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BS: Old Pocket Watches
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 08 Jul 10 - 06:16 PM Checked some of my catalogues: 1901 T. Eaton & Co. (Canada) Waltham, 21 jewel, Crescent Street- 14K gold-$59.50. Nickle-Silver- $25.50 Can. Pacific model of above- $27.50 in nickle-silver 1895 Montgomery Ward Hampden Duebar Spec. Railway 23 jewel 14K gold-$64.15 Nickle-Silver-$43.16 1908 Sears Roebuck Elgin 23 jewel Veritas 14K gold-$68.00 Nickle-Silver- $40.15 In 1908, clean and oil cost 50 cents; replacing a part never over $3.00. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 08 Jul 10 - 08:25 PM "With all this talk about old watches and cufflinks maybe it's also a good time to bring back the fedora!" I've now given up on Fedora - now I'm a Ubuntu user! :-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 08 Jul 10 - 09:33 PM ubuntu version 10 is outstanding. just upgraded from version 9 last week |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: DonMeixner Date: 08 Jul 10 - 10:21 PM I have a Vacheron Geneve pocket watch, stem wind in hunt case. The crystal is perfect, the enameled face is clean with no damage, hand lettered and numbered. The back of the case has an etched horse running. The case is sterling wrapped with a gold binding. My Dad bought it at an antique show in Buffalo NY from a shelf of watches that said "Any Watch this Shelf $25.00". so medealers are not very bright. Don |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,josep Date: 08 Jul 10 - 10:36 PM I have one old railroad watch--National from 1913. All my other watches are new. All except one are wind-up. All have 17 jewels except a dollar watch I have. I have to wear pocket watches as the metal causes me to breakout from prolonged contact. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Janie Date: 08 Jul 10 - 11:26 PM My Dad has the C&O railroad pocket watch that at some point was awarded to my grandfather during his tenure with the C&O, and also the pocket watch that belonged to his maternal grandfather, who died of typhoid fever in 1906, before he was 40 years old. Provided they are wound, they both still keep accurate time. The best part is that when Dad brings them out to show, he starts telling stories - those of his own youth and those family stories that were told to him when he was a child. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 09 Jul 10 - 05:22 AM Back with cookie! Thanks guys - yes, they will get wound when I have them unpacked again. The gold plated ones probably date from the early 1900s, and the 1920s/30s. I am half looking out for a Staffordshire flatback watch holder to display the silver one on, but it has to be just right. Once I get this place sold, and move, I'll start looking more. Speaking of old hats - A couple of years ago, and newly widdered, I managed to get hold of a pristine c1870 widow's cotton bonnet from a costume dealer on a flea market, along with a black shawl. At some point I am going to get a grey dress and black apron made, and I already have a black petticoat. Hell, I'm qualified to wear it! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Donuel Date: 09 Jul 10 - 01:12 PM I have a silver civil war era pocket watch from the Hurlbert estate that was found in our farm house attic. Hurlbert trained horses by way of a bridaless system which is described in one of the first issues of Scientific American Magazine. His brother also managed to patent a telescope. The watch keeps time but I have lost the winding key that goes in the back of the watch. Are these keys easy to find old dude? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 09 Jul 10 - 02:49 PM Donuel, I have seen many on ebay ... however I know Terry could probably sell you one. He is a mater watch maker and repair man http://www.watchrepair.cc/pocketwatches.html Dan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,Songbob Date: 09 Jul 10 - 04:29 PM When did they switch from key-wind to stem-wind? I do Civil War reenactments, and have two watches (both somewhat working). One of 'em is a stem-wind Elgin, and I suppose it is too new -- 1880 or so -- but the nameless key-winder is a pain to wind and to set, so my preference is the stem-winder. When were stem-wind watches in common use (even if the Elgin company isn't the right date, the technology might be right -- who knows?)? Thanks Bob Clayton |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Edthefolkie Date: 09 Jul 10 - 04:37 PM After my mother passed away last year (at 95), I found a pocket watch in the corner of a box with lots of other stuff. No glass although miraculously the hands were still present, fairly battered silver case, key wind. Didn't look particularly inspiring. BUT I found it was my Grandpa's because he had had it engraved inside the case - G A Ratcliffe, Beeston, Notts. I also looked at the face - A W Watch Co, Waltham Mass. - and the serial number - 8085152. And here's the amazing thing - within 10 minutes of logging on to the Web, I had most of the watch's history, thanks to some public spirited guys in the States and the UK who don't mind putting their research online for the benefit of others. Turned out to be an "1883" model made in 1896. The watch was shipped over to the UK and received a case made in Birmingham in 1898 with an "AB" hallmark. This was Alfred Bedford, who just happened to be the manager of Waltham's UK office. I bit the bullet and took it to a repairer - he had to put a plastic glass in as diameters vary so much and it's very difficult to get hold of the right size over here. Apart from that, all the watch needed was a clean and off it went - not bad for 113 years old! My man even threw in a new key. So now it sits on our piano on a little stand. I know a little bit more about the US industrial revolution. I've seen lots of pictures of Waltham's factory, the streetcars waiting outside, and the various departments inside. Mainly though, I now have a good memory of my Grandpa every time I look up. And I try to keep it wound! