Time on the go

[Keith R...]

Hack watch. These came out in the 1880's (Coventry UK). This one is 11J with a
DS dial and runs 29 hours on a wind.

Keeps perfect time. H. Wolfe and when serviced, I had key guard screws replaced.
Note, it is not a true Chronograph, merely a hack lever.

Keith R...

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Well folks it's that time of year again!

Time to polish up those black boots, dig out the flannels and carpenter jeans, clip a chain onto a big old watch and go about the day!

This has been designated the official daily carry watch, and has taken to it's position very well.

B.W. Raymond grade 70. Nice, but not too nice where I would be completely heartbroken if something bad happens. They made a ton of grade 70s. This one isn't early, or a private label. There's nothing especially remarkable. It's just a good, solid movement.


Beautiful dial on this one.



I cleaned and lubricated the movement in late January of 2019. This is also when the case was made up from junk parts. It was stuck in a box for over a year.. sort of forgot about it untill Jerry's date symbol chart. Never did use it much, but that's changed now!

So... Happy October everyone! Shorter days, cooler weather... My time of year. Hope everyone is safe and healthy!

 

[musicguy]

This has been designated the official daily carry watch

Nice choice.


Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Time to wear another 12-size Waltham Riverside.


This week I am wearing a watch that I have had for about 20 years. I don’t wear it too often -- to protect the already slightly worn case pattern. I bought the case originally to house an orphaned 21-jewel bridge model that I had. This case held a mid-grade 17-jewel Royal movement. But after buying the watch I found I could not make my intended switch. This lovely watch was a presentation by a church congregation to a 25-year old theology student who wasn’t ordained for another year. I could not imagine that Waltham’s best and most expensive movement would be part of such a gift. A year later I found this Riverside movement (with a Maximus dial ! ) in a very nice gold case -- one without any complicating inscriptions. That new, plain case went to my bridge model and I couldn’t help putting the Riverside in this case because it just looked so darn good. ... and a Riverside would not have been much more for the congregation to have bought (~$17 difference), so not too out-of-character for the presentation.


[No, I don’t believe in removing nicely done inscriptions, and yes, I still have the Royal movement that was original to the case. Both movements were from the same production year.]

 

[musicguy]

Not a great morning with my everyday carry watch the bow came off.
I have had the bow come off a few watches but in this case one of the pins was pushed all the way
in and the other pin was loose. I had to remove both pins and re insert and secure them.
Hope it works OK. The case is very worn and was heavily used over the years
not including my own constant use.




So that's why I'm posting this Waltham 12s in the "time-on-the-go thread"
This watch is not in it's original case, and I'm not so sure how original the dial movement
hands combination is anyway.

Baily, Banks & Biddle Co.,
19J A.W.W.CO. Riverside circa 1903 Model 1894 pendent set









Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Yay! Let's hear it for the Riversides
Lovely dial and hand combination with no reason (in my mind) to suspect they are not original (at time of sale).
(Sorry to hear about your bow problems. ... hope that gets resolved adequately).

 

[viclip]

Rob that could have been a frictional wear problem.

I'm an old motorhead so I make a point of lubricating everything in sight.

That includes oiing the bow as well as the hinges of my pocket watch cases.

Should be good for 100,000 miles or so

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Rob, Bailey, Banks & Biddle PLs often came with Louis XIV hands like yours. I see no reason for you to think that the combination is not original. I have three BBBs in my collection and I used to have a fourth (the last one below). Half had dials and hands similar to your watch's dial and hands

18k & Enamel Patek Philippe "Special" 29mm in diameter


18k C.H. Meylan, Jeannot & Shiebler case 45mm in diameter


14k C.H. Meylan, Jeannot & Shiebler case, 0-size movement


YGF C.H. Meylan, in Philadelphia case, ladies-size

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I am still sticking with my Waltham "Riverside"s, but have switched to a thinner 14-size Colonial-A from 1920.

It looks much better now than when I got it (below), having gotten a new crystal, crown, matching hands and the silver dial has been dipped to remove the tarnish.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I’ve switched to another Riverside this week, and I believe this may have been my very first Riverside, purchased about 50 years ago from Adin Mathews. If there are still any southern California old timers around they may remember Adin. He was a kindly old gentleman when I knew him, with a gentle chuckle. More than that, he was a very knowledgeable collector of early American watches with several Bulletin articles to his credit. He would bring watches to sell at our Chapter 4 mart, stored in old See’s candy boxes. I bought this 12-size 17-jewel Riverside (ca.1900), originally in a solid gold swing-ring case, for $40 (about the price of an ounce of gold back then). I love the high-quality glass enamel dials on these early 12-size models. I almost immediately used the gold case for an orphaned Riverside Maximus movement (which I still have in that case).


