Old Pocketwatch seeking restoration...

[treasuredtimepiece]

I'm a very old pocketwatch, white dial but missing my hands and crystal. My movement is still intact, seeking someone to bring life and dignity back to my once beautiful form.

Hopefully the link will work so I may share pics - anyone with comments or point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. :smile:

Durand Pocket Watch (http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=127193)

[treasuredtimepiece]

I'm a very old pocketwatch, white dial but missing my hands and crystal. My movement is still intact, seeking someone to bring life and dignity back to my once beautiful form.

Hopefully the link will work so I may share pics - anyone with comments or point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. :smile:

Durand Pocket Watch (http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=127193)

[treasuredtimepiece]

A bit more info/description of this pocketwatch:

Early keywind, missing key. French origin, dates to approximately 1780 according to balance cock information. Porcelain dial, marked on face and inside as follows - 'Durand' and 'A. Tinchebray'. Found some info on Henry Durand, was an engraver and watchmaker, lived in Newark, NJ and originated from France. Case appears to be silver. Watch measures 2" in diameter.

(This was the description of the watch when advertised for sale. Anyone that could offer info or comments, and a lead to someone that could professional restore this timepiece would be helpful).

[Tom McIntyre]

Your link displays "this album does not exist."

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[treasuredtimepiece]

Tom,

My thanks, didn't realize I wasn't able to 'share' the album. The only way is to email the link directly. I was able to email the link to you (hope you don't mind).

If anyone else would like to view this old pocketwatch please let me know, I would be more than happy to email the link. I'm hoping for suggestions or recommendations on restoration.

My thanks! :smile:

[treasuredtimepiece]

My goodness, what a time creating a page for this timepiece! Okay, now it can be viewed from its own page! Appreciate any comments, suggestions or recommendations for restoration.

Thanks!! :smile:Durand Pocket Watch for Restoration (http://hstrial-lamarino.homestead.com/Index.html)

[Tom McIntyre]

Congratulations on getting the page made. I also made a page for you on www.nawcc-info.org (http://www.nawcc-info.org)

You can use it to make links like this one if you really want to get into it. (click to make it bigger.)

http://www.nawcc-info.org/Amarino/DialClose_small.jpg (http://www.nawcc-info.org/Amarino/DialClose.jpg)

The New Jersey Durand is not related to the maker of your watch except perhaps as a distant descendant.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[treasuredtimepiece]

Tom,

I thank you kindly for entering the info. That was very nice. The only info I obtained on the piece was the descriptive info entered by the former owner. I have no idea who this maker may have been.

In case anyone's wondering, this pocketwatch was an eBay purchase. I was surfin' through the items and it caught my eye, especially the movement. I paid $262.00 for it and I just would really like to have it functioning again (in my eyes, it's a beautiful piece worthy of restoration). I don't care if I have to put out another 200-400 for restoration, I'd like to see some fine new hands and crystal placed on it, and the movement ticking away.

I'm not familiar with who I could send it to/or would be willing to take it on as a new project.

Thanks again... :smile:

[stephenlouis]

MAR... :wink: I was following that watch as I was curious about it.Good for you on winning it.Did you read this? (http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/~chssocst/dhhistory.htm)

Let us know what you learn,Tinchebray is pretty close to the french Normandy spelling of Tinchebrai...dont know if it relates to your french connection or not.

[treasuredtimepiece]

Okay, here's more of what I've found (thanks Stephanlouis for your link).

An engraver and artist, Asher Brown Durand, was the son of an engraver and watchmaker, resided in the town of what is now Mapleshade NJ. Some of the sites read that he also took part early on in watchmaking with his father - but he was better known for engraving and then painting landscapes.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find any further on his father (who I might 'guess' may have made this watch?). And, Tinchebray, as you stated also spelled Tinchebrai, is a town in Normandy, France.

Seems I'm not able to find much info as to exactly where (France or possibly in NJ?) this watch may have been made, but none the less, at least I've learned a bit more with the help here on the forum (and may I say, what a great group there is!).

Still no leads on where/by whom I could get this piece restored (?)

Asher Brown Durand/Bit of Biography (http://57.1911encyclopedia.org/D/DU/DURAND_ASHER_BROWN.htm)

[Tom McIntyre]

Your watcg us definitely French from the late 18th or early 19th century. The name under Durand on the dial is a town or district name.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[Frank Menez]

On the case there appears to be a bird type hall mark; It looks like a Grouse and if that is the case that would be a Swiss Hall Mark for 800 silver. Some times the French used Doves & Swans for the silver Mark.

Frank

PS As Tom has said it appears to be a French movement and the Town of Tinchebray is in France

[treasuredtimepiece]

Well, I've unearthed some more info - it seems this 'Durand' family possessed many talented individuals. In this article, it explains that not only this Asher Brown Durand's father was a watchmaker, but that also his brother, Cyrus, enjoyed watchmaking as well. His father definately originated in Normandy, and I'm in agreement that this is of French origin.

