Thread: POCKET WATCHES

i was talking with another member today, and pocket watches came up i do not own any yet but i think a pocketwatch is a lot like a razor they both have beauty and craftsmanship any advice on a good brand made during the 1920's to the 1940's would be great and post some pics if you have some i would like to learn as much as possibile before i make a purchase thanks.

i have heard elgin is a good brand

My favorite and one I carried for years was a Hamilton 992E. It was made in the 1930s and when you held it to your ear it rang like a bell. I also had an Illinois Bunn Special 60 hour. Both of these were lever set 16 size and fit in the watch pocket of my Levis just right. Great timepieces but I found that as I grew older I preferred the convenience of my Seiko wristwatch.

how do the sizes work on a pocket watch? i noticed on ebay several diffirent sizes and numbers but i dont really know what the standard size is. what would be the equivilent of a 5/8 razor?

wow you should of kept the illinois

http://cgi.ebay.com/ILLINOIS-21J-ADJ...A1%7C294%3A200

both very nice watches jimmy i have my eye on a couple on the bay, what is railroad movement ?

Clearly the best brand of pocket watches for quality and impeccable design is Patek Philippe. No one makes even nearly a comparable pocket watch. They are virtually impossible to find, especially in good condition and certainly not at a reasonable price They are VERY VERY pricey and primarily in the hands of collectors. You will typically find them for sale at the auctions - Sothebys, Christies, Antiquorium.

You may want to search the different watch forums and a collector may put one up for sale.

Here is a site with a good overview. The 992 had a 21 jewel movement with one premium and highly collectible model having 23. You have to unscrew the face of the watch to pull a lever in order to set the watch. This is to prevent the stem from accidentally being pulled and the time being changed. If a railroad conductor didn't throw a switch on a rail at the correct time a disaster could occur and did. That is why the stringent standards for railroad approved watches came to be.

Edit; The size refers to the diameter of the case/movement. A 16 being comfortable in a railroad watch with the larger 18 being the earlier model. Some with a separate key to set them.

Here is another site that will tell you what the sizes mean: http://www.pocketwatchsite.com/size.html

I worked for the Southern and Norfolk Southern Railroads for 32 years. The most popular watch was the Hamilton 992B. This was a 21 jewel lever set, 16 size watch.

Another watch often used was the Hamilton 950, a 23 jewel, also lever set and in 16 size.

Elgin, Walthams were not as popular.

Occasionally you would find some one carrying a Howard. It was a vey expensive watch as also was the Hamilton 950 mode.

This Illinois watches were more popular up North and the Hamiliton Watch Co. bought out Illinois. Not sure exactly when.

If yo can find a good one I would go with the Hamilton 992B.

Hope this helps.

dewayne

+1 on Patek Phelippe. I have one of their mechanisms inside a housing from another maker. The workings are beautiful!