...while basically a collector of Hamilton/Illinois watches, I've decided to expand my collecting to include a tu-tone from each of the other major US companies that produced one...now Hamilton, it would seem, didn't fancy tu-tones that much so in addition to a tu-toned 16S Illinois Central and an 18S Illinois 17 Jeweler + a Waltham '92, I've just added a Hampden tu-tone Special Railway pictured (not my pic, since I haven't yet received it from the Ebay seller)...now, I'd like to see what other tu-tones the membership here might have that I could target in my search...

here's a Hamilton 940 special tu tone.
I am sorry to say the only thing that belongs to me is the thumb.

Charlie

...my Waltham Mod'92...

...my 16S Illinois Central (all are/will be in display cases)...

...ahhhh, Charlie, so that's what it looks like...a beauty!!...that one goes to the top of my 'wish list'...

How about an Illinois 179?

Here's a 2-Tone I got today...

And an "almost" 2-Tone...

Then there's always the "Faux-Tone"...

Frank

Is that a private label Aurora?

Ron

Ron,

I think it's a PL Illinois. It looks like the one on pg.292 of Cooksey. The watch was made for a jeweler that lived four blocks away from where I live now. Denver is/was known as the "Queen City", especially during the Silver rush. Small world!

Frank "407" Kusumoto

...and Frank, there's that great 21J 18S Illinois tu-tone that you outbid us all for from Jim Haney...that's a nice one...that one I had hoped to upgrade from this 17 jeweler below...

Here's a Bunn Special gr 105 c1896. Haven't had a chance to clean it yet.

Jim: thanks for starting this thread. I want them all; I want them all!

Ron

Jim - I forgot all about that one! Here it is...

...and Ron, when you clean/rinse that BS, be sure and clean the top plate by hand w/a mild soap solution and alcohol...the 'rigeurs' of ammoniated watch solutions have a way of dulling these tu-tone plates....

Thanks Jim! I hadn't learned that lesson yet. Glad I didn't learn on this watch!

Ron

Here a Rockford - these are fairly easy to find and are comparative bargains.


Charlie

...Charlie, I just might target all the tu-tone 'Rockfords' if they're as gorgeous as that one!!!very nice!...

The Aurora 15 Ruby Jewel.

This is the Columbus No. 99.

...spectacular Tom!...and great 'full moon' photos too!!!

Ruh Roh, we got McIntyre on a roll! Keep'em coming Tom!

Here's poor scan of a 15J Hampden the two-tone is a lot better than the scan. I haven't seen many of these over the years.

I am not particularly fond of two tones except when they are excetional quality. This one is special because it has Cole's Resilient Escapement. Unfortunately, the feature is almost impossible to see. The 1888 model Riversides are attractive when crisp.

Jim -

Another watch you will probably like is the 2-tone 18 size Seth Thomas model 5. These are often seen in 17J grades with some beautiful 2-tone patterns, and often land at fairly reasonable prices ... even for the nice bright ones. And outside of the 18 size model 5, some of the smaller size or lower grade Seth Thomas 2-tone movements can be found for next to nothing.

Anyone have a pic handy of a nice 2-tone model 5 Seth Thomas?

Fred

An attractive 2-tone pattern found on some 16 and 18 size Illinois watches ...



Fred

2-tone 1892 model Walthams are also nice ... the P.S. Bartlett is a good looking watch when sharp and often can be found at a not very expensive price, and the 17J Royal grade or the 2-tone 21J Crescent St. are others that can be found sometimes reasonably priced.

Fred

...thanks guys for the recommendations and superb photos!!...would like a reference or description of the 'Cole's Resilient Escapement' that Tom referred to...have searched both 'Boards' and 'Googled' the net w/o success...

Here's a Seth Thomas model 5, serial 230753, 1889-1890. 17-j. Not a Maiden Lane. It has been in my family since my Grandpaw swapped some hand-hewn railroad cross ties for it during the Depression of the 1930's. The regulator spring is missing, if it ever had one. There are two screw holes for attaching it. The finish has faded through time and the case is not original, although the movement has been in since Grandpaw got it.

John,
Yes, your watch originally did have a micrometer whip spring and screw attached using the two threaded holes in the balance cock.
As I have been accumulating data on the Model 5 movements for years, can you tell us if it is lever or pendant set and post a scan of the dial?

Ed,
Here's the dial on the Seth Thomas and it has suffered some abuse. I had it serviced in the mid-1960's after begging it from my grandparents and the watchmaker patched the dial. The once white patches have yellowed over time. This movement is pendant set.

...would still like to know more (anything actually) about 'Cole's Resilient Escapement' which appears on Tom's 'Riverside'...and as well, is there an Elgin among the 'tu-tones'?...