American Railroad Pocket watches

[Dsquared]

Good morning, would anyone have knowledge of where I can purchase American Railroad Pocket watches in the UK? I have a small collection but looking to build it up, I have bought from Ebay Time P.W I know Atlam are there but any others you guys are aware of?
So far within a year I have a Sangamo, Hamilton 992E, Hamilton 992B, Illinois Bunn Special, Waltham traveller and several others I am working on. I would like to build this up maybe a Sangamo Special, Hamilton 950, Ball Hamilton, its just a wish list but I want to retain a part of the history and expand my knowledge base. I am Scottish but very interested in the period 1850s 1900s railroads guns etc its the mechanics workings that interests me mostly.
I would have no issue buying out of the States but the shipping and the 20% VAT is the killer.
Photos are on Pocket Watch Data Base.
Best regards Dave.

 

[musicguy]

We can talk about where to buy watches but we
do not do buying and selling here on the open forum.
I like E-Bay personally.


Rob

 

[musicguy]

So far within a year I have a Sangamo, Hamilton 992E, Hamilton 992B, Illinois Bunn Special, Waltham traveller and several others I am working on. I would like to build this up maybe a Sangamo Special, Hamilton 950, Ball Hamilton, its just a wish list but I want to retain a part of the history and expand my knowledge base.

This sounds like the start to a great collection. Take your time on some
of the higher end ones , find exactly what you want.


Rob

 

[LaRue]

Jones and Horan are an auction house that always have a good offering of American “Railroad Grade” pocket watches.

 

[topspin]

If you are looking for a bricks-and-mortar outlet in the UK which has a regular supply of such pieces available for a reasonable price - you might be in for a long wait before you find one.

Maybe one day a high-end collector will die (or decide to downsize) and the whole lot will turn up all in one place. Again, good luck finding it.

If you don't mind switching your focus to low-end-to-middling pieces, then there are plenty of interesting grades and private labels which can more easily be collected, either from UK ebay or from the flea markets / charity shops / antiques shops / car boot sales / pawnbrokers / non-chain jewellers of your choosing.

 

[musicguy]

Jones and Horan

Great idea and I wholeheartedly agree, but the gentleman is looking in the UK.


Rob

 

[LaRue]

They auction and ship to the UK I believe

 

[Dsquared]

If you are looking for a bricks-and-mortar outlet in the UK which has a regular supply of such pieces available for a reasonable price - you might be in for a long wait before you find one.

Maybe one day a high-end collector will die (or decide to downsize) and the whole lot will turn up all in one place. Again, good luck finding it.

If you don't mind switching your focus to low-end-to-middling pieces, then there are plenty of interesting grades and private labels which can more easily be collected, either from UK ebay or from the flea markets / charity shops / antiques shops / car boot sales / pawnbrokers / non-chain jewellers of your choosing.

If you are looking for a bricks-and-mortar outlet in the UK which has a regular supply of such pieces available for a reasonable price - you might be in for a long wait before you find one.

Maybe one day a high-end collector will die (or decide to downsize) and the whole lot will turn up all in one place. Again, good luck finding it.

If you don't mind switching your focus to low-end-to-middling pieces, then there are plenty of interesting grades and private labels which can more easily be collected, either from UK ebay or from the flea markets / charity shops / antiques shops / car boot sales / pawnbrokers / non-chain jewellers of your choosing.

If you are looking for a bricks-and-mortar outlet in the UK which has a regular supply of such pieces available for a reasonable price - you might be in for a long wait before you find one.

Maybe one day a high-end collector will die (or decide to downsize) and the whole lot will turn up all in one place. Again, good luck finding it.

If you don't mind switching your focus to low-end-to-middling pieces, then there are plenty of interesting grades and private labels which can more easily be collected, either from UK ebay or from the flea markets / charity shops / antiques shops / car boot sales / pawnbrokers / non-chain jewellers of your choosing.

Topspin, Thanks for the brutally honest answer and your right its what comes with living on an island over the pond I guess, I am just not into English makes, I am doing exactly what you mention ebay, charity shops etc, I will perceiver on my current heading and I will find what I am looking for, there may or not be a few knocks on the way but if so I will get up and keep trying like always, all in all I am doing not too bad at all for 11 months in the hobby and the majority of the time my work is overseas-unfortunately not the States. Thanks for your time.

 

[Lee Passarella]

The prices may be a bit high (not sure), but shipping would not be an issue. Try Atlam Watch Co. in the UK.:

Atlam Watches

 

[Dsquared]

If you are looking for a bricks-and-mortar outlet in the UK which has a regular supply of such pieces available for a reasonable price - you might be in for a long wait before you find one.

Maybe one day a high-end collector will die (or decide to downsize) and the whole lot will turn up all in one place. Again, good luck finding it.

If you don't mind switching your focus to low-end-to-middling pieces, then there are plenty of interesting grades and private labels which can more easily be collected, either from UK ebay or from the flea markets / charity shops / antiques shops / car boot sales / pawnbrokers / non-chain jewellers of your choosing.

The prices may be a bit high (not sure), but shipping would not be an issue. Try Atlam Watch Co. in the UK.:

Atlam Watches

Lee, thanks I watch these guys also, yep a tad expensive but some nice pieces.

 

[Maximus Man]

I am trying to remember the name of the high end antique mall on London?
They had several watch dealers.

 

[topspin]

You might be thinking of Burlington Arcade - Wikipedia ? Along with the nearby Bond Street area, it's a great place for a shopping trip - if, and only if, you have exceedingly deep pockets.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Dsquared,

There are a few respectable online dealers here, if you'd like a candid private opinion on some of them, please send me a conversation.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dsquared]

Hi Dsquared,

There are a few respectable online dealers here, if you'd like a candid private opinion on some of them, please send me a conversation.

Regards,

Graham

Graham,

Yes that would be good, as an option I am going to try find a good watch and get it shipped, I have a fair idea whats involved but will try.

Regards Dave.

 

[Kent]

Dave:

You are truly the victim of supply and demand. Many American Railroad Watches were originally sold in the U.K. However, the demand seems to be such that the prices are high.

That wasn't always the case. Around 1906, American railroad watches were marketed in London, and elsewhere in Europe, at significantly lower prices than was charged here in the U.S. So much so that some dealers were able to buy the watches in London, have them shipped to the U.S. and sell them at a profit at prices 30% or more below those charged by jewelers obtaining their American-made railroad watches domestically.
See the attached New York Times article.

 

[Dsquared]

Dave:

You are truly the victim of supply and demand. Many American Railroad Watches were originally sold in the U.K. However, the demand seems to be such that the prices are high.

That wasn't always the case. Around 1906, American railroad watches were marketed in London, and elsewhere in Europe, at significantly lower prices than was charged here in the U.S. So much so that some dealers were able to buy the watches in London, have them shipped to the U.S. and sell them at a profit at prices 30% or more below those charged by jewelers obtaining their American-made railroad watches domestically.
See the attached New York Times article.

Kent,
Thanks for this, I would never have thought it, I did manage to find a Bunn Special real nice watch £200 It was a one off, I have an Illinois Sangamo and a Hamilton 992B the cost total £1100 they are nice and I am happy.
Thankyou for the attachment which I will read this evening,

Best regards Dave.