BS: Old Pocket Watches

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

Will forget the 947 it is not a 947, it is a 974 which is the most common of all Hamiltons

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 12:31 PM

No on the BW raymond. Here is a little known fact, the BW Raymond was a Railroad grade at 19J or above. However, You could order an Elgin 15-17 Jeweled and pay 3 dollars more for the BW Raymond inscription added to the movement.   This version is a gents watch not RR grade. The one I gave you is RR grade

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 01:59 PM

Dan - your advice, as ever, is invaluable and appreciated more than you could ever know. I'll watch the old Hamilton 940 and see how it goes...

Thanks again, dear friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 11:29 PM

Well I was out of watch hands and I hate to keep taking them from my watchmaker friend who never charges me ... I nail this collection for 40 bucks ... what a steal .. they run 10 bucks a piece and there are hands for every American pocket watch .. since I have a bunch of high end movements coming I sure can use them and they will clean up just fine

hands

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 11:34 PM

Hey Q
do you have any Crown's for size 16 or 18 that you can sell me? Outta them also

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 11:59 AM

olddude, you can't afford my prices.

Real answer; I don't have any excess parts, I never accumulated any. I will have (soon) a case with crown for a 992B; it is very good gold fill, but has a name inscribed on the back. I bid in two model 17s that are clean for use with 992B movements.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 12:06 PM

Q
check out the glass back case Mahlon made for me, you can see what he cut out and what he did in this photo .. it is amazing

glass back

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 12:20 PM

you can see what he cut out, but what amazes me is that glass back is a perfect fit I mean it is set right even with the case back like it was factory produced ... amazing

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 02:02 PM

That's brilliant, Dan - I am SO impressed!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 19 Oct 12 - 02:31 PM

Thanks Will
I love it, watching the movement run on this beautiful watch. Of course he would not let me pay him no matter how much I argued ... never argue with the Amish they always win :-)

I asked him what he normally charges he said 50 bucks ... To buy a salesman sample case on ebay is way over 100 because they are so scarce. fun fun watch. I will be carrying it all the time now

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 12:33 PM

One of my finds, an 1873 American Watch company ie Waltham keywind Broadway
it works and is near mint, dial just needs wiped off ... I am going to give it to my Amish watchmaker as he goes nuts for these old Waltham movements

broadway

movement

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 02:52 PM

Nice find Dan - hope you get a case to match.

I picked up a couple of 18s Elgins from the 1910-1918 era in silveroid cases at an online auction last week - expecting them tomorrow - which will bring my total up to 3. I'm going to pick out the best one and put the other two on eBay. There's also a Hamilton 18s from 1894 on eBay UK - one of the earliest made - very tempting! It's Grade 934 with 17 jewels and apparently RR grade...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 03:46 PM

A 934 Is a very rare RR grade early Hamilton, that one is bucks if you can get it under 300 US dollars you are stealing it my brother

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 04:06 PM

I think they made like 1200 Hamilton 934's and that is it, forget the others try and nail that one. I bid on just a movement one time and lost at 425 US dollars ... right now I have to take it easy on the buying so sometime I will run across one.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 07:47 PM

Only 934s with the grade number marked on the movement are rare.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 09:32 PM

the movement grade with 934 marked yes, but compared to the number of 936's or 940's you will rarely see a 934 on ebay or pretty much any other place. A Hamilton 924 yes that is not rare but the 934 ? I seen only 1 collector who had one

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 03:30 PM

934s show up at collectors meets, I have seen several in past years.
A current price guide estimates $125 - $500 for these depending on condition; a marked movement $350 - $1200.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 23 Oct 12 - 04:51 PM

Your point is well taken Q, I only saw the one and it was a marked movement including the one I was bidding on

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 12:21 PM

Fascinating film of the Illinois Watch Co. history here...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:25 PM

Hamilton 925 in full hunter case size 18 ... mint you rarely see them
in a full original mint gold filled hunter case

front

inside

back

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:25 PM

it needs serviced which I will do shortly

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:33 PM

sorry one of the links is bad above
this one works

Hamilton 925

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:35 PM

23 Waltham vanguard

dial is flawless, scratch in glass crystal that I will replace
vanguard

case back

ding in the case back, that is not brassed through in the photo just shows up dark ... gold is still there

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 08:53 PM

This is an 1898 Waltham in a very unusual octogon case. 17 Jeweled just a beauty.   This one is for Gnu so he can know the time the football games come on LOL

gnu

I gave my watchmaker a bunch of old parts, today he gave me a Hamilton 940 mint 21J RR . He actually put the thing together from all the parts I gave him, took him a month and gave it to me as a gift ... How nice is that. He knows I love the 940's 936's and 992b's they are my favorite of all watches out there

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 10:39 AM

Nice sidewinder there, Dan - very unusual case, as you say.

Friend of mine has a very nice US Military Waltham pocket watch - 17 jewels - with an inscription on the back which reads: "ORD. DEPT., U.S.A., OB-35075". Are there any guides to the meaning of these markings?

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: kendall
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 10:49 AM

I'm continually amazed that this thread is so active.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:01 AM

The Waltham Military watch is identical to this one - with different serial and case numbers of course: Waltham US Military watch. His dates to 1944.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:13 AM

Will Fly- During WW2,both Waltham and Hamilton watches were purchased for the military, for use where accurate timing was required.
Ord = Ordinance Department; they purchased, tested and supplied many items used by the Army. All sorts of technical equipment may bear their inscription, and possibly a serial number.

