witenite0560
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- Jan 14, 2010
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I'm trying to find out some information about a pocket watch that was passed down to me. I don't know much about it, other than my Dad gave it to me and I believe it was given to him by one of his Uncles. The face has a chip that is trapped under the hour hand and the second hand is missing. I'd like to have it restored. But, want to make sure I'm not messing up something that I should leave as is. Any information would be appreciated.
It's a pocket watch, 2.5" in diameter, appears to be made of steel. Winder and set button may be gold. Crystal is plastic. The face is white with black numbers and it looks like there was a second hand in a small face between the 5 and 7. The words "Anti-Magne'tique" in cursive print are in an arc under the 12, spanning approx. between the 11 and 1. Under those words is the word, "DEBOR" in block letters. Appears there was a chip in the face at the top of the 2 that was poorly repaired or filled. There is also a chip missing at the bottom of the 8. That chip is stuck under the hour hand. It appears that chip may be of the same material used for the repair at the 2 position, as they do not appear to be the same as the material of the original face, nor were the missing part of the numbers reprinted on them. There is no cover on the face.
The back has two covers.
On the inside of the first is stamped, "32" and "Z". Also, there are 3 or 4 alpha/numeric series scratched into it. I presume those are pawn marks.
Opening the second/inner cover reveals the works. I can see no numbers on the works, only the words "retard" and "avante". The stamped "32" and "Z" are repeated and there is another sequence that looks like, what I've been told are, pawn marks. The works look very nice, well made and with decorative tooling on frames and covers. It does wind up and run.
I've read of some watches described as "gun metal". That could be what this one is. I'm a bit intriqued by the plastic crystal, as I didn't think plastics had been in use all that long. I would expect a watch that looks this old to have a glass crystal or for the plastic to be yellowed and deteriorated. I'd like to have the chip that's trapped under the hour hand put back where it came from at the bottom of the 8 and the second hand replaced, then use it on special occasions. But, I was surprised that I could not find any references to "DEBOR" anywhere. I'd hate to find out that it was something more special and harm the historic value or something. Thanks
It's a pocket watch, 2.5" in diameter, appears to be made of steel. Winder and set button may be gold. Crystal is plastic. The face is white with black numbers and it looks like there was a second hand in a small face between the 5 and 7. The words "Anti-Magne'tique" in cursive print are in an arc under the 12, spanning approx. between the 11 and 1. Under those words is the word, "DEBOR" in block letters. Appears there was a chip in the face at the top of the 2 that was poorly repaired or filled. There is also a chip missing at the bottom of the 8. That chip is stuck under the hour hand. It appears that chip may be of the same material used for the repair at the 2 position, as they do not appear to be the same as the material of the original face, nor were the missing part of the numbers reprinted on them. There is no cover on the face.
The back has two covers.
On the inside of the first is stamped, "32" and "Z". Also, there are 3 or 4 alpha/numeric series scratched into it. I presume those are pawn marks.
Opening the second/inner cover reveals the works. I can see no numbers on the works, only the words "retard" and "avante". The stamped "32" and "Z" are repeated and there is another sequence that looks like, what I've been told are, pawn marks. The works look very nice, well made and with decorative tooling on frames and covers. It does wind up and run.
I've read of some watches described as "gun metal". That could be what this one is. I'm a bit intriqued by the plastic crystal, as I didn't think plastics had been in use all that long. I would expect a watch that looks this old to have a glass crystal or for the plastic to be yellowed and deteriorated. I'd like to have the chip that's trapped under the hour hand put back where it came from at the bottom of the 8 and the second hand replaced, then use it on special occasions. But, I was surprised that I could not find any references to "DEBOR" anywhere. I'd hate to find out that it was something more special and harm the historic value or something. Thanks
