I am new to this hobby (well, 1 year), and find myself drawn to those pocket watches with beautiful movements. To date I have acquired a Hamilton 992, Illinois Bunn Special, Waltham Crescent St. and So. Bend grade#2 313.

I'm not really into rarity, case or dial...just how attractive the movement is. To enjoy these watches to the max. I have housed them in display cases and have them arrayed on small cup hooks next to my desk where I can see them readily, handle them and gaze at the movement in motion with a jeweler's loupe.

I am writing to ask if anyone has suggestions for additional pocket watches that offer stunning looking movements. I realize this is a bit like asking who has the best looking child, but hope maybe I can find a few more beauties I have missed to hang with my others.

Thanks for any thoughts, photos or suggestions.
cheers,
Roger

IMHO some of the best looking movements are 18s as far as pattern. You cant really see the inner workings of them. But a Seth Thomas , Hamilton 940 (or any Hamilton 18s really), frosted Waltham , or a 2 tone Rockfords look fantastic.
You might also want to look into 16s 3 finger bridge models from Elgin and Illinois (or Burlington. made by Illinois). The high end 3 finger bridge movements from Elgin called lace doileis are hard to find but its hard to understand why they ended up behind a cover. The 3 finger bridge convertible is just fantastic. The 3 finger bridge movements from Illinois are for the most part (if not all) getty movements. A getty is a must have if you like good lookers.

Roger-

I am a collector of South Bends mostly because my father is too and I got pulled into the clan on that. I always like the 2 tone patterns watches too, but since south bend never really made any, I have to outsource this with other companies. Here's a Hamilton 975 "Special" with a 2 tone pattern in 16s showing all the gears as Jim pointed out.

Here is one along the lines of what Jim was talking about...

Of course, one shouldn't forget the Model 1872 American Watch Co. Grade Walthams, such as this nice example.

I have two favorite types. I really like two toned damascening and I like bridge movements. My favorite single watch for being "showy" is the two tone Hampden, type 4, size 16, grade 104. These are extremely hard to photograph (at least for me) but are really spectacular looking watch movements. They come in both open face and hunter cases.

Hamilton 18S 940,16S 990, 996 have some really elaborate damaskeening, many 18s Seth Thomas grades, 18S Hampden RR grades such as the 17J New Railway, 21-3J Special Railways 2-tones,John Hancock and North American Railway.Most South Bends have some really cool and intricate patterns on them.Most all earlier Elgins of all sizes, too.There was a lot of competition between the watch companies for beauty, I guess it boils down to brand loyalty, since the eye candy list is about endless!

Ethan beat me to it: I think far and away the Waltham model 1872 American grade is the most beautiful, especially since it is relatively early in American watch history and predates most of all the others mentioned, and compares favorably with just about anything higher-end that the Swiss were producing at that time. But for your "everyday most beautiful" American movement, my vote goes to the 18 size Waltham model 1892. This is all very subjective, and that's what makes this subject so interesting.

I think, for eye candy, a Hamilton 994 is awfully hard to beat. Brad

We have posted numerous times on the beauty of the Hamilton 990, but here is one example.

The 991 isn't bad either.

Hamilton's 942 was a pretty movement

Those are very nice movements without doubt..

As to preference, I don't seem to have one, however

I really truly love to see any pristine movement that reflects light back to the eye and is without any marks at all from servicing over the years.

Even the lowest grade 7 Jeweled Elgin and the lesser grade Hamilton 974 if they are pristine are real eye catchers. Sometimes even the watch manufacturers themselves got caught up in their own "gluttony" and over-designed way too much "squiggles" with their fancy rose engine engraving machines of conflicting patterns on same model watches. A lot of times "less is more" in a design.

Beauty will always truly remain in the eye of the beholder as an opinion, that everyone has

regards,
bb

And its cousin, the 943

my eye candy

In keeping with my love of railroad grade hunters, I nominate my 24-jewel Rockford Grade 800 (see picture) or its open-face counterpart, the Grade 900.


Rockford Grade 800

I agree with Ethan that the model 1872 Waltham movements are beautiful
Tony

For the Elgin fans out there:

And a nice model 2:

The damaskeening techniques developed by American watch companies for their American-Made movements surpasses anything since then in timekeeping art. This Waltham model 1883 is one of the only "83's" I have seen fitted with a Diamond cap jewel.

Let's make this beauty contest a bit harder. Which watches have the most beautiful hidden parts? Again, I will nominate the Model 1872 American Watch Co. Grade Waltham. Here is the backside of the plate shown in my earlier posting.

I don't know if every Model 1872 American Watch Co. Grade watch is decorated differently, but my two are. Here is another back of the plate shot, this time of my other 1872.

No other American watch company made better-looking movements than Seth Thomas:

Another railroad grade hunter, my 21-jewel Hamilton 961 in its original solid 14K Roy hunter case.

18sz 23J Hamilton;

Guys, thanks so much...I have made note of about 10 of these movements on my wish list. What gorgeous mechanical art represented by all of them. The machines that were able to do this work were NOT CNC like we have today, yet they made such intricate designs.

I am personally a toy and model steam engine collector and have some delightful pieces in my collection, but this watch distraction has my eye at the moment...such wonderful stuff!!

thanks again,
Roger

This is my recently acquired Elgin 3 fingered bridge 21 jewel Veritas. I noticed that after receiving it that it has a gold plated hairspring. Does anyone in the club know how common it is to find gold plated hairsprings.

It's the first one I've ever seen.

This list wouldn't be complete without one of Illinois' most beautiful efforts....the 23 Jewel Sangamo Special "Crosshatch"

My personal favorite the scarce Hamilton Grade 994.

Larry

May I suggest maybe some of the verge movements, they're not American but they are very beautiful and meticulously crafted none the less

This is my favourite 'looking' movement -its a cylinder escapement but a verge is the same style.

Francesco I have to agree that your watch has tremendous eye appeal. I personally like the Hampden 21j 16s New Railway with wavy sunray damasceening but if not an American railroad watch I am with Francesco. Those intricate balance cocks are a delight to the eye.

Francesco, that takes the cake!!!!!