Burlington Special

[img]null[/img]Hello,
I'm trying to get more information from the pocket watch that I have. It has been passed down generations, and there is not much of a story with it....
I know that it is a Burlington Special - it says so on the watch face
The number listed in the watch is 2095339, and it says "Adjusted to temperature and positions". The case has the number 1340100 engraved, along with several other light etching of different numbers, and the "The Burlington Watch Co. Guarantees this case to be made of.... to wear for 25 years"

Can anywone tell me what time frame this might have been from? I have tried to research, and have found very similar pieces, but have not found any with the face like the one that I have. It has gold diamonds and gold leaves between the numbers, the hands are very ornate and under the Burlington Special ther is a gold design with what looks like rubies on either end.

If anyone out there has any infomation, it would be so very helpful!!!
Thanks so much,
Sabrina

[Jerry Matthews]

I am sure users of this board in the US willl have more information than I. But I can tell you that Burlington Special watches were mainly made by the Illinois Watch Company and were sold by mail order. The movement serial number you quoted would date the watch to about 1908.

A close-up photo of the watch and movement would be helpful in giving futher information.

Jerry

Jerry,
Thanks for the info.. here are some quick pics I took.
Hopefully they will be helpfull.

[Jerry Matthews]

Nice photos. The 3-finger bridge of the movement does look to me like it was made by Illinois, but I defer to those more-learned board users in the US.

You said it was passed down in the family through the generations. Do you know who it belonged to originally? The highly-ornamented dial looks like a lady's watch. What is the diameter of the watch- not including the bow and stem? If it around 1 1/4 inches it is probably a lady's watch; if closer to 1 3/4--2 inches it would be a man's.

It looks to be in very good condition. If the watch were mine I would certainly have it serviced, cleaned and oiled, and maintain it well for future generations.

Good luck with it.

Jerry


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[ggordon]

Very nice watch.

It was definitely made by Illinois and it is a 16 size, hunter style, Getty movement. You can tell by the single winding wheel and the crescent shaped click.

One thing about hunter cases that you want to be careful of is that when you close the front cover of the case to be sure and push down on the crown while closing instead of snapping the cover shut. This will keep the soft metal lip on the inner part of the cover from wearing out to where the cover won't stay latched.

I second Jerry's comment about getting it serviced by a COMPETENT watchmaker and enjoy it for years to come.

Greg

I think that it belonged to a man.. there are engraved initials on the front that I think belonged to a grandfather 5 generations up. This individual was in PA in 1887 - then IN in 1889. On the back of the watch was a family crest or coat of arms, does anyone know if this design would have been custom made?

If I measure the size of the watch with the case closed (mind you I'm not sure what the bow and stem, but I'm guessing that is the thing that opens and winds ) it is right at 2 inches from one side to the other.

The watch is running, but the time is incorrect.. anyone know how to set it?!?

[ggordon]

Very nice watch.

It was definitely made by Illinois and it is a 16 size, hunter style, Getty movement. You can tell by the single winding wheel and the crescent shaped click.

One thing about hunter cases that you want to be careful of is that when you close the front cover of the case to be sure and push down on the crown while closing instead of snapping the cover shut. This will keep the soft metal lip on the inner part of the cover from wearing out to where the cover won't stay latched.

It is a lever-set watch. To set the time, look at the face of the watch around the outside of the bezel between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions you will see a sort of hook shaped object barely sticking out. Take your fingernail and pull on it till it comes all the way out. This is the setting lever. While the lever is pulled out, turn the crown to set the time. When you get the time set, push the setting lever back in.

I second Jerry's comment about getting it serviced by a COMPETENT watchmaker and enjoy it for years to come.

Greg

Any suggestions on a watchmaker near central Indiana.. I'd love to have it cleaned, but there is so much FAMILY Value in the watch, my husband is a bit of a fanatic on who handles it.. (it was handed down through his family, passed on to the son after the father dies)

[Jerry Matthews]

At 2 inches, it is most certainly a man's watch.

You asked about the crest or coat of arms on the back. It is quite normal for watches of that period to have such a decoration on the back, called an escutcheon. Yours might have been custom made---can't say without seeing a picture---but it is more likely to have been a stock design.

Your husband is right to be a bit of a fanatic about it, and I hope those good people at the NAWCC can point you to a competent watchmaker near where you live.

Jerry

[Fred Hansen]

Wow! Nice dial!!!

This is the first double-sunk 16 size colored fancy Burlington dial I have ever seen. I have an Illinois Watch Co. marked fancy dial in my collection that is very similar in color and style ...



Fred