Has anyone ever seen this obvious attatchment on a keywind watch before. I say obvious because it looks like something that was added and they customized the inner cover to accomodate it. typical Elgin keywind and the part flips up so you can wind it without a key.
I have seen a few of these before... Some on English and a few Swiss keywinds also.. Novel idea, kinda like the old alarm clocks.... The patend on this one would be interesting to look up..
Posts: 638 | Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin USA | Registered: November 22, 2002
I believe that this is Wormelle's patent. There were 2 patents, 204,274 in 1878, and 216,814 in 1879, for folding winding key attachments. I do not have access to them at the moment. Auburndale timers use a similar device.
MIke
Posts: 48 | Location: Massachusetts in the USA | Registered: December 24, 2005
There it is on page 564 in the Complete Guide to Watches, 2007 Edition. The watch guide is a storehouse of accumulated knowledge and I've often advocated reading it cover-to-cover. Between the watch guide and Mike Harrold's "American Watchmaking" we have the basics!
Now, would that device of necessity have come in different sizes to fit the various sizes of arbors? Or... are those screws I see coming in from each side that secure it to the outer rim of the arbor causing it to be essentially a "one-size-fits-all" attachment?
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
THis one just slips on so one would have to be careful not to loose this. THe patent date on this one is April 17 1877. I will be listing the watch shortly if anyone is interested.
