AWW Co pocket watch

[Golfer1066]

Hello all. I have an open face case pocket watch with AWW Co Waltham Mass on the face which has roman numerals and gold hands with a separate seconds face inset.I,m not sure what size the watch is as I don't know howto measure it. The movement is by Am Watch Co and also has BOND ST engraved on it with safety barrel. The ref number is 7666621 which , i believe, makes the year of manufacture 1897. The siver case has UK hallmarks which make it assayed in Birmingham in 1897. I,m not sure of the size. I believe it may have belonged to my great grandfather who was born about 1835 or great grandfather born in 1859. Can anyone help with any further information? I wonder particularly why an American movement is in a UK case. Is this common? Also I think my family would be not well off. Would the watch have been issued by a company? Bus or train maybe as both my GGF and GGGF were omnibus drivers. Also what does the engraving BOND ST mean on the movement. The watch was obviously well used as the back of the case is engraved with what look like initials and a fine mesh which is almost completely worn away. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Golfer1066]

Hello all. I have an open face case pocket watch with AWW Co Waltham Mass on the face which has roman numerals and gold hands with a separate seconds face inset.I,m not sure what size the watch is as I don't know howto measure it. The movement is by Am Watch Co and also has BOND ST engraved on it with safety barrel. The ref number is 7666621 which , i believe, makes the year of manufacture 1897. The siver case has UK hallmarks which make it assayed in Birmingham in 1897. I,m not sure of the size. I believe it may have belonged to my great grandfather who was born about 1835 or great grandfather born in 1859. Can anyone help with any further information? I wonder particularly why an American movement is in a UK case. Is this common? Also I think my family would be not well off. Would the watch have been issued by a company? Bus or train maybe as both my GGF and GGGF were omnibus drivers. Also what does the engraving BOND ST mean on the movement. The watch was obviously well used as the back of the case is engraved with what look like initials and a fine mesh which is almost completely worn away. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Jerry Matthews]

Hello -

First, I can tell you that it is not at all unusual to find an American watch movement in an English made case. From around 1870 up to the First World War, American movements from companies like Waltham and Elgin poured into the UK. The Americans did to the British watch industry what the Japanese did to the British motorcycle industry 100 years later. These American watches were mass-produced, cheap and high quality (witness the number running and keeping excellent time still today). A typical English watchmaker, working with two or three apprentices would produce a handful of watches a week. The Americans had production runs in the tens of thousands.

Generally, only the movements were imported. Cases were usually English-made. One former director of Waltham, a man named Dennison, came over to Birmingham and set up what was the largest case manufacturing company in Britain. If you look at your silver case somewhere near the hallmark you will probably find the initials AB, standing for Alfred Bedford, a Waltham silversmith registered with the Birmingham assay office.

You are correct, the serial number of your watch dates it to 1897. According to the source I have, it is Model 95, size 14, 7 jewels. Bond Street is the grade; as far as I know there is no special connection with Bond Street in London.

It is possible that the watch may have been issued to one of your ancestors by the bus company---although unless it was a leaving present the company would have expected it back at the end of service. But your grandfather need not have been well-off to afford one. At one point it was possible to buy these movements in Britain for less than they were selling for in the USA. £2--£3 as a guess, which could be paid in monthly installments.

The fine mesh in called engine-turning. If you can work out the initials, it would be a clue as to which of your great- or great-great grandfathers owned it.

I am sure it is a fine old watch, and I hope you will be able to get it up and running again.

Regards, Jerry

[Golfer1066]

Hi Jerry

Many thanks for your help and you were spot on as the initials AB are indeed there. It is still working although the glass is a little scratched and opaque. Again thanks.

[Jerry Matthews]

Happy to be of help. It might be worth having the glass replaced, and possibly having the movement cleaned and oiled. There are some British Horological Institute watch repairers listed in Wiltshire. Go to this site for details:
http://www.bhi.co.uk/repairers/wiltshire.htm

Best regards, Jerry