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.
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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.
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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.
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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.
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).
Posts: 1414 | Location: Pasadena, California USA | Registered: November 11, 2005
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:
Posts: 2962 | Location: Western New York in the USA | Registered: March 24, 2008
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
Posts: 718 | Location: Upstate New York in the USA | Registered: November 21, 2008
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
Posts: 2828 | Location: California in the USA | Registered: June 23, 2008