What to Keep???

[DaveyG]

I fund myself in the position that I must sell my American pocket watch collection, in fact several have gone already. I have decided to keep one watch - but the question is which one? I think that I want to keep a 16 size watch as I do find the 18 size rather cumbersome to carry. So the list from which I have narrowed down for the retainer is:

Hamilton 992B with plastic box
Hamilton 992E with Monty dial
Hamilton 996 in an "American Eagle/Flag" case
Ball Waltham 19 Jewel in a Loaner case
Elgin BWR with wind indicator
Hampden 104/SR
Howard Series 2 (17 jewel)

Notwithstanding the 18 size caveat I do have a Hamilton 946 which I like a lot and a Ball Elgin 333 in a nickel Ball case (the latter has a refinished dial)

I would be grateful if you folks could help me narrow this down and to hear what you think I should keep and why.

Thanks

daveyG

 

[rolandantrobus]

Re: What to Keeop

Right, first thing I would do would be to whittle the list down by omitting any that are not original. then from whats left any that are not "perfect". Of course that's judgmental but you know what I mean, cracked dials, brass showing through etc. If you have any left at the end of that set them running and pick the most accurate timekeeper. Or you could just pick the one you love the most!

 

[Keith R...]

Re: What to Keeop

daveyG, Keep the Howard IMHO.

PS, Parts are available, quality runner, nice carry size, holds it's value!

Keith

 

[topspin]

Re: What to Keeop

Keep the one where what it's worth to you (or what you think its financial value ought to be) most exceeds the price you're likely to actually get for it.

Keep the one which is best suited to doing whatever job it is that you want to keep it for.

If what you really want is a carry watch then I suggest - sell them all and then pick up a Traveler.

 

[Keith R...]

Re: What to Keeop

Top, if we're voting, carry a model 88 17J, 16 size open face.

Keith

View attachment 310213

 

[topspin]

Re: What to Keeop

Top, if we're voting, carry a model 88 17J, 16 size open face.

Keith

View attachment 417034

Photos:
1. Snap!
2 & 3. Good suggestion... And there's also bonus points if it has a colourful dial and/or nice damaskeening. (This is 8941723 - Grade 28 15J.)

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

I fund myself in the position that I must sell my American pocket watch collection, in fact several have gone already. I have decided to keep one watch - but the question is which one? I think that I want to keep a 16 size watch as I do find the 18 size rather cumbersome to carry. So the list from which I have narrowed down for the retainer is:

Hamilton 992B with plastic box
Hamilton 992E with Monty dial
Hamilton 996 in an "American Eagle/Flag" case
Ball Waltham 19 Jewel in a Loaner case
Elgin BWR with wind indicator
Hampden 104/SR
Howard Series 2 (17 jewel)

Notwithstanding the 18 size caveat I do have a Hamilton 946 which I like a lot and a Ball Elgin 333 in a nickel Ball case (the latter has a refinished dial)

I would be grateful if you folks could help me narrow this down and to hear what you think I should keep and why.

Thanks

daveyG

I'd keep an 18 size. As for the others, flip a coin.

 

[Dutto11]

Hi,
IMHO keep the Howard, I have a couple of these and given a perfect world I'd buy lots more.
Second one would be the Elgin BWR Wind Indicator as these are going up in price and you couldn't loose.
I'll add that I have a lot of Howards and love the bridge movements from the Series 2 (17Jewel) through to the 'O' (23 Jewel) so i'm bias.
Cheers
Gary

 

[Fred Hansen]

Any possibility of posting some pics here? This would make it a lot easier to give informed opinions on each.

 

[Paul Sullivan]

Fred,

At first I would say the 18s Hami 946, but that's only because I'm a bit of an 18s nut and especially Hamilton 18s. As far as I can see the first to go would be the ubiquitous 992B, after all you can't wear the plastic box (which, for some reason, people will pay more for than the watch). It's "a fine watch" (as Hamilton endlessly said), but, as I see it, to keep it would be as follows:
1. Still keeps RR time and there fore useful.
2. A first run.
3. A last run.

Here's a side by side of my 946:
View attachment 310249

View attachment 310251


and one of my 992Bs:



The 992B is just so plain and uninteresting compared to the 946 with it's gilt lettering, all the pertinent info. crowded on the train bridge, the wispy long Goldthwait regulator, lovely screw set jewel cups, and it's elegant damaskeening. Yet on the other hand the 992B represents the latest technology at the time when it comes to accuracy in timekeeping and are a very accurate watch.

For me the 946 is a keeper.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

First, I am surmising that none of the listed watches appeals to you more than any other. (If one does, then that should answer your question). All are fine and interesting watches. If you want a watch that you will wear occasionally I would suggest that you consider condition, but not in the sense that most collectors value. For instance, if the 992B with box (or any of the others) is in mint to excellent external condition, then that may not be a watch to subject to wear as that may diminish its value. The watches in the best condition are the ones for which you are likely to get the best price. In selecting one to keep, you might consider that a watch in a plain polished case will show less wear from use.

