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Please Show the Most Recent Addition to Your Collection
- Thread starter Clint Geller
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My latest is an Elgin grade 250, 18s,17j, model 5.
I second that sentiment, Clint. A great piece of American history, especially since the trans-Mississippi Midwest doesn't get much press in connection with the Civil War, unless it's about guerilla action.
Hamilton 978 16s #1564724 (1921) A3P.
I purchased this 978 last December.
I purchased this 978 last December.
That is a very nice looking watch. I really like the numerals on the dial, and like the white face.
So, continuing my new obsession with acquisition, I just received this earlier Crescent St model 92. It is a caseless movement, but retains the dust ring - which is something I only recently became aware that some movements have. It does run, but I am uncertain of the condition at this time. The face has some minor chips and a crack, and the hands have some wearing of the bluing and/or staining. But it is a really nice example. Too nice for me to learn how to disassemble without ruining. I have a couple of non-working movements that I am learning on.
This one arrived today, took 2 weeks to get here from NY.
1906 Hamilton 970. The nicest looking Hamilton I have owned.
1906 Hamilton 970. The nicest looking Hamilton I have owned.
I don't have a lot of watches in my collection, but what I do have I've acquired pretty recently. Here is a very nice 16s Elgin grade 382 Strand variation. I like the 3 finger bridge and the clean dial. I don't know how original anything is. The second hand looks like it is not the right one for this watch (too small?).
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Here is a watch I've had my eye on for a long time, which I managed to reel in last December, and which my watchmaker just got finished servicing for me. It is first run American Watch Company grade Model 1872 movement SN 670,095, one of the three Waltham watches cited for outstanding performance at the famous timing trials at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and at the longer subsequent trial at the Detroit Observatory in Ann Arbor. This watch filled what I considered to have been the biggest hole in my American Watch Company grade watch collection. While I would seldom call any watch collection "complete," I think the four most sought-after varieties of American grade Model 1872, which perhaps can be considered "keys" to any AWCo grade Model 1872 collection, are:
1) an 18 jewel movement out of the first run of AWCo grade Model 1872's at SN 670,001
2) a Woerd's patent sawtooth balance movement, preferably a marked example out of the third run at SN 999,901.
3) a marked nonmagnetic movement, and
4) an open face movement (though the third and fourth keys could be combined in a single watch)
SN 670,095 was the final one of the four keys that I needed. (Before anyone brings it up, I don't consider rock crystal plate Model 1872's, however fabulous they may be, to be part of an American Watch Company grade collection.)
So here is SN 670,095. It has a hole jewel on the top plate side of the center wheel and cap jewels on both sides of the escape wheel, for a total of 18 jewels. The wheel train, screwed-down jewel settings, pallet bridge, and balance cock "dome" are gold, and the jewels are ruby. The dial plate is marked Woerd's patents, and the movement has a Breguet overcoil hairspring with a Fogg's cam regulator, and a mainspring let-down screw. The first run movements like SN 670,095 are the only Model 1872 movements to feature a curb pin adjusting screw on the balance cock. They are one of only two runs, the first, and part of the second, with 18 jewels; and one of only two runs, the first and the fourth, with slow beat (16,200 bph) trains. Movement SN 670,095 is in an AWCo 18 karat gold case weighing 50 DWT with steel parts, crystal and stem removed. It is, and always was smooth polished, and is in excellent condition with very light wear. The band carries E. C. Fitch's nail setting patent, which was assigned to Robbins & Appleton, and the case is believed to be original to movement SN 670,095. The glass enamel three-line signature dial is also believed to be original. My watchmaker thought two of the hands that came on the watch were later (though very high grade) replacements, so these were replaced once again with more appropriate hands for the period, model and grade. The damaskeening was revealed quite nicely when John cleaned the plates. He also touched up the blacking on the Gothic style engraving, which had paint missing in a couple of spots. He replaced the nonoriginal mainspring, which was too strong for the watch, with one closer in strength to that of the original. Other than that, he replaced one incorrect plate screw, a well as the nonoriginal hub on the crown wheel, which was the wrong diameter.
This watch is pictured on the front cover of NAWCC Bulletin Special Order Supplement Number 5, Boston: Cradle of Industrial Watchmaking, published in 2005, which is based on the proceedings of the 2002 NAWCC National Seminar in Boxboro, MA, the first of two seminars that I chaired. The watch was owned by one of the other symposium speakers at the time the supplement was published.
1) an 18 jewel movement out of the first run of AWCo grade Model 1872's at SN 670,001
2) a Woerd's patent sawtooth balance movement, preferably a marked example out of the third run at SN 999,901.
