Time on the go

[Old rookie]

Gorgeous instrument.

 

[musicguy]

HI,

What is in your pocket today. Are you wearing a watch?


I tried to post this at 8:00am but the website was down, hopefully
it's working better now, but it's still slow.

Putting this 18s model 1892 Appleton Tracy back in my pocket. It has
had two Main Spring failures in a row (over the last 2 months), hopefully it's
good now.

Just took these before I put it in my jeans pocket.
It is the size of a cantaloupe.






Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Are you wearing a watch

Sure am. I've been cheating on the APW though.....


Actually I did refurbish and case an Elgin grade #4 just for a daily watch and have been consistently using it. This one above is just taking a couple day trip to make sure all is well after some minor surgery.
View attachment 697833
View attachment 697834

 

[musicguy]

Actually I did refurbish and case an Elgin grade #4 just for a daily watch and have been consistently using it

Nice!

I just picked up another grade 4 movement this week as an impulse buy.



Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

I took out one of my Civil War provenance watches today, Appleton, Tracy & Co. grade 20 Size keywind movement SN 100,822, in an 18K hunting case with a dual push piece and springs on both lids. The dust cover is engraved, "Presented to Capt. John Eddy by his friends of the QM [quartermaster] Dept., Camp Butler near Springfield Ill., Apr 1865." Captain Eddy was on detached service from the 95th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in April of 1865, where he was serving as an assistant quartermaster at Camp Butler, a large recruit collection and training base. Captain Eddy previously saw action with the 95th Illinois at the battles of Island Number 10 and Champion Hill, as Major General Ulysses S. Grant fought his way down the Mississippi River towards Vicksburg in 1862-63.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I've just taken this one out to wear for a few days - another unusual Keystone niello and silver case. The mythical creature on this case is, I think, Quetzalcoatl.


The movement was a 7-jewel 12-size Waltham grade 210 but a watchmaker, in the course of repairs or just as a project, jeweled the escape wheel bearings and re-bushed most other train bearings as well. Although the bushings look like they are drilled off-center the watch is running well.


I hope I can be forgiven for changing the dial and hands. I have long wanted to use this dial and I think the bolder look complements the case.

 

[buckin_bronc_overland]

I wore this Elgin today, under the velcro closure of my right chest pocket; even though its a run of the mill movement, the root beer brown dial and yellow numerals steal the show. My question is how are y'all wearing your watches? I don't wear a vest everyday and probably never will. Are there best practices for wearing a pocket watch with modern pants and a button down shirt?

 

[Jerry Treiman]

My question is how are y'all wearing your watches? I don't wear a vest everyday and probably never will. Are there best practices for wearing a pocket watch with modern pants and a button down shirt?

I either find pants with a watch pocket ("coin pocket" to the younger generation) or, for dress slacks and suit pants, I have a watch pocket added by my neighborhood tailor. The important factor is carrying the watch in its own pocket, to avoid scratching on other objects, and carrying it closer to your belt or waist to avoid excessive leg motion.

 

[musicguy]

My question is how are y'all wearing your watches?

I wear one every day in my jeans pocket.




Rob

 

[buckin_bronc_overland]

Thank you gentlemen! I’ve sewn in special pockets to keep my old school pocket knives from wallowing around in my pocket and was thinking of something similar for the watches. I do like Jerry’s tip to keep it close to the belt line to minimize leg movement. I may also make a cordage or leather “chain” to minimize weight and bulk and keep it more low profile.
Brian

 

[viclip]

When not wearing a vest I will nevertheless don a jacket/blazer/sport coat.

Preferably the jacket will have a so-called "ticket pocket" on the right hand side. These nicely accomodate a pocket watch, using one of the adjacent buttons as an attachment point for the chain.

Alternately I'll use the breast pocket to house my pocket watch, using the button hole in the upper left lapel or "boutonnière" as the chain's attachment point.

