Thanks. That's a statement you wouldn't be able to make about an early Waltham or Howard.


The watch below was made in Waltham, Mass. late in the year 1859. Low serial for a Model 1857, because the signed A.T.&Co. movement serial #s didn't really begin until almost number 8100.

Still, this timepiece was put together a few years after Paul Williams' Dennison, Howard & Davis.

Ken, when I said that my very early Elgin had the correct dial, you replied by saying that one couldn't say that about an early Waltham or Howard. Please explain why that is the case, and please confirm that my dial, shown below, is correct. Let me know whether you think the hands are correct. If not, what hands would be correct?

Sorry Ethan & Ken if I am butting in here, Ethan your dial is correct so are the style of hands, just have a doubt over the length of the hour hand as it looks too short.

Cheers,
Bila

One of my favorite watches is my National Watch Co. (Elgin) #4911. I don't have a photo but it's very similar in appearance to Ethan's #820 (I'd love to own a 3-digit Elgin one day).

Judging by the serial number progression, these watches were made in the first weeks of Elgin production. At that time, Andrew Johnson was President of all 26 United States, the trans-continental railroad was two years in the future, and electric light was more than a decade away.

I wind #4911 every morning and it keeps railroad grade time.

Ethan -- Your dial and hands are correct. Early Elgins did have a short hour hand - tho' it might look a little funny to some eyes, Bila's and mine included.
A very few early - and correct - Walthams and E. Howards deviated from the ubiquitous Roman-numeral dial, and that is a subject of interest these days.
Cheers.

Thanks, Ken. It's hard enough to be sure what's correct. It's harder still to find the right parts. Now I have one less thing to chase down.

Thanks Ken for the info as well, this is good to know.

Cheers,
Bila

Picked up 18s Rockford with serial number 1179 at the recent J&H auction.
Tony

Rockford---sn 1179

My Melrose sn32386 (they start at 30,000).

Here is my lowest Serial number watch I own. Possible the very first Gruen pocket Watch. For what it is worth 62000 is the number.

Here is a link to this watch.

Gruen 62000