Found a size 18 pocket watch with H. A. Stillwell on the dial face. Anyone know anything about this person/company?

Not sure if this might be the same guy or not;
http://books.google.com/books?...#v=onepage&q&f=false

The watch doesn't have a city marked on it? Just the name?

Just the name. I'm trying to get it open so I can see the movement. The screw front is not turning.

Tom, you come up with some of the coolest stuff. Even if that isn't the right guy, I would adopt the story and run with it.

I for one, really appreciate what you do for us.

Paul, I found that a "rubber husband" the rubber gismo in the kitchen to give more grip opening the jelly jar lid works for me. If the crystal is not in place, remove the hands first so they are not in harms way.

I got the cover off. It is a lever set and seems to run and set fine. How do you remove the movement. The back is one solid piece and doesn't screw off.

I am curious what type of movement it has,

Sounds like.......

Like you have a swing-ring case. If so you will see a small hinge above the 12 O'clock position when you remove the front glass bezel and a fingernail slot under the 6 O'clock position.

If you see those, then you have to pull upward on the crown till it "snaps" upward [you can see and hear this action], then you insert your fingernail in the slot and the whole ring/movement/dial swings upward where you can see the backside of the movement.

regards,
bb

Paul,

A picture will help, it needs to be less than 220kb to upload... I simply click on the edit icon at the bottom of my post and then "CLICK" TO ADD IMAGE OR ATTACHMENT... and if all else fails, follow these directions. https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...56029761/m/380108351

With out seeing your watch, I can best guess that it is a swing case. This will be evident by a hinge under the bezel at the top of the case. If you see a hinge, make sure you pull the stem up to the "set position" -or- if it is a really old case, remove the screw on the back of the neck and completely remove the stem. The stem has to be "relaxed" or removed to prevent snapping it off.

Even in the relaxed position, some stems still have a slight engagement in to the top of the movement. Using a case opener, I get under the notch at the bottom of the swing ring and pop the swing ring up just enough to get it to release from the case. I try not to push toward the watch, the trick is to use a gentle rolling motion upward... if I push and slip, I run the risk of loosing control of the tool and damaging the dial or bending the hands (sometimes it helps to set the hands to 12 oclock straight up if you don't want to remove them). Once the swing ring is free of it's seat in the case, I usually turn the watch upside down, holding the case with my finger tips and leaving room for the movement to swing down on to my palm. The I gently wiggle the crown back and forth allowing the weight of the movement to swing the watch the rest of the way open.

If there is no hinge at the top of the case, then you have a screw back that is such a good fit that you can not see the line between the back cover and the case.

The Gold book shows Illinois made some H.A. Stillwell "The Special" for Butler Brothers Co. Illinois used the Model 4, 15 Jewel movment for these watches.

The swing-ring case is very appropriate and is probably marked "Silveroid", or only the makers name (Nickel usually), Nickel-Silver, Coin Silver, or "Warranted 14K Gold Filled" etc., etc. Those case values alone range from $50-$200.00 depending on finish and condition. The movement in decent condition running should add another $100.00-$200.000 depending on overall appearance.

When they turn hard or not at all I don a pair of rubber gloves or finger cot lets. They give superior traction to you fingers.

I use a loop of clear packaging tape sticky side out with 3 fingers inside the loop.

Sounds like it might be the guy I listed, he was the President of Butler Brothers.

I have 2 watches.
1. An elgin watch which is obviously a swing out but not a lever set. I took the front ring off and the stem pushes in and out. It swings out part way but not all the way. The top part of the stem unscrews and exposes circular, threaded stem underneath. Don't want to break it any suggestions.

2. The H.A. Stillwell did have a back that screwed off--very fine line. It has a defiance #1044427 base metal case. The movement says 15 jewel, H.A. Stillwell #1549439; a beautiful movement.

As Paul T. mentioned a photo of the movement wouls really help to identify the maker of the movement.

If your is an Illinois which the serial number certainly dictates, it is a Grade 51. I picture a slightly later Grade 59 that was in my collection for awhile which for the major features at least should look similar. These are nicely finished watches. interesting note, yours was in a run "smack dab" in between two runs of sears Roebuck Movements.

quote:

Don't want to break it any suggestions.

Yes, Pictures... if you want, take them with your cell phone, email them to me at paulkat2993@sbcglobal.net and I'll upload them for you.

Dave and the guys want the movement pictures, I want a picture of the swing case, especially the part with the threaded round thingy shticking out.

My wife does all the pictures. I will get them posted this evening--unless I figure it out first--don't hold your breath. Thanks you all your help and information--you guys are great!!!!

For Mr. Cook

Swing case with bezel

Elgin, bezel off

Stillwell, nice looking watch

Stillwell movement, #1549439

Sourced from an online database
Grade 51
Movement Serial Number:1549439
Estimated Production Year: 1900
Run Quantity: 500
Size: 18s
Jewels: 15j
Movement Configuration: Openface
Movement Finish: Nickel
Model: 6
Movement Setting: Lever
Plate: Full Plate
Barrel: Going
Adjusted: Temp and Iso
Railroad Grade: If marked "adjusted", then Yes

Grade: 208

Movement Serial Number:9420526
Estimated Production Year: 1902
Run Quantity: 7000
Size: 18s
Jewels: 7j
Movement Configuration: Openface
Movement Finish: Nickel
Model: 5
Movement Setting: Pendant
Plate: Full Plate
Barrel: Going
Adjusted: No
Adjusted to Positions: Unknown
Railroad Grade: No

Paul,

To answer your question about value is not something we do a lot on this side of the fence. Follow the pull downs and prompts for the $12.00 membership and I can be a bit more frank on some of the member only pages.

These watches are from the same era, appear to be in correct cases, in generally similar condition... and Ironically, with all their differences, book pretty close to the same numbers.

However, the Elgin had production totals of 295,000 and the Illinois is closer to 36,000. The Illinois is jeweled and adjusted and comes with a bit of a pedigree in the H.A. Stillwell story.

If these were my watches, I would favor the Illinois.

I want to thank everyone for your help especially Paul for posting the pictures and the excellent iformation he has provided all of us.