I've just discovered that my Dad has his mom's old Waltham pocket watch from around 1900. It's an 1891 0 size in a small hunters case. I don't think the movement is original to the case but I'm not sure. I see that the dust cover has a very small freehand engraving of "F4298" on it. I've also discovered similar notations on my Dad's Elgin wristwatch from around 1940(?) that read "F6967" and "2430 o/R". Any idea what these mean? Are they service marks of some sort? Thanks in advance.

Steve

Steve,
Those sound like the watchmakers "notations" that he serviced the watch. They are generally not understood except by the individual that put them there Except ot course to that watchmaker whose "code" would tell him what and when he serviced the watch if it happened to fail within a reasonable length of time.
regards,
bb

Thanks, Buster. I figured that's what they were. I wish there were some standardized terminology that they used but I appreciate the info.

The more watches I collect, the more those service marks irritate me.

The jeweler just defaced your watch . He could've kept track of his work based on the watch's serial number in his logbook - which is more accurate, since he's doodling on the case. If you were a surgeon, you wouldn't carve your initials on the patient, would you?

I agree. Especially since it doesn't do anything to assist a future technician in any way. Thanks for the input.

Heres the skinny~
This was the accepted recognized method in the days of pocket watches which by RR and govt. standards were to be within a timed tolerance of only seconds per week. There were regular inspectors and officials that could and would pull a surprise inspection at any time! And if your watch wasn't up to specs. you were pulled from service till you took your watch to the repairman and got a loaner and reported back to duty
While you may find these marks to be unsightly or marring its beauty, it only helps to maintain the integrity of the watch as most companies required a periodical COA even if your watch did keep perfect time.
These markings are on the inside where the mvmt is being protected and back in the day of pockets the watch repairman said; " Only two people take the back off a watch, the repairman and the fool!!"
So perfectly acceptable and lends credence to the originality of the watch today.. If it still seems harsh to you, you know they could have decided to put those marks on the movements! Now that would have been UGLY
These markings were also generally known to the jeweler AND the inspectors in your locale and a watch card was also required to have in your possession while on duty
regards,
bb

Here! Here! Eric! I totally agree with you about not 'defacing' a persons watch with service marks. However, I THINK I remember there was an early time when some railroads owned the watches used by their employees (I mean not remember personally, but remember reading about this) Ha! I'm not positive about that, but it would put a different light on the marks as I can see the RR's might not care about defacing.

Also, keeping track of the watch service by a log book would be impossible if RR employees moved around quite a bit. Notation in the cover gave some indication of last service in a city away from home, or should emergency service be needed. And yes, I just pulled this last part out of the air but it sounded good to me!