Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

Canuck
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Since there is not a forum for pocket watches, several of us pocket watch “nuts” have put our heads together to see if, by focussing on the topic of pocket watches in one “catch all” thread, we might be able, through combined synergism, actually have a thread to call our own.

My first pocket watch is one I inherited from my late father, 45 years ago. He was a watchmaker, and while he was not a railroad watch inspector, he had a large clientele among the local railroad engineers, conductors, firemen, and on and on. This was the watch he used as a bench chronometer. It is a Hamilton grade 992.

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Jones in LA
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These are such beautiful little machines. I will definitely enjoy spectating on this thread 😀
 
Canuck
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This one is as homely as a hedge fence. When I bought it, it was with the intention of “flipping” it. I did a two-part pictorial on the cleaning of the watch, for the NAWCC Bulletin publication. It was when I was tidying the case after the movement was done that I noticed 33 repair numbers inside the case back. It occurred to me that I knew who the watch inspector was who had maintained the watch for about 45 years. My research proved me correct. I located the original owner’s family, and they provided me with a wealth of background info and pictures covering the first owner and his career. This watch has rapidly become one of my favourites. A member of the collector fraternity provided me with a complete print out of all the repairs done to the watch over the years.

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DaveK
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It’s a generalization, but I feel history is more easily conveyed with pocket watches than wristies
 
C
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I'm not a pocket watch guy, but I have a few anyways and this is my one. Waltham Crescent Street movement with up down indicator and Montgomery dial. I believe its 1915. Sorry I don't have a better photo of it to share .
 
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marcn
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Really uncanny timing for this thread. I'm finally processing my dad's passing (in 2017) and have only now really started looking over a few pocket watches he left me. From google image searches, as best I can tell this is by C. Barbezat-Baillot, and may be from 1895. Large minute repeater chronograph triple-date moon phase. It was his father's, apparently a prize for some sort of pistol marksmanship competition.

Growing up, I'd only ever seen this watch once, when he allowed me to accompany him to the safe deposit box. I must've been 10-years old, and even then my mind was blown, and I'd never forgotten how it sounded when he pressed the chime lever. I heard that chime again today, some 40 years later. It was an emotional day.

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tikkathree
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Jones in LA Jones in LA
These are such beautiful little machines. I will definitely enjoy spectating on this thread 😀

Ditto..... and a few photos shortly......nothing special but they're mine!
 
Borosilikat
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Canuck Canuck
Details? What might you care to tell us about your key winder?
Well I bought it earlier this year from a seller in Holland, it was made in the late 18th or early 19th century in Paris by a watchmaker by the name of J. Delvaux.

The case is solid 18k yellow gold.

What really attracted me to this watch is the stunning combination of enamel numerals and guilloche dial engraving !

I'm attaching some pictures that the seller took as he was much better at taking macros than I 😉
 
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DaveK
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C Colconkas
I'm not a pocket watch guy, but I have a few anyways and this is my one. Waltham Crescent Street movement with up down indicator and Montgomery dial. I believe its 1915. Sorry I don't have a better photo of it to share .

For someone not into pocket watches, you have a nice one 😎
 
Canuck
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Borosilikat Borosilikat
Two more I just took.

Outstanding. Beautifully made, and in exquisite condition. I believe the dial is done in what was known as a “cartouche” style, with the individual discs, each containing a numeral. When that watch was made, enamelling was done in coke ovens, and there was always a problem with fly ash contaminating the enamel while it was in a molten state. Hence, the cartouche dial was a popular style. Less spoilage.
 
Borosilikat
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Canuck Canuck
Outstanding. Beautifully made, and in exquisite condition. I believe the dial is done in what was known as a “cartouche” style, with the individual discs, each containing a numeral. When that watch was made, enamelling was done in coke ovens, and there was always a problem with fly ash contaminating the enamel while it was in a molten state. Hence, the cartouche dial was a popular style. Less spoilage.
Thank you for your kind words !
Very interesting to hear about the cartouche style and coke ovens, I did not know about this at all.
I really love this little thing, it is my only pocket watch. I bought it because I wanted something truly handmade for once and not mass produced (albeit well-made nonetheless of course) like Omega,Rolex, etc so I decided to get a watch from the era where *all* watches were handmade !
 
amcclell
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There are 3 in my home and 2 others - a size 12 Waltham gf hunter that my daughter wears on a slip chain and a size 14 gf Omega that my son has. The 3 remaining ones are all serviced and functional. None are particularly noteworthy, although the Waltham has a nice inscription and was presented by the town upon return from WWI.

Size 16 Waltham gf
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Size 12 Waltham gf
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Size 16 Omega 2 position adjusted gf
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