 

[Lee Passarella]

If you watch movies from the thirties and forties, you'll notice men wearing their watches in their pants pockets, not in a dedicated watch pocket. The watch is attached to an extra long chain that fastens at the nearest belt loop. I have a couple of those chains and use them when I wear my watch in my pants pocket. Of course in that case, I don't carry other stuff in the pocket.
Often, pants will have another little pocket inside the right-side pocket. I don't know if it was originally designed to hold coins or a watch, but it works nicely.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I figure if it's good enough for Humphrey Bogart, it's good enough for me.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Often, pants will have another little pocket inside the right-side pocket.

This is how I wear it with the two piece or just shirt and slacks. A 12s fits nicely in that odd inner pocket.

Normally I have plain old carpenter jeans and just clip it to the belt loop near the watch pocket.

Last summer I made a leather strap to hang the watch from the belt into my right pocket above the bottom. Works well for shorts.

One of our fellow chapter members wears a long chain with the watch in the cargo pocket of his shorts. He's been a watch collector for longer than my lifetime, so I'm assuming it hasn't had any negative effects. Not something I'm comfortable doing though.

 

[Yiannis]

An american watch in a Greek's pocket. Many greetings from Athens, Greece.

 

[luvsthetick]

An american watch in a Greek's pocket.

Great watch Yiannis.

I feel this watch was probably worn by a fellow Greek. I purchased it June 2018 while in Athens. When I found it I just had to bring it back home.



I found it here.

 

[Yiannis]

Great watch Yiannis.

I feel this watch was probably worn by a fellow Greek. I purchased it June 2018 while in Athens. When I found it I just had to bring it back home.

View attachment 702697

I found it here.

View attachment 702699 View attachment 702698

Monastiraki in Athens! Bringing the watch back home you did not pay any duties and taxes, while they are a nightmare for me! I hope you enjoyed your staying!

 

[luvsthetick]

I hope you enjoyed your staying!

Very much!
Thank you

 

[musicguy]

I have been wearing this 12s today




Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I just dropped this one in my pocket for a few days. I've shown it before in the glass-back case thread, but the photo through the glass did not do it justice.


This was Waltham's best 12-size movement, and this example is interesting because of indications that it was re-fitted at the Waltham factory. The movement was probably finished the first time around 1900 and received a new escapement sometime after 1911. Originally it would have had a balance wheel with riveted staff, a light weight "recessed hub" escape wheel and matching pallet fork. This watch, though, has a later (unnumbered) balance wheel and friction staff, a flat escape wheel and a later pallet fork - the escape wheel and pallet fork having revised angles introduced after 1911 -- this one on the right in the following image. The fork is beautifully finished as befitting the American Watch Co. grade movement and the escape wheel was changed to match the new pallets.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I am a day late reporting my current watch. I had to put this in my pocket yesterday in honor of Earth Day and the 5th anniversary of the March for Science. This watch was owned and worn by Shailer Mathews. Mathews was Dean of the Divinity School at the University of Chicago and prepared testimony for the defense at the notorious "Scopes Monkey Trial" in 1925. Mathews testified as to his belief that science and evolution were not at odds with Christianity, stating "We have to live in the universe science gives us. A theology that is contrary to reality must be abandoned or improved ... "

I applaud such open-mindedness and wish there were more of it in the world.

The watch itself is a 14-size Waltham 1884 model, made in 1888. It is an Am'n.W.Co. grade with 16 jewels, probably the highest grade made in this model. It has an all gold train, even including the escape wheel, and is in its original 18K Waltham case.

 

[musicguy]

This Harry L. Wilson Merlin, Ontario Canadian Crescent St. is now in my pocket
and is going out to dinner with my wife and me.






Rob

 

[Old rookie]

Nice, nice, nice!