The silver swing-ring case that my Riverside is now in is one I have shown before, with a little inlaid gold locomotive on the back.

I bought that case, with a lower-grade movement inside, in 1973 for $20 at our local “The Akron” store. The same folks who may remember Adin may also remember these southern California stores in modernistic buildings where they sold an eclectic array of imports and other home decor items that they must have acquired in container loads. (Reminds me of Pier 1 Imports more recently). Somehow they had acquired an accumulation of silver pocket watches with gold inlaid ornamentation. I bought two at that price, and the rest sold out quickly to other collectors! (The second silver case houses a 12-size Elgin grade 237).

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I was going to take out one of the fancy buggers today... But this one was begging for attention.

This Currier was the first watch I bought at an NAWCC mart, from Tom Huber (who always has something interesting to look at)

The case is an openfaced, coin silver Fahys with silver joints, 3 oz.

It was also the first Illinois that I got a chance to take down and examine, so it received a complete overhaul and a new mainspring too. Then it went into the box where it doesn't get a chance to come out very often.

Runs like a new movement, and there's just something about watching these early Illinois tick away that I really enjoy. This one has some spots on the Gilt, and now that I use different cleaning solutions it could probably use another going over to make it look better, but it's a good watch.

46,757 is a model 2 Currier.


Did anyone pull out something good to wear for the holliday today? Even if your not in the U.S.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

The past few days I have been wearing this 12-size Waltham Riverside. It is from the first run (starting in March 1896). This run was unique for the script signature on the movement. This dial, with a pressed center) was also characteristic of the first production runs. I believe the gold-filled Crescent Watch Case Co. case is original.

 

[musicguy]

Thanks Jerry for bringing back this thread.

I am going to wear a local RR Grade PL today it's a 18s Elgin grade 33 from Middletown, NY
(a small city about 70 miles from NY City). If you are wondering what all the extra
holes are in the movement I have no idea I guess someone was practicing
drilling holes in it(there are 4 holes).
B. F. Gordon was the Watch Inspector and Examiner for the Ontario and Western
Railroad(in Middletown, NY).

It's in my pocket now



Rob

 

[Nick23]

I'll be wearing this watch over the Christmas period. Nothing exotic, but quite scarce. It's a 15J Waltham 1897 Model, Perfection Grade in a Dennison G/F hunter case.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Fired up the Railway for the rest of the week.

 

[Lee Passarella]

Fired up the Railway for the rest of the week.

Good choice. Rick. Been carrying this Special Railway that I got recently. Keeps good time and looks pretty nice too.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

No one has posted to this thread in several months, but I am sure many of you are wearing something different in your pocket by now.

I decided to wear something a little different this week -- not too large or to small. The square case, made by H.W. Matalene around 1920, measures 4 cm across (a little more than 1.5 inches). Cases of different shapes in this era were called "novelties". The silver dial with gold numerals is private-labeled for Coleman Adler, a New Orleans jeweler since 1898. The movement should be no surprise if you have seen my other posts ... it is a 19-jewel Waltham Riverside (10-size Colonial-A model in this instance). [The bow is not original].


The applied gold numbers on these dials are easily damaged, in particular the “2”s. When I got this watch the base of both 2s were broken off (bottom image) but I was able to hand-make new bases from flattened gold wire and glued them to the dial.

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Those applied "2"s can be troublesome. I had to replace the broken one at (I believe) 2:00 o'clock on this 14k Knapp-cased Illinois Grade 439. I salvaged the replacement "2" from another dial. If you look closely, you can see that it doesn't quite match the "2" at 12:00 o'clock, but it's close enough for me and better than half a "2".



Fortunately, I didn't have to replace the "2"s on this platinum Elgin Grade 446 C.H. Hulburd, which is the watch I have out and running today. Its "2" likely would have been harder to find than the Illinois'.



Neither watch is perfect, of course, but they both are scarce watches that I am happy to own, though neither likely is as scarce as Jerry's Matalene. Only 330 or 370 Illinois 439s were made (experts disagree). Not many are still around in their original solid gold cases, especially nicely enameled examples such as mine. No more than 810 C.H. Hulburds were made, and surely only a small number of these had platinum cases because they were much more expensive than solid gold-cased C.H. Hulburds. An old ad I have offers an 18k C.H. Hulburd for $350/$473.50 (presumably wholesale/retail) and a platinum one for $650/$852.76.

