My current favorite case. Seller said he gave it a few wipes but locomotive is as found. The bezel has taken a couple heavy hits at some point long ago but I was able to "affix" a crystal. Sleeve was toast so a new sleeve, stem and "patinated" crown and she's cherry. I like it so much I can't decide on a movement for it.

Front view, bezel takes some work to thread properly but that's okay.

Locomotive close-up. Looks like the old American Baldwin 4-4-0 which was great on rough pioneering track. Used a lot in the construction phase of the GTP.

Lorne you amaze me with the incredable finds
Walter

Anybody with knowledge and money can have a nice watch collection. I do have an eye for the cripples and it seems am running a home for the disadvantaged and downtrodden.

Nice Pick Lorne. I see the Silveroid stamp, are there any "Ghosts" of a makers mark?

No ghosts Dave, just SILVERIOD and 341411

To each their own I guess, to me it just looks rusty.

Jim, to me it's laugh lines, tear tracks, the smell of creosote and the sound of steam.

Yep, I like it too, but I'd be tempted to make her shine again.

I like it, the brown and rust hued colors are over the top. The best part is that at any given time the "patina" can be polished away and can never be replaced and it would take 75 years to get that patina back which is a combination of salts, vapors, blood, sweat and tears that can't be duplicated again exactly the way it is now, very unique.

I am your buyer if it ever comes to sale, seriously.

regards,
bb

That's a really nice watch case Lorne;

As for a nice movement, how about a nice 1883? I really like those as they seem to be one of the old "Work Horses."

Here's one of mine.

Bud
The photo of the movement was when I first got it and it was in a different case then. I put it in this more "appropriate" case soon after it's arrival.

That's one way of looking at it Jim, but as a long time gun collector (Old Colt's) mostly, I often get this really strange feeling when I hold in my hand, something that was held in another hand, perhaps a hundred years or more ago. The "great" thing about a watch case (or an old Colt) that's not been cleaned, is that you're almost holding the hand of the last person who held it in theirs.

Call me crazy but but what a feeling it is to have in your hand a Colt or a watch from the Civil War. I am extremely fortunate to have at least one of each.

Bud

quote:

To each their own I guess, to me it just looks rusty.

If that were my watch case, it would be on a buffing wheel before it knew what happened to it.

Patina on a Great antique is very much like makeup or perfume on a Beautiful Woman. Just the right amount, in just the right places is Wonderful.... Too much and its a big Negative. This ones too much for me. And the new crystal has got to go, it needs to show some wear as well and be Thick.

I say we get a rope and hang it !!

OR....

We could hold an auction and the high bidder gets to preserve it's patina OR polish/buff it till it screams in submission and comes into compliance.



regards,
bb

I had no idea this would bring so many responses. The bezel has enough dings that polishing it would enhance them too much. Kind of like putting a high gloss varnish on an unsanded board. This case may have been a silk purse at one time but it is now and always will be a sows ear. Actually I now officially name this one "The Sow's Ear Case"

I do agree that the crystal is a bit too pretty. Should anyone have a thick, flat somewhat scratched 45.3mm crystal, I am a motivated buyer.

hmmm patina i have wondered what happened too me over the years now i know it,s patina.

I couldn't get the photo small enough, email me and I'll send a copy to you if you want to see it. Sorry, I can't delete the other posts either, can anyone help!!

Thanks to all for saving me from asking a new guy question in a new post on whether "to buff or not to buff"

Bill, I appreciate the offer of the crystal but it would be too small as this is an 18s case.

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