 

[DaveyG]

Sorry folks but I'm having computer difficulties again at the moment (thunderstorms again). Thank you all for your thoughts so far and I hope to be able to post some pictures and respond to the ideas put forward soon.

 

[DaveyG]

At last the necessary components for me to add pictures have all come together, so here goes. I will add more later, some of the images turned out pretty poor - I did snap them off in a hurry - so I will have to revisit those.

 

[DaveyG]

I'm having a bit of trouble with light but here are more offerings. If anyone can decipher the initials on the Howard case I'll be impressed.

 

[rolandantrobus]

No question about it you'll have to find a way of keeping all of them, they're gorgeous!

 

[topspin]

How about: Keep the one which the person who will be inheriting it from you, will most enjoy.

 

[Ticktinker]

To all:
Just one of the watches shown here look like a million times what I have in my collection of Waltham and Elgin signature watches and Deubers!
I don't think I could part with any of them myself...

 

[Jerry Treiman]

... If anyone can decipher the initials on the Howard case I'll be impressed.

I love that kind of challenge. Using Ethan's method, I read two "A"s and an "O". [Ignore the serifs]


That is a lovely group of watches, by the way. So far, I would hang onto the Hamilton 946.

 

[DaveyG]

I am impressed Jerry - not only with the interpretation but with the illumination as well. When I fist bought the watch, about 10 years ago, I thought it was just a Celtic design and it is only recently that I had a light bulb moment and realised that it was also initials. I had the 'O' but couldn't decide whether I had an 'H' and 'W' or what the other letters were. Many thanks. Perhaps you could explain Ethan's method for me, could be helpful in the future. Incidentally, this was the first American watch that I bought and my first 'major' repair when I re-pivoted the 4th wheel; also one of my two regular carry watches along with the Ball Waltham. I do like and appreciate the 946 but I don't like the swing out case.

I appreciate the other sentiments expressed above, but I am actually no closer to reaching a decision and I really don't have favourites. I have my European collection of watches which are bequeathed to my grandchildren (who I suspect will just sell them). My eldest grandson has no taste - he owns a Rolex for goodness sake. My youngest is too young to appreciate and the girls are not interested at all.

Keep your thoughts coming though, please.

Other pics later today - hopefully.

 

[Ethan Lipsig]

"My" method for highlighting monograms to help decipher them is simply to open a photo of the monogram in Microsoft "Paint" and then to use one of that program's paintbrush tools to color each letter. It's pretty intuitive.

 

[artbissell]

The interesting answers here indicate difficulty to generalize the variety of personal situations. Mine is to keep everything. At age 85 will not now be for long time. Have only daughter and her husband. She is an expert but amatuer jewelry designer maker. Her husband likes chronograph w.w. I have a variety of both types of timekeepers. Only recently have both become better appreciative of my wide variety of all types of p.w. and w.w. So with age comes better appreciation that means that keeping a collection as long as possible is a best choice. Certainly for the gold cased ones. I do some selling at NAWCC mart and directly to collectors to help finance and upgrade the collection. Am considering occasional sale through high grade auction house. Anyone have good experience doing so? artbissell

 

[Tom McIntyre]

I disposed of most of my Gruen collection in Louisville to make room for some new acquisitions. To me, developing the theme of the items in the collections is the most interesting aspect of collecting. Focusing on the story allows me to use movements and watches in poor condition to develop the story. The actual value of the collection is not as important as the ability to show technical and style aspects that support the story. Inscriptions can also be very important in placing the item(s) in their historical context.

My most recent story was a refocus on employee watches that was broadened into the "Personal Time" theme of my presentation in Louisville.

I hope the NAWCC Museum will be able to preserve some of my stories after my departure (however, I do not feel very old).

 

[artbissell]

As primarily a Gruen p.w. collector I agree 100% with your selling and reasoning for doing so. I hope Louisville mart was a good one. Denver mart was active and fun. Did my usual sell 2 and buy 3. Not Gruens. Art

 

[DaveyG]

You are quite right Art, everyone appreciates a watch for a different reason and, in an ideal world I would be doing exactly the same as you, keeping them all. My English (and a few interesting European) collection is based on a similar approach to yours Tom running from verge and through technical developments thereafter. The original idea was to have only one of each developed innovation but as you learn more the various nuances and slight differences start to emerge so the collecting ideology morphs into something slightly different as time goes by.

Anyway, back to the subject in hand and the final three are illustrated here:

 

[artbissell]

Nice to see here, by a superficial collector, well illustrated and well defined how serious collectors better appreciate their activity. Art