3) a marked nonmagnetic movement, and
4) an open face movement (though the third and fourth keys could be combined in a single watch)
SN 670,095 was the final one of the four keys that I needed. (Before anyone brings it up, I don't consider rock crystal plate Model 1872's, however fabulous they may be, to be part of an American Watch Company grade collection.)
So here is SN 670,095. It has a hole jewel on the top plate side of the center wheel and cap jewels on both sides of the escape wheel, for a total of 18 jewels. The wheel train, screwed-down jewel settings, pallet bridge, and balance cock "dome" are gold, and the jewels are ruby. The dial plate is marked Woerd's patents, and the movement has a Breguet overcoil hairspring with a Fogg's cam regulator, and a mainspring let-down screw. The first run movements like SN 670,095 are the only Model 1872 movements to feature a curb pin adjusting screw on the balance cock. They are one of only two runs, the first, and part of the second, with 18 jewels; and one of only two runs, the first and the fourth, with slow beat (16,200 bph) trains. Movement SN 670,095 is in an AWCo 18 karat gold case weighing 50 DWT with steel parts, crystal and stem removed. It is, and always was smooth polished, and is in excellent condition with very light wear. The band carries E. C. Fitch's nail setting patent, which was assigned to Robbins & Appleton, and the case is believed to be original to movement SN 670,095. The glass enamel three-line signature dial is also believed to be original. My watchmaker thought two of the hands that came on the watch were later (though very high grade) replacements, so these were replaced once again with more appropriate hands for the period, model and grade. The damaskeening was revealed quite nicely when John cleaned the plates. He also touched up the blacking on the Gothic style engraving, which had paint missing in a couple of spots. He replaced the nonoriginal mainspring, which was too strong for the watch, with one closer in strength to that of the original. Other than that, he replaced one incorrect plate screw, a well as the nonoriginal hub on the crown wheel, which was the wrong diameter.
This watch is pictured on the front cover of NAWCC Bulletin Special Order Supplement Number 5, Boston: Cradle of Industrial Watchmaking, published in 2005, which is based on the proceedings of the 2002 NAWCC National Seminar in Boxboro, MA, the first of two seminars that I chaired. The watch was owned by one of the other symposium speakers at the time the supplement was published.
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Dwayne,
Yeah, the second hand is a bit off, but the mvmnt. is lovely, and in seemingly great condition. Another thing to remember about collecting, is having a back up of spare parts. Dials, hands, main springs, case screws (and nowadays cases) are about the most common movement parts collectors seek, since so many watches have be disassembled (broken up) and the case, dial, hands, case screws, and movement sold separately.
One of the last watches I bought was an 18s "movement only" purchase only because I had the dial, hands, and case to complete it.
Recently I've been lucky to find two very nice Elgin Material Catalogs to add to the collection.
The first is from 1904. This one has been a bugger to find in general, let alone in decent condition. The 1904 is neat because it's where Elgin started really mixing up things. Changing series into models is a big one.
The second is from 1961. I bought it because it was in nice shape and also included a September 1962 update. This one includes the imported movements. Pretty nifty.
So far the phisical collection includes the Dec 1882, 1896, 1904, 1914, 1927, and 1961 with 1962 updates. Now I guess the really hard to find ones will be on the radar. 1887... 1909... And I still need a copy of that one from the 1950s.
The first is from 1904. This one has been a bugger to find in general, let alone in decent condition. The 1904 is neat because it's where Elgin started really mixing up things. Changing series into models is a big one.
The second is from 1961. I bought it because it was in nice shape and also included a September 1962 update. This one includes the imported movements. Pretty nifty.
So far the phisical collection includes the Dec 1882, 1896, 1904, 1914, 1927, and 1961 with 1962 updates. Now I guess the really hard to find ones will be on the radar. 1887... 1909... And I still need a copy of that one from the 1950s.
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I just picked up this Rockford Grade 66, size 18s, 11jewels, SN 428927. It's not a rare watch or anything, I bought it because of the fancy Rockford dial which is in pretty good shape, other than a hairline around the 4. It's in a gold filled Fahy's "MONTAUK" hunter case that is worn (the engine turned details can barely be made out) but in decent shape, no brassing. I need to get a better camera + lighting, the dial photo doesn't do justice to the blue color.
My other recent addition...a Waltham two-tone P.S. Bartlett, model 1892, size 18s, 17 jewels SN 16170805. It came in a nondescript Philadelphia Silverode OF case that has seen better days. It winds and runs for about 5 to 7 seconds and stops, the balance spins freely, so don't know if it just needs a good cleaning and lube, or if there are more serious issues. It acts like it wants to run, just quits quickly. It has a nice double sunk dial.
