Salesman cases, desireable or not?

[49stude63]

I purchased an Elgin that happened to be in a salesman case and in this situation my first one of this style case. It appears to be a true salesman case since both front and back bezel appeared to be designed to hold a crystal. Does anyone specifically try to collect "salesman" watches or just if they happen to grab their attention will they purchase one? :confused::confused::confused:

[Jon Hanson]

These are fabulous movement holders, some being signed Hamilton, Hampden, Illinois. They were made in various sizes, inc. 18,16,12, 6, o, etc. plus others.

With so much switching, melting, bastardization there days they make a great substitue for that worn out, damaged, bad hinged, switched case.

Many collectors have used these to house movments, going back to the 1950s. I bought my first ones in late 1950s and have used them ever since.

There are many varieties of these that some of us collect.

Prices have esculalted in the past 10 years proving their desirability.

One additional benefit of these is that you can show off that prized movement, high grade, TT, or whatever.

Jon

[49stude63]

This one looks to be a older style 16s silveroid in good shape and the front crystal looks to have been replaced and is loose at the moment. Has two snap on bezels with an Elgin 16s 17j RR movement with a single sunk Montgomery dial and is in better shape than it looked from the pictures. I will have to keep my eye out for them in the future.

[terry hall]

Many call them 'salesman' cases... but 'most' companies called the Skeleton cases.... using them to send movements to jewelers.

The jeweler could then use the skeleton case to display the movement, protecting it from dust, fingerprints, etc...

I believe companies offered 'ransom':rolleyes: for their return to be re-used.

Hamilton had one with a removeable sleeve to use with both 16 and 18 size movements.


They do make excellent movement holders as Jon has stated above... and some particular examples are not 'plentiful'

[Jon Hanson]

GENERALLY everybody I know refers to them as GLASS BACKS!:cool: