Case Question

[Beelzebud]

I was at my local dealer's shop this weekend, and he had a few pocket watches there. One of them he had (an early Rockford), was cased in a 5 ounce OPEN faced case in very nice shape. According to what he told me, the fact that it was a 5 oz open faced case, made the case more desirable since, according to him, 5 oz open faced cases are far more scarcer than the equivalent in hunter style. I know the case was a 5, since it was stamped into the dust cover, but I have no idea if what he was saying is true. Does anyone have an answer?

Thanks,
Bill

[Beelzebud]

I was at my local dealer's shop this weekend, and he had a few pocket watches there. One of them he had (an early Rockford), was cased in a 5 ounce OPEN faced case in very nice shape. According to what he told me, the fact that it was a 5 oz open faced case, made the case more desirable since, according to him, 5 oz open faced cases are far more scarcer than the equivalent in hunter style. I know the case was a 5, since it was stamped into the dust cover, but I have no idea if what he was saying is true. Does anyone have an answer?

Thanks,
Bill

[Tom McIntyre]

I have not made any study of this, but I suspect he is correct. 6 oz hunting cases are not at all common and would be equivalent to a 5 oz open face case.

In addition, the crystal and bezel of large case watches is usually of the normal size for the movement.

In an open face watch the appearance of the exposed small crystal would be very odd looking. I think this would tend to have made them less desirable to produce and hence more scarce today.

I have seen hunting case watches up to 12 oz and have heard of examples up to 1 lb. An 18 size watch looks very tiny in such a case.

Tom McIntyre
NAWCC 2nd VP Candidate
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[Jon Hanson]

is this case KW or SW?

Jon Hanson, nawcc#8801
President chapter 149

[Jon Hanson]

While KW OF heavy cases might have been produced in less quantities than hunters, there are other factors involved including survival rate: 1. hunters broke more frequently 2. hunters rec. more "use" and thus have became more worn out, ultimately meeting the melting pot at $50. an oz silver 3. and most important--earlier watches in HC form were MORE in vogue, and as time went on the OF watch "took over" and became more popular.

Also, the diameter is NOT the whole story on the heavier OF cases--the heavier ones are just (for the most part) THICKER--check inside the winding holes for thickness.

BTW, I once was offered (30 years ago) a 12oz Howard OF KW watch, but the price (in those days dollars) was just too insane! :eek:

Jon

Jon Hanson, nawcc#8801
President chapter 149

[Charles Isham]

Actually, while hunting case watches were the popular watch of their time, I think that many serious collectors today prefer open face watches. It is more convenient to see nice dials without having to spring open the case.

Chas

Charles Isham