Friends,

I just acquired this SW/LS New York Standard Watch Co. piece. The Fat Book says this full-plate movement is an 18-size watch, but I'm pretty sure this particular one is a 16s--the dial and movement have a 1 11/16 diameter. The serial number is 285186. It has no letter prefix, so I'm assuming it's a legit early 6-digit movement. Like I said, its a full-plate movement, but its nickel, not gilded, and in incredibly good condition. The dial is terrific, except for a few edge chips near the lever.

Another interesting aspect of this watch is that it is housed in one of those "Arm and Hammer" cases, serial number 493433. I've seen lots of discussions about these cases, and there seems to be some dispute about whether they are gold-filled cases as opposed to gilded brass. This sucker is heavy--almost 4 oz--so I'm assuming the latter. I understand that these cases were originally made by a Russian immigrant with socialist leanings (Bernie's grampa?), and the trademark was acquired by the Philadelphia Watch Case Co. some time in the mid to late 1880s. The case is pristine. The only flaws I can see is that the regulator arm appears to be missing (but it's kept spot-on time for 24 hours now) and the button on the seconds hand is a bit funky. Also, the case has no cuvette, but the seller believes it never had one. Not sure about that . . . See pics below.

Any thoughts or insights into this watch would be huuugely appreciated.

Regards,

Mike

NY #1:

NY #2:

NY #3:

NY #4:

NY #5:

Michael, this is the logo on the cheap Arm & Hammer cases.

Time Ball Special and other swiss fakes came in these.

The 20 or 25 years stamps often seen on these appear to be applied at some time after manufacture.

Cases marked TORNADO are in the same class as these.

This is the Philadelphia "Perfection" case logo, a better case but a poor rendition of a hand around a hammer handle

Thanks Lorne! The logo on my watch looks much more like the Philadelphia version in your photo above than the Arm and Hammer one in your photo.

Lorne, the "bent in thumb" validates your observation about the case. Your movement IS an 18s and would be better served by a regulator. The actual effect of the Regulator on these are so small that it would make little difference in the time-accuracy.

Good for you, here is an ad.

Apart from the crown and bow, that's the one!

New Yorks are not the most beloved, but you have a nice one !

I have a 6s Hampden in case #721. It was the first pocket watch I ever bought.

Neat, Donald. I once owned a brass-cased watch that came with a cheap Chinese mechanical movement, but it was not gold-plated like these are.

Kevin, I agree that NYSWC watches get no love, and this is the first one I've owned. The case, dial and movement are in such great shape, and the seller was very reasonable, that I couldn't resist. I understand that these watches began production in the mid-1880s, and that Keystone Watch Case Company acquired the brand in the early 1900s. After the movement numbers got into the 7,000,000 range, Keystone reverted back to a 6-digit serial number system. On those watches, though, there was a letter prefix. My watch has a low 6-digit serial number with no letter prefix, so it seemed worthwhile to take a flyer on it!

Michael , I am pretty sure I have a regulator for it , get me your address and I will mail it out

You're a prince, Kevin! I'll send an email.

I like the model 4 , I believe it is called

Very low serial number, too! From what I've read, the early NYS movements were very well made, but later they were cheapened up to appeal to a wider market segment.

Kevin, et al., New York Standard Watch Company's Material (1899)

Notice it gives serial number ranges for Model s 3,4,5,18s.

I have one of those as well Kevin, 3rd Model Hunting #105926.

Yours is a hunter as well, correct?

I believe, given the serial number list it would be a 3rd Model

thank you Lorne , It is a hunter model , I was looking in the complete guide to watches ,and having trouble figuring it out . The one New York I would really like is the Dan Patch stop watch .

Kevin, Regulator received! Thanks again. Just eyeballing it, it looks like the lever arm will fit my watch. I'm going to take it to my local guy first, and if he can't fit it I'll send it along to Paul Davis.

I'll keep you posted.

Regards,

Mike

Thanks to Kevin, my NYS is now restored to full regulator mode!

NYS 1

NYS 2

Way to go Mike , a nice looking watch , I like these early New Yorks as much as any watch, like Hampdens they are passed over. Yet they must have had some competent watch makers there , they produced thier own designs , and even had a hand in Howards {I beleive}under the keystone ownership . For their own reasons they went after the lower end customer ,and they they were open for quite a few years.

Thanks again, Kevin! I'm returning the rest of the balance bridge back to you, just in case you can use it for a different application.

Regards,

Mike