Favorite 18 size models?

[Surf Monkey]

The 16 size watches seem to be vastly more popular that their larger 18 size brothers. I have four 16 size watches myself and have yet to add an 18. Though the 16s generally have very interesting configurations where the movement wheels can be seen, the 18 full plate movements often have stunning damaskeen patterns that put the smaller watches to shame. I'm thinking about adding a Hamilton 940 to my collection (mainly because they're high grade and reasonably affordable) as well as a Hampden New or Special Railway model if I can find a nice one.

What are your favorite 18 size models and why? Pictures are encouraged!

 

[galland1]

Watham Vanguard 1892. Everyone needs at least one.

 

[Kevin W.]

That,s a nice Vanguard.
I would like to see some Hamiltons up.I think i only have 1, 18 sz a 925.Will try to get a pic up later.

 

[John Cote]

What are your favorite 18 size models and why? Pictures are encouraged!

I can't tell you what my favorite is...there are so many...but the Big Bunns come to mind...this is one of my fav's...

 

[Jeff Hess]

gosh john. stunning photo!

care to share your camera and light box setup?


wow!

 

[MFRC1956]

Bunn! Nice.

Thanks for sharing!

I made up my mind a year ago or so and I am only collecting Hammies today. Apart from a very nice 18s Hampden I collect the 992 and 992B and 18s Hammies like 923, 926 and 940. So far.

This has always been my favourite.

Michael

 

[Kevin W.]

Michael nice, great photography, shows details well.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I can't tell you what my favorite is...there are so many...but the Big Bunns come to mind...this is one of my fav's...

That's really a gorgeous photograph. Nice light, John. I'm a photographer too. I need to get my macro out and do a series on my new acquisitions.
-> posts merged by system <-

This has always been my favourite.

Michael

The amazing damaskeen on many of the 940s is exactly the reason I'm interested in them. I'm on the hunt for a nice, clean example right now. I want one with a Montgomery dial, which is proving a little difficult to track down.

EDIT: By the way, speaking of the 940, what's the general consensus about the 940 versus the Waltham Crescent St.? Brand loyalty aside, is there any significant functional difference between these two? Is there a compelling reason to buy a Crescent St. over a 940? Chances are I'll eventually buy both but...

 

[MFRC1956]

I was hunting a Bunn once, I think it was a 17j in size 18s with the wave pattern.
I think Larry S. shared one of these last year. VEEEEEERY hard to forget, wave pattern 17j 18s adjusted 6 positions and isochronism. The whole thing was so darned special and I remember it looked so minty!
Larry?

 

[Kevin W.]

Larry S has some sweet watches and his pictures as well.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Larry?

Yes, please! The more pictures of 18 size movements the better. Maybe browsing your images will feed my interest long enough to keep me from dragging my abused credit card out of my pocket for a few more days... or it'll inspire me to abuse it even more. Either way, win/win!

 

[RRPocketWatch]

Surf, BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
With a big enough credit card this is what you need.
http://www.nawcc.org/museum/nwcm/galleries/pocketwatch/ham500.htm

 

[Kevin W.]

i wish my income and credit card were a lot bigger.
But i have to work with what i have and i feel,i have i am pretty lucky with the collection i have.If i could just win the lottery, and then......

 

[John Cote]

gosh john. stunning photo!

care to share your camera and light box setup?

Jeff,

This photo was taken a while ago, but if I remember correctly it was shot on a stand in a white translucent commercial light tent with 2 Elinchrom studio strobe lights. I aim the lights differently for almost every different type of movement to try to get the best compromise between the damascening and the type. The camera was either a Nikon D2x or a Nikon D3 probably with an 85mm Nikkor Micro Tilt/Shift lens tilted to get the plane of the movement in focus.

I used to do these in a different room but now I have a similar setup right next to my computer desk and I tether the camera right into the computer so that the image pops up on my computer screen right after I take it. This makes adjusting the lights a lot easier. I just shot about 40 super rare 18s Hamiltons for a project I am working on and it went pretty fast with the new setup.

 

[Surf Monkey]

85mm Nikkor Micro Tilt/Shift lens

Those are fantastic lenses. I've coveted one for some time, but haven't been able to justify the price yet. Sounds like a nice little setup. Light is always the key in macro photography.

 

[Steven Mercer]

Favorite 18 size models?

Any Waltham Model 1883. And since I only collect Model 83's, if they are in my collection they are especially my favorite!

 

[Tom McIntyre]

This is my favorite 1883 model, but I like John Cote's 105 Watch of the Month best of all the 18 size I think.



Of course, if we allow one-off watches, this DeLong patent model is probably my favorite 18 size.



