HC RR pocket watches

[jdsmithnj]

First off I'd like to thank those who replied to my RR watch question of the other day. Now: Again referring to the many lists of "approved" watches, and also to Shugart, I note that the hunter case was generally not approved. Is there an obvious reason for this that I've missed? It seems to this novice that a case which better protected the dial and crystal would be more desirable.
Thanks again.

[jdsmithnj]

First off I'd like to thank those who replied to my RR watch question of the other day. Now: Again referring to the many lists of "approved" watches, and also to Shugart, I note that the hunter case was generally not approved. Is there an obvious reason for this that I've missed? It seems to this novice that a case which better protected the dial and crystal would be more desirable.
Thanks again.

[Barry G]

I always assumed it was simply because a hunter case was more difficult to check the time in a hurry, especially if the lift spring and/or catch were not in good condition.

As far as I know, though, hunter cases actually WERE approved in the mid to late 1800's, and even into the early 1900's. They seem to have gone out of style about the same time that 18 size watches did. I could be wrong about this, of course, and I'm sure somebody will correct me momentarily...

:wink:

Regards,

Barry

------------------
My Online Pocket Watch Collection:
http://www.ultranet.com/~barry/watches.htm

[Tom McIntyre]

As Barry says, many HC were approved and/or grandfathered. The rap against HC watches is that they cannot be made dustproof. While strictly speaking, this is not true, the lift spring provides a path to the inside of the movement that is difficult to avoid. Dust was the great danger to the railroad watch and much of the early effort was devoted to making them more dustproof. That is why they are so often found in swingout cases that were considered better protection than hinged back or screw back cases. (They were less likely to be gawked at.)


------------------
Tom McIntyre
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.mcintyre.com/McIntyre)

[This message has been edited by Tom McIntyre (edited 09-03-2000).]

[Kent]

Hunting-case watches continued to be used in service on some railroads by some classes of employees as late as the early 1950's.

Kent

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 09-05-2000).]

[Jon Hanson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tom McIntyre:
As Barry says, many HC were approved and/or grandfathered. The rap against HC watches is that they cannot be made dustproof. While strictly speaking, this is not true, the lift spring provides a path to the inside of the movement that is difficult to avoid. Dust was the great danger to the railroad watch and much of the early effort was devoted to making them more dustproof. That is why they are so often found in swingout cases that were considered better protection than hinged back or screw back cases. (They were less likely to be gawked at.)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Jon Hanson]

Tom,

Isn't this why the dust band was invented?

There are also other types of dust proof cases that are hunting, eg., O'Hara, Keystone, etc. But, yes, swing rings are the best dust proof cases; EXCEPT, ones with the special dust proof stems are ever better! (BUT I STILL HATE SR cases-for the obvious reason!)

Jon Hanson, nawcc #8801

------------------
Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[This message has been edited by Jon Hanson (edited 09-03-2000).]

[Alan Walker]

I would also add that the hunting case required additional parts that added to it's complexity versus the simplicity of an open face case. To be more specific, it required a release mechanism to allow the lid of the case to open and a spring to provide the actual force to open the case. Having actually carried one in train service, I must admit that I personally find it to be inconvienant to have to open the case every time I need to know what time it is. That happens very frequently when running a train, so I can see that that aspect of the case would make it relatively unpopular with railroaders when other types were available.

[John Cote]

This topic is going to be exhausted soon, but I will add my 2 cents worth (well maybe 1 cent worth).

Just trying to find a nice working hunting case, with tight hinges that opens and closes properly at a mart will tell you how hard it is to maintain one. Many Gold Filled hunters with minimal wear on the surface have messed up hinges and or clasps, because it is easy to mess them up. A working man needed a watch that worked all the time. I love to carry a big old gold hunter around in my vest pocket, but I don't carry it very often because every time I open it I can feel it wearing out.