Pocket Watch Collection

[Al]

Years ago I inherited my grandfathers 1932 Hamilton Pocket watch. I had it serviced and recently started carrying it. It failed and I had it serviced to the tune of $130. It is railroad accurate (+4 to -4) seconds per day). One thing led to another and I purchased the most accurate pocket watch (mechanical) made-Hamilton 992B. I purchased it on ebay. It failed and I got it serviced. Meanwhile I bought another on ebay and it shortly failed.

Lesson: never buy an unserviced mechanical watch..period.

I purchased 3 additional ones (two I got really cheap (< $300)

I have purchased other cheaper pocket watches, like Westclox. Two were new in the box.

At this point it would take an amazing deal for me to buy another. Odly, I many times carry my new-in-the-box Westclox

 

[spasm3]

Very cool! I like the London, and the Gotham.

 

[Al]

Very cool! I like the London, and the Gotham.

The London (new watch old look) was 40 bucks. The Gotham was like $160. Lifetime guarantee. I don't know how they can do that. Mechanical watches are good for ten years and then need servicing. Servicing is recommended every 3 years.

 

[55hambone]

In my youth, stores like the hardware store or Woolworth's would have cardboard displays at the cash register with Westclox pocket watches. With a luminous display they were $2.99, with a plain display, $1.99. I wanted one of those in the worst way and that is how I got one-for a short while. When I was about 5 I was playing at a friends house and he had one in the coffee can that all kids kept to hold the small toys and treasures that they had. When I left his house, it left with me. My mother saw me playing with it that evening, figured out where it came from and dragged me up the street to return it and apologize. I was crying so much I doubt that my apology was understood, but after that incident I've never wanted anything bad enough to steal it. But I still love pocket watches. My collection is only three and nothing expensive. My first was the same gold Westclox that you have. I bought it when I was 12 for $10. I envy your collection.

 

[Trav]

Any Hunter cases?

 

[jadmt]

My Grandfather was born in the 1890's and owned this watch and passed it to my father who was born in 1928 and he passed it on to me. It has sat in a box since I got it in the 1980's. Every 5 years or so I pull it out and look at it and think how proud my Grandfather must have been to pull his watch out and check the time as he was a poor dirt farmer. I have no idea how old it is.. I have never tried to wind it for fear I will break it.. my dad did tell me he had a watch maker fix it at one time but that was probably in the 60's.

 

[AZjeff]

I have a pocket watch collection of 1. It belonged to my great grandfather and was given to me by my grandfather in 1973. I carried it a few times for special occasions. Produced in 1896. Amazing craftsmanship.

 

[Al]

In my youth, stores like the hardware store or Woolworth's would have cardboard displays at the cash register with Westclox pocket watches. With a luminous display they were $2.99, with a plain display, $1.99. I wanted one of those in the worst way and that is how I got one-for a short while. When I was about 5 I was playing at a friends house and he had one in the coffee can that all kids kept to hold the small toys and treasures that they had. When I left his house, it left with me. My mother saw me playing with it that evening, figured out where it came from and dragged me up the street to return it and apologize. I was crying so much I doubt that my apology was understood, but after that incident I've never wanted anything bad enough to steal it. But I still love pocket watches. My collection is only three and nothing expensive. My first was the same gold Westclox that you have. I bought it when I was 12 for $10. I envy your collection.

This is the back of the watch its the "Conductor" model.

