The first American pocket watches

I will speak to my friend to see if he knows Who is Whom and if they will talk to you.

 

That about says it all, don't it?
-Cort
<(';')>

 

You could try the Smithsonian at Washington, DC, USA. I have heard they have a sample or two. To far to drive for me!

 

The NAWCC Special Exhibit last year on American watches had at least a Pitkin. It was on loan.

Also take a look at http://www.oldwatch.com/pitkin.html

Don

 

Don - Is that link of an American made watch and not an import marked with the Pitkin name?

Glyn - There is a photo of an American made Pitkin watch with a 2 digit serial number in the 1976 NAWCC Exhibit catalog. If I can find my copy of this catalog I will send you a photo. To my knowledge this is the only known example of this earliest Pitkin model and this is a tremendously important early American watch.

Fred

 

Fred,

Hmmm I did not even look at the pictures on that link.

OK try this http://www.sil.si.edu/imagegalaxy/imageGalaxy_enlarge.cfm?id_image=7948

I held the Pitkin at the exhibit at the NAWCC museum. They must have a photo of it somewhere.

Don

 

Glyn Meredith: You can try ***********, Chapter 174, or all the other Chapter Web sites.

Or you can JOIN Chapter 149 and READ ALL About these companies on Web Horology MB.

I really am trying to quit carrying matches with me.

 

Here is a scan of the Pitkin watch photo from the 1976 NAWCC National Convention exhibit catalog. The catalog also included a picture of the dial and the pillar plate.

 

Here is a picture of a Goddard (#387) from the same catalog.

 

I believe that different examples of each are also included in the 2002 NAWCC Seminar exhibit, but the on-line images from that exhibit seem to be temporarily unavailable. Presumably all examples shown are (or were) owned by members.

 

If I remember correctly, there was also a full plate Pitkin at the NAWCC national display in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. And I also believe that Mr. Hanson was the organizer of both the 1976 and Ft. Wayne exhibits!

You go Jon!

 

2002 was the Chapter 149 Seminar and Watch Exhibit at the Ft Wayne Regional. Some members missed a GREAT SHOW.

Inc Pitkins, Goddard, Custer. Warren, Von derHeydt, Nashua, Reed, Fasoldt, Tracy Baker, Adams and Perry, Palmer, Flint, Freeport, San Jose, Otay, Jeunet, Auburndale Rotary, Osaka, early Walthams and Howards!

ETAL

There was not enough space for the dollar watches.

 

I will give you a One Word answer. NO

But, you were told who does.

 

Oh, well, This is what the NAWCC gets for having an IGNOR button. The truth is hard to swallow at times.

I am out of here.

 

The 1976 exhibit included many spectacular clocks and watches. The only credits are for the photography (not ownership), and the photos of the American watches are credited to Jon Hanson. Unless I missed it, no one has yet specifically stated who currently owns the Pitkin and Goddard watches.

The catalog was a limited printing of 2500 copies but they still turn up every now and then.

 

The on-line pictures from the 2002 seminar are back up. You can find some excellent digital images of a couple of Goddards and a Pitkin at >> THIS LINK <<. Clicking on the image of the watch you want to see takes you to a separate page dedicated to that movement. Each image on that page is then linked to a high-resolution image.

 

Glyn-

Here is a link to superb information about Pitkin and the discovery of the #46 ...

http://www.americanhorologe.com/Pitkin.htm

If you have any interest in other important early American watches I definitely recommend checking out the other links on the page.

Fred

 

Glyn: Receive this email as a referral;

Sorry the information is unavailable!

 

When I first received this eMail, I was really angry. I have been working to this end for over 5 years now to make the NAWCC MB a better place and the NAWCC ORG Web Sites a 22nd century system.

I agree that Pictures and Decent write-ups about them would do wonders for the NAWCC MB. We can not force members to do so. We sure can not allude to them being Egotistical and Pompous, that is just simply not true. The members of Web Horology that are working on the American Pocket Watch Histories and those that are helping to write Editorials on Kirx Klox Special Projects are a credit to the Horological Community. They know that I am providing one of a kind programming that does not exist anywhere else on the Internet.

You can write your own ticket, but do not use me.

 

If any members own a Patek Caliber 89, tourbillion, pre-1870 center and independent jump seconds, any Graves or Packard special made, spring detent, deck watch, 24-hour, or 1st year pendant wind and set - or a Fasoldt double escapement detent chronometer - or a Reed chronometer - or a Waltham 8-day - or a Potter tourbillion - or a Breguet tourbillion - a Mudge chronometer - or any number of other treasures:

then please put a screw driver to them, take them down, photograph at least the under dial pillar plate, esapement, escapement recess, banking method, case markings, etc., using macro photography and present them here in full color digital photos of at least 1600 x 1200 pixels, at 350 dpi, so I can satisfy my curiosity.

If you have one or more treasures, I wish to see them all here, pronto!

I'm waiting ...

Oh - I almost forgot - and thank you!

 

Other photos also exist of later serial numbers, looks like watch posted.

 

Wow over 4 years since a last posting on this thread.