 

[Paul Sullivan]

I've been carrying this 18s 274 model 9 Veritas since I posted it on the Latest addition to collection thread April 21st.
I keep the watch in a faux leather vinyl pouch with a padded interior and velcro closure. The soft pouch keeps the case protected from keys, and coins and also gently buffs the case exterior as you move around during the day.
Speaking of the pouch has anyone seen these for sale on line? This one came with a watch I bought on Ebay awhile ago but can't remember which seller, and my searches online so far haven't shown anything similar.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I really enjoy wearing this one. I find the slightly bold Roman numerals go so well with the Keystone niello case. The movement, of course, is a 12-size Waltham Riverside - this one the 19-jewel version from around 1901. It has a capped escape wheel for the last two jewels; later 19-jewel movements put the two extra jewels in the safety barrel main wheel.

 

[jjimmerson417]

Several weeks back I had a conversation with Rick and we discussed the old threads
about carrying a watch. I really did not spend time looking for it, as it has been dormant
for quite a spell.

I will tell you my position on a wrist watch. Our closest town is Lebanon, KY and we do
indeed have a Walmart. Over the years I would go in, select the size and kind of quartz
watch I wanted to wear on my left wrist. Sure enough 3 years would go by and the battery
would conk out. I'd buy one at our local jeweler, give that crook some money and maybe
make it two years and it was that time again. I got fed up, I was already collecting pocket
watches and I finally found my permanent American watch maker (Rob Carter), so I made
my mind up to look through the watches for the best fit.

Keep in mind I collect mostly key winds, but I do have some serviced lever sets. I came to
the conclusion the best bet was my old E Howard Mershon in a hinged salesman display
case. I only had about $200 in the movement and $75 in the glass back. My other choice
was any one of my AT&Co grades in a silver case. Then I remembered every now in then
I go to church, weddings, funerals and special events, so I needed a carry watch for just
that occasion. I thought I'd use the same value model and add a bit for say a gold case.
Now one should note, I own hunter cased watches, but I prefer not use them. Instead I
collect original side winders. Also, from time to time, I'll switch up and grab one of my
other fusee's or a Swiss watch.

So I have my three displays of serviced watches and I have a group of carry watches
(also serviced). I will show two and name off the rest. As time goes by and I grab one of the
named ones for carry I will add the photos to this thread. Here I will name them and show
three of them (Rockford is for Sunday).

E Howard SN# 15062, AT&Co grade SN# 311609, Rockford model 2 SN# 66146.

Now Rick and I discussed making this thread for anyone who wants to add their
carry watch to this list. Keith R... and Rick Hufnagel.

Now if one goes to a meet and carries one, that counts.

EDIT: Thanks Tom M., for putting up the model 1859 with the DS dial, in "My early
Possible Railroad" thread!!

Here are the carry watches for Keith R...

View attachment 515454 View attachment 515455 View attachment 515456 View attachment 515457 View attachment 515458 View attachment 515459 View attachment 515460

Newest addition to my collection and what I'm carrying today.

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

I really don't use any of my pocket watches, but I made an exception last night, taking this 18k Elgin C.H. Hulburd with me to a gala dinner last night.

 

[Shawn Moulder]

Love the dragon/griffin design bow on your Hulburd Ethan!!!

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

Thanks, Shawn. The watch does have an unusual bow -- perhaps a pair of kissing dolphins. I already had a Hulburd with this case when I bought the one shown above, which is a nicer example. I still have my first example, which I've kept because it has a different Hulburd dial and different Hulburd hands.

 

[jjimmerson417]

I really don't use any of my pocket watches, but I made an exception last night, taking this 18k Elgin C.H. Hulburd with me to a gala dinner last night.

View attachment 710232 View attachment 710228 View attachment 710229 View attachment 710230 View attachment 710231

That bow and those hands are fantastic. Very nice piece

 

[musicguy]

Time on the go today.......
I am wearing this little 1889 17j 0s today in a salesman's(shipping case)
that I like very much. It's an Elgin grade 112 with 2800 made in total.
I have posted it before in this thread, but I like these little ones
so much.










Rob

 

[musicguy]

My brother is in from overseas and I felt like wearing a special
one today that is fresh from service. This Vermont PL should be perfect for a lunch today.





