Washington Watch Co "Lafayette" Pocket Watch

I inherited this watch in 1993 and placed it in a safety deposit box until recently. I have done some research on it but would like to know more if some on this board has information. Thanks in advance.

Very nice 18 sz. high grade railroad grade pocket watch made by Illinois Watch Company about 1902...This is an uncommon or kind of rare watch with only about 2500 produced...

This is an early Model 6 and should be a 'single roller' as opposed to a 'double roller' which was a bit later. They were a Bunn Special Grade, under a private label- The Washington Watch Co. which was sold by Montgomery Ward & Co by mail order.

We believe only 310 of these were made in the 'single roller' configuration. They should have a marked Washington Watch Co. double sunk porcelain dial with Arabic numerals. Many of the later ones are found in a M.W.&Co. marked case also.

Extremely scarce to find one today in any condition. A 'centerpiece' of any worthwhile Illinois collection to say the least. The gold plated or gold filled case is from a later era than what the watch would have originally came in.

regards,
bb

Hi Mike,

Gary is correct with regard to this being a high grade watch. To further expand on what Gary has said approximately 1,620 units where produced with the "Lafayette" marking, this total included both 18s 24 jewel versions and the 16s 23 Jewel version watches.

Of the 18 size versions there were two Grades marked as "Lafayette" the Grade 79 (a very small production of only open face watches) and the Bunn Special grades in both open face & hunter versions.

Total production of 18 Size Lafayette's was only 980 units (approximate), of these the 18s 24 Jewel Bunn Special open face version made up only 720 units (approximate).

So to summarise, a very nice hard to find watch which is now probably bordering on scarce if not rare and usually bring a premium price in my opinion, dependent on condition of course.

Cheers,
Bila

oops, sorry missed Buster's post, typing and posting at the same time.

Thanks all for the information. I had issues trying to minimize the picture of the front of the watch. I think I got it now so here it is.

Definitely the wrong dial Mike.

Bila - What do you mean by "wrong dial".

As Buster said in his early post Mike should have a "Washington Watch Co" dial to be correct.

Looks like someone at some time in the past has fitted an Illinois dial from a later era watch.

The font is not correct even for a Bunn Special of this age and time, it should have fancy Gothic script font.

Yes I see that in Busters post now. Missed it on the first read. Bummer. My good watch now is not so good.

Don't be disheartened Mike, still a very nice watch, if you keep a look out on that great big auction site you might find a dial and correct case.

Even better still if you join our Club which is only a small fee of $12 a year, you can post in the 'wanted to buy' forum here and another member might have the correct dial you need.

Hi Mike, I will post a picture of the Washington Watch Co. Dial. This was in my collection,but has been sold. Your watch would have a double sunk dial whereas this is a single sunk dial. The font would still be the same form. Hope this helps in your search.

Roger

Thanks all for the great information provided. I did just join and will post on the site to see if I can get the correct dial. I am guessing if I do find one, the watch will be more desirable to some collector going forward.

Reading through many posts on this site I saw several comments that it is unethical to put together a watch from different parts. If I wanted to sell my watch, should I sell it as is or try to find the dial and case from the era to make it whole?

Finding the correct dial & the correct era case is not unethical at all Mike, I think you will find that for high grade watches people over the years have always done this to make them correct.

I think the conversations in posts you have read, more then likely referred to swapping out numbered plate and balance parts or using the incorrect grade of part in certain watches.

I completely agree with Bila. It should also be added that we as collectors and historians need to be certain that we have the correct matches when swapping or replacing parts. In some situations, such as replacing hands, dials or cases, a person needs to have a good grasp of what kind of equipment was in use at the time the movement would have been manufactured and/or sold. Mike, there are many PW experts here who can and are absolutely ready, willing and able to help with making the assessment. All you need do is ask. It's what makes the PW hobby, and this Club, so great!

Mike, as a matter of interest, here is a dial similar to yours on a 16-size, ca. 1912 Illinois "A. Lincoln" . . .

Your "gothic" Montgomery Illinois dial is one of my absolute favorites, after this later single-sunk "gothic" Montgomery dial on a ca. 1922-23 Model 10 Illinois "Sangamo Special":

Now that you're a member, check out the Illinois Research Forum for a wealth of information on the history of Illinois Pocket Watches.

Here is a double sunk dial & long pendant case that would be correct for your watch Mike.

That is a sweet dial!

Thanks Michael it is a nice one, not perfect but good ones of these are hard to come by for some reason. Most you see are usually carrying a lot of damage.

Bila - Thanks for the pic of the Washington Watch Co watch. Studying the picture, it looks like they are exactly the same other than the name written on it.
I found a serial number run on the Lafayette watch and it looks like mine was made in the first run.
Could/would it be possible that they used the Illinois name on the dial for the first run?

I think I have a dial Mike ,I was kinda saving it, but , let me look . That watch is one I drool over

Okay , it is not as nice as what I thought , and I think it should be double sunk ,it might be worth a wait .

Kevin - Thanks for the photo but yes it is double sunk to be correct for the watch and era according to others here. A little more info from me. As I stated at the beginning I inherited this watch in 1993 from my Father in Law.
He had this watch and another (Hamilton Railway Watch) in his things. The only info I had from him was some notes written in a American Pocket Watches book by David Criss 4th Edition dated 1980. The watch worked when I got it but has been in a safety deposit box since 1993 and will not wind now. My goal is to make it whole since it seems the dial and case were changed some where along the line and then sell it as I am not a collector for someone to enjoy in their collection. Information on this watch is scarce though but the folks here are very knowledgeable and I have learned more here than searching the internet.

Sorry to say Mike that it would not have had an "Illinois" marked dial originally, would have been marked "Washington Watch Co", 1st run or not.

Cheers

Congratz on becoming one of our valued members !!

To find a "Washington Watch Co." signed dial in good condition, get it C leaned/ O iled/ A djusted [C.O.A.], put the watch in a correct yellow gold filled case will cost a minimum of $600.

It would probably be in your best interest, since your intention is to sell the watch, to go ahead and put it in our " ** Members Only Watch and Clock Auction **" in as~is condition. Your net profit would be the same without all the work involved to put it in original condition.

regards,
bb

Thanks Buster. You sound like my wife as she said the exact same thing, but in a different way.

Could you recommend a good watch repair business in the Phoenix, AZ area?

P.S. Between you and Bila, you guys are genius's in the watch business and a treasure to this Board.

Thanks !!

regards,
bb

Debbie - Thanks for the lead. I will contact Chris.
I would at least like to sell this watch in excellent working order. It is a haul from Phoenix to Texas but that is why God made Fed Ex.

In the world of pocket watches, what is the difference between "rare" and "scarce"?