HUDD
07-13-2009, 07:03 AM
I recently acquired on Ebay a Swiss imitation of an American 18s hunter cased pocket watch. The movement is marked "Swiss" on the balance bridge, so not a fake in the real sense of the word. The model is "Niagara", so obviously intended for the American market. It is a very nasty cheap movement, lever set, with cylinder escapement and dummy timing screws. It runs erratically. My real reason for purchasing was the beautiful GF hunter case. Complete with no brassing and a beautifully engraved American loco on the rear. Although it looks like an American style case I can't identify the logo ? An arm and a hammer in a diamond shaped lozenge. Can anyone help identify this case ?
Oh, and before I get accused of switching and worse, I am a collector of American 18s pocket watches from around the turn of the last century. I live in the UK where access to these watches is limited. So are my funds, which means I usually buy wrecks or non runners of higher grade Hamilton and Illinois watches to restore. I carry out all my own repairs using contemporary tools and materials and yes I do try to strike a balance between restoration and conservation. I also keep full records of the work I carry out to each watch. This is for my information, and should I sell a watch to fund my hobby, which is rare, then full information of what I have done goes with it.
I will not buy from a seller who is clearly parting out perfectly good watches for enhanced profit, nor will I buy a movement for parts if it looks at all restorable. In fact, many parts watches I have bought in the past have turned out to be too good for that purpose and I have restored / repaired them and added them to my collection.
The watch ( movement ) in question here is to my mind absolute rubbish and not worth saving for posterity. Some of you may disagree. Your prerogative. The movement will sit in a drawer and if anyone wants it. Email me and it's yours for free. The case however will house my recently acquired Hamilton 931 that arrived in a scap base metal OF defiance case.
I apologise for going on at great length here, but recent threads on "switching" etc; have IMHO gone on ad-infinitum and resulted in more of a slanging match than a frank and fair exchange of views. This has made me nervous about posting here in future. I am not a purist. I view these watches as works of art and engineering marvels of an age gone by. They deserve to be repaired and put back into use. They should be there for generations to come so they can be appreciated. Even if they contain parts salvaged from another watch and even if the case is not original. Provided it is appropriate in style and age.
Hudd
Oh, and before I get accused of switching and worse, I am a collector of American 18s pocket watches from around the turn of the last century. I live in the UK where access to these watches is limited. So are my funds, which means I usually buy wrecks or non runners of higher grade Hamilton and Illinois watches to restore. I carry out all my own repairs using contemporary tools and materials and yes I do try to strike a balance between restoration and conservation. I also keep full records of the work I carry out to each watch. This is for my information, and should I sell a watch to fund my hobby, which is rare, then full information of what I have done goes with it.
I will not buy from a seller who is clearly parting out perfectly good watches for enhanced profit, nor will I buy a movement for parts if it looks at all restorable. In fact, many parts watches I have bought in the past have turned out to be too good for that purpose and I have restored / repaired them and added them to my collection.
The watch ( movement ) in question here is to my mind absolute rubbish and not worth saving for posterity. Some of you may disagree. Your prerogative. The movement will sit in a drawer and if anyone wants it. Email me and it's yours for free. The case however will house my recently acquired Hamilton 931 that arrived in a scap base metal OF defiance case.
I apologise for going on at great length here, but recent threads on "switching" etc; have IMHO gone on ad-infinitum and resulted in more of a slanging match than a frank and fair exchange of views. This has made me nervous about posting here in future. I am not a purist. I view these watches as works of art and engineering marvels of an age gone by. They deserve to be repaired and put back into use. They should be there for generations to come so they can be appreciated. Even if they contain parts salvaged from another watch and even if the case is not original. Provided it is appropriate in style and age.
Hudd