When I saw John,s post, it reminded me of one of my watches. I have an early Elgin SN 25,295, which puts the mfg date at around 1868. Scratched onto the pillar plate under the dial is "W. B. Wells, Greenville, 12/2/72". So far I have come up empty on this. I am assuming that it is Greenville, PA as I bought the watch in Western PA.

Could this have been the owner or was it the jeweler who sold the watch? Was this the sold date or was it a repair date?

Lindell, You once told me that you lived in Greenville, PA. Does the name W. B. Wells sound familiar?

Tom

Col. Townsend used to mark his 'stuff'... this is a 16s Hamilton DS HA dial....

Now, any guesses "why" he kept it?

Dots and triple dots at the 12?

Larry

that didn't take long eh?

Terry,

Any ideas as to the significance of the 3 dots at the 12 mark?

Rob

That is a good question Rob,

I feel it was more of a factory 'blooper' than a mark of significance.... but just don't know.. Main reason I obtained it was for the signature on the back.... It was only after receiving it that I noticed the marking on the front... and said...

"thats why he kept it".... "DOH!"

Lindell and others, Thanks for your input. For the date under the dial, I believe that the 12/2/72 is for 1872 and not 1972. I could be wrong.

Tom