New York Watch Co.

[Copperdragon3]

I have an opportunity to purchase a New York Watch Co pocket watch circa 1874, but I'm not familiar with this company other than they were the precursors to the Hampden Watch Co. Can anyone tell me if the New York Watch Co made quality watches?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

They sure did make a good watch, in a wide variety of grades in a couple sizes and a few models.

What is the model and grade you are looking at?

This thread is a nice look at the companies watches

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/new-york-watch-co-precursors-to-hampden.158246/

 

[luvsthetick]

They sure did make a good watch

I concur with what Rick said.
My experience is primarily with their 18 size watches and feel their watches are fine quality from the 7 jewel movements to their best grades.

Hope you enjoy yours if you decide to purchase.

 

[Copperdragon3]

That's good to know, thanks! The watch is a Charles E. Hayward sz 18 pocket watch in running order. What's a fair estimate of value?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

The Hayward is 11 jewels with rubbed in jewels and an imitation expansion balance.

Value would depend on the condition, case and originality. It would be hard to give an estimate without seeing it. Hayward is one of the more common ones.

 

[musicguy]

Just a nice reminder that we do not talk about watches that are currently for sale
on auctions like eBay etc etc. I assume it's a private sale. Please only post
a photograph if you have permission from the seller to do so.
Thanks for understanding.

Rob

 

[Copperdragon3]

I did indeed purchase the watch and unfortunately, the thin glass crystal popped out the moment I tried to open the bezel to adjust the hands and it broke. I'm thinking it was a replacement since it was paper thin. I guess I thought the older watch cases had thicker crystals. Also, the only identifying marks on the case are this interesting trade mark: can anyone identify who the trademark belonged to?

 

[musicguy]

Unfortunately, some of the hunting case crystals are thin
and fragile. I have broken a few myself.


Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

It's a Swiss case, the trademark belongs to Montilier.

 

[Copperdragon3]

How interesting and yet disappointing: the case is apparently not original to the movement. The serial number on the movement puts the date at 1870/71 but the Swiss trademark was registered 1887.

 

[Copperdragon3]

I wonder - what cases would the New York Watch Co have used for their movements? American made I'm guessing.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

The swiss case you have would have had a movement from the Montilier company.

New York Watch Co didn't use cases. They sold movements. The customer could pick any 18s case they wanted from a jewelers stock. Either that or a jeweler, jobber or wholesaler could possibly case the watch up and sell it as a complete watch. Either way, any period correct American watch case could make a home for this movement.

 

[Copperdragon3]

Thanks for the information! Do you happen to know what year a Dueber Silverine case be?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

The silverine, Silverode, silveride, silveroid cases make nice movement holders for these older movements, but if your going for a good match, you'll want something else. Those cases are more 1880s and later.

 

[Copperdragon3]

Again, many thanks! Would a Waltham model 1857 case work? I'm guessing so.

Bill

 

[jboger]

I have several NY Watch Co watches, some almost certainly in their original cases. A coin silver hunter case would be more than appropriate for an 1870's KW pocket watch.

 

[Copperdragon3]

Did they also use the open face type case?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Sure. Open faced is just fine

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Here is one of my favorites #18516 which is a Theo E Studley grade (but a private label) and in close enough proximity to your serial number. It's in an open faced case that I believe is original made by American watch Co.

 

[luvsthetick]

Did they also use the open face type case?

As Rick said open face cases are fine. One will probably be fairly easy to find.

I have several in Dueber coin silver cases. I really like Dueber cases.

Here is one of mine close to your serial # movement.

 

[Copperdragon3]

Thanks for the info. How can you tell if a Dueber case is an early one as opposed to one made after my watch, which is 1870?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/dating-dueber-cases.93150/

Give this thread a read. There is also the Dueber watch case manufacturing co encyclopedia article

I'm thinking probably look for something with a 6 digit serial number or less. If it says Canton on it, it is from at least the late 1880s, so too new. .

 

[luvsthetick]

How can you tell if a Dueber case is an early one as opposed to one made after my watch, which is 1870?

Trademark design is a good indicator.
Look for a case with the trademark I show in my post # 20 or a later one like the one below used in later 5 digit serial number cases and into 6 digit numbered cases.

 

[Copperdragon3]

What if it says "Newport" on the lid?

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Well... Hmm.. good question. Newport is a case grade and the location of the factory.

Dueber didn't move to Newport untill 1874. I'm just making an assumption (dangerous, I know...) that the Newport cases are at least 1874 if not later because of this information. Maybe someone will have further proof but I've not seen any.

The cases marked Newport are coin silver with a nickel cap. Just FYI.

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

I only have a few New York watches but here's a favorite that, in my opinion, is very likely in its original case:

 

[Jim Haney]

I only have a few New York watches but here's a favorite that, in my opinion, is very likely in its original case:

View attachment 683505 View attachment 683506

That watch would get my vote for a Hampden finished up with NY Stock, based on the short cock & shape of the BB and the font of the serial numbers.

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

That watch would get my vote for a Hampden finished up with NY Stock, based on the short cock & shape of the BB and the font of the serial numbers.

Nope. But I'm not going to argue the point.

 

[luvsthetick]

I only have a few New York watches but here's a favorite

Nice Greg!

My 2-color New York watches are very special to me. Here is one of mine.

According to R. J. Ziebell's publication, this watch was in New York inventory in 1875. It is a Fredk Billings grade and a private label watch.

 

[Daniel Buttrick]

22,309 Chester Woolworth with a Hampden dial that I recently acquired.

I've never posted to the forums before, so forgive any faux pas!

 

[musicguy]

I've never posted to the forums before, so forgive any faux pas!

Welcome!


Rob

 

[musicguy]

Daniel Buttrick

It's come to my attention that your watch is not a Hampden but a New York Watch
and I am going to move your post to that thread . The serial number is too low for Hampden(as I have been informed by another member)



Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Hey Dan, glad to see you post to the NAWCC forums!

We already talked about the missing info in the inventory records, your watch having real jewel settings corresponding to a different grade and the nice early Hampden dial.

They moved your post because that other thread was collecting short balance cock model watches.

Again, awesome watch and thanks for sharing it!

 

[Daniel Buttrick]

Hey Dan, glad to see you post to the NAWCC forums!

We already talked about the missing info in the inventory records, your watch having real jewel settings corresponding to a different grade and the nice early Hampden dial.

They moved your post because that other thread was collecting short balance cock model watches.

Again, awesome watch and thanks for sharing it!

Thanks! That makes sense. Looking forward to contributing more!

 

[Dave160th]

Nope. But I'm not going to argue the point.

i agree with greg its a ny watch co watch