I like Vander Woerds dustproof patent model a lot also.

 

[richiec]

As always, Tom, impressive and beautiful. If only today's manufacturers spent as much time making good products as they did to make them look good.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Favorite 18 size models?

Any Waltham Model 1883. And since I only collect Model 83's, if they are in my collection they are especially my favorite!

What is it about the 1883 that captures your imagination? Is it more than the stunning damaskeen that these have?
-> posts merged by system <-

I like Vander Woerds dustproof patent model a lot also.

I've seen your image of this one before. It's a quite original looking design.

 

[Harold Visser]

This Howard is one of my favorites, love the damaskeening pattern,even though it technically isn't a 18 sz, but an Nsz. close enough I think....

 

[Steven Mercer]

What is it about the 1883 that captures your imagination? Is it more than the stunning damaskeen that these have?

The stunning damaskeening is one reason.

Also the numerous variations of the damaskeening.

Then there is the different movements, gilt, gilt damaskeened, gold flashed, plain nickel, nickel damaskeened, frosted, and tu-tone.

Key wind/set, Pendent Set, Lever Set, Dual Setting (both Pendent & Lever) and Hack feature.

Jeweling in 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21

Over 40 different grades.

Model 83's were Waltham's longest produced watches from 1883 to 1920.

For the most part the are under appreciated and a collector doesn't have to spend a lot to have a wonderful and diverse collection.

And I haven't even touched on the private label watches that can make a nice collection on their own.

And if you get a little tired of collecting all the variations and grades, you can get side tracked on the beautiful fancy dials.

 

[Snide]

Just love 18 size movements. A high grade movement in big fat nickel or coin silver case really gets me going. Beautiful photos of the Bunn Special and the Model 83 Crescent Street. Attached is a Model 1892 Vanguard, a 17 jewel movement from the first run of open faced Model 92s, S/N 6027119. It is in beautiful condition and would appear to have seen very little use.

 

[ben_hutcherson]

I love 18 sizes-they make up the vast majority of my collection.

I don't have anything particularly high-grade or special, but have some that I find very attractive none the less.

Here's a run-of-the-mill demaskeen Elgin



I've also noticed a conspicuous lack of gilt in this thread. Most of the later ones(1890s and on) that I've seen aren't too attractive. The earlier ones, though, are quite stunning in person.

Here's one of my favorites in gilt-a J.T. Ryerson grade with all the screws as well as the regulator arm blued to provide a nice contrast to the gold of the plates



And a nice bright and shiny BW Raymond

 

[HenryB]

Now your talking !
I like the damask patterns, not a dial or case guy or a RR guy

The 18S with the full plates are what I collect. Seems like the watch quality, with the heavy cases peaked in the 1880's and 1890's. Lots of 15 Jewel watches still out there, and now they are 120 years old.

Obviously 18S Hamilton (1900's), for the flawless, great nickel damasking and in a lot of cases the gold etching. Even a lowly 926 with the gold etching is a great looking watch, runs great and affordable.

Rockford made some wonderful TuTone finishes

Illinois (Bunns) are also superb to look at, and of course a quality watch. Even the 17 J are very nice. The Illinois guys are what got me started in collecting with all their pics of the Illinois movements.

I just started looking at Walthams, and have a 1883 Cresent Street and a Frostie on my table, I bought recently. Again 15-17 J examples, but the damasking is wonderful.

 

[49stude63]

I am in there with HenryB, big old full plate 18 size bad-boy,



http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/37624/2734628690075349633S425x425Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/46040/2221294920075349633S425x425Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/43286/2999578040075349633S425x425Q85.jpg

 

[MFRC1956]

Nices watches 49stude63, the North American is a very nice piece!

Here is another one of my favourites, the 926. This one needs some TLC and then.......

Not the best picture, sorry.


Michael

 

[Douglas Romero]

These are my favorites that I have still have.

 

[49stude63]

Rockford and South Bend 18s full plates have some DMK patterns that make you just stare and wonder how long it took to do all that machine work.

 

[HenryB]

Nice Highgrade and scarce Rockford Doug

 

[terry hall]

doug, has the 104 model 2 been recorded?

 

[Douglas Romero]

Terry, Yes, recorded some years ago when I got it - it was from Bill Megger's collection. I was very likely to get this 104, but love to find a 105.

 

[terry hall]

Thanks Doug... just making sure.

good luck on the 105... they are still some around, but seemingly 'locked up'

one just has to 'stumble' on them at times.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I've seen some 105s around. They're not impossible to find.

 

[Kent]

Nice watches Doug!

What's on the dial of the "Railroad Time" Waltham 83?

