OT - Watch OUT!

[Hobie]

Maybe that should be "watches out" or "time to wind this up" or... Come on Blaine, I need help here. http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2 ... tches.html

[Griff]

"Google" is your friend. Do a search on Waltham and you should run across some websites that deal with watch collecting and identification. I have two Elgins, one from the 1890s and the other from 1913. Note that you should have TWO serial numbers per watch, one on the works, and the other on the case. Dating cases is more problematic, (I ain't really tried very hard, but couldn't find anything initally, so I gave up); but the works are pretty well documented in the sites I found. The cases were usually made by a different firm from the works... or so I seem to recall. Enjoy your new hobby, Hobie!

[Chuck 100 yd]

COOL stuff Hobie!!

[Rusty]

That's a nice start Hobie. They can be a lot more expensive than gun collecting. I have a few that I took in as strays myself. Congratulations.

[Hobie]

Yes, cases were separate from the works. Yes, the works serials are easier to track than the cases. I might have added some info from my searches last night since you read the post. It is interesting but I don't know about a new hobby.

These watches are all family pieces. #2 came from our much storied "Uncle Dave" Fancher. He was once a railroad detective for the New York Central RR and later an elementary school teacher. He's the guy who bought my Remington Model 8 and the Fox Sterlingworth NEW. He's the one who bought my 1840 cavalry saber by Ames just because it was interesting. Sort of a spendthrift and a man after my own heart in many ways. I'll stop rambling now...

[JBledsoe]

Thanks Hobie, I, for one, enjoy your "ramblings".

Does that make you a Rambler? Does anyone remember the Rambler?

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[awp101]

Does that make you a Rambler? Does anyone remember the Rambler?

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Beep beep
Beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep

[pwl44m]

It was a Nash Rambler

[kimwcook]

Cool. I love those old pocket watches. Got a couple myself.

[FWiedner]

Those are some beautiful pieces, Hobie.

I've got about a half-dozen #16 Elgins. First one I inherited from my Step-Dad when he passed. It belonged to his father who had survived the 1906 San-Francisco earthquake. I bought a couple just in case I needed spare parts for the first one to keep it running. Then I bought a railroad watch. Bought my wife a couple of really beautiful #6's. (I think they're 6s)

Gold and engraved cases. Nice weight, feel like real watches.

Easy to get carried away.

[Hobie]

Yes, I can see how people get caught up in collecting them. I have another someplace in the house. Can't find it at the moment.

[Chas.]

Looks like #2 and #3 are both lever-set. I understand the RR required that.

[Dave James]

Hobie talk with theses guys they can help

http://www.farfo.com/index.html

[FWiedner]

These are the antique watches I bought for my wife that I mentioned earlier, the blue one is a lapel pin and the gold one is a necklace:



I knew I had pictures of them somewhere.