Why is it that so many gold filled case backs have been worn down to brass where the fingers grip the edge but you don't see bezels worn down as often?

You would think that the bezel would get removed more often for setting purposes. There is not really that much of a reason to remove the back unless it has been happening in later years when all the collectors want to inspect the movement.

happy hunting,

Bill Kapp

it is a pocket watch

James,

I can be dense! why would the back wear more than the front?

Bill

Thts where it rubbed on the flaxen cloth of the old clothing people wore. A lotta silica in flax.

hi if the front has a crystal that sticks out further then the case it would take the ware and if its glass its very hard.sorry about the pun yesterday just having a little fun.

James,

Fun is what this hobby is all about!

thx,

Bill

i think dave hit it on the head (kind of)i think cloth was not as soft as it is now (jeans bib overalls).

Makes you wonder about those 25 year case warranties. Ball was a merchandising genius and was always looking for ways to get the RR men to upgrade their watches.

Those 18 sz watches rarely saw 25 years of service! I bet most of them have spent 80+ years in drawers or private collections.

I am thinking that it is the constant opening to admire the movement along with over polishing our collections that may be responsible for a lot of the cases wearing out.

Happy hunting,

Bill Kapp

Hi Bill , good question. If your speaking of railroad watches,in the Steam days there was ash and cinders that collected everywhere, even inside pockets.Can you imagine what the working conditions were like in the cab of a steam locomotive? I think the dusty enviroment these watches were used in had somehting to do with thier case wear, just my two cents .

Regards

You can also just picture this.
A bank manager, checks the time, and then slides it, with the back against his vest pocket, into that pocket. Natural order of things.

Also laying on it's "back" most of the time, and even holding it in your hand, it's touching the back the most.

my two cents.