Over the years I have added a few 1872-model Waltham movements to my collection, but have never had one in its original case. (Sigh ... so many melted cases 
). My best movement is a 21-jewel "American Watch Co." grade and I have long dreamed of finding an appropriate case for it. Well, this simple beauty arrived in my mailbox today and I an enjoying it in its all-original glory, at least for a while. We will see if I follow through on my re-casing plans or not. (My A.W.Co. is 2-3 years older than this Riverside).
). My best movement is a 21-jewel "American Watch Co." grade and I have long dreamed of finding an appropriate case for it. Well, this simple beauty arrived in my mailbox today and I an enjoying it in its all-original glory, at least for a while. We will see if I follow through on my re-casing plans or not. (My A.W.Co. is 2-3 years older than this Riverside).
This is a great looking watch. I really love the two tone movements of the 1892 variety. Just beautiful movement. Nice find!
Thanks! I've been wanting to find a two-tone Model 1892 PSB for a while, to go along with my Model 1892 TT Royal (need to get hands for it) and my Model 1892 TT Crescent Street (photos attached). The auction for this PSB stated that they wound it two turns and it didn't run so I took a chance that it just needed to be fully wound to run....the amazing thing is I won it with only a $30 bid! I figured I couldn't go wrong at that price even if it didn't run. Heck, a replacement dial alone to fit a Model 1892 costs way more than that (I know from experience, had to replace the Crescent St. dial). I was at the right place/right time for that auction.
Lovely watch, Jerry. I especially like the winding wheels. As we have discussed privately, I didn't expect to see the radial line pattern underlying the main design on them, as we see so often on the winding wheels of AWCo grade movements. You told me the case has an inner bezel as well, to protect the dial and hands during setting - another quality feature.Over the years I have added a few 1872-model Waltham movements to my collection, but have never had one in its original case. (Sigh ... so many melted cases
View attachment 699230 View attachment 699231
That is a great score for sure. I am on the lookout for a good TT myself to add. I hope you are able to figure out what is wrong with the PSB and get it running again. Very nice collection. The Crescent St/Royals are an interesting variation.
I don't buy many Elgin watches, but this one was too nice to walk away from Especially at the price. A B.W. Raymond, Model 15 with 19 jewels, 5 adjustments etc., double sunk dial and housed in a gold filled Gibraltar case. I think it will make a nice evening wear watch.
Nick
Nick
Hi everyone,
A recent eBay find. A 1871 H.H. Tyler movement from Elgin, SN #144651. What attracted me to the watch was the handsome 6oz silver case. I just love these old silver cased keywind pocket watches. Watch is not working, but it looks like it simply needs a cleaning and new mainspring. It'll be up and running soon.
A recent eBay find. A 1871 H.H. Tyler movement from Elgin, SN #144651. What attracted me to the watch was the handsome 6oz silver case. I just love these old silver cased keywind pocket watches. Watch is not working, but it looks like it simply needs a cleaning and new mainspring. It'll be up and running soon.
Dwayne-
You aren't going to believe this, but I just scored another two-tone Waltham P.S. Bartlett Model 1892 in an auction a week ago, without even knowing I did! The auction just has a photo of the face and the back of the case...no movement photo. I bid up to $83 because it had a flawless DS dial and hands, in a hunter case in hunter configuration, so I figured maybe it could be a higher grade model ( I have a bit of a gambling problem on "pig in a poke" watches at times!). Imagine my surprise today when I received it in the mail, opened the box, then opened the watch case to find THIS! The case is a worn 14kt GF Dueber Special hunter that had a yellowing plastic crystal that I immediately replaced, otherwise it's running like a dream. Two 2-tone PSB finds within a week or so...the pocketwatch and auction gods were smiling on me!
Noticed in my photo that the winding wheel and crown wheel were a little grimy...here's one with them cleaned off....
That is fantastic! I am jealous (a little). The gods are definitely smiling upon you. That is a very clean dial. Love the roman numeral look for this too. Congrats on your 'box of chocolate' find there (Forest Gump voice).
Hamilton 928 18s 15j ser. #86347, dating it to 1899
I always keep a look out for these 18s odd duck Hamiltons, particularly the very early few runs where the movements sport a different balance bridge using a simple short Bosley regulator. Sometime during the 4th run of the watch the balance bridge was replaced with standard bridge used on it's higher grade 18s watches using using Goldthwaite micro adj. regulators. The bridges used on these lower grade watches, though, lacked any of the machining needed on the bridge, and the parts used to make micro adjustments to the regulator possible. It did have the long regulator needle associated with the Goldthwaite but was really a simple Bosley.