I have a 17j Hamilton, inscribed "Bureau of Ships, U. S. Navy comparing watch, 12457-1943." The last is the supply catalogue number and date it was tested.

Another I have is a wristwatch, used by the Canadian Air Force. I haven't opened it, but some were Omegas.

Especially desirable are Hamilton 21j watches used in the military; one can easily sell for $1000. Wish I had one!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:17 AM

Thanks Q. I haven't seen too many of the US military watches over here in the UK - British ones are far more common and not often in reasonable condition. My friends US watch is very clean - might make him an offer...

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:23 AM

Will
if he will sell it that is one to have for sure ... they are pretty hard to find as Q says ... very sought after. I saw a bucket of parts on a 4992b WWII .. going to snag it and see if I can assemble it myself. I don't have many tools need to start looking for them if I want to do some of this myself. I found a bag of parts for a 23J waltham vanguard 1892 hunter case. Tried to give it to my watchmaker friend and he said NO, I am going to make it work for you. Holy cow that is a one star watch didn't think it was all there. I need a couple of parts for it but I will find them. It is the hunt that is fun


I am going to try and fix this Illinois for you, Mahlon is swamped he got 30 watches in from a big auction house so it will be a bit ..

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 11:31 AM

Hey Greg
there is a 24J Omega seamaster on ebay right now ... so far the bid it 11 bucks .. that is the wrist watch to have for sure. I don't collect or wear wrist watches

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 12:22 PM

Dan, no rush on the Illinois - as and when is fine. I just phoned my friend who owns the Waltham Military - he'll let me have the watch for £50.

Just as well I have a wedding gig this evening... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 12:23 PM

Holy cow nail it !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 12:32 PM

Nailed. I collect and pay tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 12:42 PM

Been carrying one exactly like this for a month. No kidding it hasn't lost 15 sec in a month of running. Mahlon is amazing, tuned it all 6 positions

992b

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 12:44 PM

Forget my Waltham, that is a much rarer watch my brother, Now if I can put together my 4992B Military 21 Jeweled ... Oh yes I will be happy. I am sorry I dragged you into this ... addicting ain't it LOL

I blame Q tee hee

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 10 Nov 12 - 01:55 PM

sorry its 22Jeweled not 21 Jeweled the 4992b's were 22J for the military my uncle carried one in WWII as a fighter pilot

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 05:42 AM

I picked up the Waltham Military watch this morning. Here are some pics (the sellers, not mine):

Face 1

Face 2

Movement 1

Movement 2

Case inner

Case outer

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 06:46 AM

Here's another military watch - a Hamilton - coming up for auction shortly...

4992B

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 10:30 AM

Wow you did good Will, those things are darn hard to find, most are pieced together, yours is all original. Now that one is not an aviator, it was typically used by artillery commanders in WWII. Standard issue 17J. They are just so hard to find. The on coming up for auction is the holy grail. That is a Army Air corps navigation 22J. I have one but I need to assemble it ... going to be a project ... dang I need to invest in some tools

Wow you did good

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 10:31 AM

tank commanders carried them also Will

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 10:35 AM

by the way , that was one hell of an accurate movement. Don't be fooled by the 17 J ... remember a watch is fully jeweled at 17. It is all about the movement. don't believe me, look up the Nawcc discussions on jewels and movements. Now the navigation 4992b has a hacking mechanism. See the sweep hand also ... They are 1000 bucks. Mahlon been wanted to put mine together for me. I want to tackle it myself (ambitious project to say the least at my skill level)

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 10:44 AM

Will
I have a crap load of parts for that also, if you ever have trouble just drop me a line. I got what ya need. Great find. Looking at my military book, you movement case, hands , dial the whole nine ... absolutely all original not one that was pieced together from spares like on ebay.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 10:57 AM

more history, we shipped a lot of them to England in WWII. Monty's tank crew carried those Walthams. After the war they were all returned or recased for civilian use or just lost in history. Hard to find an all original one like yours. I am jealous

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Greg F.
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 12:50 PM

Hi, Dan -

That 24J Omega seamaster is now over $250- no doubt worth it, but not to me. ;>)

Ok, well - so it goes & thanks for the tip.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 01:21 PM

If that Omega is in good condition, $250 is a bargain. I have a Seamaster that I picked up in a household auction. Needs cleaning and re-sealing, not cheap. Probably the 21j, but 23j and 24j, I think, were added for advertizing clout.

Rolex, is a competitor with a more expensive watch, but I doubt that it is really all that much better.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 01:28 PM

Straying again from pocket watches, my Swiss Bulova, RR certified in Canada, RR9362Q, keeps near-perfect time after 15 years. Should be cleaned.
They sold for $80 retail, one of the best quartz watches ever made and worth hunting for. The Canadian model has the 24 hour dial.

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: olddude
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 01:54 PM

24 Jeweled is well worth that but I hear ya. I will poke around, I am good at finding stuff .. maybe I can run across a momvent

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Greg F.
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 03:31 PM

Like I said, Dan, I know its worth it, but I gotta save my pennies for the turnips.

Only wear a wristwatch when I can't wear a vest & the pants don't have a watch pocket.

Don't knock yourself out looking.

Best,

Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches
From: Greg F.
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 03:32 PM

Thanx also, Q.