I have recently acquired a group of four Size 0 pocket watches which have Nun's names inscribed on them. Has anyone ever seen these before?

[I realized right after Lindell posted his picture that this was a dumb question. Of course you guys have seen them - you have seen everything - plus I did a Search and came up with some discussion threads. Anyway, its fun to get away from RR watches for a change]

I will post some pictures soon.

John III

Lindell,

None of the four have the movement upside down like yours. Some details:

1) AWWCO, Waltham, MASS, 0s, 15j, CWCCo Sterling Case
2) Elgin, Grade 355, 0s, 15j, Star Watch Case Company (Silver)
3 and 4) Hamilton, Grade 735, 8/0s, 18j, Sterling Silver case by Keystone w/Hamilton W Co

See pictures below.

John III

All four together...

One of the Hamiltons engraved:

Sr. Mary Kevin S.P.
7-11-60

Another example:

To Sister Mary Joan
from Mom + Dad
6-21-63

These watches are fascinating to me for several reasons:

Why did Nun watches have Silver cases? This seems a little too fancy to me.

Also, who maintained them? Did the local watchmaker do Pro Bono work for the convent?

What happened to them when the nun died? Since they were engraved with the Sister's name, noone else could use them.

How do dealers acquire them? Seems like they would have more sentimental value than intrisic value.

My Aunt remembers the nuns having a little pocket on their habit for these watches when she was in high school in the sixties. I can just image a nun in the sixties tapping her foot, watch in hand, glaring at an unlucky Catholic school boy who was tardy...