Ingersoll Reliance and Trenton

[Mark A. Holmes]

Looking for people of like interest with Ingersoll Reliance and Trentons for sharing information. Anyone out their brave enough to admit they dabble with these minor pieces?

Mark A. Holmes

[Mark A. Holmes]

Looking for people of like interest with Ingersoll Reliance and Trentons for sharing information. Anyone out their brave enough to admit they dabble with these minor pieces?

Mark A. Holmes

[doug sinclair]

Mark,

I'll open the door a bit more on this one. I have a Trenton which was produced for a Chicago broker, and the name on the dial is "Locomotive Special". It has the Trenton 6th model 18-size movement in a heavy Silverode case. Seven working jewels, 6 celluloid fake jewels, and marked 23-jewels (very optimistic!), locomotive on the movement and on the porcelain dial, lever set, two-tone movement marked adjusted (very optimistic). I am not planning on amassing a large collection of Trentons any time soon, but I like this one for what it represents. I won't call it a fake as it doesn't "borrow" a prominent maker's name. I'll call it a "masquerade" watch as it pretends to be something it isn't. As such, to me it is an interesting part of the story wrapped up in the evolution of watches. As is my Ingersoll "Yankee"!

Regards,
Doug S.

------------------

[David Melcher]

I guess I can come out of the closet on this one too. Saw this post and realized I had an Ingersoll-Trenton buried down in my "to do" box. It's 16S, HC mvmt, PS, only 7J. It's all there except for the case and the DS dial is in not too bad of shape.
Being a low grade watch it was buried deep in that box.
http://www.acmecity.com/countrymusic/ironhorse/68/image1.JPG

[doug sinclair]

Mark & Others,

While on the subject of Trenton & Ingersoll, I can offer a tidbit on Ingersoll. I have an Ingersoll Yankee with its case paper intact. I am not sure how many of these would have survived considering how these watches were regarded in their day. I'm sorry I can't scan this and send a picture, but in the event it might interest all (or some) of you, I'll enclose it.

It reads:

This watch is guaranteed to keep good time for one year and will be repaired by us FREE if, without abuse, it fails to do so. It should run properly for ten years, and after the first year it will be repaired by us for 25 cents.

Dealer should fill in date:___________190__

R H INGERSOLL BROS Makers
51 Maiden Lane, N. Y. City

Watch is numbered and date of sale recorded. OPTION: -(1st year only). Repairs require 10 days. Should you not wish to wait, send 10 cents and we will send you an ENTIRELY NEW WATCH at once, provided watch returned has not been abused. ALWAYS send 5 cents extra for return postage. Wrap the watch carefully, and put your name and address on pkge.

As I have been typing this, this old turnip has been talking to me. Little did the Ingersoll Bros. know that they could have said "It should run properly for 100 years". Since Ingersoll was ultimately absorbed by TIMEX, I'll bet this would be a good story for their website.

Hope you enjoyed this.

Regards,
Doug S.

[Tom Huber]

I have an Ingersoll in my collection that I got in the bottom of a junk box bought at a mart. Mine is 90 million range SN. This watch has a rubber case protector which covers all but the dial. When I removed the rubber protector to look at the movement, the case looks brand new. The dial is in excellent condition, and it keeps time to about 30 sec/day. Somebody must have looked at the Ingersoll name, and threw it into the junk box. You'll never know what you will find. Tom

[Mark A. Holmes]

Thank you Gentlemen for your replies and scans. I have enjoyed reading them (and yes coveted each piece). My interest in the Ingersoll pieces developed as I began to dabble in repair as a self taught hobby. They were inexpensive to obtain and presented a level of quality above the common dollar watch. I have been impressed with their time keeping ability and construction considering their cost at the time. However, my frustration is finding parts, especially balance staffs for the Reliance model. Anyone have a suggested outlet?

Also would like to hear some opinion on the "7 Jewel" claim made by the Reliance watch. They appear to be more bushing than jewel.

Mark A. Holmes

[Brad Maisto]

Mark, I also have several Ingersoll Reliance's because I think my father's father carried this type of watch. I also have one interesting 19-jewel Ingersoll Trenton OF marked "Adjusted Five Positions, Isochronism, Temperature" serial number 3,428,353 that has a dial similar to the Steve Maddox post. Mine needs a mainspring ! I could try to send you pictures! Brad Maisto (Maisto_Brad_R@Lilly.com)