October 28, 2009, 23:08
John A. Grennan IIIMystery watch, at least to me.
Hello,
Can anyone tell anything about this watch. Chris Abell is restoring it and says it has an Omega stamp on it. Yet, it is engraved on the movement as follows
"Roseborough Railway Special" Adjusted to Temp. 17 Jewels. On the dial it also says Roseborough...
and Dauphine, Man. (Manchester, UK?) Any information re: the provenance of this timepiece would be appreciated.
Thanks,
John Grennan
October 28, 2009, 23:16
Tom BrownJohn, what are the initials by the name on the dial?
Tom
October 28, 2009, 23:18
Tom BrownAlso I think it will be Dauphin Manitoba Canada.
Tom
October 28, 2009, 23:21
John A. Grennan IIIThat makes sense! Any other observations would be appreciated.
jg
Here are the movement images:
October 28, 2009, 23:22
Tom BrownIf the first initial in the name is S. I would say it is Samuel Roseborough born September 10 1871 in Ontario Ca. in the 1901 census for Dauphin Manitoba he is listed as a jeweler.
Tom
October 28, 2009, 23:29
Tom BrownSamuel Herbert Roseborugh he was born in Dundalk, Co. Grey, Ontario. Wife is Annie. Here is a copy of his WWI draft reg.
Tom
October 28, 2009, 23:48
Tom BrownLooks like a nice private label Canadian watch to me.
Tom
October 29, 2009, 00:19
Gerald ZimmermannJohn
The movement was made by Louis Brandt & Frère
The number under the cross 8760 is the swiss patent 8760 from Aug 1st 1894 (setting mechanism)
The name of this movement Omega became the name of the firm in 1903. The watch was made 1900(+-1). 17 jewels was the highest quality and the finish and this type of micro regulatur shows that the watch was made for the american market.
Regards,
Gerald
October 29, 2009, 01:00
Tom BrownGerald
We do make quite the team, you always have such exact watch information, I wish I had your skill.
Tom
October 29, 2009, 07:19
Chris AbellThese are often overlooked excellent Swiss watches timing out well so far also

I find a lot of Omega watches from Canada, would this have qualified as a RR grade in its years.
October 29, 2009, 08:54
Buster BeckNice watch! 1900- stem wind & set[ I think] probably would knock it out of RRG. It has one of those unusual cases where the front & back SB&B covers fit down inside the case mid section! I have had a couple of those before but I don't know what that type of case was called. It must have a special name for the case other than SB&B? Anyone know?
Regards,
bb
October 29, 2009, 20:34
John A. Grennan IIIThank you all so much for the info. That is why I joined IHC185,WHAT A GREAT GROUP.
JOHN GRENNAN
October 30, 2009, 19:18
Richard M. JonesA nice Canadian railroad watch. I don't think Canada required lever set watches at that time? I have 2 Canadian Omegas and a Longines Express Monarch and they are I think, all lever set. I have also seen an Omega like yours sold in Detroit and having the name of a Detroit jeweler on the dial. It made me wonder how many watches went across the border to Canada because they were somewhat cheaper in the U. S. A. ?
October 30, 2009, 19:29
Tom BrownRichard
I think you are right about the stem set being accepted in Canada at the time.
Found this in an old post by searching "Canadian Standards"
"In addition, the railroad watch standards that prevailed circa 1910 (your watch) were open to interpretation by individual railroads. For example, at about that time, Canadian Pacific were accepting stem set, single roller 1883 Walthams"
Tom