Stevenson's Special History

[Stevensons Special]

I have a heirloom pocket watch of my grandfathers. I am looking for information on it including manufacturer, date of manufacture, and any other history.

It is an open face standard size 17 jewel pocket watch. The movement name is Stevenson's Special and the Serial number is 4682986. The face has the name Empire.

[rrwatch]

Your watch was made by the Omega Watch Co., probably about 1914, give or take a couple of years.
You mentioned that it was a "standard size" movement, but Omega made this style in both 16 and 18 size. If the movement is lever set, there is an easy way to tell which size it is. If the setting lever is at the 6 to 7 minute position, its a 16 size, if the setting lever is at the 11 to 12 minute position, it is an 18 size.

[Stevensons Special]

Your watch was made by the Omega Watch Co., probably about 1914, give or take a couple of years.
You mentioned that it was a "standard size" movement, but Omega made this style in both 16 and 18 size. If the movement is lever set, there is an easy way to tell which size it is. If the setting lever is at the 6 to 7 minute position, its a 16 size, if the setting lever is at the 11 to 12 minute position, it is an 18 size.


Thanks Ed,

Not being very watch "literate", I don't know what "lever set" position is. The view of the movement has the stem on the left, 9 o'clock position. Can you explain?

Did you get the history info out of your head or from some internet site? There is one other Stevenson's Special I found (on Chapter 149 Rockford lookup chart). It has "Geo. Stevenson, Manitou, Man."(Manitoba) on it's face. My grandfather lived near Manitou so I wondered where the name "Stevenson's Special" came from and got propogated to my watch?

Barry

[Stevensons Special]

Your watch was made by the Omega Watch Co., probably about 1914, give or take a couple of years.
You mentioned that it was a "standard size" movement, but Omega made this style in both 16 and 18 size. If the movement is lever set, there is an easy way to tell which size it is. If the setting lever is at the 6 to 7 minute position, its a 16 size, if the setting lever is at the 11 to 12 minute position, it is an 18 size.


Thanks Ed,

Not being very watch "literate", I don't know what "lever set" position is. The view of the movement has the stem on the left, 9 o'clock position. Can you explain?

Did you get the history info out of your head or from some internet site? There is one other Stevenson's Special I found (on Chapter 149 Rockford lookup chart). It has "Geo. Stevenson, Manitou, Man."(Manitoba) on it's face. My grandfather lived near Manitou so I wondered where the name "Stevenson's Special" came from and got propogated to my watch?

Barry

[rrwatch]

Barry,
If your Omega sets the hands by pulling up on the winding crown, what I suggested has no meaning for your watch. However, if the hands are lever set (and Omega made these movements both ways), then you have to remove the front bezel to set the hands. It unscrews the same way that the back screws off. With the bezel removed, you will see the tip of a small steel lever, near the edge of the dial. The position of the lever, which is right next to the minute hash marks on the dial, will indicate if the movement is 16 or 18 size. This lever needs to be pulled out, away from the center of the watch. In this position, turning the winding crown will set the hands. You must push the lever back into the winding position before reattaching the bezel.
If you do a Google search on "Omega Watch Co" you will find a website that has approximate Omega production dates by serial numbers. Don't put too much faith in vintage watch dating, the numbers can be off, often by years.

[Stevensons Special]

Thanks again Ed,

Hands are set by pulling up on the winder. So I'm not trying to open the bezel.

Barry