This is Elgin #30261173. A 12 sz 17 jewel watch in a Keystone white gold filled case that was my Maternal Grandfathers. Charles A. Greenwood was the head chemist at the Utah Smelter (Gold) and was a "Gentleman Farmer" on the side. While plowing up the Alfalfa field his plow broke and he got off the tractor and repaired it. His wallet containing $125.00 and his watch with the chain wrapped around the wallet was dropped and plowed under. After several hours of the whole family searching the field the search was given up.
Two years later again plowing the same field, the plow broke and dismounting Grandfather saw the corner of the wallet poking up thru the freshly turned soil. Two Utah winters and summers had turned the wallet into a solid block. He sent the mess to the Federal Mint and they were able to reclaim $86.00 which they sent to him.
The watch went into a drawer untill my mother found it upon his death. I found it in my Mothers drawer and gave it to a jeweler back in the 70s . He put a balance staff in it and a good coa and a new crystal and I've had it ever since. I wouldn't let him clean up the silver dial. Gave me a better story to tell when asked what happened to the dial? Still starts right up and keeps excellant time. Mike

Inside

Nice watch & a great story. On top of that your grandfather appeared to be a New Years Day baby back in 1886.

Tom

Thanks ,Tom. Yes ,He was born on New Years. Mike

Thats a great story and a great watch to have in the family. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ray

Mike,I enjoyed reading this bit of family history


Thanks,Mark

Did you ever tell this story to The Timex Corp.? Sounds like the basis for their slogan: "takes a lickin', but keeps on tickin'!" ...anyone here remember John Cameron Swazey?
Thanks Mike!

We use to call him John Cameron Perswazey.

Tom

Michael - that is a wonderful story and a great watch, even with the less-than-perfect dial! It's really amazing that it was eventually found in basically the same manner it was lost in the first place. Kind of a deja vu moment.

For everyone that has a watch that has been in the family for awhile, be sure to document the provenance. The story will stay with the watch that way.