Collecting Styles - What's Yours

[Hatman]

I am inclined to "collect" South Bend watches. My reasons are entirely personal, probably not practical maybe even romantic but valid nonetheless. I got started by inheriting two watches from my grandfathers. The first one I got from the only grandfather I actually knew. Guess what? It is a South Bend. http://www.nawcc.org/ubb/cool.gif

Since I don't know anyone who collects PW's I thought I'd ask you all. As far as collecting goes, what is "normal?" :biggrin:

Do you collect just any ole pocketwatch? Do you collect a specific style (hunter, open, etc)? A particular manufacturer? A particular age? A particular model? Tell me about why you chose what you choose.



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Regards,
Carl "Hatman" Schultz

My Pocketwatch Collection (http://www.intermodalsoftware.com/pktwatch.htm)

[Hatman]

I am inclined to "collect" South Bend watches. My reasons are entirely personal, probably not practical maybe even romantic but valid nonetheless. I got started by inheriting two watches from my grandfathers. The first one I got from the only grandfather I actually knew. Guess what? It is a South Bend. http://www.nawcc.org/ubb/cool.gif

Since I don't know anyone who collects PW's I thought I'd ask you all. As far as collecting goes, what is "normal?" :biggrin:

Do you collect just any ole pocketwatch? Do you collect a specific style (hunter, open, etc)? A particular manufacturer? A particular age? A particular model? Tell me about why you chose what you choose.



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Regards,
Carl "Hatman" Schultz

My Pocketwatch Collection (http://www.intermodalsoftware.com/pktwatch.htm)

[fffffg]

18s,elgin,keywind,silver,gold filled. cant aford solid gold,,, (yet)..... so many watches and so little time..... dave..

[rrwatch]

Normal?? By definition, pocket watch collectors aren't normal!
But, as far as what to collect, collect what you like. You don't have to please anyone else with your collection but yourself. If collecting South Bends is what pushes your buttons, then collect South Bends. The only other recommendations I might make are to get the best condition you can afford of each watch in your collection. Also, join the NAWCC, where you will get to meet others who share your addiction (er, hobby), and start learning all you can.


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Ed Ueberall
NAWCC #49688

[John Cote]

I think the "What to Collect?" question is one of the most interesting topics to come up here lately.

I know lots of collectors. They range from those who just buy what ever is cheap to those who specialize in early Howards only. I personally think it is good to have some focus in your collecting habits....like I collect RR watches, or I collect private labels, or South Bends, or Early American, or whatever. I know lots of guys who have 1000 or so watches with no theme or organization. I guess this is OK but it is not for me.

Then there is the question of condition and originality. Does everything in my collection have to be perfect or near perfect?

There are a lot of great questions about putting together a collection. I hope this stimulates some good conversation.

One thing is for sure. As has been stated above, being a member of the NAWCC is a distinct advantage for a watch collector.


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JohnCote
President, Indiana Chapter 18 - NAWCC

http://www.interstatetime.com

[mikeh]

Hi Carl,

Welcome! First, join the NAWCC and attend some regional shows. There are probably a few within driving distance of you there in Memphis, but the April show at Sam's Town in Tunica comes to mind. It's not the greatest show in the world, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it and it's close. (And if you get bored, there's always something else to do nearby :smile:) Anyway, look around, pick up some books, talk to some of the oldtimers, learn, etc., and I almost guarantee that something will catch your eye and draw you in.

But when making purchases, always bear in mind that the more you learn, the greater possibility that your tastes might change along the way, so what you buy now may not be what you wind up keeping. In my case, I started out wanting all railroads, then my interest was in keywinds, and it's now pre-1900 Walthams. Who knows, I may never amass a huge collection of anything in particular, but I will at one time or another own [and learn about] a lot of different watches, and that's OK too. Hmm... maybe this means I'm not a true collector.

Good luck,
Mike

[Jack wagner]

Good Topic!

My story was a pocket watch when I was a kid. I was looking for a new wrist watch and bought a 14k 1946 Lord Elgin. That started it. I started looking at vintage and antique watches.

At first, I went through what I call a "Gee Whiz" phase something older than me and still works! Phase two is what I call the "FEW" phase. A few Keywinds,a few Railroads, a few Ladies and etc., etc. Someone then hit me with a 2x4 and said FOCUS taking me out of the flavor of the month club. This put me into Phase three which is filing in the holes I still have but leaning torward one company. I don't know what Phase four will bring but I know for a fact I don't want to get to Phase five which starts "Jack does bequeath....".

[Jacke Chilson]

The Factors that led me to collecting pocket watches were many. First I live in a mobile hone bought and paid for and I was collecting and running toy trains not the little ones the O gauge made by lionel well I got so many that I ran out of room and had to quit buying them. Now watches are not as large by comparision and you can fit a lot in a small place. I collect mostly watches befor 1910 and I will pick up a european watch from time to time but mostly american 15J or better. The history of watches interest me and have spent hours (not waisting time)keeping busy learning about them. The on line community is also very supportive and has kept me interested. These are a few of my reason's for being that watch nut. :biggrin:

[misterfox]

Hatman....
There is a lot of good advice, here.
Collect what you like. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
The NAWCC gets you a lot of resources. Learn all you can.... Knowledge will improve
your collecting.
Best of luck!
Misterfox

[Steve Maddox]

Maybe I'm just not a very sophisticated collector, but I like "odd watches." Pocket or wrist, foreign or domestic, expensive or cheap, I don't really care what they are, as long as they're unusual. Part of my joy from collecting comes from being able to share my "treasures" with others, and I particularly like being able to show people things they've never seen before. I've found that most "average" people aren't interested in seeing one example of every Elgin model ever produced, but a nice repeater (or even a cheap one) will knock their socks off every time!

I doubt that any of us participating here now will ever live to see the day that "common" watches become difficult to find. My philosophy, therefore, is to collect as much obscure stuff as I can find now, and then later, if I want to string it all together somehow, I can add the requisite common pieces to fill in the gaps. This is just my opinion, however, and I certainly don't want to encourage anyone else to follow my example! :biggrin:

Like others have said before, rule #1 should be "HAVE FUN!"


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

[Kent]

I think that Steve has a good idea for a collection and even a theme - odd watches.

I started out trying to assemble a collection of one of each size of railroad watch, 21-jewel or more, from each manufacturer. My taste shifted before I could complete that goal. Now, like Steve, I look for odd-ball watches. The only difference is that they need to be railroad watches, or conceivably could have been railroad watches. An example is this Post WWII Swiss Watch (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/bedforde_dial_&_mvt.jpg). You won't find it on any list of approved watches. Nevertheless, its a 16-size, 21-jewel, lever-set, A6P, anti-magnetic watch for which there is documentation that it was used in service in western Canada.

Kent

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 12-23-2001).]