pocket watches

[Jay B]

Longines Express Monarch I need some history on it if possible Jay Thompson @ mebigdummie@mchsi.com Thank you very much

[Jay B]

Longines Express Monarch I need some history on it if possible Jay Thompson @ mebigdummie@mchsi.com Thank you very much

[Kent]

Hi Jay B:

Welcome to the NAWCC Pocket Watch Message Board!

In discussing only Longines’ Express Monarch and Express Leader grade watches, the following information is extracted from the "Railroaders' Corner," NAWCC Bulletin, No. 316, Oct. 1998, pp. 619-26:
Longines watches were made in Geneva. Switzerland. Those brought into the U.S and Canada were imported by A. Wittnauer Co., New York, NY, and on each of those watches, the name "Wittnauer" is stamped on the pillar plate, under the dial. The Express Monarch grade included 21 and 23 jewel watches in 18 and 16 size, while the Express Leader grade watches were fitted with 17 and 19 jewels, also in both 18 and 16 size. The 18-size watches seemed to be produced between 1893 and 1908, while the 16-size seem to have been made between 1902 and 1928. These were all high-grade watch movements, intended for railroad time service use. Only a few U.S. railroads would accept Swiss watches. However, apparently since there were no Canadian watch factories to protect, Swiss watches were widely accepted on Canadian railroads.

Brittons-Watches has a Longines - Serial Number Table indicating Production Dates (http://www.brittons-watches.co.uk/NEW_SITE/history_dating/Date_Longines.asp) online. Another Longines Serial Number vs. Date Table (http://www.thewatchguy.com/pages/LONGINESSERIAL.html) may also be viewed online, thanks to The Watch Guy. In general, we think of serial number lists (not just for Longines, but for other watch manufacturers as well) to only be accurate within a year or two at best, and recognize that there are numerous exceptions wherein which the dates may be off as much as 3 years or more.

Good luck,

[Jay B]

Thanks Kent my father was A railroader on the Chicago Burlington Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad in the 1930's and my grandfather was before him so that put the watch about right. It is in so need of repair I don't know if it is worth it or not but it is still in the family. Thanks again for the info.


Jay B Thompson

[Kent]

Jay:

Many people have come to call any large old pocket watch, especially one with an engraving of a locomotive on the back of the case, a railroad watch. This usage is frequently is incorrect. The term "Railroad Watch" was used by the watch and jewelry trade (and is now used by collectors) to refer those high grade watches that met the requirements of railroad time service rules and standards. The railroad industry, and the railroaders themselves, referred to the watches as "Standard Watches," literally, those watches that met the railroads' time service standards.

Although the person who originally owned a watch may have worked for a railroad, it is not necessarily what could properly be called a "Railroad Watch." The use of a standard watch was only required of a portion of railroad employes (correct spelling, used in many older railroad documents), usually those directly involved in running the trains, or controlling, or affecting, the operation of trains. Other employes carried whatever watches they liked. Typical lists of those required to carry a standard watch appear in an 1892 report of Time Inspection on the Illinois Central Railroad (http://photos13.flickr.com/18116144_9bc4fcef3f_b.jpg) and as Standard Time Rule No. 2 in a 1901 Edition of Canadian Pacific Railway General, Train, and Interlocking Rules (http://photos9.flickr.com/13887167_289ea8006f_o.jpg). A later list of Burlington Route employes required to carry a standard watch is shown in these 1949 CB&Q Rules (http://static.flickr.com/52/131639186_0410d4ac47_o.jpg). The Union Pacific RR website has concise explanations of Past and Present Railroad Job Descriptions (http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/jobs.shtml) Having said all of this, your Longines Express Monarch is definately a railroad standard watch.

To learn more about railroad time service, time inspection and railroad standard watches, see ”Just What Is A Railroad Watch?” On the Pocket Horology, NAWCC Chapter 174 Website (http://www.pockethorology.org/). However, please keep in mind that information that became available since the above was written indicates that hunting-case watches were not specifically prohibited from railroad time service, at least, not as early as 1906-1908.

A family heirloom, especially a high grade watch such as a Longines Express Monarch, is usually worth having repaired. You might consider The Escapement
http://static.flickr.com/45/120095643_673b3aa186_o.jpg (http://members.aol.com/stdwatch)
Click for info.

[Jay B]

thanks Kent will contact escapement for repairs.



sincerely
Jay B

[Kent]

Hi Jay:

Can you share some information with us? What did your father and grandfather do on the CB&Q? Was the Express Monarch the watch they used? What is marked on the movement, dial and case? Can you post a picture of the movement?

Thanks,

[Jay B]

My Grandfather was A conductor for the CB&Q I am guessing he started sometime in the early 1900's and My father was an egineer from late thirties tell the end of the steam era my grandfather used this watch tell he had to get a new one my father watch was a hamilton 23 jewel that my brother has it is still working. will take photo's and post it. Will see if I can get back off to take pictures of movement. Will take pictures of outside and all.


Thanks Jay B