Hi all,

A freind gave me her fathers pocketwatrch to look at (see pictures below). It feels like a dollar watch to me but it has no markings except the number 69 on the movement. Nothing on the paper dial. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

paper dial

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Hi Steven,
Looks like a Westclox or Ingraham. The 69 often denotes the year of manufacture.
Bill

Thanks Bill, Is there any way to tell for sure? I just want to give my friend the right information.

Judging from the style of the balance cock, this is either a Swiss "dollar" watch or (by the platework) "Smith's" (English). It looks pretty well made. A better look at the movement would speak volumes about the escapement. If it is pin-lever that could be more collectible.

I could find no smiths movment that looks like this so I would bet it is Swiss.

Probably will keep running for a very long time. . .

Thanks Dave, I thought maybe swiss but I don't know. is this picture better?

or this?

Hi Steve, About 50 years ago I was working for Montgomery Wards and was a pocket watch nut even in those days. I was friends with the jewelry salesman and asked him if the "dollar" watches were Westclock and he told me that they had them imported from Switzerland . We always called them farmer watches because a lot of farmers carried them as they were not an expensive loss if they went into the stock tank or manure pile. Actually there was a fairly steady demand for them and I don't recall if Wards had their logo on them. I will say they were rugged and not to bad on keeping time. I would guess yours is Swiss also.

I have seen and sold 500 usa made dollar watches. I have never seen a usa with a brass tone movement like this. I would say swiss as well.

Thanks Deacon and Andy, I agree that this is a swiss dollar watch and it makes sense that it could have been imported for Montgomery Wards. Thanks all for your help on this. what a great group to be a part of!

Steve one other thought is that on the Wards watches there was a paper warranty in the box they came in and that said you could order another watch face if yours was damaged, i.e. fell in the manure, and the cost was something like 25 cents. can't remember exactly.

Thanks Deacon, very interesting, I don't know the history here but I will ask. the box and papers are long gone but itcould be a replacement dial but I wouldn't know how to tell.