Pocket watch cases

[Morriebr]

Is there a source(i.e., Table, listing or publication) that identifies what case will support a particular movement? I see that a hamilton 992B, for instance, uses a Model A case but where does that information come from? I would appreciate any direction.
Morrie

[Morriebr]

Is there a source(i.e., Table, listing or publication) that identifies what case will support a particular movement? I see that a hamilton 992B, for instance, uses a Model A case but where does that information come from? I would appreciate any direction.
Morrie

[Kenny D]

Morriebr,
Generally speaking most American pocket watch movements will interchange with any American case of like size. There are exceptions however. Some of the 12 size "thin" model Walthams, Hampdens, and South-Bends come to mind and there are, no doubt, others. They require their own specific cases and will not fit a standard case. Also some movements such as the Elgin convertibles have a male stem protruding from the movement and require a case fitted with a "female" stem. Most of this info is in the various reference books such as the Shugart guide, Ehrhardt books, etc. but don`t know of a single source that goes into detail on this subject.
Now just because they will fit does not mean that any case is appropriate. For this info we look to the old advertisements and catalogs to see if the movements were factory cased and if so which cases were fitted with what movements. If not factory cased then most any case of proper style and time-frame is appropriate.

:smile:

[Kent]

Hi Morrie:

Welcome to the NAWCC Pocket Watch Message Board!

There are a number of case ads that can be viewed online at: <span class="ev_code_brown">www.elginwatches.org/scans/misc_ads/m_index.html</span>
<span class="ev_code_blue">To view, go to the </span><span class="ev_code_brown">Elgin Watch Collectors Site Home Page</span> <span class="ev_code_blue">at</span> <span class="ev_code_brown">elginwatches.com</span>, <span class="ev_code_blue">then copy and paste the address in your browser's address bar and click on </span>'Go'.

Good luck,

[Morriebr]

Hey Guys, thanks for the information, that really helps.
Morrie

[Kent]

Morrie:

On that same website, you can also look at Elgin Ads, Non-Elgin Ads and Sales Catalogs (see the menu on the left-hand side of the page). These are all dated and will give you a feel for what style cases were in vogue in which years.

Good luck,

[Don Dahlberg]

Before the 1920s most American watches where sold as movements only in standard sizes like 18 size, 16 size, and so on. The cases were sold in these same sizes. Of course, you also had open face movements and hunter movements, made to fit into the appropriate cases. The customer then would choose a case and a movement and the jeweler would install the movement into the case in a matter of mintues. So with a few exceptions there were no cases associated with a particular brand or model watch other than the styles associated with the era of the movement.

In the 1920s, the major watch companies started to case their watches at the factory. They contracted with the case companies to manufacture cases unique to that company. Some would contain the watch company name. For example, starting in October 1924 Hamilton came out with the model case that later became known as thier model 1. In February 1926 they came out with their very popular case, model 2, with the bar over the crown. The 992E was introduced with the model 8 case in August 1931 and the 992B in the model 11 case in November 1940. This continued through model 17 and a model A and some rarer ones. From time to time cases would be discontinued and even brought back at a later time. They also had special cases for their medium grade 974 special. Sometimes they would be short on cases and use whatever they could get

As has been suggested by others, we have gained most of this information from the catalogs, price lists and advertisements from various times. In the case of Hamilton, we also have some company records. Collecting such information is great fun, but also gives us information about the watch we are about to purchase. Knowing which cases are appropriate to a particular movement, help us determine if the watch is "original". You can also have great fun arguing about the meaning of he word "original".

Don

[Robert Sweet]

Originally posted by Morriebr:
Is there a source(i.e., Table, listing or publication) that identifies what case will support a particular movement? I see that a hamilton 992B, for instance, uses a Model A case but where does that information come from? I would appreciate any direction.
Morrie

Hello Morrie,
Here is link to a discussion about "Hamilton Railroad Watch Cases". I hope is useful to you.

Robert

Hamilton Watch Cases (http://nawcc-***-mb.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/254108073/m/872101809)