Pocket watch pics for Pat

[Adam]

Pat,

Finally got around to taking these the first ones are from the "non-magnetic watch con"












different watch







This one is a bit different I dont know how to get a pic of the movement, when I unscrew the crystal it looks like there is some way to get it out, but not like the others, it doesnt have access from the back of the watch, it has to come out from the front



Anyway hope this pics help out a little bit. I love these little guys my elgin is keeping great time. i cant wait to get some of the older ones serviced

Thanks for the help

Adam

[mike]

Sweet Adam!
I must say I'm amazed at the accuracy these watches are capable of.

[maccars]

Adam – these pics are helpful. You have a couple of winners here!

The Non-Magnetic Watch Company of America (of Chicago) was a broker of the sort that Webb C. Ball was – only 15 years earlier. The company contracted the manufacture of watches from several makers – most notably The Peoria Watch Co. and The Fredonia Watch Co. of Peoria, Illinois.

The Peoria Watch Company produced many private label watches, and produced watches in great numbers for the Non-Magnetic Watch Co. of America in Chicago. Eventually all the production was going to the Non-Magnetic Watch Company although the factory remained in Peoria.

Your watch is one of the high grade watches crafted by The Peoria Watch Co., between 1885 and 1895. These seem to be fairly rare, and tend to have some value. It is an 18s watch, which means it measures about 48 mm, or 1.8 inches. A 16s watch is marginally smaller, but appears much smaller when compared side by side with an 18s. Your watch appears to have 15 jewels, with a full plate construction. This could be a very valuable watch. I need studio quality photos to be sure, but I’ll continue to work on this info with what you’ve sent me. If you can, take some really high quality shots in a light box of the dial and the movement.

The Hampden Watch Company grew as an upstart in competition with the “big boys” of Elgin, Waltham, and Illinois, after having been purchased in 1886 by John C. Dueber. At the time of his purchase, Dueber’s new company was located in Springfield, Massachusetts. By 1889, he had moved the company to Canton, Ohio.

Your watch is an 18s, 11 jewel stem-wound Hayward grade crafted in 1884, prior to Dueber’s purchase of Hampden. Although not a railroad grade watch, it is still collectible – primarily due to its pre-Dueber construction ("Springfield" markings on the movement).

I’ll look into how to crack open the Howard. Some of these watches are sneaky as to how to access the movements. Give me some time on this one.

All in all, your collection is a worthy one. Acquire a nice display case and have the watches serviced and/or repaired, if possible. Then have them appraised for your insurance agent.