Internet Horology Club 185
Mystery 6 size watch need help with identification

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October 24, 2012, 18:57
Claude Griffith
Mystery 6 size watch need help with identification
I will post pictures as soon as possible but I have a 6 size keywind (looks like a small 18s full plate) It has engraving K. A. Evans with the serial number 78,989 and a date Jan 1st 1899 and appears to be a 9j movement. I don't think it is a Swiss fake because it is in the original British sterling silver case. On the case is a lion situated in a 8 sided (looks like an elongated stop sign) impression. Directly below that is a elongated stopsign impression with 8 and a symbol that looks like a chalis or 8Y or SY. Between these impression and to the right is the letter O in a more typical looking stopsign impression. Directly across from this is a shield shaped impression with two old style bales of hay with a sword between them and another bale of hay in the lower part of the shield.

From what I could find it appears the hallmark is at least 925 fine made in the city of Exeter
October 25, 2012, 17:56
Claude Griffith
Movement

October 25, 2012, 17:58
Claude Griffith
Case Back

October 25, 2012, 17:59
Claude Griffith
Case Markings

October 25, 2012, 18:00
Claude Griffith
Key opening

October 25, 2012, 18:01
Claude Griffith
Pin setting

October 25, 2012, 18:02
Claude Griffith
Dial with bezel open

October 25, 2012, 21:24
Tom Brown
The case marks are sterling .925, Chester and perhaps 1832 for the date code. Could also be 1897 but looks more like 1832 to me.

No luck with K.A. Evans so far.
October 26, 2012, 10:00
Gerald Zimmermann
Hello Claude

The S (dot) Y mark on the case was used 1883 - 1906 by:

Samuel Yeomans, case maker, coventry, spon street

Gerald
October 26, 2012, 10:40
Claude Griffith
The 1897 date is probably more correct since the watch is engraved Jan 1st 1899. It was one of those mystery watches that I picked up for ~$60. I will send it away for a COA and see how well it runs after service. It took a bit to figure out how the movement is exposed and it looks to be a 9 jewel movement at least.
October 26, 2012, 13:51
Tom Brown
It is hard looking at photos to figure out which year the letter "O" stands for. I couldn't read the date marked on the movement.
October 26, 2012, 18:06
David Abbe
Send it to Chris Abell, "He Loves those micro-sized British Fusee movements". (Dont tell him I said so cause he will wumph me over the Kopf with an Ugly Stick")
October 27, 2012, 11:51
Claude Griffith
Thanks Dave and Tom, this will be my first fusee watch. The pictures in the auction were fuzzy just showing the dial and back since they could not get the movement exposed. The case is very elaborate with how it is set up so it was not a cheap watch in its day. I need to find a key and another hand for it but other than the chip repair on the dial the watch is in excellent condition. I took at risk on the unknown and got it for about $55 total, I am not sure what fusee watches go for but I am fine with what I got.