Does anyone know the serial number and model of the watch that was presented to Lincoln on the occasion of the Gettysburgh Address? I bought a Model 1857 that I believe was in the same production run.
Posts: 242 | Location: Massachusetts in the USA | Registered: February 07, 2008
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About Lincoln's watch, in a topic called "Happy Birthday Mr.Lincoln!" from four years ago, apparently the answer is... "Abraham Lincoln owned and used a Waltham William Ellery model 1857 pocket watch, 18 size, eleven jewels with solid steel balance wheel. The serial number of his watch is 67613. It is now on display at the Smithsonian Museum."
It comes up here "Lincoln's watch" in "Find-Or-Search" on our IHC185 Discussion Site.
Again, Welcome to IHC185 Membership,
Lindell
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
That's great information. A remember seeing a reference to the watch in a Lincoln biography but for some reason was led to believe that it might have been a Model 1859.
Thanks, Dana
Posts: 242 | Location: Massachusetts in the USA | Registered: February 07, 2008
I too have seen references to Abraham Lincoln's watch being an 1859 Model Waltham. But if that movement number 67613 is correct an 1857 Model should be right. We find in the Waltham Ledgers number 67613 is shown as from a run consisting of 67501-70000 and being 18-size, Model 57, P. S. Bartlett or William Ellery, 7-11 Jewels, Steel Balance, Adjusted.
Reaching someone with authoritative knowledge at the Smithsonian is not easy on a Friday afternoon but I left a message and hope to have confirmation or additional word soon.
Lindell
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
This is very close to my heart. In honor of Lincoln's necessary measures to hold our country (and constitution) in one piece, I "enshrined" a "suspected cousin" AWC 1857 s/n 82594. While this is a 7 Jewel, it does have the same mechanicals as A Lincoln's, and as the Smith has the only "original", I could still restore one of the few other "leftover's" . . .
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
Beautiful pieces of work! Remember in the 1850's & 60's, steam engines still ran on wood, and blew up a lot because they could not reach the "close tolerances" (that watchmakers did in their sleep).
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
My watch is #67866 and all the other features are the the same as the Smithsonian Lincoln watch. I've often wondered what the value would be. Anyone have any ideas?
Dana
Posts: 242 | Location: Massachusetts in the USA | Registered: February 07, 2008
Were I to "insure my watch" I would value it at over $500.00. Shugart lists these as "$100.00", and I am always puzZled by those figures, they must be less the case, because my coin case is worth (to me at least) twice that alone!
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
