American Pocket Watches in Original Boxes

[John Cote]

How about a thread showing American pocket watches in their original boxes. I bought this yesterday at the Southern Ohio Regional from a friend who is a wristwatch collector/dealer.

I keep buying these so that when I die they can all weigh me down so that I sink when they throw my body bag in the river.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I bought this Howard, made by Waltham (ca.1903) in 2004 on eBay. Five years later the original (empty) wooden box with certificate turned up on eBay. What are the chances of that! It was gratifying to see that the certificate verified the gold-filled case as being original.

 

[Steven Thornberry]

I have always assumed that the box that came with this 17J Hamilton 912 was the original box. However, FWIW, the box itself does not carry the Hamilton name. Still, the box does look the proper age (nearly 100 years). The certificate is correct in all particulars about the watch, and both watch and certificate are good fits in the box.

 

[Bila]

I bought this Howard, made by Waltham (ca.1903) in 2004 on eBay. Five years later the original (empty) wooden box with certificate turned up on eBay. What are the chances of that! It was gratifying to see that the certificate verified the gold-filled case as being original.

Jerry, that 2nd certificate, was it also in the box with the first?

 

[Nathan Moore]

Elgin 239 Veritas in Original Box with Certificate Card, c.1904.

 

[John Cote]

I bought this Howard, made by Waltham (ca.1903) in 2004 on eBay. Five years later the original (empty) wooden box with certificate turned up on eBay. What are the chances of that! It was gratifying to see that the certificate verified the gold-filled case as being original.

This is a dream come true Jerry. I have this dream all of the time but it never comes true.

 

[John Cote]

I have always assumed that the box that came with this 17J Hamilton 912 was the original box. However, FWIW, the box itself does not carry the Hamilton name. Still, the box does look the proper age (nearly 100 years). The certificate is correct in all particulars about the watch, and both watch and certificate are good fits in the box.


View attachment 758175

Right as rain Steven.

 

[John Cote]

Elgin 239 Veritas in Original Box with Certificate Card, c.1904.


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Nathan, I would be very interested to know if the case is marked "Veritas" under this paper. Great watch.

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Do shipping tins count as boxes?

 

[terry hall]

Do shipping tins count as boxes?

View attachment 758229 View attachment 758230

this was how most movements of many manufacturers left the factory.... so i vote yes.

 

[Nathan Moore]

Nathan, I would be very interested to know if the case is marked "Veritas" under this paper. Great watch.

Just the standard Keystone markings.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Jerry, that 2nd certificate, was it also in the box with the first?

Yes, both cards were in the lid of the box, behind the blue padded fabric panel.

 

[Paul Sullivan]

Hamilton 12s, 912 ser. no. 3,378,926 (1928). The 912 was my grandfather's watch.

 

[John Cote]

Do shipping tins count as boxes?

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I'm with my esteemed friend Mr Hall. Yes, yes and yes!

 

[Clint Geller]

I don't know if E. Howard & Co. ever put their watches in boxes, as I don't recall ever seeing one for a watch made by the original Howard company. I'd just like to have an early Howard watch with an orginal sales receipt. I've only ever seen one or two of those.

 

[darrahg]

Well, it doesn't state that it has to be expensive.

 

[terry hall]

i am the second owner of this watch acquired from original buyer's estate. The loose dial is the dial that was on the watch as received, i installed a better condition dial and retained the original. Note the full ribbon that retained the movement to the flip case insert.
Purchase was then local jeweler in downtown Lexington NC, business closed around 1993 Henry Miller was principal, business was Parker-Miller Jewelers

 

[John Cote]

Here is another watch I bought a few years ago with both its outer cardboard and it's inner box with papers.

 

[Leigh Callaway]

Two Hamiltons

954P Previously posted here: Montgomery Dial furnished by Hamilton when desired | NAWCC Forums


952L Previously posted #1,372 here: Please Show the Most Recent Addition to Your Collection | NAWCC Forums

 

[John Cote]

Two Hamiltons

Leigh,

Those are great. Thanks for making this thread memorable.

You reminded me of two Hamiltons I have...sort of Hamilton checkerboard/fishscale fraternal twins... I have posted these before too.

 

[Leigh Callaway]

That 994 looks familiar.... Historical Perspectives: American Pocket Watches: A Primer For The Wristwatch Collector - Hodinkee

"... perhaps the most beautifully finished of all of the Hamilton bridge models."

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

While not a factory box, it is in its original box...

 

[Lee Passarella]

I have two watch-and-original-box combos. This is my favorite. South Bend #480381, 16s, 21j, c. 1907.

 

[John Cote]

I have two watch-and-original-box combos. This is my favorite. South Bend #480381, 16s, 21j, c. 1907.

Holy Crap Lee.....WOWZERS. I have only seen one of these in the box Polaris watches in my life and who knows? It may have been this one. I can't say any more. I am speechless.

 

[Rhett Lucke]

Agree with John, that Polaris is incredible.

Stepping down a few notches, here’s a Bunn Special I’ve had for many years.

 

[Lee Passarella]

Holy Crap Lee.....WOWZERS. I have only seen one of these in the box Polaris watches in my life and who knows? It may have been this one. I can't say any more. I am speechless.

Thanks, John. Yeah, not bad for 75 bucks, huh?

 

[Kent]

LEE:

Very nice watch!

I can't tell from the pictures:
Is the movement marked "Polaris"?
Are the papers?
Do the serial numbers on the paper match the movement and case?
Is the case 14K?
Is it lever-set?

Thanks, Kent

 

[John Cote]

Thanks, John. Yeah, not bad for 75 bucks, huh?

