BS: Old Pocket Watches

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Greg F.
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 12:24 PM

NICE one, Dan!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 01:14 PM

That's fabulous, Dan - great find!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 02:48 PM

I gave Mahlon one of my 992b's as he never had one. Normally you see him carry something different every time I go out there. Since I gave him the 992b I think he has been sleeping with it. Never left his pocket. Every person that comes in he hauls it out .. Look at this .. my friend gave me this .. nothing runs better .. LOL
He just does so much for me and I have to argue with him to pay him. I took him to his dentist as it was a long ride and he forgot his watch. It was a great time to give him it. For three months now he just keeps showing it off .. that made me smile

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 02:59 PM

Oh Mahlon is making now custom made cases. They are precision threaded like butter. They so beautiful they take my breath away. They look like solid gold but are made from highly polished bronze cut from a single solid block and highly engraved. Right now he is doing a Hamilton 996 for me with one of his custom cases in a glass back. A guy offered me quite a bit for my 996. I really don't want to sell it but I have lots of watches and can plow the money back into some hard to find Hamilton's. Just picked up a Hamilton 934 on ebay. Rare or at least really hard to find watch. It needs a crystal, cleaned and hands but everything else is mint. can't wait

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Mar 13 - 07:05 PM

Ah, you're tempting me again... I've got a 992 that would great in a custom display case.

Trouble is, my latest Hamilton - a 956 - needs some work on it and that's a priority.

Why are there so many beautiful pocket watches in this world...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 09:45 AM

I've just acquired a copy of "American Pocket Watches: Identification and Price Guide, 1830-1990" by Roy Ehrhardt and William "Bill" Eggers from AbeBooks. Originally a paperback publication, but this copy has been bound, with the original covers, in a hardback green binding.

What a great find. It gives watch sizes (in American Swiss, Fractions of an inch, Millimetres and French Lignes), a guide to jewelling, a huge table of dial foot positions and - most valuable of all - hundreds of diagrams of watch movements for identifying. Great stuff - and all for £22. Hours of fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 09:16 PM

I finally completed my set, I have the WWII Model 23 Chronograph and now I nailed this nice 4992b. Set complete

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Mahlon needs to service it for me, you can see it is dirty but running and is all original ...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 10:30 PM

That's great, Dan, but how do you tell if it's 22AM or 22 PM ?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 10:55 PM

froggy, I gotta look at the stars or the sun LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Mar 13 - 05:29 AM

That's great, Dan. I'll show you mine if you show me yours... :-)

Those dials are fantastic - I just wish I could understand the meaning of the markings on the back and how they were decided on.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 08:49 PM

This one was actually my work, that is with a little help from a friend LOL. It is a 1948 992B ... before and after

b4

after

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 09:56 PM

any flaws you see are reflection, that dial is absolutely mint. The watch needed some balance staff work .. perfect runner now. Been selling a lot of 992b's for over 300 bucks. Anyone here wants one I will give the big mudcat discount

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 09:58 PM

I still have like 7 992b's LOL, I got a little carried away with those watches but I never lost a nickel on one ... folks here got them for exactly what I paid for them .. but on ebay .. hmmm well I did good

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:56 PM

Hey Will
Nail this bugger, it is a very rare US Army from 1941
on your GB ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HAMILTON-21-JEWELS-992B-U-S-ARMY-MILITARY-RAILROAD-WINDUP-POCKET-WATCH-/230944245068?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D6204452972009416220%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D3%26sd%3D151010613433%26

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 13 Mar 13 - 05:07 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, Dan - it's now on my eBay watch list.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 13 Mar 13 - 09:54 PM

Hey Will
a 4992B wind off ... winner gets bragging rights. Mine against yours (already know you will win) Mahlon tuned yours. I did mine myself today. Running good but well we shall see ...

how about it

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 07:41 AM

You're on, Dan. :-)

I got the 4992B from the sorting office today (paid the Customs Duty and sent off the claim documents to prove it was mine in the first place and get my money back) and got it home to gloat over.

Mahlon's done a great job - as ever - and I set the time with the seconds hack to the atomic clock on my computer. Running beautifully!

I don't buy these watches to make a profit - I buy them for their beauty and precision. But it's nice to know that what I've paid out in auction costs and Mahlon's repair bill is probably less than a half of what the watch is now worth in the UK.

I'll be writing to him today to give him my thanks for a superb job. And thanks to you, dear boy, for the centre seconds wheel! I shall think of a suitably devious way to replay you...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 07:44 AM

... or even repay you... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 05:08 PM

Ok set the sweep last night to US naval time. as of right now. DEAD NUTS ON THE MONEY. Oh yea ... in fairness I only had to do a little cleaning to mine

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 04:46 AM

Well, a 9 o'clock check this morning tells me that the watch has gained 18 seconds in 12 hours - i.e. around half a minute in a day. Not 100% - but pretty damned good! There's no telling how these instruments get shaken up in a journey of 3,000+ miles, so I'm quite happy. The movement is gleaming and the balance is spinning like a little bee. I'm very pleased with it - though I guess you probably have bragging rights! :-)

I see there's another Hamilton 992 Military watch on e~Bay - in France. This looks to be in better condition (dial) than the one coming up soon, so I'll keep my eye on this one.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 12:13 PM

It will settle in Will, new oil always take a little time. I notice about a few days after an oil job I pick up a little time then it settles in. That is still superb time

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 09:40 PM

I don't collect or work on wrist watches but I fell in love with this 25 Jeweled Lord Elgin self winding Automatic. It was the last great Horrah for the Elgin Company this one is from 1958

Lord Elgin 25 Jeweled

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 04:44 AM

Dan - just realised my original reply to your last post hadn't taken.

