Internet Horology Club 185
American Watches With Niello Finish Cases

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/4161043531

May 12, 2005, 23:13
Phil Stover
American Watches With Niello Finish Cases
Did any American companies, at any time in their history use Niello finishing? If so, which ones; if not, why not? Just curious.
May 13, 2005, 00:50
Lindell V. Riddle

I seem to recall that Keystone was the only US made case featuring the Niello process.

Why did others not? More than likely a lack of popularity. I also recall reading about the poisonous nature of the process with a lot of lead and sulphur dioxide involved.

Wink
May 13, 2005, 02:47
Jerry Treiman
Keystone is the only American case company that I am aware of that made niello cases. They were very lovely, but appear to have been made for only a few years around 1901.


May 13, 2005, 03:01
Jerry Treiman
Here is a modest 12-size example. The photo does not show the greek key pattern on the edge.


May 31, 2005, 00:10
Jerry Treiman
The one I show above is number 5,037,755. The one below is 5,037,742. Mine are only thirteen apart but one (above) has a screw back and bezel and this one has a hinged back and bezel. Both are Keystone and have custom factory-done monograms.


May 31, 2005, 10:03
Lindell V. Riddle

For what it's worth...

Apparently Keystone used different numbering systems for the various case finishes. For example we are able to correlate white versus yellow gold-filled and yet a third group for green in the very same case style. Looks like you're finding the same situation may hold true for the Niello Finished Cases as well.

Very interesting topic.

Wink
September 14, 2006, 23:05
Jerry Treiman
Here is another Keystone example that I recently acquired.


September 15, 2006, 11:11
Mark Cross
Not sure if the creature depicted is a dragon or a phoenix.

I see a feathered wing...therefore I vote phoenix.

Regards! Mark
September 15, 2006, 17:41
Jerry Treiman
I kind-of like the phoenix interpretation. The only flaw is that my creature does not have a very bird-like head. But it is probably closer to a phoenix than a dragon.
September 15, 2006, 19:51
Mark Cross
A griffin then? Smile

Regards! Mark