Okay, we all know I'm nuts but explain this to me...

[railman]

A Hamilton 992-L (never heard of it) sold for $331 on eBay. The case the seller called bar over crown which was not but is a legit Hamilton case. Dated the watch at circa 1910 but replaced the dial with "boxcar" numbered numbers (which aren't). And, someone paid $331 for this Hamilton. What am I missing? The eBay number is #710085511. Check this out. Someone please tell me I'm wrong... And, yeah, the bar is over the crown but a little higher than usual...

[railman]

A Hamilton 992-L (never heard of it) sold for $331 on eBay. The case the seller called bar over crown which was not but is a legit Hamilton case. Dated the watch at circa 1910 but replaced the dial with "boxcar" numbered numbers (which aren't). And, someone paid $331 for this Hamilton. What am I missing? The eBay number is #710085511. Check this out. Someone please tell me I'm wrong... And, yeah, the bar is over the crown but a little higher than usual...

[doug sinclair]

railman,

992Ls are LEVER set, and 992Ps are PENDANT set.

Regards,
Doug S.

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[John Cote]

Railman,

I have been reading your posts for some time now, and at the risk of sounding patronizing, I must say that you exhibit every sign of having a really bad case of the pocket watch bug. You are very observant. You make a lot of good points. You as good questions. You are hooked!

You made the comment in another thread that you needed to join the NAWCC etc. You are right. You need to join. You need to start going to your local meetings. You need to start talking to longtime local collectors. I think this Association has a lot to offer you!

Now to your post. Who knows why someone would pay this much for this watch? It was fairly accurately described. The guy said it had a replacement dial, and it does. It has a replacement Reproduction dial. He said it had a BOC case with brass on the back. I can take issue with the fact that he says the case is in "excellent condition", but he does say it has "a lot of brassing on the back", so he is qualifying his "excellent". It is a BOC case, and this early version is desirable, but in this condition...?

There have been lots of discussions here as to why the market is as the market is. There is no good answer. People will pay what people will pay. You seem to be doing a better than average job of decision making at this stage in your collecting binge. Join up and learn more and avoid even more of these mistakes.

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JohnCote
President, Indiana Chapter 18 - NAWCC
Member Chapter 149 (Member #105)
http://www.interstatetime.com

[Rick White]

"Who would sponsor him?" Me in a heartbeat! Sounds like a pretty smart guy to me not throwing his $$ around on crap, and asking the questions before. Most don't.

[terry hall]

Excellent points John.

This example is a recased movement.

It is a BOC case, the Crossbar, which showed up in advertisments about November 1924. This case was the Beginning of the Factory Cased movements... [disregarding the ones from 1910 or so]

He states a replacement dial..It is.

Bid history shows two people wanted it.

[Kent]

Terry:

I prefer to think of the 992 in the crossbar case as the first Hamilton cased watch whose case was specifically designed for railroad service (a claim that they never seem to have made about their swing ring - or other - cases of around 1910).

Kent

[railman]

Thanks for the kind words John. Yeah, I'm hooked again. I am going to join. I have so much to learn because of what I've forgotten and never had the chance to learn. When my clock guy died, I kinda lost interest because there was no internet to speak of and none of my other friends were interested. I think we all like to share common likes. Never did sell what I had. Liked it too much. Just kind of went into hiding. You wouldn't believe what my co-workers had. Stuff passed down to them. A Lincolns, Hamiltons, Bunns, etc. One guy had a pic of his grandfather (a conductor) looking at the watch I convinced him of having serviced. It's a great hobby with a lot of nice people.

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-09-2002).]

[This message has been edited by railman (edited 04-09-2002).]

[terry hall]

Kent,
Point taken. A good way of looking at it.

[railman]

Sam,

I'll be there if at all possible. If I'm a member can I bring my wife? It will be torture though because I'll want to buy the Hamiltons and can't...

[Tom McIntyre]

You can bring your wife and (I think) children under 18. However, you do have to pay the registration for the meeting for everyone who attends.

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Tom McIntyre
Past President, NAWCC Chapters 174 and 87
Member Chapters 8, 87, 149, 159, 161 and 174
Pocket Horology Web (http://www.pocketwatch.org)
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[lots of time]

Hi I am a new member to the forum and a relatively new collecter. I notice a lot of comments on buying on ebay. I usually put a maximum bid of what the watch is worth to me, no more, no less. Very often a "spiker" will beat me out by a couple bucks.
A question.. there are a couple of watches on ebay now that appear to be unique to canada, but look to me like Walthams. They are T Eaton co. and Regina makes. Does anyone know anything about them? It would appear that they will go quite cheap, The Regina watch is ebay 710899114. I would be interested in them only because they MAY be rather rare? I dont have the experience to tell. Any info would be greatly appreciated

[xylo]

I'm not sure I can help much, but I believe the T. Eaton watch would be an Elgin. The Regina is probably of Swiss origin and a more modern watch.

[Tom McIntyre]

I have some advertizing material somewhere that identifies Regina as a brand of Omega for lower quality items they did not want to sign themselves. I have one that is marked as a railroad inspector's watch but only adjusted to 3 positions.

I'll bet Kent has something definitive on this.

