Lost, Grandpa's pocket watch.

[Recoil Rob]

It's bothered me for years, about 30.

It was, I believe, a Waltham, silver or white gold. It had his name engraved on the back, either "F. Di Stasio" or "Francis Di Stasio" my memory is not that good.

In 1974 or 1975 I was on a group picnic at Mohansic Park in Westchester County, NY. I had my grandfathers pocket watch in the top pocket of my bib overalls, After a few beers and chasing the girls around the woods I realized I had lost the watch.

It's bothered me to this day. Everytime I go to an antiques show where someone has pocket watches I check, but no luck.

If you have it please contact me by email, recoil@optonline.net, or at 914.533.7090.

There's definately a reward.


Thanks, Rob

[FreWJensen]

Did you ever go back to the park and try to retrace your steps with a metal detector? Maybe the watch was dropped in the ground cover and was never picked up and still lay where you dropped it.

[Recoil Rob]

NO, it was 30 years ago and I'm not even sure what part of the park it was, it's over 600 acres and also known as FDR park.

Hopefully someday it will turn up.


Thanks, Rob

[FreWJensen]

I just thought that it might still be there where your dropped it. If you dropped it on the streets of New York, then someone would have picked it up, but in the vast expanse of a park like that it could still be there.

[Recoil Rob]

I understand your point but after 30 years if no one found it, it's buried somewhere. Again I have no idea where in the park we were.


Thanks, Rob

[FreWJensen]

It may turn up somewhere.
In the mean time you can try to buy an identical watch or at least something similiar. Write down whatever you remember about it and then look on ebay for a similiar watch.
Having something like it may bring you some satisfaction. And who knows while you are looking maybe it will turn up. After you buy a similiar watch then the real one will usually turn up. If your Gandfathers watch was just a plated watch and not solid Gold, it will have a better chance of turning up. A vast number of Solid Gold watches have been melted down for the Gold.

[Recoil Rob]

The one thing I do remember about it was that I was told it was white gold. It had good weight to it and didn't tarnish.

And it was a Waltham.

Maybe it's gone but you're right, I can look on Ebay for one similar.

[FreWJensen]

You never know. It might show up when you least expect it. Maybe by looking on ebay, you may actually find it. Also, look up for pocket watch antique dealers and search their data bases. You never know, someone may have it. You have to be careful about giving too much details, like the explicit Initals and letter design or so because an unscroupioulsy dealer may create one for you just to make a good sale. Just be cautious. Just tell them you want a Waltham white gold or silver and you don't care if it is engraved or not you only want a real antique. But I would search the internet for every dealer and always check ebay. Was it open face or a Hunter. Hunter is a watch that has a cover over the face. This knowledge will greatly reduce your search. Was the dial simple of very ornate? Did it say just Waltham or American Waltham? Was the dial Metal or white? Roman numerals or arabic? It didn;t need a key to wind it did it? All these will greatly reduce your search. You want to look at a vast array of watches to narrow down what typt you are looking for this will help your search. Try to estimate how Big diameter it wqs in your hand.
This size will help.

Begin here

http://www.watchuseek.com/vintage.htm

Do you like detective stories.
Now embark on your own detective adventure

[wbranko]

Rob,

In addition to the clock hobby, I am also an metal detectorist...I have been one for over 30 years. You would be absolutely astonished at what gets found with a metal detector...even after 30 years.

My suggestion...the metal detectorists have local clubs authorized by a national organization. You can find out about this on the web...try www.findmall.com. There are other web sites to point you in the right direction as well. Once you find out where the big local clubs are in the area around this park, go to a couple of meetings and let people there know you are looking for this particular watch. Most metal detectorists get a huge thrill out of returning an item. If it has been found and sold, you will probably find out about that as well.

Not a sure thing by a long shot, but probably worth trying.

Good hunting...as they say in the detecting hobby!

Bill

[burnz]

N.Y.--A park--Outdoors--30+ years ago ??

There is a song from the 1920's called "I'll See you in My Dreams". Appropriate song to sing to the watch!

[FreWJensen]

You may call me a dreamer but I hace witnessed stranger things happen.
If you want to find the watch keep searching, it may eventually turn up.

[frankb]

R- Here's the ending of a "lost watch in the park" story -involving a different watch-

About 25 years ago I acquired a now vintage railroad pocket watch from a private party. Said party was a park maintenance employee in a small city in California who had found the watch at his assigned park several years before.

He said he had attempted to locate the owner then had the watch serviced and wore it daily. Every time someone noticed the watch he enjoyed telling them the story of his "lucky" find. I overheard the story one day and inquired about purchasing the watch (he initially said no then sold it to me a few months later.)

He recalled finding the watch on a Monday when the first thing he did was pickup loose litter and empty trash cans. He thought that the watch may have belonged to a visitor from out of the area.

It's possible that your lost grandfathers watch may now be another park employee's family heirloom along with the "lucky find" story.

After 30 years it's probably too late- but try contacting the maintenance employees at the park or the parks department manager about your lost watch.

Frank