To restate here: What a great-looking watch! I have to admit to being occasionally seduced by a nice-looking wristwatch from time to time. Anyway - that looks like a keeper.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 Mar 13 - 03:33 PM

Dan - the 1967 992B is keeping great time - and the 4992B has settled down and is also keeping great time. I'm maxed out with Hamilton RR Grade watches at the moment!

I spotted a 972 in a shop today - selling for £275 ($415 US). Seems way over priced to me. There's a model in a US watch internet store in equal condition selling for $225 - with a "make me an offer" option!

The UK can be an expensive place to buy these things - though I've got a few bargains on eBay. Thanks heaven for Good Friends in the US!

My regards to Mahlon - the man's sheer genius.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Mar 13 - 11:15 PM

where is Dan these days?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 05:20 AM

He's around here and there - we swap emails and PMs from time to time. Doing OK as far as I know...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 04:21 PM

I am fine kat thank you for asking. Will absolutely not on the 972 Mahlon will probably sell you a mint one for 150 or so. I sold one that was perfect in everyway for under 200. Yes it is a RR grade watch but it is a common RR grade watch. On top of that the damn things are 4 post dials which you cannot find and when you do they are broken to shit ... I will ask Mahlon what he has available.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 04:26 PM

Hey Will find me an omega seamaster over the pond that I can afford.
been looking for one. Ebay is junk and if it is not junk they want the gross national product of some island for it.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 07:50 PM

I'll see what I can get, Dan. Leave it with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:24 PM

A very hard to find 1942 Canadian Hamilton 992B. Missing a second hand but I have lots of them. The case need polished and it needs cleaned. It is cased in a Canadian Sturdy case. Very Very hard to find war year 992b's as they all went to the military. When I am done it will look like it came from the factory
1942 Canadian 992b

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:32 PM

Nice dial on that one, Dan - it'll look great cleaned up.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:40 PM

Canadian 992B's are my favorite. I have two.

Movements were shipped to Canada without case, thus seldom have Hamilton cases.
I was told that T. Eaton and Co. did sell some with Hamilton cases, and a few went to other countries with the 24hr dial requirement on their railroads.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:53 PM

The dial is enamel 24hr Hamilton. Those are very hard to find originals anymore. The serial number is c64964 very very low as they made 500,000 of the things. I have not run across many made in the war years. I have seen a lot advertised but not all original

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:55 PM

I read that the tariff's were so high that they shipped mostly just the movements. Most collectors will not consider a Hamilton cased Canadian 992B as original as like Q said they were movements that were shipped mainly with few exceptions

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 08:03 PM

Frank
If you want it I will sell it to you for exactly what I have into it when I get it fixed up. I only bought it to resell as I don't really collect the Canadian flavor of these Watches. I got the watch for 200 a steal for a 1942 and will have about 50 or 60 bucks into it when I am done making it mint.

One high end collector bugged me and bugged me for my Hamilton 23 Chronograph. He finally gave me a price I could not refuse as it was over high market value ... Dang .. now its a hunt for another one LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 05:28 PM

HORRAY !!!!

WILL FOUND ME A SEAMASTER OHHHHHH YES

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YOU ARE MY HERO WILL THANK YOU

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 05:54 PM

Dan - you've done me so many kindnesses, it was a pleasure to find it for you.

Hope it lives up to your expectations!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 05:58 PM

The NAWCC experts were drooling Will
you are my hero

Thank you soooooo much

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 10:07 PM

I haven't even got it yet Will and about 4 people wanted to buy it
Gosh ... you have great eyes for fine watches my friend. I could not touch it here in the states for what I paid.

Awesome Job, I owe you

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 01:16 PM

I picked up an old Seamaster in a lot of costume jewelery years ago.
It keeps time well as long as it is on an active wrist, but can die during the night. Needs cleaning, I think.
It is an old one, from the late 50s?, but I haven't had the back off so I don't know the serial number. Probably the early 17j.

I should get it serviced.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 01:45 PM

The Seamaster arrived today - looks better in the flesh than in the pics.

It's possible, looking at the lugs, that the case has had a refinish at some stage, but the dial and movement look OK to my amateur eyes.

I hope it lived up to your expectations!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 01:48 PM

lives...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 02:11 PM

You nailed it Will, One of the experts on the Nawcc said, well the case was polished several time ... no affect on the value ... so you picked that right out. amazing eye

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 02:12 PM

also said the dial was probably refininished both do not detract from the beauty or the value ... its all original

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 02:18 PM

You stole it for me Will, I asked a high end collector what is the fair price for it ... he said 800

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 03:36 PM

That Omega will be a family watch. I would never sell it .. My grandson will wear it when he grows up

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 04:25 PM

I found this in some watch parts that I bought. It is a really nice running 17J Waltham
waltham

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 06:21 PM

Yo! Just got back from playing some music in a session to find that my latest snipe paid off...

Hamilton 23

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: frogprince
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 09:12 PM

Once again I notice somethin'(a detail of Will's latest toy) that I don't understand. Maybe the same thing has been on some others and I just haven't caught it. It looks like there is a fourth thin hand pointing about straight down, like another second hand but shorter. What's that for?

Yesterday I pestered my wife into putting on the dress that I think is the very mostest becoming on her. I gussied myself up a little more than I have recently, and wore a vest so I could wear the gold Waltham and chain properly.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 10:05 PM

Froggy
it was used for navigation in WWII. there is a minute hand, hour hand
sweep second hand. second hand, and the top small keeps track of minutes from the stop watch. It has 4 hands yup. You can stop the sweep second hand, reset it, then lapse time. you and drop bombs and time them until impact. Navigate by minutes off lat and long points on a map.

immensely complex timepiece. Mahlon is the only one I would trust to service it.