I picked up a watch, 6s, with a pink and white enamel dial that says Columbia on the dial and movement. As I searched for information I find the Columbia Watch Co was apparently in business for around three years at the turn of the century. They seemed to make smaller sized watches and you rarely see them. I know Paul Arsenault has one but would like to hear more information about the scarcity of these things. Anyone know much about these?
Posts: 3112 | Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon in the USA | Registered: October 13, 2007
Page 165 of the price guide has some details about Columbia, and show values from $40.-$175.
The "Gold book" reports; "COLUMBIA Watch Co., Waltham Mass, 1896-1901 . . . 1901, Name chnge (to) Suffolk Watch Co., Waltham Mass 1901-1903, . . . (then) sold to United States Watch Co., Waltham Mass"
It shows a single O size, 7 Jewel Open Face, Gilt or Nickel duplex movement. Valued (in 1980) at $35-$75
The price Guide shows the Suffolk variant as 1 star rare with a value range of $250-$500.00
The confusion begins because as explained in the price guide, the name "Suffolk" was used for later Columbia Watch Co Movements before the company name was (ever for real?) changed.
Posts: 6492 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: July 19, 2007
Mike: I have a few of these 6s Columbia movements. In my research I found they were made by the New York Standard watch co. out of New Jersey from 1885-1929. These in my opinion are pretty nice looking although only 7 jewel. If you need anything for your restoration let me know. I might have something. Hope this helps. Paul
Posts: 122 | Location: Baltimore, Maryland in the USA | Registered: February 25, 2011
Hey Mike, A picture of the movement would clear this up quickly. I also have a lot of Columbia movements by the New York Standard Watch Co.,and pink and white dials are very common on those.
Posts: 475 | Location: Gainesville, Florida in the USA | Registered: January 22, 2009
Thanks everyone, Cecil, does the New York Standard designation make this better, or worse? Like I said, I am away on a trip and have very few reference materials with me.
Posts: 3112 | Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon in the USA | Registered: October 13, 2007
Hey Mike, The Price Guide lists that watch only as 6 size,model 44,and only as hunting cased,and looking at the movement in the book,looks like NYS made a dial without a second hand so they could use that movement either way. It is listed at $55-$70-$100 in the book,and there is a notation that O'Hara multicolored dial adds $75-$100 to value. If I read that right it makes the low book $130. I really don't think those watches sell for that much,but as always,it is only worth what you can get for it.
Posts: 475 | Location: Gainesville, Florida in the USA | Registered: January 22, 2009
I went through one of these Columbia's today for a friend from work. The fit and finish is pretty crude compared to the other watches I've been working on.
Setting the bridge with all five shafts coming through one plate was easier than I expected with the pillar style plate and not having to worry about the pallet.
I've seen this wind set mechanism layout before, but for the life of me don't remember if it was an old Hampden 18S or another I was in to a few months back.
For the record, a Waltham 12S Col. B Main spring #2237 .015 was a perfect drop in replacement.
Other than that, she was over banked and needed a crystal... the rest was clean lube.
Posts: 2032 | Location: San Diego, California in the USA | Registered: August 30, 2012
4 Jewels? The only jewels in the entire watch are capped balance jewels... and these are extremely odd pressed in, one piece units.
Cool Arm and Hammer stamp. The case confused me, I though it was a brass case, but after hitting it with metal polish, the inside covers, covette... all looked to be ygf... so, the Arm and Hammer posts here suggest it is very early gold plating process... all the outsides are down to brass all the way around... inside is still plated.
