Thread: POCKET WATCHES

Originally Posted by tintin

I didn't know that there was a pocket watch thread! I carried one for a few years 'till that ill fated day i let my son look at it in church and he dropped it on the floor. Never did get it fixed because i didn't know where to take it and there were always other things to spend money on. Maybe someday. Anyway, thought you'd like to see it, 17 Jewel Elgin.
Attachment 323000
Attachment 323001

That's a very nice watch! I can't make out the serial# so I can't tell you anything about it. But the 3 finger bridge makes it unique.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

That's a very nice watch! I can't make out the serial# so I can't tell you anything about it. But the 3 finger bridge makes it unique.

Oh that's cool! here it is 12119764. I'd be interested in knowing more. Thanks

Originally Posted by tintin

Oh that's cool! here it is 12119764. I'd be interested in knowing more. Thanks

Okay TinTin here you go - What you have there is an Elgin Grade 340, Model 7, 17j, Size 16s, 3 finger bridge pocket watch. The estimated year that it was produced was 1906. That watch is kind of special because there were only 30,900 of those watches produced by Elgin. Typically, Elgin produced hundreds of thousands, even millions of watches back then. Back in 1906, It probably have been considered as medium to high class, depending on the type of material used to produce it. It would have been a Gentleman's pocket watch.

You have a really nice pocket watch. Be careful and take it to a professional for repair. I suspect that when the watch was dropped, it probably broke the balance staff. I don't know how much it would cost to be repaired, but do look for a professional Horologist. They can work on watches that old.

Very Nice watch!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Okay TinTin here you go - What you have there is an Elgin Grade 340, Model 7, 17j, Size 16s, 3 finger bridge pocket watch. The estimated year that it was produced was 1906. That watch is kind of special because there were only 30,900 of those watches produced by Elgin. Typically, Elgin produced hundreds of thousands, even millions of watches back then. Back in 1906, It probably have been considered as medium to high class, depending on the type of material used to produce it. It would have been a Gentleman's pocket watch.

You have a really nice pocket watch. Be careful and take it to a professional for repair. I suspect that when the watch was dropped, it probably broke the balance staff. I don't know how much it would cost to be repaired, but do look for a professional Horologist. They can work on watches that old.

Very Nice watch!

Once again the varied wells of knowledge of the folks on this site continues to amaze.

Back then there was no shock resistance built into watches like the incabloc mvmts of today so one false move and that's it. Usually the escapement which is the brains of the watch suffers. As has been said either the staff bent or broke or the hairspring became deformed or a jewel cracked. Probably $150 or so to fix.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Once again the varied wells of knowledge of the folks on this site continues to amaze.

Great thread!
I have 4 old ones...I shall post them up soon to see what is thought.

Afraid to wind them!

This Omega has been sitting unused and unwound in a drawer for 20 years.

Anything you can tell me about would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a good place online to send it to?

Originally Posted by DZEC

This Omega has been sitting unused and unwound in a drawer for 20 years.

Anything you can tell me about would be greatly appreciated.

That's a beauty! Omega pocket watches were made in Switzerland between 1848 - 1903 under the name La Generale Watch Co. In 1903 they changes it to Omega. From 1903 to about 1955 these pocket watches were manufactured in Switzerland. I don't know a lot about Omegas, just that they are exceptional time pieces. Depending on how many jewels and the metal used in manufacturing that watch, you have an exceptional watch of great value. These watches were produced to compete with Elgin, Walthman, Hamilton, etc. in the American market. Hang on to it!

Change gears. In 1955 they merged with Tissot. From there they started producing wristwatches that were meant to compete with Rolex. These wristwatches are high end and very expensive. This just explains the lineage of where the Omega name came from and the value of their watches today.

Originally Posted by tintin

Can anyone recommend a good place online to send it to?

I can't offer you anyone. I don't know if the old watchmakers still exist and repair these watches. I used to do this but I can't see anymore and my hands shake too much. My son couldn't give a rats ass about learning this craft, so it dies with me.

I'm sorry that I can't be of more help. They are still some out there, I just don't know where anymore. Parts are becoming scare and if they do have parts, they want a lot of $$$ for them. Don't be surprised if you get a quote that high!