Guilloche on a 1907 Waltham Model 1883 PS Bartlett 17 Jewel Pocket Watch

[Watchit]

Hello and thanks in advance for any help I can get on my questions.

A 1907 Waltham pocket watch as described in my post title was handed down to me from my father. The watch was my grandfather's daily time piece. He kept it in great running condition through regular servicing, so it runs great to this day and I've kept up his level of maintenance, so it continues to work smoothly and accurately.

My question is about the very detailed and intricate Guilloche on the back of the movement. I've seen engravings on the movements in my research and travels over the last 6 or so years, but nothing as comprehensive, detailed and all covering as what I found on the back of my grandfather's old watch when I opened it up shortly after receiving it. There are areas of the movement that are engraved that I've never seen engraved on other watches.

Are there many pocket watches that have this level of Guilloche on the movement? And is there a way to know who did this work? It looks all hand crafted and there are designs within designs within designs as you can see. The more I look at the engraving the more I see. Does anyone know about this type and level of engraving?

Again, thanks for any help you can provide
.

 

[Bila]

Hello and thanks in advance for any help I can get on my questions.

A 1907 Waltham pocket watch as described in my post title was handed down to me from my father. The watch was my grandfather's daily time piece. He kept it in great running condition through regular servicing, so it runs great to this day and I've kept up his level of maintenance, so it continues to work smoothly and accurately.

My question is about the very detailed and intricate Guilloche on the back of the movement. I've seen engravings on the movements in my research and travels over the last 6 or so years, but nothing as comprehensive, detailed and all covering as what I found on the back of my grandfather's old watch when I opened it up shortly after receiving it. There are areas of the movement that are engraved that I've never seen engraved on other watches.

Are there many pocket watches that have this level of Guilloche on the movement? And is there a way to know who did this work? It looks all hand crafted and there are designs within designs within designs as you can see. The more I look at the engraving the more I see. Does anyone know about this type and level of engraving?

Again, thanks for any help you can provide. View attachment 730500

A nice Family piece and welcome to the message board. Most Manufacturer's of the day did Damaskeening on movements and at times much more intricate then the one you have there, that is not to detract from yours though, hope you enjoy the watch

P..S. Look through-out the message board and you will find some beauties.

 

[Watchit]

Thanks Bila, I appreciate the information.

 

[musicguy]

Great family watch and thanks for sharing the story.

Welcome to the NAWCC Forum!


Rob

 

[musicguy]

Damaskeening

As Bila said we call it Damaskeening and you can search for that word here or on Google.
We do have photos of the machines used to do this work, I believe
we also may have one at the NAWCC Museum.


Rob

 

[Bila]

For some reason the "S" that I typed is not present in my post Sorry, should be the following; "Damaskeening".

 

[musicguy]

Fixed it.

(1) Best damaskeening on a movement | NAWCC Forums


Rob

 

[Bila]

Cheers Rob

 

[Bila]

check that post of mine rob, s in the wrong spot mate, thank you.

 

[Watchit]

Fixed it.

(1) Best damaskeening on a movement | NAWCC Forums


Rob

Thanks Rob. That watch you noted is awesome. I'll look for other examples too and I appreciate knowing how it was done. I should thank you guys too for a thread I hit a while back about the Shell Skeletonized pocket watch that I couldn't find much detailed information on until I hit NAWCC. That watch was left to me by my dad and actually had the original box.

 

[musicguy]

Shell Skeletonized pocket

Yeah, they are very nice to look at. Quite a novelty watch.


Rob

 

[PatH]

Here is another thread that shows the beautiful damaskeening on some Waltham model 1872 watches.
Please show your Waltham model 1872s

 

[Joe Blossic]

Are there many pocket watches that have this level of Guilloche on the movement?

Welcome to the forum!

There is another thread that focuses on damaskeen that I think you will enjoy. I did just now when going back to look for it.
Joe

Please show your favorite damaskeening patterns

Please show the watches you consider to have your favorite damaskeening patterns, whether they appeal through simple elegance or dazzling, eye-popping complexity. I'll have plenty to show later on, but I'd rather wait to see what others come up with first. Thanks very much for participating.

mb.nawcc.org

 

[PatH]

Thank you for that link, Joe! That's the one I was looking for when I thought of Clint's more recent Waltham thread. Not often can we find that kind of workmanship on hidden/utilitarian parts of products today.