What I'm wondering is if this watch was made here in the states (after his fathers arrival) or prior to coming to the U.S. Is there any way to determine where this watch was actually made?

Also, I read through this months mart publication but I'm at a real loss as to who I might contact to propose the restoration. Can anyone tell me if there is anyone exceptional that really enjoys working on these old time pieces?

Also, here's another link (pdf formatted) to yet another article on this Durand family, and in particular (page 3) the information on his brother Cyrus as well as referencing the "Durand & Co." jewelry company (though my thoughts are that this watch was made after the conception of the jewelry company).

Durand-Hedden House Celebration (pdf. format) (ftp://ftp.alvyray.com/Acrobat/Durand/Final_Fall_Newsletter_Durand_Hedden_Web.pdf)

[Tom McIntyre]

The earliest Durand watchmaker listed in your link is John who was born in the colonies in 1745. He would have been old enough to have made your watch but he lived in the wrong country.

Interestingly the article says that his father Samuel was born in 1713 and died in 1852. I suspect the 1852 should be 1752. That means John was fatherless at the age of 7.

Durand was a prominent case maker and has a patent for a "convertible case" that displays the watch either as an open face or hunter style.

However, all this work is much later than the nice old French verge you posted the pictures of.

An American watch in a Durand convertible case sold at the last Jones and Horan auction in New Hampshire.

Your watch can likely be repaired in the UK much more readily than here. The cost may be substantial.

If you have not found anyone you might try to contact David Penney about having the work done over there. David posts on this board from time to time.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[treasuredtimepiece]

My thanks Tom, your investigative work is bringing more light on this piece. :smile:

I checked the Jones & Horan auction site, wow, what a field day one could have inspecting and viewing all those pocketwatches!

As far as researching the 'A. Tinchebray' (or the Tinchebrai) I've found nothing further - guess they possibly wanted to mark the towns name? Clueless on that one...

Is there anyone specific that could be recommended in the UK (I'd have no idea since I'm so novice). If not, is this David Penney available to be reached through the membership?

In any event, it's been interesting gathering the information and remarkable to read the talent derived from one family. :smile:

[Tom McIntyre]

You can reach David at david@davidpenney.co.uk.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[treasuredtimepiece]

Great! I've just sent off an email inviting him to view this thread and pictures, as well as determining if this is something he'd like to restore.

My thanks again! :smile:

[David Penney]

Though I do try a check the NAWCC Message Boards, if I get the time, I am grateful to Tom MacIntyre for putting you in touch.

First, your watch. It is typical of the sort of Swiss made made verge retailed in France at the end of the 18th century. The name on the dial, Durand, would have been the retailer, and the village of Tinchebray is about 30 miles south of Caen in North West France.

Watchmaking at this time was a collaborative activity and would have involved at least forty separate trades based in centres such as Geneva, Le Locle and the Swiss/French Jura. The names engraved on movements and placed on dials are mostly retailers whose activity would have been selling, cleaning and repair.

From the pictures of your watch it would seem to need new hands, a new glass, a new bow and a clean. It may also need one or more repairs to get it working. This is something any competent watch repairer could undertake and I do not think you need to get involved in sending the watch out of the US to get this work done - especially as many such watches would have accompanied their European owners when moving to America in the first half of the 19th century and spares, such as correct style hands, should not be a problem. A visit to your nearest NAWCC Regional meeting should bring you the contacts you require.

My best wishes and welcome to the fascinating world of watch making.

David Penney
antiquarian horologist & horological consultant

www.antiquewatchstore.com (http://www.antiquewatchstore.com)

[treasuredtimepiece]

David,

I can't thank you enough (& thanks to Tom for suggesting you!). As you can probably tell, I really enjoy the history that goes along with these beautiful old timepieces. :smile:

Also, I'm glad to learn that the restoration of this pocketwatch (based of course, on the pics) should be able to be done here in the states, although I'd love to send this old piece over to you (not sure if you'd have the time). In any event, my sincere thanks and gratitude for taking a glance and joining in the discussion.

I have quickly discovered a truly wonderful group of pocketwatch (and ALL timepieces) enthusiasts here! :smile:

[treasuredtimepiece]

My other new arrival - this is my very first pocket watch purchase, arrived today. I was so excited when I saw the mail courier come to my door, I knew it had to be this one.

Now, since this is my first pocket watch, it's a stem wind, I'd like to know if I just wind it as you would a wristwatch or is there anything I need to be careful of? I turned the stem just little and it is running but I don't want to wind it anymore without knowing if it's okay.

I've been admiring since it arrived and I think it's just beautiful :smile: Here's a link to pics of my new beauty (of course, this is *my* opinion)

Eclair Pocket Watch (http://hstrial-lamarino.homestead.com/EclairPocketwatch.html)