Case question

[Mike Miller]

I have aquired a Waltham Vanguard model 1892 with a serial number that dates the watch to about 1903. The watch is housed in a basemetal case. While it looks like this has been the only movement that has been in this case, I don't think that it is necessarily the oroginal case for the movement. Pictures can be found at:
http://homepage.mac.com/fpnc/vanguard1892/PhotoAlbum2.html

The former owner has no idea of it's orgins since it has been through eBay a couple of times (which is another topic to discuss soon... online auction's ability to erase history). My question to the users of this MB... Opinions on case as to age. Could it date to the production of the movement? And what type of case would have been appropriate to this movement?



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Mike Miller

[Mike Miller]

I have aquired a Waltham Vanguard model 1892 with a serial number that dates the watch to about 1903. The watch is housed in a basemetal case. While it looks like this has been the only movement that has been in this case, I don't think that it is necessarily the oroginal case for the movement. Pictures can be found at:
http://homepage.mac.com/fpnc/vanguard1892/PhotoAlbum2.html

The former owner has no idea of it's orgins since it has been through eBay a couple of times (which is another topic to discuss soon... online auction's ability to erase history). My question to the users of this MB... Opinions on case as to age. Could it date to the production of the movement? And what type of case would have been appropriate to this movement?



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Mike Miller

[Steve Maddox]

Mike,

I believe what you have is a "replacement" case, probably made sometime between 1930 and 1950. Lots of old movements with worn out cases were recased in these, which were very economical. Frequently, railroad watches nearing the end of their careers were placed in these to patch them up enough to last until the employ using them retired. I doubt that this was the instance with your watch, however, as by the time cases of this type were produced, virtually all railroads prohibited 18s watches for regular service.

Your watch should appropriately be housed in a "tall pendant" style case, of which there are countless slight variations.

Hope this helps!

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Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

[terry hall]

I share in Steve's opinion.