 

[Douglas Romero]

Kent, think you'll remember this one. You even did a short article on it in the bulletin. I guess a few more around. I have seen 1 other - but none like this dial and movement.

 

[StanJS]

Here are a few of my favorite 18s watches:

U. S. Watch Company "The President"
Rockford Grade 905
Hamilton 932

I favor low production PWs.

Cheers,
Stan

 

[Kent]

Kent, think you'll remember this one. You even did a short article on it in the bulletin. I guess a few more around. I have seen 1 other - but none like this dial and movement.

Thanks Douglas:

I'm sorry, not only don't I remember it (I'm getting older), but for some reason, it didn't end up in the data base. But, its there now!

 

[George]

What a great thread...I thought the Rockford and Howard just beautifull and I would have every one shown, in my cabinet. A couple of questions
Does any one specialize in doing this today...(the damaskeening,) How long would it take to do, and how is it done?
my last question Why did Waltham stop doing it so early..a bean counter decision?

 

[Surf Monkey]

The damaskeening is exactly what draws me to the 18 size full plate movements. There are so many exotic varieties. I'm a graphic artist, so I always wonder who was responsible for coming up with these amazing treatments. I'm interested in hearing the answer to George's questions above and I wonder if anyone has ever done a book or article on the history of damaskeening and the designers who specialized in the technique.

I'll also concur with the comment about Rockford's damaskeening. Some of the most amazing and three dimensional damaskeening patterns I've ever seen are on Rockford watches. Their designers seem to have created some of the most unique damaskeening out there.

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

My friend Fred Hansen (the wise old one...not to be confused with the young wise one) and I like to banter about the comparative merits of Illinois and Aurora products. As I like to remind him, Aurora was started by some Illinois employees who wanted to build a better watch. He, of course, disagrees. The Illinois 105 is great, but I prefer the much rarer nickel version of the grade no. 10 Aurora such as this one with Johnson's regulator:

 

[Snide]

VERY nice Greg

 

[Scott Erholm]

Wow, that Aurora is really something. What a beautiful movement.

Many of the photos in this thread make my 845 look a little plain. I have always really liked the sunken balance of the Waltham 1892. This photo is very similar to the Vanguards posted here. In fact, I'm not really sure of the difference between a Vanguard, an 845, a Crescent St. etc. with the same jewel count.

This particular watch is in a jewelers/salesman case, and I have enjoyed carrying it so that I can show off the movement whenever I "casually" check the time!

Scott

 

[crsides]

My favorites have to be the P.R.R. boys

 

[Snide]

This is one of my favorites...a 17 jewel Model 1892 two-tone Crescent Street. These were made from movements that were originally the Royal grade. Sorry...can't get the photo to load. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[Snide]

Still can't upload the photo-is any one else having this problem?

Meanwhile, I just took a close look at your 845 BC-nice movement and a very early 845. The earliest recorded is 12019770. The first run of 845s listed in the Gray Book is 12577501-600, a run of hunters. 12652001-200 is the first run of open face 845s listed. Previous to these to runs, 845s appear mostly in Appleton Tracy runs but also in a few runs of Crescent Streets. There are a few listings of 17-21 jewel ATCs or 21 jewel ATCs in the Gray Book. To date there have been no 21 jewel ATCs reported but there have been 845s reported in these runs. Yours (12068035) is from run 12068001-9000 which the Gray Book lists as being a run of 17 jewel Appleton Tracys. There have been reports of ATCs, 845s and ATC Premier movements from this run. The 845 carries the same damasceen pattern on the winding wheels as the Crescent St suggesting that in essence, they are basicly the same grade.

crsides-breathtaking Pennsy Specials.

 

[neighmond]

Here's one

 

[Snide]

Finally got it...must have been too large. Once again, a 17 jewel two tone Model 92 Crescent Street. These were made from movements that were originally the Royal grade. Waltham milled out the word Royal and inserted Crescent St.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Jim, I have seen two tone PSB 92 models also, haven't I?

BTW if you select 75 as the picture quality on jpeg images they will almost always upload. The original image size limit in pixels is currently set at around 2000 x 2000 (i.e. 4 megapixels) which the Message Board software resizes to something more reasonable for the web.

 

[Snide]

Yes Tom, the Model 92 PSB is a 2 tone movement. Attached is a photo of the earliest M92 PSB to date. It is of interest because of the position of the serial number. It is the only PSB I have seen or that has been reported with the serial number next to the barrel bridge.

 

[RRPocketWatch]

crsides, those have got to be the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen!If you have no objections I will let them occupy the screen when not in use. IMHO you get the award!