Internet Horology Club 185
Waltham Vanguard in unusual case
March 02, 2016, 12:48
Mike HodgeWaltham Vanguard in unusual case
I've never seen a case like this. It looks like a shipping container but has a winding stem and a place to attach it to something (definitive statement!). I'm sure someone will know all about it so I'll ask for your input.
March 02, 2016, 12:49
Mike HodgeBack view
March 02, 2016, 12:50
Mike HodgeSide view 1
March 02, 2016, 12:50
Mike HodgeSide view 2. As you can see, there are two places to attach to "something" one on either side.
March 02, 2016, 12:52
Mike HodgeJust for grins. Here is shot without glass on either side.
March 02, 2016, 12:54
Mike HodgeMovement looks clean.
March 02, 2016, 12:55
Mike HodgeLast Shot
March 02, 2016, 13:49
Lorne Wasylishenquote:
As you can see, there are two places to attach to "something" one on either side.
Gimbal mounts to make it a car clock?
I was looking at this or one very similar, it's a unique item.
March 02, 2016, 15:36
Mike HodgeThanks Lorne. I was thinking similarly but the impracticality of a car clock needing to be wound each day makes me wonder. Also, that's a pretty high grade movement for a car clock. I thought about a display in a jewelry shop to show front and movement to customers.
Buster will probably know. And then there's Lindell who probably has twelve of them!

March 02, 2016, 16:29
Victor KienasI have about 4 of them.i think they are just to display movements.Vic
March 02, 2016, 17:25
Lorne WasylishenVictor, do you have the legs/stands or just the movement holder?
March 02, 2016, 17:38
David AbbeMike, this is a Salesman's display case and Waltham, provided a variety of these along with the Nicely Finished clamshell presentation box . . .
March 02, 2016, 18:37
Mike HodgeAha, now we know. Thanks Victor, Lorne and David. it all makes sense now.
March 02, 2016, 22:08
Buster Beckquote:
"Buster will probably know."
Yes, Thanks, and David covers it quite well. I have one of the nice wooden Waltham boxes with a velour signed interior that David shows. It has a ring to hold a cased movement. That ring can simply be unhooked and taken out and your movement and movement holder could be put in its place. I think its set up now with the ring to hold a watch already cased like when you take it out of your pants at night, it can be put in the ring and you can either close the lid or leave it open and tilt the ring up facing you on your nightstand like David shows. Great accessory items for sure. I may offer it up for a BIN on our site if there's any interest.... Let me know.
regards,
bb
March 03, 2016, 09:07
Mike HodgeI'd be interested in seeing it Buster. Not sure if I'll keep this one or not. A box with the proper ring will help me decide.
March 03, 2016, 09:31
Victor Kienasall I have is the holders..
March 03, 2016, 10:12
Kevin HoffmanI would have bet a car clock for sure ! I had a dollar watch on a magnetic base that sat on the dash of my International P/up, that had similar mounts on the case.
March 03, 2016, 13:34
Mike HodgeKevin, the thing is that the watch, in its day, was probably 25% of the price of a car. Of course this movement very well could be from a different case. I bought it at an auction so don't have any idea if it is original to the case. The movement is in good enough condition to be original to this case.
March 03, 2016, 13:35
Mike HodgeIf Victor has the holder and Buster has the box we should all talk.
March 04, 2016, 01:42
Buster BeckI got a late start, just finished downloading. I actually have two of the Waltham Presentation walnut boxes, one with the ring and the other with the ring missing !! I will put them in our Parts For Sale Forum tomorrow.
regards,
bb
March 04, 2016, 10:20
Buster BeckI have listed the Waltham boxes for our Members Only in our Parts For Sale Forum if interested.
regards,
bb
March 04, 2016, 10:27
Mark CrossNot wanting to 'muddy' the water of your sale, I'll post this here, Buster.....I wonder if these cases with rings could have also been used by individuals like train dispatchers?
I've seen (and read) of dispatchers taking their watches out and placing them in holders on their desks during their shifts. If they were kept in cases like this, they'd be secure.
Just a wild thought that rattled through my brain this morning.
Neat item!
Regard! Mark
March 04, 2016, 11:29
Buster BeckIDK, but anything's possible !!
regards,
bb
March 04, 2016, 15:17
Victor Kienasthey wouldn't be used to put watches with cases into,because the stem and crown are a part of these cases.they come with the stem and crown already there.all you do is put a stem wind movement in them...
March 04, 2016, 15:23
Mark CrossGood point, Victor.
Regard! Mark
March 11, 2016, 02:15
Mike HodgeI received the boxes from Buster and they are very nice. BTW, this watch has been running for over a week with about 30 seconds gain. Not bad for an antique.
March 11, 2016, 11:17
Buster BeckThank You Mike !! And NO Victor these boxes/cases were made in different styles, some had the watch movement ring and others had the ring that held an already cased watch.
regards,
bb
April 12, 2016, 08:57
Victor Kienasthat could be,but the one we were talking about had the stem and crown as part of the case.the one you show in the picture is completely different than the ones pictured.
April 13, 2016, 12:01
Buster Beckquote:
That ring can simply be unhooked and taken out and your movement and movement holder could be put in its place.
Yes Victor the side mounts that hold the watch in place at 3 and 9 o'clock can simply be unhooked as they are spring steel, and put the type Mike shows in place and/or vice versa.
regards,
bb