Where does this info come from?

[bengineer]

I've noticed that every time someone asks about a particular watch, everyone asks for the serial # and any other info that may be available.

I'm just curious how the serial number can indicate the watch type, size, parts sizes, etc. Is there a good reference book (or books) that would help find this info? (or are some of the people who respond just that good?) ;-)

[bengineer]

I've noticed that every time someone asks about a particular watch, everyone asks for the serial # and any other info that may be available.

I'm just curious how the serial number can indicate the watch type, size, parts sizes, etc. Is there a good reference book (or books) that would help find this info? (or are some of the people who respond just that good?) ;-)

[doug sinclair]

bengineer,

Over the years that particularly American watches were produced (1850-1970), most factories published material catalogs to aid in supplying watch materials suppliers with spare parts. American watches were produced on a factory system where standardization was the goal. Particularly with Swiss, English, and French watches of the 19th century, this was not always the case. For much of the 19th century, European watches were produced on a cottage industry basis where there was no standardization. A good book for you to read is Michael Harrold's book on the Technical History of the American Watch Industry which I have reason to believe is still available from the NAWCC book store.

Serial number lists covering American watch companies such as Hamilton, Waltham, Illinois, Elgin, Seth Thomas, Howard, and many others are available from many horological book sellers and the NAWCC book store. In many cases these are actually reprints of factory literature that has survived long after the companies have folded. When someone responds to a query on this list and asks for a serial number, they will refer to one of these books when answering the question.

In the case of Hamilton which existed only a few miles from NAWCC headquarters, the factory ledgers exit in the library at Columbia. These ledgers give information such as actual date finished, date shipped, and to whom (the retailer)!

Many contract or private label watches exist which have only the name of a retailer or distributor on the dial and occasionally on the movement (i. e. Ball Watch Co.). In some cases, the serial number can help us to actually determine who might have made the watch without actually seeing it.

In answer to your final question about "are some people just that good?" Stay tuned to this message board and you will find out just how good a lot of these people really are on the subject of watches. You will be amazed as I constantly am!

Regards, and Happy New Year
Doug S.

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[Kent]

Lyle & Donna Stratton have just published "The South Bend Watch Co. South Bend, Indiana: A complete Listing of Serial / Grade Numbers From Beginning To End" This is a result of many years of researching surviving examples of South Bend watches, reconstructing the serial number - grade list (the list published by the factory back in 1918 or so, only covered about 3/4 of the watches).

A large number of reference books, containing serial number vs. grade information, are available from the below listed booksellers:

National Assoc. of Watch and Clock Collectors Gift Shop
https://www.nawcc.org/giftshop/americart/books.htm

Adams Brown Co. http://www.adamsbrown.com

Arlington Books http://www.arlingtonbooks.com/

Heart of America Press http://www.hoapress.com

Rita Shenton Horological Booksellers
http://www.shentonbooks.demon.co.uk/pocket%20watches.htm

S. LaRose http://www.slarose.com

U.S. Books http://www.usbooks.com


Kent

[This message has been edited by Kent (edited 12-29-2000).]

[Dave Haynes]

I would advise you to keep your eyes open for any old book or magazine on watches. Look at flea markets, antique shops etc. You just never know what you'll find. The old condensed versions of NAWCC magazines are often in old book stores. These old sources are fun to read and a real help. One of the best books I've ever found is an old Paulsen
"Fingerprint" book, that shows movements from the train side instead of the dial side. It is just great for identifying old movements.

[Tom Chaudoir]

Ron Hill,

There is a problem certifying your registration. Please email me. tom@clocktech.com.

Thanks,

Tom Chaudoir
Milwaukee, WI
America
150429

[Tom McIntyre]

The serial numbers for Hamilton are only currently available in print form. Similarly Hampden left no records, but the dated serial number sequence was reconstructed by Arnold & Hernick in their book on Hampden.

Elgin, Waltham and E. Howard & Co are available on-line and the Illinois Watch Co. is available in a CD database from Russ Snyder.

Elgin is at elginwatches.org/databases (paste this in your browser address line).

Waltham is available at http://www.nawcc-info.org/WalthamDB/walsernum.htm

Howard is available at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dchaplain/EH/E_Howard.htm

The Howard and Illinois lists are discussed extensively in the Chapter 149 Forum further down on this message board.

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

[Jon Hanson]

Also,

The Hamilton serial number list and the Illinois CD are available through the chapter (149) as a fundraiser and can be ordered through the chapter--see the chapter 149 MB, third from the bottom fro this MB list.

Jon

Jon Hanson, NAWCC #8801
Founder and President Chapter 149 (http://nawcc-ch149.com), The Early American Watch Club