My Box hinged open face/hunter case

Elgin 453 23j Veritas

This is probably the oddest case that I own. I bought a box of watches at an antique shop and this was bouncing around in the bottom of the box. In the Ehrhardt book on Elgins, this model is shown on page 118. It is listed as a model 537 Combination Pocket and Desk Watch.

In this shot I am starting to swing the stand down. When I first got the watch, I knew the outer rim of the case looked weird, but I could not figure out what it did. When I finally found it in the Elgin book, then it all made sense.

Here it is with its stand fully deployed.

In this view you can see the monogram on the back. Just wish it was my initials

This final shot is of the movement (12 size).

Way kool watch Bruce , how much

regards,
bb

I actually got a cigar box of 14 pocket watches for $125 (took a little haggling). There was also a 21j Elgin Father Time in the box, along with a couple of other goodies. I don't usually stumble across deals as good as that, but I guess every dog has his day Just a note, this Elgin watch (with the stand) didn't look like this when I got it. It had no hands, the dial needed to be restored, the case needed polishing, and movement needed a COA. I don't usually collect Elgin's, but this one seemed like a worthwhile restoration project. I like it a lot, but would certainly swap it for an Illinois 16s, 21 jewel "Stewart Special" if someone had one

Here you go, Bruce.

One of my Seths:

Housed in an "outhouse" case.

Eric, can you post a picture of the movement? Is this really a Seth Thomas "Stewart?" I know that Sproehnle & Co. commissioned watches from Illinois and Trenton, but was not aware of Seth Thomas also being a provider. Sounds quite interesting

Sorry, Bruce - just a 17j Model 5:

Eric, do you think this dial is original to the movement? This has me really stumped. I researched through all my books for private label Seths, and most of them had the PL name on the movement. That doesn't necessarily mean the watch is wrong, because I have found Illinois Stewarts that didn't have Stewart on the movement. Do you have any documentation showing this is a valid Seth "Stewart." I am dying to know!!!! P.S. Great looking watch.

Here is one of my favorites: an Elgin 16 size hunter case with a bicyclist in relief. This dates to 1889 and commemorates the bicycling craze that took off in the 1890s. It is in its original green, yellow, rose and silver four color case.

Shortly after obtaining this watch, I bought this period-appropriate postcard of a bicyclist--a nice accessory to complement the watch....

Reverse of postcard....

Another fave: an Elgin 6 size 14K green/rose/silver/yellow four-color hunter case with an angel holding a halo in her hands. This watch dates to 1884 with movement original to the case.

I have a lot of unusually cased watches. Here is a collage of (1) an 18k Piguet & Bachman hunter (the watch with the cherubs), (2) an anonymous silver Swiss watch (the one with the skater), (3) an 18k "basket-weave" Audemars Piguet hunter, (4) a leather-covered Eterna that winds when opened, and (5)a 14k Joel (actually a master key to all the rooms in a famous old Boston hotel).

Barry, those are some fantastic cases! Imagine having a bike you can pedal over water.

Bruce, I'm familiar with the Edgemere, the Sentinel, the Eagle, etcetera, but those are all Model 6, 8, 10, and 12 watches. I agree; I've never seen a Model 2 or 5 PL that was double-signed on the movement.

I do have a couple more PL Seths. Here's my Model 5 "Rex", which I think was a heavy-equipment manufacturer:

And my Model 5 Canadian "Athabasca" fronting the Blackjack pattern:

Eric, great looking watches! I love old full-plate 18s pocket watches, especially the two-tone models. If you ever decide to get rid of the old Stewart, let me know

quote:

Here's my Model 5 "Rex", which I think was a heavy-equipment manufacturer:

Nah, Rex was a well known Swedish company that made bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles. Not that heavy.
Regards, Krister

This case, which is a Jos. Boss, 14K filled case, came with an Elgin grade 69 in it which is a key wind, key set movement....a hunter case with two bezel's....

Now, we have all seen Hunter Display Cases but I have never seen one like this one....

First off we all know there is a problem with a key wind hunter in a display case unless it is one that has it's dustcover modified and hinged with the rear cover....of course this movement does not belong in this case but the strange part is both bezel's, both front covers and the case frame all have the same numbers identifing each....It seems to me that this case was manufactured this way, as a display case....

Has anyone else seen such a case....

Your comments are welcome....

Regards,

Jerry

Here's the front bezel, minus it's crystal....

Silveroid case with horse engraved in back.

Silveroid case holds Waltham 18 size, Model 1883 with multi-colored dial showing two horses

Waltham 18 size, Model 1883 movement Serial No. 18348534 manufactured circa 1912

Not that this is so unusual, but here is the case for my New England Watch Co. Dan Patch.
Bill

Scary bird!!
Ball & Co., 18S, 17J Adjusted.