 

[musicguy]

(thank you Jerry for reviving this thread)
After Jerry and Ethan posted their high quality beautiful watches above this morning
I went over to my watch cabinet to see what I have never worn before(or very rarely have worn) .
I am going to go down the ladder of quality a bunch and wear a sterling silver
18 jewel Hamilton 6/0 size. It's in my pocket now.





View attachment 20210508_115442.mp4


Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Thanks for bringing this up, Jerry. It's great to see what people collect and study here on the forums, but it's also interesting to see what sorts of watches are actually used on a daily basis.

I can't put this one down! It might just be the perfect everyday watch. It's interesting because of the movement model, the dial and moon hands make me smile, and the size/style of the silver case is awesome.



Ah, who am I kidding. Give it a little while and there will be something else in my pocket.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I am going to go down the ladder of quality a bunch ...

Hardly! Your Hamilton movement is certainly the equivalent, if not the better, of my Riverside movement.
... and I love the Gothic bow on those little nun's watches.

 

[Downing]

I carried pocket watches regularly at work when I was practicing law, rotating through my collection and wearing the best ones when I was in trial. That was quite the throwback as most of my colleagues didn't even own a wristwatch and relied on their cell phones for the time. Kind of sad because imho a professional should wear a good watch, be it on his wrist or in his pocket.

Now that I'm "retired" but working part-time for fun and exercise at my local grocery store, I don't want to risk damaging any of my pocket watches. So at work I wear my trusty, cheap Timex wristwatch, which I've had for at least ten years and always wear whenever I'm doing manual labor. This watch has taken and continues to take a licking and keeps on ticking while still running on the original battery. Recently I exchanged the worn out canvas strap for a new silicon one.

So now I wear my gold cased pocket watches only on special occasions and my gold filled ones sometimes on my days off.

 

[Clint Geller]

I wore my watch very occasionally at the lab where I worked, mostly only if I was giving a presentation before a group and I had an excuse to wear a vest. Also, once a year I taught the six-week Applied Nuclear Physics course in the Bettis Reactor Engineering School to the newly minted Navy ensigns who had just graduated with engineering or science degrees from sundry ROTC programs or from Annapolis. There I sometimes pulled out one of my Civil War provenance watches and laid it on the table in front of me to encourage questions about them. But since I "retired" in April of 2020, I work from home for a different employer and I have hardly gone anywhere. I plan to vist my daughter in Louisville next month. So perhaps I'll take the gold watch that was presented in 1863 to Colonel George W. Gallup of the 14th KY Infantry with me and show it to the folks at the Civil War Museum in Bardstown:

Watch Presented to Col. George W. Gallup, 14th KY Mounted Infantry, May 1863 | NAWCC Forums

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

I can't put this one down! It might just be the perfect everyday watch. . . . [T]he size/style of the silver case is awesome.

Rick, I thought you were trying to pull a fast one on us by showing a small-size Elgin convertible, but I see it is a Grade 48 in the normal 16-size. What is the diameter of the case? By measuring the width of my fingers from the middle of my index finger to just shy of my pinkie (the width of your fingers your watch covered in your photo), I estimate your watch to about 45mm in diameter cased. All my 16-size Elgin convertibles are at least 50mm cased. If your watch is bigger than 45mm, you must have large hands, or I must have puny ones.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Rick, I thought you were trying to pull a fast one on us by showing a small-size Elgin convertible, but I see it is a Grade 48 in the normal 16-size. What is the diameter of the case? By measuring the width of my fingers from the middle of my index finger to just shy of my pinkie (the width of your fingers your watch covered in your photo), I estimate your watch to about 45mm in diameter cased. All my 16-size Elgin convertibles are at least 50mm cased. If your watch is bigger than 45mm, you must have large hands, or I must have puny ones.

Hi Ethan,

Your correct, it's just a plain Jane old grade 48.

The watch measures 52.5mm with my caliper. I am a larger dude, 6'3'' and a huge wingspan.

Your question was interesting so I just measured a half dozen old model Elgin cases, one hunter and 5 open-faced, all measuring between 51.2mms and 53mms.