You're killin' me duuuuuuude! I call dibs if you ever.....

 

[Steven Thornberry]

You're killin' me duuuuuuude! I call dibs if you ever.....

No, No! I'm having another birthday this year. I claim priority. (Still, I think neither of us has you know what in hell).

 

[John Cote]

LEE:

Very nice watch!

I can't tell from the pictures:
Is the movement marked "Polaris"?
Are the papers?
Do the serial numbers on the paper match the movement and case?
Is the case 14K?
Is it lever-set?

Kent,

When I enhance the photos it looks like the movement SN matches the paperwork but it looks like the movement is signed 295 and not Polaris. The Polaris was more or less a 295 grade but I have not know if the factory ever did this. Hopefully Lee will give us the true facts. It is a lovely watch anyway.

 

[Bryan Eyring]

#'s match. Wouldn't be surprised if SB put these dials on unsigned movements after exhausting signed mov'ts.

 

[John Cote]

#'s match. Wouldn't be surprised if SB put these dials on unsigned movements after exhausting signed mov'ts.

Or maybe even before? I don't have a SB Polaris SN list and I don't know how much research has been done on Polaris but maybe the first examples were just plain 295 movements?

 

[Fred Hansen]

Great watch Lee and if it’s not actually the same example - I have seen one other boxed 295 with the same typical Grade 295 movement without Polaris marking or damaskeen but with a Polaris marked dial, a Polaris style gold South Bend case, and a Polaris style box with matching certificate with all serials correct.

 

[Bryan Eyring]

Or maybe even before? I don't have a SB Polaris SN list and I don't know how much research has been done on Polaris but maybe the first examples were just plain 295 movements?

papers w/ dates would tell the story

 

[Douglas Romero]

E. Howard Watch Co. Series 0 I think with Paper and Box. Sorry for the pix but best I have from over 20 years ago. Think I coulda done better than these images. My contribution on this guy that were pretty plentiful. Had a few including this one.

That Polaris IS stunning. Doug

 

[musicguy]

That is a beauty!

Rob

 

[rschussel]

I bought this Lord Elgin many years ago on Ebay. I have not seen another that was intact with both the outer and inner boxes. The watch does not seem to have been worn much as the engine turning on the back is nearly pristine. This watch was about half the price of a new car.

 

[Jon Hanson]

My earliest American originally cased watch is a 20-s AWCo with a vibrating hairspring stud in 18k HC. I acquired it years ago from a Mass collector who cherished it for many decades. Will photo it just as soon as I am able to photograph it and download here.

Jon

 

[Jon Hanson]

I have two watch-and-original-box combos. This is my favorite. South Bend #480381, 16s, 21j, c. 1907.
View attachment 758698 View attachment 758699 View attachment 758700 View attachment 758701

What a lovely SB complete package!

 

[John Cote]

My earliest American originally cased watch is a 20-s AWCo with a vibrating hairspring stud in 18k HC. I acquired it years ago from a Mass collector who cherished it for many decades. Will photo it just as soon as I am able to photograph it and download here.

Jon

Good to see you back and contributing Jon. Remember, this is originally boxed, not cased but if you have a 20s Vibrator in an original box we sure want to see it. We want to see it anyway.

 

[Jon Hanson]

Good to see you back and contributing Jon. Remember, this is originally boxed, not cased but if you have a 20s Vibrator in an original box we sure want to see it. We want to see it anyway.

As stated original BOX!

 

[John Cote]

As stated original BOX!

Looking forward to it Jon!

 

[Douglas Romero]

Looking forward to it Jon!

Yes Jon. Sure good to hear from you again. We had a lot of fun back in the day sitting in the back row at you know where wearing the Ram Hat. And thanks for bringing some of your really early scarce beauties to show to us when the chapter meetings were more plentiful and had plenty of discussions and laughs.

 

[Jon Hanson]

Hi there, Doug. Nice to hear from you.

I guess the old "Watch Parties" are no more; thus, the RAM HAT is in retirement. (I believe it has been mothballed by the LW and placed in the attic!) If an event merits its use, I shall dig it out.

Hope all is well with you.

Jon

 

[rschussel]

My earliest American originally cased watch is a 20-s AWCo with a vibrating hairspring stud in 18k HC. I acquired it years ago from a Mass collector who cherished it for many decades. Will photo it just as soon as I am able to photograph it and download here.

Jon

Will you be posting pictures?

 

[Jon Hanson]

Will you be posting pictures?

First, I have to locate it at the bank; then do some photos and lastly relearn how to upload it here on the forum. Remember, I have been absent for over a decade.

Thanks for asking.

Jon

 

[Rhett Lucke]

I bought this Howard, made by Waltham (ca.1903) in 2004 on eBay. Five years later the original (empty) wooden box with certificate turned up on eBay. What are the chances of that! It was gratifying to see that the certificate verified the gold-filled case as being original.
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What an incredible story Jerry

 

[Dr. Jon]

I have long wanted a Keystone Series 2 and I finally got this ensemble.

They all match. The watch still keeps time within railroad standers ans I doubt it hs ever had any service. I don't run it much.

I love that escape wheel. Who but Keystone put a wheel like that on a 17 jewel watch!!

 

[musicguy]

Just for fun.

OK I am stretching the definition a bit to add a Timepiece pocket watch
sun dial movement in original box. Also has a compas.






Rob

 

[John Cote]

Just for fun.

OK I am stretching the definition a bit to add a Timepiece pocket watch
sun dial movement in original box. Also has a compas.

Rob, this doesn't seem a stretch at all. I like it.