I would like to see some other Lancaster Watch Co. movements. They interest me because they were a forerunner to the Hamilton Company.

I suppose the Aurora Company has as much claim as Lancaster, but neither of them resemble the later Hamiltons at all.

This seems like pretty humble origins for what the Hamilton Company was to become. I would like to see some other Lancaster watches, though, if someone could post them.

I have always liked the little window they made in those movements, I have yet to own one but am always tempted when I see them for sale.

Tom

This is a Lancaster "New Era" KWKS that I did rercently and posted

The movement has the "beginnings" of Hamilton stuff with a "full circle" Pallet Bridge

That is a cool watch, Dave!

Back to the roots of hamilton.

Has someone a photo of an "Adams & Perry" Lancaster watch?

Regards Gerald

"Now ya Done it", I remembered I had a couple of these "Dustproof" things, so after about an hour of rummage I found 1 and it is trying to run! So, mebbe I can do a pictorial restoration . . .

All right, David! Your pictorial restorations are a great teaching tool.

These are very interesting watches, I think. In the days before paved roads it was probably even more important to make them dust proof.

Steve G.

The SPL of a Steam Locomotive was about 80 - 100 dBa. At 15 PSI, 100 dBa of 20 Hz sound is about a 50% SPL shockwave or about 7.5 PSI. With that "pumping" both the front and back covers of an engineers watch in a Locomotive cab, it is Gonna Get Dirty just by breathing volumes of air and coal dust and other crud through the winding stem.

Hmmmm! I suppose that's why they had to have frequent periodic inspections and service. That makes sense. Thanks.

Steve G.

Well . . Tonight I got this disassembly going of the "Dustproof" Keystone.

When Steve posted his pictures of the "Dustproof", he mused; "I suppose the Aurora Company has as much claim as Lancaster, but neither of them resemble the later Hamiltons at all."

Steve, there are a couple common points with this to the Hamiltons after all. First . . . The Dust Ring is Fully Machined the same as Hamiltons were. This is quite unique to these watches as most dust rings were cheaper stamped and rolled method parts . . .

The other most obvious "signature" part of the family to become "Hamilton" is the Pallet Bridge (or "cock") which is a full circle ring, quite uniquely Keystone/Lancaster/Hamilton . . .

Swing out Dust Cap for the Balance wheel has a Cold Solderd in Mica "Window', Cute, Expensive and fundamentally a waste of money except to advertise it is there.

As the Pallet Staff is Not Jeweled, this is a ten (10) Jewel movement, with 1 Roller Pin, 2 Balance staff Pivots, 2 Balance Staff Caps, two Pallet Stones, and 3 pressed in "Swiss" friction Jewels (mostly for show).

That said, it still has 4 Mean Time Screws!

Oh, I found a couple other things left inside the movement by the last service person. Maybe they were reassembling it during lunch time.

I expect to report the reassembly later this week, but have no plans to re-use these two "parts".

This is a fascinating analysis of the general, and personal character of this watch. I think you should publish a weekly column like this and take a different watch apart each week. It could be like the Tappit Brothers on the radio!

Steve G.

Now comes the "Put Together" part . . .

Firstly, more odd notes, a three-piece "SCREW-TOGETHER" Pallet Fork!(first one for me that actually used a screw!)

Then there is the strange Balance Cock Regulator that is actually "just like the pictures" in the Patent! Ugly and complicated!

In re-assembly, the wheel train turns out to actually be a 16 size. About the only "big part" is the motor.

Oddly in this watch it is safer to place and assemble the Pallet Fork/Bridge set before putting down the top plate!

All in all, I would bet that there were many watch makers who charge a premium cleaning fee for the Keystone "dustless! It takes about twice the time as "normal".

On the "wind and set side" it is completely different from any other I have seen, and easier to reassemble. It uses a very unique "Teeter-Totter" rocking bar mounted transfer wheel to engage the time setting.

It goes together very nicely in the (what looks to be) original "Daisy" Hunter Case

Don't ask me how, but two years ago, I got this (somewhere ) for $38.00.

A swell deal after a couple hours work to clean it up and get it running.

What a beautiful watch! I'd bet that was the highest grade they made. What do you think?

Dave, what turns out to be a super looking watch....As they say....

From out of the ashes comes....

Great job on another restoration piece....

Regards,
Jerry

Steve and Jerry, I agree, it turned out beautifully and will remain with my personal "stash" as representative of that phase of watch evolution. A watch that had all the disadvantages of an early full plate movement including full disassembly to replace the mainspring. Plus added design features that made the "3/4 plate" design laborious and hazardous to service.
That must explain the short life of this particular watch movement.

All that said, it keeps darn good time and is reeeeeel purdy!