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Tom McIntyre
Past President, NAWCC Chapters 174 and 87
Member Chapters 8, 87, 149, 159, 161 and 174
Pocket Horology Web (http://www.pocketwatch.org)
Tommy the JOAT's Web (http://www.AWCo.org)

[This message has been edited by Tom McIntyre (edited 04-11-2002).]

[rrwatch]

Regina was a brand name for Omega in Canada. While I have seen Regina movements with up to 21 jewels, their adjustment markings do not seem up to the requirements for acceptance on the Canadian railroads. Having said that, there may be Regina movements out there that would have passed inspection that we just haven't seen (or documented) yet. I'm not sure exactly which T. Eaton watch xylo was refering to, but most of the T. Eaton marked movements we've seen were made by Gallet & Co. in Switzerland. From the markings on the higher grade ones (21 or 23 jewels, adjusted to five positions) with lever setting and double rollers in 16 or 18 size, they may have been accepted for Canadian railroad service.

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Ed Ueberall
NAWCC #49688

[Kent]

lots of time;

Many of the T. Eaton watches were made by Gallet, a Swiss watch company, An example is can be seen by Clicking Here (http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/eaton_23j_18s_148850.jpg). Although it looks very similar to a Waltham model `92, the pierced regulator adjusting disk is a key identifier.

I also agree with Tom. Regina watches are made by Omega.

Kent :smile:

[lots of time]

Thanks very much for the information. Very informative! I probably wont bother bidding on the T Eaton or the Regina. I am mostly interested in Railroad quality watches and am kind of learning as I go.
I now have a 1917? Hamilton 992 in a very nice swing out case, a silver case elgin with montgomery dial and an elgin father time. As is the case with relatively "green" collecters, I probably got "took" on them, but im learning. This site will be very helpfull. I also have on order "The new collecters guide to pocket watches" Im sure at least one of you here has heard of it.. lol. I also recently purchased a Waltham 18s american traveller in very nice condition that I will probably use as a carry watch..I can see where a person can really get involved in the hobby, and its not only fun, but by investing wisely, probably better than putting your money in the bank.
My idea is to get at least one of the top models of the good brands and from there, go for the ones that I particularily find appealing, regardless of value.
Again, thanks for the information.

[lots of time]

Further to my proir post, I am also very interested in the so called "Canadian railroad dials". Does anyone here share my interest and possibly point me in the right direction to purchase a good quality, nice looking watch? It is my understanding that only a few makers actually manufactured the movements and dials approved by the CPR or CNR in Canada. I am trying to find others of like interest in my area. If anyone from Calgary area or anywhere in Alberta reads this, please email me. Thanks for your time and patience with a beginner.

[Buchaneer]

lots of time:

I will have a display of Canadian Railway pocketwatch's, both CPR and CNR watches at our Watch and Clock show in Calgary on Sunday April 14th at the Carriage House Inn 9030 MacLeod Trail S. from 09:30 to 16:00. If you get a chance stop by and visit.

Larry Buchan
NAWCC #075485
Member Chapter 145

[doug sinclair]

lots of time,

The Swiss made watches generally accepted for use on Canadian railroads are detailed in the Shugart, Engel, & Gilbert book you have on order. They are: Brandt (Omega), Longines, Zenith, and Swiss made Ball watches. I know Buchaneer will have some of each of these on display at the show on the 14th, along with American made watches, and a stunning collection of "brotherhood" watches. Well worth your while to see, I might add.

While on the topic, Buchaneer and I will be doing a huge exhibit of railroad watches, clocks, ephemera, brotherhood items, and memorabilia at Heritage Park Railway Days on June 9 and 10. If you see buchaneer at the show, he will be able to tell you how to get involved if you so wish.

Regards,
Doug S.

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[Jerry Treiman]

WOW! I wish I were close to Calgary. Could this exhibit travel to the National in July?

[lots of time]

I will most certainly be there. Being a relative newcomer, by biggest problem will be to avoid asking really stupid questions..
Hopefully, I will make a purchase or 2. See you sunday.

[wally waltham]

Just a scan to "muddy" the water.

http://www.bay-town.com/members/18kperhr/walthamregina.jpg

The Factory Records list this as a:

14 size, Mdl '97, Export, 15 jewels, unadjusted, with a Patent Regulator.

The serial number is: 9,317,415.

This watch came out of England and was in a Demi-hunter case at one time based on the "dual pointer" hour hand. Anyone have a case for it?

Enjoy your day.
Cheers,
WW

[doug sinclair]

Jerry,

I'm sure I speak for buchaneer when I say I'd LOVE to do this presentation south of the 49th. But, speaking from personal experience, you have NO IDEA what it is like to talk to your customs people at the border when we try to bring shipments of (their words) watches across the border! I remember being stuck at Sweetgrass, Montana for six hours one day. They threatened to seize my (fake) watches and melt them after 30 days unless I could prove they weren't fakes! And even after paying a $ 750.00 (US) BOND on the stuff, they wouldn't let me bring it in. I had to drive 38 miles back into Alberta to rent a safety deposit box to park my stuff! Fortunately, I got my bond money back.

Sorry for this rant, but even after 12 years, it still makes me angry when I think about it!

Regards,
Doug S.

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