I paid a quarter for it years ago. It's got no crystal, and the stem don't turn, but it has worked in neat in a couple of still-life photos.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:15 PM

A thing of beauty is a joy forever; it's loveliness increases, it will never turn into nothingness. (Keats)

I had a gold Waltham RR watch that I just loved the feel of and I gave it to my Grandson. I told him if he pawns or sells it I will disown him.
Now, I wish I had kept it a bit longer.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:34 PM

This is actually the last thing I've done with that junk watch.

It was for a little contest that called for choosing several items from a given list to use an art piece. That's actually our niece, on her wedding day, although she wasn't really wearing a hat. The whole thing was in a shadow box, with the hand holding the watch pressed against the glass.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 03:07 PM

Dean
That is really cool ... great artwork

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 03:53 PM

Captain
that was a wonderful thing to do with it ... I plan on doing the same thing with my grandson ... My grandfather gave me his solid gold elgin that he bought in 1910 for 50 bucks .. a staggering sum at the time .. and it played music also. I lived with my grandparents. After he passed away my uncle came into my room when I was at school and took it, along with my rifles and shotguns and everything else my grandfather gave me ... never knew what happened to it .. probably my uncles kid hocked it for drugs ... but at least it did start a love affair for old pocket watches

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:06 PM

What you need Captain is an old Elgin with a Sea Captain on it ...
you gave me a mission now when I do my weekend picking or estate sales ... let me see what I can find

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:10 PM

Dan, please don't spend too much. Times are hard I know. Hell, I heard that it is so bad three guys got caught sneaking INTO Mexico.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:23 PM

I Love them - if you have some at affordable prices, I might be interested in one - I miss my granddad's old one... sigh...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:32 PM

Reverse migration-
Reminds me of the Fox family. Old grandfather Fox left the States and went to Mexico, made a fortune in wagons and transport. His grandson Vicente became president of Mexico; his autobiography is a good read.
--------------------------
My grandson will get the one with a beaver and Canadian Pacific Railway engraved on the movement. Always professionally cleaned, it is very accurate. I can't remember the date offhand but I think it is 1902. I have another engraved Canadian Time Service. My favorite to carry is a Hamilton 992B, at 16 size smaller than the older ones.
I also have the old 18 size (turnip) of a great grandfather, which I had cleaned a couple of years back. About 1870, only 7 jewels, but is a good timekeeper.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Neighmond
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:52 PM

I like working on pocket watches more than any of the new ones-it's nice to work on something that was actually meant to last.

My everyday one is an old 992-it'll put a Ro1ex to shame.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 09:02 PM

OMG   a 992 is one that I lust for ... you bet it will put a rolex to shame ... Awesome Watch !!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 09:25 PM

Any pictures you can offer us ?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 09:41 PM

Sure Wes
I will take some photo's

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 11:00 PM

Some 992b on Ebay. Some were made for military service during WW2; a couple on Ebay. Wartime models very expensive.
I think it is best to buy at a NAWCC show or at a club meet, then it can be looked at closely and there will be several guys around to give opinions, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Neighmond
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 01:21 AM

Mine is from 1905-one of the flashier movements they made at the time.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 02:33 AM

Works of a Bunn Special Illinois like Grampa's.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 06:35 AM

I had always planned to pass my watch along to my grand son when I snuff it, but it looks like I'll be around longer than expected and I can't ask him to give it back until I croak!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:26 AM

With all this talk about old watches and cufflinks maybe it's also a good time to bring back the fedora!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:44 AM

LOL
hey Wes
that is the christmas gift my kids bought me. I wanted one when I play some blues at the coffee shop. Katie got me a dandy it is a Scala
but I only wear it during my blues set .. how funny is that you should mention it ... I always thought they were great ..

Holy Cow, I really am an OLD DUDE !!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:47 AM

Mudcat's DWDITTY does a great song called "Pocket Watch"

Love it

DwDitty Pocket Watch

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:53 AM

I also used to wear a black beret that I bought in NYC. I havn't seen it in a long time so I'm guessing it's lost. I hope to replace it this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 09:58 AM

The last thing I want to see is some guy in a black bra!

Oh, you said...

Never mind....

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:10 PM

So, does this mean that my spats are out dated?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:22 PM

Picked up a Stetson like Harry Trueman wore. Probably the ugliest Stetson ever produced by that company. My daughter sold it on Ebay.

Anyone interested in a patterned cashmere sport coat with a belt in back?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 04:57 PM

Q
now that is some image for sure

Hey I think a Harry Truman hat was pretty cool ... LOL can't be worse than my crocodile Dundee hat with the gator teeth in it