The dial and movement are in beautiful condition and the B&B GF 20 yr. case, while worn, shows little or no brassing and looks good. Overall a nice watch which I got at a modest price.
I always keep a look out for these 18s odd duck Hamiltons, particularly the very early few runs where the movements sport a different balance bridge using a simple short Bosley regulator. Sometime during the 4th run of the watch the balance bridge was replaced with standard bridge used on it's higher grade 18s watches using using Goldthwaite micro adj. regulators. The bridges used on these lower grade watches, though, lacked any of the machining needed on the bridge, and the parts used to make micro adjustments to the regulator possible. It did have the long regulator needle associated with the Goldthwaite but was really a simple Bosley.
The dial and movement are in beautiful condition and the B&B GF 20 yr. case, while worn, shows little or no brassing and looks good. Overall a nice watch which I got at a modest price.
New watch… No. New dial… Yes. 
Found a dial in better condition for a rather finicky-dialed Waltham Maximus-A 14s. This particular watch has a unique to this movement dial since the indices are enamel inlays in the bezel. Shorter hands too. I’ve seen this specific dial 3x and all 3 dials had some damage (the frosted detail of this dial seems prone to damage) — this “new” dial is be far the cleanest I’ve seen. Happy to upgrade this little pocket watch.
Found a dial in better condition for a rather finicky-dialed Waltham Maximus-A 14s. This particular watch has a unique to this movement dial since the indices are enamel inlays in the bezel. Shorter hands too. I’ve seen this specific dial 3x and all 3 dials had some damage (the frosted detail of this dial seems prone to damage) — this “new” dial is be far the cleanest I’ve seen. Happy to upgrade this little pocket watch.
A few years back at a National Convention I picked up a 0s Maximus movement
with an incorrect Swiss dial.
I posted a request for one in our "watch parts wanted" here on the forum,
and I searched ebay for more than 2 years. I was told by one of my mentors
here that I could put a "fancy dial" or a private label on it. I did decide against
that.
I was offered a 0s Maximus dial by a great member here
that was in mint condition and was beautiful.
Unfortunatly, it was too much $$$ for me to spend, but I really
appreciated the offer.
Every one that I saw on eBay that was in decent shape also
sold for exorbitant prices.
Very recently I did find this one on eBay
that is in mint condition and there was a "buy it now" for it. Before
I inspected it or even looked carefully I hit the buy it now button for $35.00
The price was so reasonable and the seller was an experienced parts seller/watch repair person
that knew exactly what it was.
Here is my $35.00 0s Maximus dial. What I consider one of the
luckiest finds that I have had even if it took multiple years to find.
Rob
with an incorrect Swiss dial.
I posted a request for one in our "watch parts wanted" here on the forum,
and I searched ebay for more than 2 years. I was told by one of my mentors
here that I could put a "fancy dial" or a private label on it. I did decide against
that.
I was offered a 0s Maximus dial by a great member here
that was in mint condition and was beautiful.
Unfortunatly, it was too much $$$ for me to spend, but I really
appreciated the offer.
Every one that I saw on eBay that was in decent shape also
sold for exorbitant prices.
Very recently I did find this one on eBay
that is in mint condition and there was a "buy it now" for it. Before
I inspected it or even looked carefully I hit the buy it now button for $35.00
The price was so reasonable and the seller was an experienced parts seller/watch repair person
that knew exactly what it was.
Here is my $35.00 0s Maximus dial. What I consider one of the
luckiest finds that I have had even if it took multiple years to find.
Rob
DTSPatrick, I really like those enamel bezel Riverside A's, so much that I have two in my collection, one like your watch, in white gold with black enamel, and one in yellow gold with blue enamel. The later came with a 14k chain that would have matched the watch perfectly if its enamel had been blue instead of black.
Hello All!
Well since I have exactly 2 watches in my collection I'll post the better of the 2! It's a Waltham 1883 made somewhere between 1891 and 1892. the hour hand has broken off but it runs great!! I love it! I'm working on getting it serviced and a set of hands.
![20220304_114723[1].jpg](https://mb.nawcc.org/data/attachments/617/617376-a42454064bbbd560f0d0ab466ff43d33.jpg "20220304_114723[1].jpg")
![20220304_121517[1].jpg](https://mb.nawcc.org/data/attachments/617/617377-324a5998d9ce0d586906a49b524e1806.jpg "20220304_121517[1].jpg")
Well since I have exactly 2 watches in my collection I'll post the better of the 2!