My Grandfather was born in the 1890's and owned this watch and passed it to my father who was born in 1928 and he passed it on to me. It has sat in a box since I got it in the 1980's. Every 5 years or so I pull it out and look at it and think how proud my Grandfather must have been to pull his watch out and check the time as he was a poor dirt farmer. I have no idea how old it is.. I have never tried to wind it for fear I will break it.. my dad did tell me he had a watch maker fix it at one time but that was probably in the 60'

My Grandfather was born in the 1890's and owned this watch and passed it to my father who was born in 1928 and he passed it on to me. It has sat in a box since I got it in the 1980's. Every 5 years or so I pull it out and look at it and think how proud my Grandfather must have been to pull his watch out and check the time as he was a poor dirt farmer. I have no idea how old it is.. I have never tried to wind it for fear I will break it.. my dad did tell me he had a watch maker fix it at one time but tha

View attachment 302544

My Grandfather wasView attachment 302541

 

[Al]

@jadmt
Go wind it. You have nothing to lose. If the mainspring breaks so be it. Its non working now. If you want it to work you need to get it serviced.

 

[AZjeff]

Al, now we know the rest of the story of your recent interest in horology.

 

[jadmt]

@jadmt
Go wind it. You have nothing to lose. If the mainspring breaks so be it. Its non working now. If you want it to work you need to get it serviced.

ultimately it does not matter to me if it works or not. every 5 years or so I look at it and then put it back in a box. I will pass it on to one of my kids who will probably do the same if they even want it. I knew my grandfather so I could envision him pulling it out, but he was long gone by the time my kids were born.

 

[JHZR2]

I need to pull mine out. I have a few somewhere.

I always liked the Waltham watches.

 

[JHZR2]

I need to pull mine out. I have a few somewhere.

I always liked the Waltham watches.

Haven’t had much time, but this is one of my favorites - a Waltham 1892 railroad.

I just find the movements so pretty. Also the hand painted faces and the metallic hands. Hour and minute are a metallic blue, seconds is metallic red - doesn’t come out in the photo.

Works just fine, though I should learn how to lubricate these with the newest oils!

 

[gman2304]

Amazing little machines!

 

[bunnspecial]

I've collected watches for a while now. This one remains my favorite in my collection, and it took me a long time to find the right one at the right price. I'm just glad that a friend of mine flagged me down and pulled this one out from under the table, saying he wouldn't put it out unless I passed on it.

I've owned over a thousand American pocket watches, and my current collection is currently around 100(condensed down a lot to focus on quality and my special interests).

No. this is not just a "regular" 17 jewel 18 size Ball-Hamilton. I bought and sold a half dozen of those before getting this one. It's a pretty special watch.

Somehow or another I got my arm twisted into co-chairing the educational programs at next summer's NAWCC National Convention in Lexington, KY. This watch, among many others from my collection, will be part of an exhibit and likely the subject of a talk at that show. I'd encourage anyone with an interest in pocket watches, clocks, or any other watches to come by! Educational programs are always free and open to the public.

 

[BobsArmory]

Great stuff. I do like vintage time pieces.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

View attachment 302503
Years ago I inherited my grandfathers 1932 Hamilton Pocket watch. I had it serviced and recently started carrying it. It failed and I had it serviced to the tune of $130. It is railroad accurate (+4 to -4) seconds per day). One thing led to another and I purchased the most accurate pocket watch (mechanical) made-Hamilton 992B. I purchased it on ebay. It failed and I got it serviced. Meanwhile I bought another on ebay and it shortly failed.

Lesson: never buy an unserviced mechanical watch..period.

I purchased 3 additional ones (two I got really cheap (< $300)

I have purchased other cheaper pocket watches, like Westclox. Two were new in the box.

At this point it would take an amazing deal for me to buy another. Odly, I many times carry my new-in-the-box WestcloxView attachment 302504

I have my grandpa's old railroad watch from 1890 or something. Can any watch shop fix these things or is there a good online place? Im guessing the spring broke and the glass is missing. I'd like to get it fixed since it's pretty much the only thing I have that was his

 

[bunnspecial]

Most watches can be fixed.

A watchmaker who mostly handles modern high end wristwatches isn’t a great choice as most are perfectly capable of fixing but will charge piles of money to do it(there are good reasons for this-parts availability is a big one).

Watchmakers specializing in antiques can be more affordable but quality is often all over the place. Most of the ones I’d feel okay recommending aren’t taking new customers…