How to Date a Ball Commercial?

[Girl59]

Hi, everyone. One of my very first acquisitions is a Ball Commercial, 16s, 17j. I love the look and hardiness of this watch. But when thinking about its vintage nature, I realized a rookie mistake: not knowing when it was made. This is uncharacteristic for me...I must have been pretty excited.

The seller didn't include the watch's estimated production year in the item description...Probably because the movement is Swiss made and has no serial number? Are there any clues on the movement? I just checked the Ball Company section of a 1995 edition of Shugart and found the 17j Garland under "Ball -- Swiss Made," but my watch doesn't have Garland on the dial. Any thoughts?

 

[MrRoundel]

I had a slight memory that this watch may have been made by the Record Watch Co. for Ball. I just verified it in the 2013 Complete Guide. The example says it was from around 1961, making it late in the mechanical RR watch era. According to the index of Swiss makers in the Complete Guide, the "BXC" initials on the balance-cock denote "Ball, Avis, Garland". I may have seen "Garland" on dials before, but I don't recall seeing "Avis", FWIW.

 

[Girl59]

I had a slight memory that this watch may have been made by the Record Watch Co. for Ball. I just verified it in the 2013 Complete Guide. The example says it was from around 1961, making it late in the mechanical RR watch era. According to the index of Swiss makers in the Complete Guide, the "BXC" initials on the balance-cock denote "Ball, Avis, Garland". I may have seen "Garland" on dials before, but I don't recall seeing "Avis", FWIW.

MrRoundel, Thank you! "Record" does appear on the movement, as does BXC. Wonder if I was looking in the wrong book...Mine is "Complete Price Guide to American Watches." Guess I may need to consult "The Complete Guide to American Pocket Watches?"