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 09 Jul 10 - 06:42 PM Ed does your Waltham look like this? here is mine that I carry everyday .. keeps wonderful time Waltham |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 09 Jul 10 - 06:50 PM Key wind pocket watches like virtually all before were in use and popular up until the third quarter of the 19th century .. if you have one it is most likely before the 1870's ... most I saw were about 1850s. I had several and sold them to buy some other watches I liked. Little by little I have sold off many of my pocket watches.. right now I have only 5 or so that are keepers for kids and grandkids .. mostly railroad or highly decorated Elgins and such. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 09 Jul 10 - 06:54 PM OH in regard to Crystals, please get rid of all plastic. No kidding at least here in the states almost any Jeweler can order you a replacement glass crystal .. they are still made .. a good glass replacement never cost me more than 22 dollars US ... It is almost a sin to have plastic on such great old timepieces. :-) Dan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: kendall Date: 09 Jul 10 - 07:24 PM I want my watch back! It is a Waltham RR watch, gold. Glass crystal. I'm amazed that the face still screws on and off and has never been damaged. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 09 Jul 10 - 08:17 PM well captain some friend of yours may very well make that happen, that is one, thats pretty darn close |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 09 Jul 10 - 09:06 PM A number of good watches were lever-set, and the face (crystal and mount) screwed off so that the lever (a very small arm) could be pulled out a bit, allowing one to put the hands at the correct time. I have some, very fine railroad grade, that are set this way. I have a great grandpaw's key wind, only 7 jewel, but it still runs well. It is a Waltham of the A. W. period. I had it cleaned and oiled when I discovered it in some family stuff. My grandmother had put a note with it identifying it as her father's. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mousethief Date: 10 Jul 10 - 12:10 AM I have an 1890-something Waltham I got on eBay. It runs but drops time erratically. When I took it to the shop, they couldn't get it to drop time at all. But when I carry it around, it loses chunks of time. It's not a stem-set. I don't dare open it myself; every time I try to do something like that I end up with a lapful of parts and a sad expression. I don't have the money for the professional clean and tune-up. Do any of you watch people know what might be wrong with it? I love real clockwork, and the flywheel pocketwatch (anybody else read Longitude? if you love old watches, read it!) is a masterpiece of human ingenuity. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 10 Jul 10 - 06:08 AM My key-wound watch has been unearthed, and although I can't see a maker for the movement, it looks like the case is Chester 1873, and possibly the sponsors are Walker and Hall, if they were going then. It has a scratched service or repair date of 1890 inside the case. I have just gently wound it, and it's ticking away nicely, although I may get it serviced at some point. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: kendall Date: 10 Jul 10 - 07:11 AM Dan, I have VERY few friends who would do that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 10 Jul 10 - 09:39 AM Andrea that watch used a pretty standard winder. I bet you can pick one up on ebay for about 10 dollars US |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 10 Jul 10 - 10:12 AM Winder gosh I used to have one ... I will dig around if I find it I will give it to you ... now where did I put it ... hmmmm |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Edthefolkie Date: 10 Jul 10 - 10:36 AM Olddude, yes Grandpa's Waltham is pretty similar but it's key wind, not stem wind. It's "AW grade" which is standard without any frills, 7 jewels, Breguet spring balance, style KW. Must get a Flickr account then I can stick a picture up! Congratulations on keeping on wearing yours by the way - I would lose/break mine inside a couple of days! You're quite right about glass being the proper thing. However, I know the repairer (he owns the jeweller's shop), the job was done at a very reasonable price, and I reasoned that if I didn't do something quickly it'd go back in the box and not get fixed. At some future date I can always get a real glass fitted but I think the surround may need fettling a bit. I think it's wonderful that these things survive and still work (with some TLC). And - they were NOT just thrown away when they developed problems because very often they were the most valuable thing the owner possessed. Certainly so in the case of my poor old grandpa. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 10 Jul 10 - 03:29 PM I have 3 spare watch keys (a legacy from my mum in the 1960s when she was trying to get one to fit the watch). I'll gladly post them to anyone who wants them, as they've been in a box with a load of other random spare keys she accumulated in the 60s and 70s, when she was in the antiques trade, on the off-chance that she might need them one day. