Question about marking on pocket watch

[robhyam]

Hi folks;

I have been researching a watch that was my great-grandfathers. From the great databases available here I have determined many things about the watch. One thing that I haven't deciphered yet is an inscription under the movement cover that is numbered 18277D. I am pretty certain that the other inscriptions are service dates (a couple of people actually signed their initials). Please have a look at the following pictures if interested.

I received the watch from my father who, in turn, received it from his brother Phillip. I believe that Phillip was a former member of the NAWCC who repired and built watches and clocks. He built my grandmother clock for me back in 1982. I haven't been able to confirm that he was a member, but my aunt is trying to find his NAWCC card for me. I wish I had been able to spend more time with him to "pick his brain about horology", but I'm doing the same with you wonderful folks!

Thank you,
Rob Hyam
NAWCC #0165095

Waltham watch (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/554434452LbpCHx)

[robhyam]

Hi folks;

I have been researching a watch that was my great-grandfathers. From the great databases available here I have determined many things about the watch. One thing that I haven't deciphered yet is an inscription under the movement cover that is numbered 18277D. I am pretty certain that the other inscriptions are service dates (a couple of people actually signed their initials). Please have a look at the following pictures if interested.

I received the watch from my father who, in turn, received it from his brother Phillip. I believe that Phillip was a former member of the NAWCC who repired and built watches and clocks. He built my grandmother clock for me back in 1982. I haven't been able to confirm that he was a member, but my aunt is trying to find his NAWCC card for me. I wish I had been able to spend more time with him to "pick his brain about horology", but I'm doing the same with you wonderful folks!

Thank you,
Rob Hyam
NAWCC #0165095

Waltham watch (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/554434452LbpCHx)

[Kate N]

Looks like a service marking to me, as it is scratched into the case, rather than stamped.

Kate

[robhyam]

Kate,

I suspect that you are right, I wondered about it because it wasn't in a date format (at least, it wasn't similar to the other dates inscribed). Could it be a number associated with a repair facility or person?

Thanks for looking,
Rob

[rrpktwtchr]

Rob - it's my understanding that each watchmaker has his own personalized marking system - thereby - being able to recognize his own individual handiwork. Think of it as sorta like a brand on livestock . . .

[Kent]

Rob:

Some watch repairers used the repair job numbers as their marks.

[Don Dahlberg]

NAWCC membership records can be searched by either number or name. You could write research@nawcc.org. Be patient, volunteers like me only come in once a week, this week I am going to a car show instead.

Don
NAWCC Volunteer