Private Issue Vintage Longines?

[Ralph Porter]

Hi folks,
Here's a couple pics of what I think is a Longines. It came to me cased in a nickle swing-out case by Cresent W.C.Co.
It is a stem-wind lever-set model that's similar to a cal. # L20B shown in Shugart's, except that it seems to be a mirror image.
The serial no. 291240 indicates manufacture around 1858, and it has the flying hourglass symbol on the regulator bridge. It measures 45.64mm across the dial and 42.65mm across the back of the movement.
It is marked "Jenkins Richmond, Ind." on both dial and movement.

Any ideas on actual model, number of jewels, level of quality, and production numbers? Or the Jenkins name, and other interesting info?

Thanks, Ralph

I just noticed a chronological date error in Shugarts (06 ed.) which would put manufacture about 1883.

[jakraka]

Hi Ralph,

I would say it is a Longines Caliber 18.49N, 15 Jewels (standard quality), ca. 1885.

Regards

Jan

[Ralph Porter]

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the info. I don't have much contact with European watches and was particularly interested in this private issue.

Ralph

[elginvanguard]

hello,i had a longines that i sold about 6 months ago that looked exactly like this.you could wind with pendant or key.so i beleive this is a longines model #L20B made in 1870-1885.hope this helps,Bill

[John Pavlik]

These Longines are interesting movments.. The larger size 18 fit in an American sized case.. The open face movements accepts the standard male winding stems.. It seems like the hunter movements need a female winding stem.. and the 12 and smaller size have a detent screw holding the winding stem and do not seem to fit American cases.. Anybody observe this .. and then if anyone can help there is this style.. Seems high grade with wolfs teeth winding wheels and 17 jewels.. Measures 38 mm across the dial.. The lever for setting moves up and down..

[Jeff Hess]

Jenkins was VERY prolific with that ebauche.

I have owned dozens of them!


Jeff

[Ralph Porter]

A big thanks to everyone who responded about this Longines.

Jeff, I assume from your note that Jenkins was a watchmaker/jeweler; do you have any other info about him?

Thanks, Ralph

[Jeff Hess]

Charles Jenkins Jewelers, at 726 Main Richmond Indiana

Evidently according to my Ball family letters, he was kind of a deadbeat.

In 1927 in a letter from Sidney Y Ball to his managers Sidney notes "Collections are going well this morning, so we are starting the week of with sort of pink glow. Charlie Jenkins even sent in ten thousand dollars---I guess we will have to buy him one fifteen cent cigar"

http://www.acmi.net.au/AIC/JENKINS_BIO.html

Also, the first motion picture was shown in the USA at Jenkins Jewelry store as you can read in the link above.

Jeff Hess

[Ralph Porter]

Jeff,
I apreciate your follow-up from back in February, and will pass your notes on to my client who owns the watch.:thumb: He contacted the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and found there is a Jenkins Realty Co. I believe he also contacted them regarding Jenkins the jeweler but they knew very little more.
Thanks, Ralph

[Jeff Hess]

Here is the letter (I just am figuring out how to use a scanner) about the last one I sited. This one indicates that The Ball's were still socializing with Jenkins on the second page.

This letter also suggests that the "bridges" part of Norris Alister Ball Bridges happened about that time. Note teh part "This is the day the Bridges Organizaiont comes over".

Also a couple of paragraphs about Ball taking over the big Nashville Inspection company run by Aaron Bergeda who was the big Nashville general time inspector.

interesting that Sidney is going to party with Chalie Jenkins, Leon Clarke (anyone have any idea who he was?) LAurence Doty, (Balls right hand man) adn someonr named McCloud. (?)

Jeff