I have a grand total of........7 in my collection (only been collecting for 3/4 of a year). It'll be 8 by Christmas (a English cylinder escapement but I am relying on money for Christmas from my dad to help me pay it off [Im only 16]) I also have a pendent watch for my moms birthday present but that doesn't count. After I pay off the English watch I've decided to sort my tools out (decided to buy only bergeon so it'll be a while before I get another pocket watch ) and make myself a watchmakers bench. Well, that's my story, what's yours ????
Best regards,
Francesco.

I have 46 pocket watches. 40 of them are railroad grade watches. One of my favorite watches is my 1812 verge fusee.

On a side note.. Francesco, it is nice to see a young man such as yourself getting involved in horology. I started this hobby late in life.. If I had to do it over again, I would have started earlier like you.

I also remember collecting on a budget.. Save your money and buy nice running movements (I would start collecting here on the 185 site). Don't hesitate to ask questions.. There is huge amount of knowledge on this site..

Are you a member of 185 yet?

Click to: Join and Support the Internet Horology Club 185™

Hi Bruce
Thanks for the comment, I have decided that after exams (27th or 28th of nov) ill ask my dad if he would pay for me to become a member (cant ask him now because he'll get cross and tell me to go and study). REALLY looking forward to becoming a member .

I really don't know. If you are talking complete watches and movements that run somewhere over 100. And if you through in the ones that don't work probable somewhere over 130???

Ive got about 200 in my collection consisting of mostly south bends at about 130 of them.

Jared

About 150, including complete and parts watches.

Thanks for asking how many are in my collection, and not how many I have. In my collection there are about 70. They run from 18s to 10s. Mostly 12s watches with 17j or more. I really like Illinois 12s watches in white gold filled cases. But I have other 12s watches made by the other american manufacturers. I just added 2 12s 19j South Bends.
Like you I am on a budget. I also do my own repair/maintenance work because I enjoy it and it leaves more money to buy watches.
Good idea on making a watchmakers bench. Mine is an old computer desk that I have modified a lot.

I have about 160 to 170 and a few movts.

Wow am I the only one with 2 watches

my collection 20 Hamilton,Illinois,Ball,
for sale 40

I think it's around 60 or so...most are 21J 16s Bunn Specials. I keep them in a safe deposit box at the bank.

About 2800 in 2007, now, Maybe 300.

The drop in numbers came from the necessity to survive.

WOW David why such a drop in numbers ?
Thanks for all the comments guys .

i have a couple working ones and hmmm 400 movements or more. Since the baby arrived no time for any thing

Robert, you forgot to add the three '0's after your 2. I have, I think last count 97, most waiting to be repaired.

Also I hear tell Santa Claus is asking around in the club about new members.

Hi, I have about 70 good working "carry" watches, but only 10 "good watches". Among those, a Ball twentieth century, a few Bunn Specials, and an A.Lincoln.
I had always gone for the affordable and working watches, but I would like to start to collect QUALITY, like Tom Weinstock.
By the way, Tom, I see you are in Wisconsin. Give me an email some time! I'd like to know more about your collection!

I've got 10 of them...all running beautifully. 4 Hamiltons, 2 Illinois, 1 Burlington, and 3 Elgins. Brad

I have about 60 pocket watches, mostly Elgins. My favorites are Model 8, 18s, 3/4 plate (I have 8, including a Veritas, a Father Time, and a Wind Indicator). I also like Model 1, 18s keywound (I have 6, including serial #4911). All are in good working order.

I keep 3 model 8's and #4911 running on my side table and they all keep within 10-15 seconds a week. That impresses me because the youngest one is 100 years old.

I have about 250 watches and 21 of them are 23 jewel 16 size Hampdens so obviously I am nuts.

May the good Lord heal you from this terrible affliction,Deacon, and may the other guy trick you into making me the beneficiary of your upcoming divestiture,LOL

I have about 150 or so, normally I try to pick up lower production Elgin (most of my collection) but I have Hampdens, Hamiltons, Illinois, South Bend and Rockfords along with Walthams. I am heavy in the 19+ jewel group. I have an example of all of Elgins 16s 23j watches with the exception of the 351 Lord Elgin and the 494 BWR wind indicator, which sadly I will probably never have. I have all of Elgins 23j 3/4 plate movements along with most of the 21j 3/4 plate movements. There might be a few on here that have more lever set grade 150/277 and my one mutant model 7 grade 150 LS, of the 150/277 lever sets I think I have about 6 total.

Not nearly that heavy in Illinois or Hamiltons because it appears all the big dog collectors are chasing after them, driving the prices up beyond comparable grades in other brands.

I have 10 or so now . I caught the bug after purchasing a Hamilton 990 that runs great . I have a nice Waltham royal with fancy face and louis XIV gold hands . An 18s 1885 Waltham crescent street model 92 . I like a good watch with nice looking damaskeening on the movement .

Just curious...is this particular topic open to the public (non-members)? Just my opinion, but it seems we are divulging a whole lot of info to people we don't know. Maybe a question like this would be better in the "Private Conversations" section. Anybody else paranoid like me?

I am not paranoid -- my collection is in a downtown bank vault -- but this thread is not to my taste. Some of us only have a few unexceptional watches, some of us have hundreds of high-end watches or more, and most of us are in between. What more need be said?

LoL

Yes this is in the public (non-member portion)...

Wanna see my bank account, IRA, 401k, etc???

Francesco, Your question has drawn many more or less detailed answers, but the better question you might ask is "Why do we collect and restore these instruments of time?"

Hi David, maby you are right (now that I think about it maby people are not that willing to devalgue information like that), so I'll change the question, thanks. Francesco

I like this question.

The answer to it is simple, Because I like it/them. I even posted an example before you cahnged the question.

Hi Jim, I'll change the question back because I dont want to impose on your thread and if people don't feel comfortable about answering they don't have to or if they regret answering they can just delete their message, thank you good sir! Francesco.

No, no, Francesco. The more threads the better. Mine was only to showcase a watch I kind of liked even though it wasnt an expensive one. I just meant that perhaps you should start the new question in a topic of its own. Please dont stop posting or getting people talking. Thats the fun of this site.

quote:

Just curious...is this particular topic open to the public (non-members)? Just my opinion, but it seems we are divulging a whole lot of info to people we don't know. Maybe a question like this would be better in the "Private Conversations" section. Anybody else paranoid like me?

Like Bruce I didnt feel comfortable with the question and felt it may be an invite for after hours visitors. But I didnt want to discourage the young mans innocent question. So if someone wants to try to get my two watches they would have to get past my pitbull with aids and my arsonal of loaded weapons.

I'm with Robert.I don't have a pitbull with aids,but I do have as many guns as watches.I have only 10 left.Sold most of mine to Time Machine.My best is an Elgin "Father Time" That Tom had repaired for me.Regards.Norm

Conceal carry permit.......... yes
Open carry on watches.......... yes