Things of Beauty: Antique American Pocket Watches.

[lraisch]

Apparently . . . yes.

My health, my life in fact, when I was a diver, depended on my Rolex.

Probably so. Glad yours worked out for you and I'm sure they do make fine watches.

They can use any language they like in their advertising as far as I'm concerned. I just wouldn't want to wear their ads on my wrist.

Since I could never afford one, it's a moot point.

 

[warren]

It was a tool of the trade not a fashion statement. If I may be impertinent, what brand do you advertise on your watch?

 

[lraisch]

Ricoh.

 

[sablebrush52]

The Rolex divers watches were the pinnacle for that type of instrument. The only drawback was the high cost of the tools for servicing them. For that reason, we did not do repairs, but as a service to our customers, sent them to Rolex’s repair and charged what we were charged. No mark up, never made a dime on them. But it did pay dividends in terms of customer loyalty.
We handled Omega, among other brands, and provided excellent service on those.

 

[mawnansmiff]

A slightly off-topic rant.

Am I the only one who takes exception to Rolex having to tell you right on the watch face that a watch is a "Superlative Chronometer"? Let alone an "Officially Certified Cosmograph"?

Or, for that matter, selling for over half a million dollars?

Pre-Owned Rolex Daytona Cosmograph "Rainbow" 116598RBOW (thewatchbox.com)

I have a Tudor Pelagos that states on the dial...

TUDOR
GENEVE

PELAGOS
CHRONOMETER
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED
ROTOR SELF-WINDING
500m 1640ft

...that's rather a lot of real estate taken up with largely pretty pointless print.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[madox07]

Harrison & Simmonds, a tobbaconist & emporium in Bedford.
They have a large selection of pocket watches at prices to suit most people's pockets.
Great thread & photos @mawnansmiff .?
Jay, did you see a fairly recent thing on the telly about Marie Antoinette's Clock, with Nicholas Parsons? I'm not into clocks / watchmaking but found it fascinating. You'd love it!

The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch with Nicholas Parsons

Nicholas Parsons, Just a Minute host and stalwart of the entertainment world, explores his life-long enthusiasm for clocks when he goes in search of the most...

www.google.co.uk

I appreciate the tip. I actually ordered a double huntsman today. They have some very well reviewed, elegant looking and affordable peaces ..

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I really do love pocket watches. Although in all of my watch collection, I only have one and it was my grandfather's.
Seeing some really nice pieces in this thread. Very cool

 

[JOHN72]

Beautiful and elegant pocket watches. I bought this watch in 2010, the strap is not the original, since the original one was made of leather and was degraded over the years and sweat. It still works very well today. Hamilton Khaki automatic

 

[mawnansmiff]

Beautiful and elegant pocket watches. I bought this watch in 2010, the strap is not the original, since the original one was made of leather and was degraded over the years and sweat. It still works very well today. Hamilton Khaki automaticView attachment 159986View attachment 159984

Nice Swiss Hamilton you have there John, never seen that configuration on any Hamilton day/date chronograph before, quite unusual.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[simong]

I appreciate the tip. I actually ordered a double huntsman today. They have some very well reviewed, elegant looking and affordable peaces ..

You're welcome!?
They're a great bunch of chaps to deal with I've found.

 

[JOHN72]

Nice Swiss Hamilton you have there John, never seen that configuration on any Hamilton day/date chronograph before, quite unusual.

Regards,

Jay.

Thank you friend. I don't understand anything about watches, I hope it's not a counterfeit. Kidding. But I love classic style watches. The diameter of the dial is 22 mm, too big for my taste. Although my wrist is quite wide, conceals well.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thank you friend. I don't understand anything about watches, I hope it's not a counterfeit. Kidding. But I love classic style watches. The diameter of the dial is 22 mm, too big for my taste. Although my wrist is quite wide, conceals well.

John, I bought a Tag Heuer 1887 chronograph. It's a whacking 41mm wide....I've never worn it!

Should have sent it straight back but was lazy....now I'm stuck with the damned thing

Regards,

Jay.

 

[JOHN72]

Nice Swiss Hamilton you have there John, never seen that configuration on any Hamilton day/date chronograph before, quite unusual.

Regards,

Jay.

A great brand. Not suitable for my pocket. I made a mistake with the measurement, I meant to say 44 mm diameter of the dial. The strap is 22mm. I only have three watches, I do not collect. Hamilton, a Seiko automatic and a Casio.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Sadly my best pocket watch is a Patek Phillipe. Have a Hamilton wrist watch and a gold Accutron I inherited. Before the iPhone I tended to get pretty cheap watches.

Now here's something I don't understand:

It's the $3800 I don't understand.

 

[mikethompson]

Jay, you have the most interesting collections!

 

[mawnansmiff]

Jay, you have the most interesting collections!

Mike, a man has to have a hobby or two

Actually I need to rein in my spending as I'll be needing as much money as possible for an impending house move.

One day I'll get around to showing my collection of studio pottery....

Regards,

Jay.

 

[LotusEater]

@mawnansmiff
I don’t collect pocket watches but I’ve really enjoyed this thread. Thanks for sharing your collection and your knowledge.

 

[Pipeoff]

Be aware that pawn shops and many jewelers will tell you because they are out of vogue and have little value. While gold content of cases vary, they have substantial bullion value and are melted down. The movements often are scraped.

 

[paulfg]

Be aware that pawn shops and many jewelers will tell you because they are out of vogue and have little value. While gold content of cases vary, they have substantial bullion value and are melted down. The movements often are scraped.

Very true,many good movements scrapped for the value in the case,or if lucky rehoused in another cheaper case ie solid gold case swapped to a gold filled one

 

[mawnansmiff]

Very true,many good movements scrapped for the value in the case,or if lucky rehoused in another cheaper case ie solid gold case swapped to a gold filled one

And if the movement had a gold centre wheel (as many of the better watches had) the movement was trashed just to get at the said wheel.

Many thousands of movements must have been destroyed over the years by gold diggers.

Regards,

Jay.