It's a Waltham 1883 made somewhere between 1891 and 1892. the hour hand has broken off but it runs great!! I love it! I'm working on getting it serviced and a set of hands.
I got this at the Florida Mid-Winter Regional in Lakeland. Rockford 900, SN 542628, c. 1899.
The blue and gold is truly a great find. Looks great and I’ve never seen that combo on a Waltham before.
The decoration on this movement is so cool. I love it! Nice watch.
Awesome Rockford! I always get an "Eye of Ra" or, "The all-seeing Eye" vibe when I see these 900 movements!
I need help. I have lost my instructions for capturing photos in You Tube and posting them here.
This just arrived today - a Waltham 12-size, 19j Colonial-B (1924 model) Riverside. The movement is common but the case is what makes it special and what makes it interesting to me. The gold and enamel case was made for Waltham by H.W. Matalene*, ca. 1924. This watch also has blued steel numerals on the dial, matching the hands.
*Matalene, had a small case factory from ca.1910-1924 making fine cases for Waltham, much as Depollier did, except Matalene worked exclusively for Waltham. I have been researching Matalene's cases, and his privately-labeled Waltham "Patrician" movements, in preparation for either a book or a series of Bulletin articles.
*Matalene, had a small case factory from ca.1910-1924 making fine cases for Waltham, much as Depollier did, except Matalene worked exclusively for Waltham. I have been researching Matalene's cases, and his privately-labeled Waltham "Patrician" movements, in preparation for either a book or a series of Bulletin articles.
I did my monthly wander around the local second hand shops the other day. I very rarely come across anything of interest, but it was a nice day, and a bit of exercise. I usually just pop my head in the door and receive a negative response, but this time I was lucky.
One shop owner had just cleared a property and he had found a pocket watch in a chest of drawers. He didn't rate it much because it was only nine jewels, but the case was okay, and he didn't want much for it. "A few quid will buy it" he said. So I bought it.
One shop owner had just cleared a property and he had found a pocket watch in a chest of drawers. He didn't rate it much because it was only nine jewels, but the case was okay, and he didn't want much for it. "A few quid will buy it" he said. So I bought it.
I had a look at the watch and asked if he was open to an offer. No, he was not open to offers. He told me the price he wanted, so it was a matter of 'take it or leave it'.
So I took it.
He smiled as I paid him. "That's what I like," he said, "100% profit".
So we were both happy.
So I took it.
He smiled as I paid him. "That's what I like," he said, "100% profit".
So we were both happy.
Please disregard my cry of "wolf" I figured it out!!I need help. I have lost my instructions for capturing photos in You Tube and posting them here.
This watch is intended as a gift but if it doesn't suit the person it will enter my collection. It is very ordinary Elgin s/n 2510098, 6s, 7j, grade 95, model 1, class 52, estimated year of production 1888. It is marked 14K and nothing else. Could it be gold or more likely gold plate? I'd appreciate your opinions. Thanks.
Looks like gold from here. I think it would be mighty tough to set diamonds In gold fill without leaving a mark that would expose base metal. Is “Warranted Gold filled” even a thing? -Cort
Like Cort said! Also, I think I can see the "ROY" trademark. They are known for their gold cases and I don't think they made filled cases. Gorgeous case!
Wow! That's quite the case. The Star of David with the Crescent moon and star within and the crescent moon repeated in jewels inside the cover!
I've seen quite a few amazing gold cases for sale online with mediocre and even 7 jewel movements is side a case like this, and original too.
I've seen quite a few amazing gold cases for sale online with mediocre and even 7 jewel movements is side a case like this, and original too.
Jerry you did see a ROY trademark on the case here's a better photo.
This Aurora slipped into my mailbox s/n 29424, 18s, 15j, circa 1885, Hurd regulator and patent pinion. I don't know the grade or model or if it ever had one. I'd appreciate feedback.It also appears to have been recased.
I ran across this a few days ago while walking through an oft-visited antique shop. Since the price was right, including a 20% discount, I decided to take a chance. The case turned out to be a 20-year Fahys Montauk. The back shows a fair amount of wear, possibly from frequent removal of the back cover. The design is well worn. There are initials (hardly viewable in the picture) that might be "GM" or "CM". I thought the case might hold a simple 17J movement. So, I was pleased to find it was a Wm. McKinley grade, Model 4, from ca. 1911. This is the third McKInley in my collection, and I never voted for the guy.
BTW, the SN is 2913534.
BTW, the SN is 2913534.
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