Anybody know who made this watch? It's 18s and both dial and plate are signed "Big Four Special."

Dial

I think a possible Swiss fake ?

Swiss Fake. Red fake jewels, uncut balance and are the winding gears even meshing? Doesn't look like it from the picture.

Thanks guys. Just as I thought.

Around 1890-1900, "Big Four" was the nickname of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St Louis RR, a busy road through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois which was later absorbed by the New York Central, I believe.

"Big Four" also was the name of the group of tycoons who built the Central Pacific Railroad.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...al_Pacific_Railroad).

Definitely a Swiss fake intended to resemble a Waltham 18s model 1892 Vanguard.

This Swiss Fake is easy to spot. It has no click like some of the New York Standard both with fake winding wheels and this one has also copied Rockford's sunken balance design.

Harry

Waltham 18S 1892 model has sunken balance as well.