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 Help identifying a pocket watch
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| Author | Topic: Help identifying a pocket watch |
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Tkrupa Posts: 3 |
posted 03-03-2008 10:00 PM
  
[26-1600] I have a silver-cased pocket watch, possibly dating from about 1898. I can't post photos, so I'll give as much info as possible. The inside works-cover says:
"15" in very squat, block numbers in a box Below the box is "Rubis" In script follows: "Quantiemes" "Remontoir" "No. 114387" The dial has 4, small, inset dials for day, date, month and moon phase. Days of the week appear to be German (Son, Mon, Die, Mit, Don, Fre, Sam). The months appear to be English but for "Mai" and "Jui", which seem French. I can see no maker information on the works. At the base of the stem looks like a wide "A" in an oval (inset). The case (heavily worn) has a flower with leaves in the center of a "sunflower head" background pattern, surrounded by what was probably a leaf-wreath. The back side has a shield (blank) within the same "sunflower" field again surrounded by a "leaf-wreath. Inside one cover, I can see initials and the date "11-13-98". I believe this belonged to my wife's grandfather who emigrated about 1910 from Tokoi, Hungary. (He apparently dated it himself.) If anyone can tell my anything about this watch, or suggest where I might be able to get a positive id, I'd be very appreciative! I'm a long-time user of an Excel forum, so I feel confident that someone out there can help me and thank you in advance! IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 03-04-2008 05:09 PM
Hi Tkrupa and welcome to the forum. Descriptions of markings are of little help since there are so many similar markings. It is essential that you add some photos, both clear closeups of the markings and clear photos of the overall objects. There are instructions on how to post your photos here How to post photos In addition to being able to make an informed opinion, posting photos enables everyone on this forum to see and share in the appreciation of silver. Finally, while people here will likely be able to give you some information on the case of the watch, this is not a timepiece forum and so the information you might find here on the watch itself would likely be pretty thin. For the timepiece aspect you might do better talking to the folks on one of the internet watch collector's fora. Kimo IP: Logged |
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Tkrupa Posts: 3 |
posted 03-04-2008 08:24 PM
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I don't own a digital camera to include photos, as I said. I am the last member of my wife's generation and, while my family has no known history, hers did. I'm trying to find out if it's worth my money to get this watch in operating condition so that I can pass it on to my grandchildren as a momento from their grandmother's family. I have 5 generations of photos on the wall - all her family. (My wife died in 2005 so this is important to me.) I have marked the heirlooms in this house so that the kids won't think some of this stuff is "old junk" and give it away. I've look at several "collectors" sites this evening and I don't want to sell this watch (and a Dueber Hampden also). Can you give me few more minutes and suggest a book wherein I might find this watch? I've taken it to several local "antique" stores and traveling shows, but no one seems to be "into" old pocket watches. Local jewelry stores haven't been able to help either. (The price of living in central Illinois!) Thank you again. IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 03-05-2008 01:50 PM
Old pocket watches are a fairly narrow area of collecting so I am not surprised you did not find much help locally. The thing is virtually everyone has one or more of them that have been passed down from a great grandfather or grandfather. They are found lying around the underwear drawer or similar places. Old pocket watches are one of those kinds of objects where few were ever thrown away over the years, while being one of those things few people ever actually use these days. Prior to the internet the main way watch collectors interacted with each other was through watch collector societies. In the U.S. the main one is called the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors which has chapters all over the U.S. where collectors gather, and they hold local and regional 'marts' where dealers and collectors get together to buy and sell from each other. Their membership includes not only collectors and dealers, but also the small number of authentic watch makers that still exist - people who are fully trained in repairing old watches. Since the internet has become more important, several other mechanisms have arisen for collectors and dealers in old timepieces. The big internet auction site has tens of thousands of auctions for old pocket watches and it is a good place to research - though you need to be careful about the quality of information as many people there really do not know much about old watches. There are also collectors fora where you can talk with collectors and ask their assistance. One I particularly like is called the 'internet horology club' and you can find it by doing an internet search. Since there are no markings on the movement of your watch it may not be possible to say who made it. Better quality pocket watches are well and proudly marked by their makers since that was a big selling point. Also, you can not tell much by the case since back then if you wanted a nice pocket watch you did not normally buy a complete pocket watch. You would go to a watchmaker store or a jewelry store and pick out and buy the movement (the mechanical part inside). Then you would pick out and buy a case to put it in. They were normally separate purchases. Sometimes people would put most of their money into the movement, and then later in life they would upgrade and buy a different case as they were able to afford a nicer one. I always think an old family watch is very much worth having serviced by a qualified watchmaker - not because it will be worth the cost but because it will be worth the sentimental value of having something from an ancestor. Even a basic cleaning and servicing without any real repairs will start in the hundreds since you are paying for a highly specialized artisan to disassemble the entire watch, clean and inspect each piece, replace or repair anything that needs it, reassemble it correctly, and adjust the movement so it will tell the best time it is capable of telling. Such a process takes many hours and it can only be done by a person who has studied and practiced for a great many years. Do not take it to your local mall jewelry store that advertises watch cleaning for $25 since all they will do is dunk it in a sonic bath which is not going to clean it or put it to rights. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 03-06-2008).] IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 03-05-2008 03:11 PM
Hello Tkrupa! Hope this helps, it's all I can find right now but I am still looking. The inscription on watches ( ‘REMONTOIR’ / Ancre Ligne Droite / 15 Rubis’), means stem-wound - Straight Line Lever - 15 rubies (jewels). Most of these watches were mass produced and no maker's name was usually marked on them. There are watch books out there but most of them correspond to makers names. Try a web search with the info I have given you. BTW Something doesn't have to be expensive to pass it on. The piece I wanted most from my in-laws was a dollar item but the history was great. P. S. I never got it, but the memory is there. Jersey IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 03-05-2008 03:25 PM
The School of Horology at Bradley Polytechnic Institute is located in Peoria Illinois and may be of help in finding out more about your watch. IP: Logged |
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Tkrupa Posts: 3 |
posted 03-06-2008 10:31 PM
Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I plan to continue my search and plan to get the watch fixed if only for the sentimental value. The hard part may be deciding which grandchild will most value it! BTW Bradley school of Horology has been gone for years and Bradley Polytechnic has been Bradley University (Made it to the NCAA Elite 8 a few years ago!) for quite some time. (Oh yeah, Chet Walker also is an alum.) Again, thanks to you all and I wish whatever you wish each other for good luck and good health! IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 03-08-2008 03:38 PM
Hi Tkrupa! Good for you! Just a thought but, why not ask the Grandchildren, or whoever. I have a friend who prior to her passing got everyone together & asked who wanted what, and gave it to them then & there! If more that one wanted the same item she did the names in a hat routine. This she hoped would eliminate any arguments later on. Also it saved on appraisers & inheritance tax issues. Jersey IP: Logged |
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