Internet Horology Club 185
R.E.Robbins 18s 1885/possible wrong mainspring bridge?
April 07, 2013, 17:42
James D. RobinsonR.E.Robbins 18s 1885/possible wrong mainspring bridge?
Hey guys, I need to know if anyone has or has seen a movement like this (pic follows). It is a Waltham 18s RE Robbins movement according to serial number 2749394, 13 jewel, open face KWKS. When I bought the movement it had a mainspring bridge that says PS Bartlett. I did do a short search on-line and others I saw had RE Robbins on the mainspring bridge. So I am wondering if someone changed it before I acquired it.
If it is the wrong bridge, and someone has a parts movement with the proper bridge, I would be very willing to purchase it. Have a great day.
April 07, 2013, 17:43
James D. RobinsonHere is a shot of the dail side.
April 07, 2013, 18:25
Jim BielefeldtLooks like you have a frankenwatch there. Made up of at least two as the barrel cover is from a P.S. Bartlett, and it looks like a later one that someone drilled out to make it fit the kw setup.
April 08, 2013, 13:36
David AbbeJames, my copy of Waltham production records show that s/n's 2748001-2750000 were R.E. Robbons Stem Wind, followed by "mixed" R.E.R. AND P.S. Bartlett Stem wind Hunters, s/n's 2750001-2753001.
I fear Jim's advise may be correct for this watch appears to be "converted" to Key wind parts.
A full inspection of all the part serial numbers would help tell the story, but if you can, return it for credit, it is sadly not a good bet, even for parts.
April 09, 2013, 01:54
James D. RobinsonToo late for a return or credit. This was a movement purchase, not very much. The case was a later purchase separately. The Frankenstein is already alive, so I won't kill it now. It is keeping very good time so far. I will have to look back to see who I bought it from. Thanks for the input Dave.
April 09, 2013, 09:06
Mark CrossPerfect carry watch, though, if not a collectable.
I'd carry this one rather than one of my legitimate watches in my collection, as it appears to have been easily recognized as being other than what it is.
I'd suggest you put it in your pocket and enjoy it.
Regards! Mark
April 12, 2013, 18:35
James D. RobinsonJust as a follow-up. The movement has never had a setting train under the dial, or lever. There is no indication that it ws anything else but a key set, so I am not surprized that it is key wind also. The only thing I can find in my records is back in January I bought five movements, $85.00, so I don't feel too bad.
I agree with you Mark, it is a good looking watch, and the only 13 jewel movement I have come across so far.
Here is a pic of the pillar plate. The serial number matches the top plate. The serial number on the barrel bridge is 26966. Maybe 2826966 which is an 18s PS Bartlett 1885, which is the same year as this movement.
May 03, 2013, 11:29
Ken HabeebHi James -- I just picked up a Waltham model 1883, and this the readout from the Pocketwatch Database, which might ring a bell:
Waltham Movement #2806269
Grade: R.E.R.
Movement Serial Number: 2806269
Estimated Production Year: 1886
Run Quantity: 500
Size: 18s
Jewels: 15j
Movement Configuration: Openface
Model: 1883
Movement Setting: Pendant
Plate: Full Plate
Adjusted: Yes
Notes: PS Bartlett & PS Bartlett Ga
May 03, 2013, 11:59
Ken HabeebHere's the dial for that one...
May 03, 2013, 11:59
Ken Habeeband the movement...
May 03, 2013, 12:03
Joe StraubMark, I totally agree with your sage advice!!
May 03, 2013, 13:07
Mark Cross
Glad to help, and that's a fine looking watch, my friend!
Regards! Mark
May 04, 2013, 10:01
James D. RobinsonKen that is a nice watch. I totally missed the bell you spoke of, can you elaborate more? also, the watch I was discribing is a model 1877, not an 1883????
Here is what comes back from pocketwatchdatabase for my movement,,,
• Movement Serial Number: 2749394
• Estimated Production Year: 1885
• Run Quantity: 2000
• Size: 18s
• Jewels: 13j
• Movement Configuration: Openface
• Movement Finish: Unknown
• Model: 1877
• Movement Setting: Key
• Plate: Full Plate
• Adjusted: Yes
• Adjusted to Positions: Unknown
• Railroad Grade: Unknown
• Notes: RE Robbins
I did also find a picture of another RERobbins from a past auction, it showed the movement, and it was also a key wind model 1877. Thanks for the input guys.
May 04, 2013, 11:36
Ken HabeebHi James -- I do know that the two watches are different models, but the common thread is that they are both R.E.R. watches with P.S. Bartlett features. Note the mention of P.S.B. at the bottom of the column i copied from the database.
I'm not sure how that will help you, but I thought it interesting, and you were asking about that P.S.B. and R.E.R. linkage. It is evidently right out of the factory.
Ken H.
May 11, 2013, 13:57
James D. RobinsonThanks Ken!