Rob

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

I've just wound up two very nice but very different watches, both about 124-130 years-old. The big one is 53.4mm in diameter, 15.7mm thick, and weighs 142 grams cased. The little one is 35mm in diameter, 10.9mm thick, and a svelte 39 grams cased. Frankly, I can't imagine carrying the big one in any of my pockets for very long. Which one would you prefer to carry?

The little one is this circa 1898 Elgin Grade 201 hunter. It's a Shreve PL in a 14k A.W.C.Co. case. Grade 201 is a 19-jewel 0-size movement, about as high-grade as any Elgin made.



The big watch is this circa 1891-1893 Howard Series VII N-size watch. It is in a 14k E.H. & Co.-signed case.

 

[Clint Geller]

I've just wound up two very nice but very different watches, both about 124-130 years-old. The big one is 53.4mm in diameter, 15.7mm thick, and weighs 142 grams cased. The little one is 35mm in diameter, 10.9mm thick, and a svelte 39 grams cased. Frankly, I can't imagine carrying the big one in any of my pockets for very long. Which one would you prefer to carry?

The little one is this circa 1898 Elgin Grade 201 hunter. It's a Shreve PL in a 14k A.W.C.Co. case. Grade 201 is a 19-jewel 0-size movement, about as high-grade as any Elgin made.

View attachment 711847 View attachment 711837 View attachment 711838 View attachment 711844 View attachment 711845 View attachment 711840

The big watch is this circa 1891-1893 Howard Series VII N-size watch. It is in a 14k E.H. & Co.-signed case.

View attachment 711851 View attachment 711852 View attachment 711849 View attachment 711850 View attachment 711853 View attachment 711854 View attachment 711855

Those are both gorgeous watches, Ethan, but I am partial to Howards, and that one is a knockout.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

We had a nice chapter 37 meeting today. Took Mr. Robinson along for the ride.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

My brother is in from overseas and I felt like wearing a special
one today that is fresh from service. This Vermont PL should be perfect for a lunch today.

Rob

Very nice. I did a search to find the rest of the story - https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/elgins-with-heart-cut-out-balance-cock.170058/#post-1538642

 

[musicguy]

Those are both gorgeous watches, Ethan, but I am partial to Howards, and that one is a knockout.

Ethan has a knockout collection!


Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

Ethan has a knockout collection!


Rob

Count me knocked out.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Waltham watches make up the bulk of my collections(s), but Illinois is my next most collected company so I am wearing one of my favorite Illinois models for the next few days -- a 12-size 21-jewel grade 299. This one is a private labeled movement - no surprise for Illinois. It is marked "CHRONOS" on the dial and movement, which was very likely a PL for Abraham & Strauss in Brooklyn, NY. The (non-original) case is by Crescent and is not marked for metal content. It has a lovely silver-gray patina, almost like pewter, but I am not sure what it really is. The patina is not really like silver or nickel. It may be what is described in contemporary catalogs as "double stock" (whatever that means).

 

[Jerry Treiman]

My wife and I went out to dinner with three other couples tonight and I thought I would wear one of my more showy watches. I pulled it out of my pocket a few times to check the time but none of our friends even noticed or asked about it.


"What (you ask) is that watch you are wearing?" Well, since you care, it is an 1888 model Waltham, "Am'n Watch Co." grade in a fancy Fahys gold-fillled case, ca.1896.

 

[Clint Geller]

My wife and I went out to dinner with three other couples tonight and I thought I would wear one of my more showy watches. I pulled it out of my pocket a few times to check the time but none of our friends even noticed or asked about it.
View attachment 712520

"What (you ask) is that watch you are wearing?" Well, since you care, it is an 1888 model Waltham, "Am'n Watch Co." grade in a fancy Fahys gold-fillled case, ca.1896.
View attachment 712522 View attachment 712521

Jerry, I find that even when a non-collector does ask, the response after they've seen your watch is often dissatisfying. I once showed a waitress who requested to see my watch a Howard keywind in a gold case with a helical hairspring and a super-rare movement layout. She said, "My grandpa had one just like that." That's because all this particular woman knew about old watches was that they were round and they ticked. So, sure enough, grandpa's watch was "just like" mine.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

So, sure enough, grandpa's watch was "just like" mine.

