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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 14:39:25 GMT -6
Whats the old song? Oops I did it again! Never in a million years did I think I would win this one and watched as the seconds counted down sure someone would gazump me.. They did not! I have wanted for as long as I can remember an English Fusee pocket watch, preferably in Sterling silver and also a full hunter case and preferably a good, well regarded maker. Well, I got all of those boxes ticked for way less than I imagined I would. The only real faults I can see on this watch are a chipped sub dial, a few tiny dings and wear on the case and the front cover spring does not work but it snaps shut well. The inner crystal is missing. I will probably try to source one but as this is a full hunter it is not too much of an issue and looking around at what others like this go for I really got a deal! Considering what I won it for these are minor things I feel. but really, it is nothing compared to the condition of the rest of the watch. I won it from a well regarded authority on pocket watches and also an author of two books on the subject of restoration. So mine has been restored by an expert and even comes with a one year warranty! The watch is made by John Forrest Chronometer maker to the Admiralty in London. It was made in 1894. Here are a couple of quick pictures from the seller. should be here next week!
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 14:44:58 GMT -6
This is the description from the seller..
"The dial is white enamel with Roman numerals and a sunken subsidiary seconds. The hands are gold. The dial is signed:
JOHN FORREST
LONDON
The sterling silver double bottomed full hunter case bears the Chester hallmarks for 1894 (upper case L). The front and rear are engine turned with a blank cartouche on the front cover. The maker's initials are IH probably John Hammon, 25 York Street, Coventry. The front cover opens when the pendant button is pressed. It is stamped with the number 278 the last three digits of the movement number.
The movement is a key wound (key supplied) English full plate fusee table roller lever. It is wound from the rear, the hands are set from the front. It has a cut temperature compensated bi-metallic balance with gold timing screws. Regulation is via a London quadrant with silver scale. The fusee has maintaining power. It has a ruby end stone. The movement is signed on the dust cap:
John Forrest
91278
LONDON
On the movement:
CHRONOMETER MAKER
TO THE ADMIRALTY
LONDON E.C.
91278
This is a nice example of a late Victorian sterling silver cased English full hunter fusee lever pocket watch in good over all condition.
Movement condition: excellent, the gilding is very bright with only very light marking, complete with original dust cap. The balance, lever pallets, escape and fourth wheels are jewelled (11 jewels). Dial condition:fair, there is quite a lot of damage around the subsidiary seconds dial. Case condition: good, the engine turning is quite worn, there are a couple of small bump on the rear cover but no scratches. The front cover case spring is broken but the catch is good. The rear cover snaps shut as it should do, as does the inner bezel. All the hinges are good. Crystal: the inner crystal is missing. It runs well to the end of the chain (greater than 30 hours) and keeps good time. Size: 56mm (2.19 inches) in diameter and 17mm (0.68 inches) thick. Weight: 143g (5.07 oz)."
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 6, 2014 17:12:35 GMT -6
And Ian does it again! Great find! Congratulations on yet another spectacular piece. Your place is becoming it's own watch museum, that's amazing. The "issues" you point out are totally minor, indeed and should not even create an afterthought. The way this movement is decorated reminds us of a golden era in watchmaking. Not over done at all, nice and subtle with great detail on the engraved parts. Seeing how these items stand the test of time makes me want to "invest" even more time and effort into collecting watches. Not many other things out there can do this the same way.
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 18:06:53 GMT -6
Thanks so much mate. I am really excited about this one and knowing it is coming from an acknowledge expert in the field of history and restoration of these watches is really reassuring. Great thing with the post from the UK as well is that he will mail it tomorrow which means it will catch the BA flight to Vancouver on Saturday so will be here (as long as customs don't hold on to it for too long) this time next week!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 6, 2014 18:28:56 GMT -6
Sweet! It's so cool knowing over the weekend that the watch is on the way to you. Customs was rather quick for me recently after some items landed at Pearson International in Toronto. Tracking kept me up to date each step of the way and all was well.
The seller's credentials adds to the over all experience of this purchase and the watch. I have no doubt you'll be super excited with the watch once it arrives.
Will you be using the other chain for this one? It might be too soon to ask but do you plan to collect more pocket watches in the future?
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,390
Name: Roger
Since: Mar 14, 2011 13:09:50 GMT -6
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Post by Baco Noir on Feb 6, 2014 18:38:06 GMT -6
That a great looking piece. I think I told you Al (@archer) serviced my great grandfathers Elgin. He does quite a few pocket watches and knows of sources for missing / broken parts. Maybe he can repair the spring and find you some new glass.