 

[musicguy]

I am going out for a sit down lunch with family
out at a nice Japanese restaurant today so I figured
I would wear a different watch than usual.

I just attached it to my chain and wound her up. 18s




Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Would it surprise anyone that I am wearing another 12-size Waltham “Riverside” this week? However, this is an unusual model with an interesting history.


I first saw one of these almost 50 years ago in a jewelry store in Santa Barbara, California. I recognized that the plates had the same contours as Waltham’s 16-size Equity model but did not realize at the time just how unusual it was and I did not buy it. It took me more than 20 years to find another one (which I bought). I have only seen five others since then, three in open-face configuration and two hunters. There were only two production blocks of these - 12,630,002-100 (Htg) and 12,635,101-250 (OF). The next image pair compares a standard 12-size 3/4-plate Riverside movement with this special 3/4-plate pattern. Note the contours of the two bridges where they meet.


When these were made, circa 1905, Waltham had not yet developed their Equity model, so what was up with these plates? I believe the answer is that these were made for Waltham’s contract with the E.Howard Watch Co. but for some reason these movements were never delivered and were instead finished and sold as Riverside-grade movements. All indications are that this special plate design, in both 12 size and 16 size, was developed for the Howard contract and only used again, several years later, for their 16-size Equity and export models. These movements also have the special regulator scale that was only used for the Howard contract and the serial numbers fall in a sequence (reserved serial number blocks at intervals of 5,000 numbers) that was largely used for the Howard contracts (refer to Waltham-Howard Watches, Part 2 in the Nov-Dec 2018 Bulletin).

 

[Nick23]

I am also carrying a Waltham Riverside this week. Nothing exotic, but a nice size and not too bulky. It's a 14 size 1884 Model with 13 jewels and dating to 1886 with a Fattorini dial and Fattorini (F&S) Sterling silver Chester hallmarked case that dates to 1887.

 

[musicguy]

Nice case, nice movement and nice dial(and nice hands)!


Rob

 

[Old rookie]

I can only add a strong second to Rob's comment.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

For my bday, the Mrs gave me a t-shirt showing a 12s Elgin. I decided to bring out one of my favorite 12s Elgins to go along with it.

This is a grade 276. There are 2,000 serial numbers set aside for it. Two runs of 1000 each. Made a little after the turn of the century. I haven't been able to find it in a catalog yet.

17 jewels, adjusted with raised gilt settings and a gold center wheel.


My hastily constructed leather strap is a prototype. I based its width off of a buckle and it is much too wide, but functions as needed. I've been trying to find a design to wear a watch with no watch pocket, and this is it. Now to make some nice ones...

 

[Jerry Treiman]

This is a grade 276. ... Made a little after the turn of the century. I haven't been able to find it in a catalog yet.

1904 Edwards & Sloane Jewelry Company -

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Hey! Thank you so much Jerry! Wow. That certainly helps confirm the date. I thought this was one of the nicer ones from the lineup at the time, but apparently there is a long way to go from the 276 to the top!

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Would you believe I am not wearing a 12-size (or 10 or 14-size) Riverside this week?


Well, OK, it is still a Riverside, but it is a 16-size 1888 model. The initial production of Waltham’s 1888 model 16-size movement carried serial numbers from 3,574,001 to 3,575,000. This block of 1,000 movements was finished in several grades: 19j American Watch Co., 16j Am’n Watch Co. and 15j Riverside. Some, like this one, are non-magnetic. This movement includes a “hanging barrel”, seen only the some of the first 1888 models as well as the earlier train bridge. The early open-face plate is compared with the later form in the detail photos. It is in its original double-stock A.W.W.Co case. (Double-stock appears to have a silver outer layer on a nickel-alloy base).

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

I carried one of my favorites yesterday, admittedly just on a short trip back from the watchmaker (its stem had pulled out completely as I was setting it), and I still have it out ticking away on my desk -- a circa 1920 18k Illinois Illini Grade 538. That was one of Illinois' highest grade watches, a 13-size watch. The fancy dial is what makes this watch extra special. I don't recall ever seeing another Illinois with this dial. The 18k case is another uncommon feature. It isn't signed, but looks like it was made by Knapp, which made many unsigned solid gold cases for Illinois around 1920.

 

[musicguy]

Going out tonight for my youngest(adult) son's birthday.
I'm bringing three with me "on the go tonight"
Just wound them up and set them. Two are 12s (they have small movements in 12s cases)
and one 18s.








Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Pockets are not meant to be empty! Love it

I only have two today.. slacking... But one is strapped to my wrist and the other is swiss...

 

[luvsthetick]

Going out tonight for my youngest(adult) son's birthday.
I'm bringing three with me "on the go tonight"

3 to make sure you aren't late...........WOW!
Hope he has a Happy Birthday.

 

[musicguy]

3 to make sure you aren't late...........WOW!

You do need back up sometimes


There is a method to my madness carrying 3 watches last night. I don't get to show
too many people my watches(in person) so when there is a family gathering
I always bring more than one. I will be going to a NAWCC picnic for 3 chapters at the
end of the month and I will be carrying a few that day too. Someone will always
ask me, "what do you have in your pocket", as I will be asking them as well.

These are pocket watches.(edit: can't have a pocket without one)



Rob

 

[musicguy]

Today and yesterday and maybe all week I am going to wear this tiny little beauty
that I posted already in another thread. It's been running very accurately for
the past few days and I really enjoy looking at the glass back.

Anyone else carrying this week? If not grab one and put it in your pocket.










Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

My recently completed new work horse.

 

[Old rookie]

Both watches look good against denim.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I decided this week to wear one of my fancier Walthams. The standard 10-size Colonial-A Riverside movement was cased and dialed by H.W. Matalene, circa 1923. The case is built with alternating elements of 14K green gold (back, body and pendant) and white gold or platinum (front and back bezels and bow).


Matalene had the dial made for him in Switzerland, probably by Stern Freres. It is silver with gold Roman numerals and consists of an engraved and pierced front disc overlain on a mirror-finished disk in the back. In these photos you can see the light reflected (or not) by the backing, depending on the angle of the lighting.


The case pendant has unfortunately been damaged by some rather crude repair efforts, as can be seen in the next image comparing it with an intact example. It would have originally been engraved like the second example and would have been made of two parts held together by a hollow steel bolt threaded into the neck of the pendant. (note the seam in the intact pendant, indicated by the yellow arrows).


This was a patented construction to enable a more secure bow. The ham-fisted repair has welded the two pieces permanently together making bow replacement difficult and has considerably marred the original appearance. The last photo shows another case with the pendant disassembled.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Repaired, cleaned, lubed and timed a little over a week ago. It has been running ever since. Figured a trip to the north coast would be a good way to break it in. So far so good. I refuse to examine it next to my phone clock untill we get home Sunday. It is showing the correct minute, though. That's a pretty big win since it was over 4.5 minutes fast before timing (and no mean time screws). Just a 17 jewel, unadjusted, 16s model 7.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

As much as I enjoyed wearing my Elgin gr.190 hunter for my Anniversary weekend (https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/sunday-hunting.159176/post-1479785) I am now back to another Riverside, again cased for Waltham by H.W. Matalene. This is a 14-size Colonial-A, circa 1917, with a two-tone case with alternating elements of rose and green gold --- rose gold bezels (front and back) and pendant and then green gold for a thin rim around the crstal, the body of the case, bow and crown. Rose and green stripes ornament the back of the case. I surmise that an unwanted monogram has been obscured by the central engraving. The dial is gilded silver, engine-turned, with gold Roman numerals.

 

[musicguy]

This beautiful Waltham just came back from service and it's in my pocket.







nawcc info nawcc org walscans Book2 2 p100


Rob

 

[musicguy]

My daily watch started to run a little slow so I put this Hamilton 940
on my chain this morning.







Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Nice one Rob, I'm carrying a different one for a few days as well. It needs broken in.

I assure you it's running great... Haha. I don't know why it looks like the balance is stopped in the photo.

 

[musicguy]

Is that a private label for Strund


Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Rob, excellent question.

The short answer is no. Not in the traditional way that we view private labels. Strand was a trademark registered to Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. It's like other quality assuring names such as G.M. Wheeler, but not exactly.

The long answer is kinda sorta, yes. These were plucked from standard runs of 16s and 12s watches and given a few extra adjustments. The Strand is advertised as adjusted to temp, isochronism and four positions. I realize mine only says four adjustments, but later ones say four positions. These were then offered for sale at "bargain prices" often in a 20 year gold filled case which can also be marked "Strand". Obviously mine has been relieved of its gold filled case at some point, and currently lives in a NAWCo case for daily carry that is heavily brassed, since the balance wheel is replaced with a different one.

I have and will continue to record these as private labels.

Anyways... Stay tuned for more Strand fun.