Here is an Elgin 243, one of the so called "lace doily" Elgins. I picked this up at the Greater Los Angeles regional last month. The dial reads Charles E Mead. The name is repeated on the dust cover, and the initials CEM are on the front of the case. I see no other screw marks, so it looks all original. Maybe Tom Brown can come up with thi ID of Mr. Mead. The watch dates to 1901.

Sorry about that first image! Movement

Dust cover

Very nice looking watch Jerry.

The name Charles E Mead, appears very common, without anything else to go on it will be hard to tie the watch down to any certain Mead.

So far one possibility, especially if the watch started out in California. There was a Charles E. Mead that was a Banker in the San Bernardino Ca. area, he was born in 1876 in Mo.

I will keep checking to see if I find anything or one else.

Tom

Jerry,

That is an awesome watch. It seems someone went through a lot of expense to personalize their watch. Very nicely done and it looks to be in wonderful condition.

Steve

Gorgeous movement, Jerry.

Very nice watch, Jerry, and one that will go nicely in your collection, I'm sure....

Give Tom some time, he will nail it down for you, he always does....


Regards,
Jerry K.

Jerry

Any idea where the watch might have come from, a Ca. estate?

The Mead in Ca. is still my best bet so far, the other Charles E. Mead's were farmers etc.

Also found this on the Banker Mead if you can read it, found it interesting he graduated from the same college both of my kids did, except it is now NMSU.

Tom

The seller did not offer any information about the watch, and I did not think to ask him. I blew it!

Jerry Freedman

Jerry - that is a great looking watch! Beautiful damaskeening. As was mentioned, the owner spent a lot of money personalizing it. Even if you aren't able to pin down who Charles Mead is, you still have a very nice watch for your collection. Great buy!