I have a Waltham, Appelton Tracy, Model 1883 17j in a Swing-out case. I like the watch but have questions about the case. As you can see, I have not cleaned it. It appears to be silver but is not marked as such. The image on the back appears, to me, to be a steamboat. I suppose it is inlayed gold? Take a look and let me know.

case marking

close up

Dial shows many flaws and minute hand is missing. I will look for these items.

I guess the question needs to be articulated, Is this silver, or some other metal that tarnishes?

Mike my experience with these cases is that most are a silver alloy case with the gold inlay on the back. Whether is is oresilver silverode or silveroid or what ever the case may be.

Mike

I can't tell from your photo of the inside of the case but most of the time the Waltham anti-magnetic shield is actually an insert, under it the case would have another set of marks showing what the case was made of which may be silver.

These inserts were made by a company that Waltham, Elgin & others bought & put in their cases.

If you notice the symbol on yours with the lightning bolts is a capital "G" for Giles the maker of the shields.

This ad is from 1887, if you read the part from Waltham they speak of putting them in their cases.

Also I agree the inlay on the back looks like a steam paddle boat.


Tom

Here is a link to Giles patent on the shield;

http://www.google.com/patents?...i%20magnetic&f=false

Charles Giles also patented a dust proof watch case in 1885.

One last thing. Here is a link to another post where member Bill Kapp shows the insert removed from one of his cases.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...581057903#5581057903

Tom

I tried to figure out what the case was made of and drew a blank. I agree with Tom that it is a Mississippi Delta paddle wheel steam riverboat !

Your main concern as to metal content and I don't have the answer for you, sorry.

However as Tom pointed out, it is an implanted insert so it may have to be pulled out to see what the case says under the insert !!

I'm in for $5 that it's going to be silver ore type case and not solid silver !!

OK- It's past my bed time so good night gentlemen !!

regards,
bb

Thanks, I'll try to get the shield off later today and will post the results. Buster, have your fiver ready

I was not able to remove the shield as the screws turn but seem to be stripped. I cleaned it up a bit and will post photos soon, I really believe it is coin silver but until the shield is removed the debate continues

Back

Paddlewheeler?

NOS crystal from my old cabinet I bought from Kevin.

Yep !! Paddle~wheeler !! Yep !!

regards,
bb

Boy Buster

Great minds think alike. I was busy making this while you were doing the same.

Mike, you notice the little tear drop shapes on the right side of the image on your case, those are the outlines of the paddle. On the image I posted the side wheel is covered.

Tom

Maybe originaly looked like this

Kevin

Wow, That's a nice one. It probably did, any history to tell Kevin? I see you are in AZ. I'm in Apache Junction as a Snowbird, or as the euphemistically call us "Winter Visitors".

Mike,
I wish it were mine. Just an item I was under-bidder on. I'm down in Tucson. I don't get to go north for the summer.
Kevin

Kevin, just out of curiosity, what did this sell for?

Sorry I don't remember what it went for. It was several years ago. I had the image in my voucher file, but I usually don't keep record on the ones that get away.

Well....I sent it off to Don Mathis as Lindell had said he does really nice work. Got it back an hour ago and had to share. Whatdaya think?

That is a beautiful piece of work. I tested a case like yours that had a sawmill on the back and no markings. I thought it was silver but it was nickle silver. My sawmill case was fairly smooth and maybe I should have it redone as yours looks so nice.

Really nice!!!

Holly Cow....what beautiful work....Man, our membership really has some artists....

Mike that is a beautiful case....

Besides the obvious, what is the extent of Don's expertise...?

Regards,

Jerry