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Post by katgirl on Feb 6, 2014 18:39:11 GMT -6
Very nice, Ian . What a gorgeous movement! Well done, yet again.....
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 18:43:03 GMT -6
I might very well do. I think the flat one would go with the larger case of this one and to my eyes looks a bit victorian. This all happened in a blur so I did not register the case size.. Its enormous! I thought the Omega is a good size, this thing is huge in comparison and much thicker. I am going to have to reinforce my coat pocket! I have already decided to alternate them on a daily basis. I have given the Westbury to a friend of mine. She can't wear a watch on her wrist as they keep stopping but with the pocket watch it has not been a problem! I have to tell you something funny as well and your going to think me crazy. I think my Omega is haunted! Honestly, I cannot explain the weird thing that happens any other way. If I am not near it, leave it at home whilst I pop out to the store every time I have come back it has stopped! Now, it was stopping over night in the sub zero conditions here but now I keep it in the bathroom cabinet overnight it is ticking away in the morning and keeping excellent time. It only stops if I am out of the apartment! I have sat for hours with it on my coffee table across the room and it ticks away, leave and go out and it stops. I cannot think of any rational explanation other than whoever owned it before wants to to have constant company!
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 18:43:45 GMT -6
Very nice, Ian . What a gorgeous movement! Well done, yet again..... Thanks so much Kat. I love the simple way the English movements were finished.
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,390
Name: Roger
Since: Mar 14, 2011 13:09:50 GMT -6
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Post by Baco Noir on Feb 6, 2014 18:48:22 GMT -6
I might very well do. I think the flat one would go with the larger case of this one and to my eyes looks a bit victorian. This all happened in a blur so I did not register the case size.. Its enormous! I thought the Omega is a good size, this thing is huge in comparison and much thicker. I am going to have to reinforce my coat pocket! I have already decided to alternate them on a daily basis. I have given the Westbury to a friend of mine. She can't wear a watch on her wrist as they keep stopping but with the pocket watch it has not been a problem! I have to tell you something funny as well and your going to think me crazy. I think my Omega is haunted! Honestly, I cannot explain the weird thing that happens any other way. If I am not near it, leave it at home whilst I pop out to the store every time I have come back it has stopped! Now, it was stopping over night in the sub zero conditions here but now I keep it in the bathroom cabinet overnight it is ticking away in the morning and keeping excellent time. It only stops if I am out of the apartment! I have sat for hours with it on my coffee table across the room and it ticks away, leave and go out and it stops. I cannot think of any rational explanation other than whoever owned it before wants to to have constant company! It misses you when you are away and doesn't know how to "pass the time" without you around!
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 18:50:52 GMT -6
Oh my, that was a corny one Roger!
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Post by rw16610 on Feb 6, 2014 19:18:39 GMT -6
Haha, maybe that's how the watch survived so long.
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Post by katgirl on Feb 6, 2014 20:01:08 GMT -6
Very nice, Ian . What a gorgeous movement! Well done, yet again..... Thanks so much Kat. I love the simple way the English movements were finished. Oh, crap! I just made an offer of half the asking price on a beautifully detailed working L. Jacot antique Sterling Silver ladies pocket watch, and seller accepted it. I blame YOU, Ian!
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Post by ianmedium on Feb 6, 2014 20:09:35 GMT -6
I have to preface what I type next by telling you as I read the last bit of your sentence I had uncontrollable chuckles erupt Kat I am so looking forward to seeing what you have got. I have to tell you this pocket watch thing for me is not just about history and beauty. It really is about practicality as well. I cannot tell you how many times a day I pull my pocket watch out from my jacket to tell the time. It is so much easier in the winter to do this than to take my glove off and pull up my sleeve! We are going to have to start a pocket watch thread Kat.. In fact, I think I will go now and do that. I know Roger has a beauty with great sentimental value. I think a dedicated thread to us pocket watch fans is a good idea!
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Post by katgirl on Feb 6, 2014 20:26:19 GMT -6
This piece is very beautiful, and it runs well. It is a hunter case, as it has a complete cover, front and back, though the front has a window, so you can read the dial right through it. It has a very ornately engraved case, and a white enamel dial with colored accent details. Movement cover has a serial number, and says L. Jacot and Locle under that, so it is Swiss. Good idea, about a thread, though the seller didn't seem to know much about this watch. I'll have to see what I can find out.
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