Hello, I am wondering if this case could be original to this watch. It has a great dent in it and I want to leave it in this case if the case could be original. Dial is dirty but perfect. This is the grungiest watch I've ever seen totally gummed up with old oil and hair and unknown fuzz. It actually has hair wound around the pinions and binding the pallet fork. Neat watch though.

Michael

From what little I know of cases, I would say there is a good chance the case is original. From what I have gathered the Crescent trade mark on your case originally belonged to the American Waltham Watch Co. & then was sold to the Crescent Watch Case Co. who then sold it to Keystone. It is my understanding that when it belong to both Waltham & Crescent they both used the same mark as on your case.

I also only see the one case screw mark on your case which would also lead me to believe it is original. I can't quite make out the serial number in your photo to try to date your watch to the case.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Thanks Tom the serial is 6037502.

Michael, In this case the movement is "pinned" to a special notch or hole that has to be fitted to the case, hence only one case screw is needed to secure it.

Also it is a unique case size that is usually fitted and the winding stem is unique to the movement not the case so the case has to be made to fit to that correctly. The Waltham Crescent cases fits all those criteria.

Hence the case is original and the whole watch and case deserve a complete restoration. In it's present state of affairs, I would not even try to make it run for fear of damaging the balance wheel and escapement parts. The special thing about these 1888 movements are their breakthrough in "watchengineering" having the first high production functioning motor barrel movement in US made watches.

Thank you David and Tom. I thought it was likley original. I'll get it serviced but I'm thinking it might be too pricey from what I've read to get the case restored. It might have to live in my collection with the battle scars. Thanks again -Mike

Mike

To me as long as the case functions it is a battle scar in the history of the watch. Shows it was used in it's lifetime. It ads character in my opinion. Just like all the scars I have they each have a story to go with them.

Tom