B.W.C.Co. marked gold case.

[ben_hutcherson]

As far as I know, the WWCo grade did not even have real jewel settings. I believe the only '57 to have these was th AT&Co grade.

[artbissell]

Dummy settings like a Swiss fake, really.

[ben_hutcherson]

PSB grade '57s had the fake settings also

[catharina]

Hi, my watch is B.W.C.CO in bone, no.: 884619, warranted 14k U.S.ASSAY as you can see in the pics, is this case a solid gold case? Can you tell me more about it? Thanks so much.

[Robert Sweet]

Yes, it's 14k solid gold, made prior to 1903-04.

Robert

[Kent]

Hi catharina:

Welcome to the NAWCC Pocket Watch Message Board!

You have a very pretty watch!

It would be helpful if you could post pictures of the movement (the "works") of as good of a quality as those of the case, the clearer and sharper, the better. Clearness and sharpness is important as differences in make or grade can be subtle. We may be able to identify it by the shape of the plates.

Its also helpful if you can post all the markings that are on the movement (the "works"), especially the movement serial number, in case they can't be seen in the picture(s).

Good luck,

[Tom McIntyre]

Waltham patented a process to use lower karat gold on the inside and higher karat gold on the outside of a case to give a high karat finish on a case that was sturdier (and less expensive) than the high karat solid gold would be. I think they made such cases in both 14 karat to assay using 12K and 18K stock and 12K to assay using 10K and 14K stock. The cases are marked with the dog bone symbol and Waltham in the bone. Those that are 14K are also marked 14K. Those that are lower karat are unmarked.

When Waltham closed the case shop in Waltham, I think they sold tools, material and patents to other case companies. Most notably, I believe the Chicago Watch Case Company bought most of the material but the Brooklyn Watch Case Co. may have bought the rights to the case process using two gold standards. (and maybe the rights to the copyrighted dog bone.)

Does anyone else have something definite on this? It will take me a lot of digging through patents and paper to sort it out.

[catharina]

Robert, thank you very much! Great to hear that! C.

[Clint Geller]

I was wondering why the BWC Co. used a dog bone trademark, and then it hit me: A tree grows in Brooklyn!

[ben_hutcherson]

Waltham patented a process to use lower karat gold on the inside and higher karat gold on the outside of a case to give a high karat finish on a case that was sturdier (and less expensive) than the high karat solid gold would be. I think they made such cases in both 14 karat to assay using 12K and 18K stock and 12K to assay using 10K and 14K stock. The cases are marked with the dog bone symbol and Waltham in the bone. Those that are 14K are also marked 14K. Those that are lower karat are unmarked.

Tom,

Is this the mark to which you're referring?

[Robert Sweet]

The Waltham trade-mark is similar, but not the same as the Brooklyn "Dog-Bone"

Robert

[larry f]

I have a 14 k solid gold, 17 jewel adjusted Waltham watch,all serial numbers match, serial number 6171781.

It has markings that read:
BWCCO
PS Bartlett
Safety Pinion
17 Jewels
Adjusted

There is an additional number 11073404

I was wondering if anyone had advice on the missing bezel and crystal?

thanks
larry

[Kent]

Hi larry:

Welcome to the NAWCC American Pocket Watch Message Board!

Watch case bezels can be found a various NAWCC Marts (you must be an NAWCC to get into most marts). There are a few dealers that have boxes of them to root through. Don Barrett is said to have the most extensive selection.

Should you not be able to find a suitable bezel from dealers at NAWCC Marts, you can have one made by Wuischpard & Son, or by Jerry Grajzl.

If you're not an NAWCC Member, the watch is, most likely, going to have to be sent to somebody to have a bezel fitted. If it is an open-face watch, just the case can be sent (assuming that one could perform the simple steps - with our coaching - to remove the movement). However, to have a bezel and crystal fitted to a hunting-case, it is desirable to send the whole watch so that the person fitting the crystal can ensure that it clears the top of the post that carries the hands, and still fits under the front cover. Either way, this is best discussed with that person prior to sending anything.