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,Songbob Date: 10 Jul 10 - 08:48 PM Mouldy, is one of them keys particularly small? I have another pocket watch, from my wife's family, and it's a small one. Swiss (can't recall the make, but the company now makes $2000 watches, so...). The key for it is lots smaller than the key for the one I use in the Civil War Comrades band, so if it's a small key, I'd like to try it out. I don't need the whole lot, but if there's a small 'un, I'd like it. Bob Clayton 8401 Cedar St. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Thanks |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 10 Jul 10 - 11:19 PM All keys are small (sizes 1-3 in American nomenclature), I believe Swiss keywinds took the smallest but I don't have a Swiss keywind so not sure. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,saulgoldie Date: 11 Jul 10 - 11:08 AM I would like to get an old 17 jewel, railroad-quality pocket watch with a good face good crystal, functional closing cover, that works over, under, sideways, down. Any ideas where to go for one, and what should I expect to pay? Thanks. Saul saulgoldie@Gmail.com |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 11 Jul 10 - 11:58 AM Bob, I've measured them across the narrowest bit in mm. 3mm, 3.5mm and 4mm with very similar looking holes of about 2mm. (One has a 6 on it - my watch's has a 2 on it). If you still want them, I'll send them. By the way, Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn have some gold watch keys (19 illustrated) estimate £600-800. Lot 578, Thurs 22 July. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 11 Jul 10 - 01:29 PM Saul, closed face are uncomon. Lots of junk out there and recent garbage. Best to go to a watch show and talk to dealers. A few of interest on Ebay, but mostly junk. Elgin 15j 1889 pre-standards, hunter case, nice early, 160452639411, open for bids. Elgin. Hunter case, 17j, needs service- 260629798018 Waltham 16 size Crescent Street 400084144983. Needs service. Open face but I like the 21j Crescent Street. I have one, a favorite. Elgin 21j open face Raymond. Just serviced, a reputable dealer. Open for bids. -140423902967 Hamilton 992, 972- excellent RR watches. Some on offer. Look for dealer-service offers, cleaned recently. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: BK Lick Date: 12 Jul 10 - 07:42 PM I have a lovely old pocket watch that I used back when I was holding forth in front of a classroom -- leaving it on the desk before me, I could pace the presentation without looking at my wrist repeatedly (and the face is large and clear enough to be read easily at a distance). It's a 14 karat Elgin Crusader with a G.M. Wheeler 17 jewel movement just like the watch pictured here. Using this lovely Elgin Watch Collectors Site I was able to look up the serial number and thereby glean a deal of esoteric information about the watch (e.g., the movement is a grade 452 made in 1926, and it ticks five times per second). I think I may start using it again, if only on special occasions. —BK |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Jul 10 - 10:57 PM Not a pocket watch, but just dug out an old Ladies Rolex (marked Rolex 15 j on the ratchet wheel) The dial is that of a jeweler in Victoria, B. C., Shortt Hill & Duncan. By the design I am guessing that it was made shortly after 1908 when the name Rolex came into being. I have been threatening to look into its history for years and now I am going to try. It runs, but needs cleaning; I also have to look for a Canadian watchmaker who will take it on. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: open mike Date: 13 Jul 10 - 10:00 AM I wonder what ever happened to the project we were organizing for Utah Phillips? I think some collections were taken up and we were trying to acquire a watch for Utah before he died. As I recall he passed away before we could find one and get it to him. I hope the funds that were collected were donated to his widow. Does anyone know? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: open mike Date: 13 Jul 10 - 10:06 AM here is the thread where we worked on getting a watch for Utah http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=109059 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,Songbob Date: 13 Jul 10 - 03:51 PM Second try at posting this -- yesterday it froze and wouldn't go through. Mouldy, I'll take the keys if you've a mind to send 'em to me. My address is above, but it's Bob Clayton 8401 Cedar St. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Let me know the postage and I'll reimburse you. Bob Clayton |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 14 Jul 10 - 04:18 AM I'll get them posted this week, Bob. Don't worry about the postage! I take it you are in the US? Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 14 Jul 10 - 07:50 AM Proper old watchhes are beautiful, but battery watches are very handy. What I'd like is a pocket watch with a battery, to wear on a chain to go with my waistcoat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 14 Jul 10 - 10:07 AM Here is a crazy story but true. I always wondered why my watch batteries all drained out (suppose to last 2 years) after a few months. One time on TV some researcher was talking about what people who had the near death experience have in common. One of the things she said was "they seem to drain batteries very fast on watches" ... I was pretty shocked to hear that. Then I started to use my old pocket watch again since it is wind up ... Still will wear a wrist watch on occasion but no kidding .. a month or two months ... battery dead. So not only do I use my old pocket watch cause I love it ... it is functional for me over anything new |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 14 Jul 10 - 10:31 AM Bob, I've posted 'em. You should get them sometime within the next 7 days, at a guess. Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,Songbob Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:19 AM Mouldy -- they arrived, and they are neat. Unfortunately, they are all too large, though one is close. I guess I'll have to actually seek out the proper key. Sigh. But the keys are, as I said, neat. I like the one from Boston especially. What do I owe you for postage? Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,josep Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:09 AM Saul, Railroad watches don't usually have covers but are open face. As for what you'd pay, a good round number would be $500. It would depend on how old it is, how broke it is, how rare it is, etc. You could buy an old broken one and have it fixed but it would depend on what's wrong with it. Just a new spring or something would be fixable based on your financial situation but for most people would be fixable. But extensive work is probably not worth it even if you could afford it. The trouble is, you buy it and then discover there's too much to fix and have to scrap the idea. Now you're stuck with an unfixable watch. A repaired watch could be over $1000 but I'll stick with $500 as a good round number to base your expectations on. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: mouldy Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:24 AM You don't owe me anything...it cost half a pint of beer. So if we ever meet up, it's your round! Andrea |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 20 Jul 10 - 09:05 AM I have had many friends say theirs runs but it runs a little slow or a little fast. That is normal. Don't forget in the back of the watch there is a small lever that needs to be moved to slow or fast .. Once you have it set right, the old watch will keep great time. My 1883 Railroad watch is dead nuts accurate but when I first got it , it ran a little slow, moved the lever a notch and it stands up to my modern digital watch day in and day out ... right on the money ... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 20 Jul 10 - 09:27 AM And the back of old open face watches unscrew by turning right to get to the lever for time adjustments, don't pry .. can't tell you how many of them I seen with the case all screwed up from someone trying to pry them open ... closed face watchs there is a small bulge on the back for opening with your thumbnail but open face watches the back unscrews ... it is so sad to see a watch that survived over a hundred years with the case all destroyed from trying to pry when it should be unscrewed |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Mark Ross Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:30 PM Utah took an old watch case and put one of those cheap digital timepieces that had some sticky stuff on the back in the case(the kind you could leave up on a wall). He also had a pocket watch with Disney's ubiquitous rodent on the watch face, which Bruce claimed was from some Mickey Mouse Railroad. My pocket watch, a Hamilton 992B with a stainless steel case, was handed down to me by old A.L.Nurse, the IWW organizer I worked with in Montana. Unfortunately, he was still on the ladder when the cops came. Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: kendall Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:45 PM If anyone sees a watch fob at a flea market I'm in the market for one. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 20 Jul 10 - 08:48 PM I keep me eyes open fer ya kendall |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 20 Jul 10 - 09:39 PM Lots of new watch fobs on Ebay, a few good oldies, but I don't know what they will end up selling for. Be careful, some so-called antique fobs, esp. tractors, etc. are repros of the last 10-50 years. I have a grandfather's Elks Club Elk tooth I should put on a chain. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: GUEST,oldude Date: 20 Jul 10 - 10:15 PM in this life, there are watches and then there is the 992b .. put it this way, if you took every other watch past and present .. well they would not be a 992b. nothing before or after can match it. it was and still is a standard no one else ever came close to. i will find one that is affordable someday oh yes |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: BK Lick Date: 20 Jul 10 - 11:57 PM Olddude HE says And the back of old open face watches unscrew by turning right to get to the lever for time adjustments, don't pryThat ain't necessarily so. Here are a coupla good pages on opening watch cases: Opening Pocket Watch Cases How To Open a Watch Case And here's a good page on watch repair in general: What You Need To Know About Watch Repair —BK |
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Subject: RE: BS: Old Pocket Watches From: olddude Date: 21 Jul 10 - 07:46 AM BK is correct .. but in general what I said is nearly always the way it is. I have seen very few that you pry but yes there are those that you do ... but a great idea is -when it doubt check it out first- or you ruin your case. I just have seen way too many in my life where people immediately pry and didn't unscrew |