What (you ask) is that watch you are wearing

I just had this conversation with a local dude. We met through a watch sale, and it was fun to actually find a fellow watch nerd in the wild.

Collecting watches is a fairly lonely hobby. That is why forums such as this are a nice thing. It brings all of us together to talk about our madness. In real life we are few and far between. Normal people (if it's even mentioned) either give you a "that's neat" or "is it gold?". Even though chapter meetings are fun, there are only a couple people interested in similar things. Nobody has ever asked to see my pocket watch at a chapter meeting, either..

I get more comments recently on this Seiko I've been wearing than any pocket watch. Weird.

 

[musicguy]

Nobody has ever asked to see my pocket watch at a chapter meeting, either..

Yes it's rare.


Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

Yes it's rare.


Rob

Whenever I am interacting with someone wearing a chain that looks like it might have a watch at the other end of it, I usually ask. Sometimes it is only a wallet. Other times it is a modern quartz reproduction of a 19th or early 20th century pocket watch. But every once in a while it is an actual mechanical pocket watch. and we get to talking.

 

[musicguy]

With all that we have said, the prices for the watches that I still
want to buy seem to have enough demand that
I don't win them all.


Rob

 

[Joe Blossic]

I recently had an encounter with a young man waiting on me at the local grocery deli counter. Wearing a baseball cap askew over hair color not found in nature and a disinterested expression, he suddenly became alive and animated as he handed me my item and noticed my chain. He asked if it was a pocket watch and I pulled out to show him. He listen as I gave the brief description (make, year, jewel count) and then excitedly pulled his out as he told me he really liked them as well and that he had a few. It was a modern skeleton and I gave him positive feedback in an effort to encourage his interest. I also told him about NAWCC and encourage him to check it out.

Another time at a sandwich shop an older gent asked about thd chain that lead to a pleasant conversation. His last name was Stark so he had a Hampden General Stark. Wasn't a collector but knowledgeable and interested enough to have a pleasant exchange.

Years ago when I first started wearing them to work, I frequently got asked about it. Visiting customers, global HQ executives as well as coworkers. But over time it became the norm and then only occasionally would there be the inquiry. The same with family and friends, it is no longer an exception and rarely brought up.

So 3 cheers for our fourm!

 

[Jerry Treiman]

"What (you ask) is that watch you are wearing?" Well, since you care, it is an 1888 model Waltham, "Am'n Watch Co." grade in a fancy Fahys gold-fillled case, ca.1896.

I wore that one for a day or two, but it was just too bulky for me. I have switched to something smaller - a Waltham 10-size Colonial-A model with a 19j Riverside movement. (The '88 model is 52 mm diameter and the 10-size is only 43.5 mm; 35% thinner, too).

 

[musicguy]

I am going to follow Jerry's lead and also wear a smaller
watch today. Here is a well-worn12s circa 1925 Hamilton 23j 922
in a nice 14k white gold-filled case.

Took photos this morning and it's in my pocket.





Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

I wore that one for a day or two, but it was just too bulky for me. I have switched to something smaller - a Waltham 10-size Colonial-A model with a 19j Riverside movement. (The '88 model is 52 mm diameter and the 10-size is only 43.5 mm; 35% thinner, too).
View attachment 712993

Jerry, I expect pretty soon you'll be carrying your experimental Keystone Howard 6/0 Size (or was it 3/0?). As for me, I like bulky watches. A Howard N Size will do in a pinch, but I really prefer my Waltham 20 Size watches.

 

[musicguy]

are you wearing that one today Clint


Rob

 

[Clint Geller]

are you wearing that one today Clint


Rob

No, not really. It gave me a hernia the last time I tried. Just kidding. I haven't gotten out of my gym shorts yet, but I may throw that watch in my shirt pocket, inside it's padded carrying pouch, later today.