Internet Horology Club 185
The mighty Vanguard 18s WI

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/3563978297

July 11, 2019, 12:21
Derek Ramsdale
The mighty Vanguard 18s WI
I`ve always wanted one of these but they are rarely seen . I bought this from a watchman just up the road from me.
Winding Indicators were commonly used in navigation chronometers -- you wouldn`t want your clock to rundown mid Atlantic !
They appeared in railroad grade watches around 1900 & were never made in large numbers due to the extra cost of gearing @ $5 - $10 which would add a large % to the initial cost.
In 1913 Waltham`s 18s & 16s Vanguard indicators were both the same price @ $61.
My watch , made around 1907 has a ratchet/slip mechanism which keeps the pointer between the scale limits ie. UP & D/N


July 11, 2019, 17:25
Paul Regan
Very Nice Derek, I need to find one myself.
Paul
July 11, 2019, 18:30
Roger Stephens
Nice! On my list for sure.

Roger
July 12, 2019, 02:09
Derek Ramsdale
The Waltham movement no. 16168350 , one of a batch of 800.


July 15, 2019, 19:15
Theodore J. Brown Sr.
Nice watch Derek, the only thing better than an 18s Vanguard is a wind indicator Vanguard, they are some of the finest 18 sizes ever built, bar none!!
July 16, 2019, 18:02
Rick "ttown" Hicks
Sweet, I have a Waltham 23j as well. I have mainly BW Raymonds (19,21,23J). Love the wind indicators.

Mine must be broke. I held the up high in the wind and the hand never moved to show velocity
July 19, 2019, 12:44
Derek Ramsdale
Thanks Rick, I know a young man who bought one of those big plastic green wrist watches, looked liked a Sherman tank wheel. This watch did everything, gave you the time around the world, ambient temperature, surface temperature of the sun & altitude etc.
We were stood on the beach watching the sea one day when I ask him , " Whats the altitude here ?"
" Its 800ft."
"I think it might want recalibrating, or throwing in the sea "