I acquired this C.B. Hibbard pocket watch on eBay several years ago, attracted by its origin in Pulaski, New York, a village about twenty miles north of Syracuse. In recent correspondence with the Pulaski Historical Society and through some research of my own, I found that Charles B. Hibbard was a jeweler who operated a business in Pulaski from about 1871 until its sale in 1906. The May 27, 1880 Pulaski Democrat describes his business on page 1, “A very attractive establishment is the jewelry store of Mr. Hibbard, and it is seldom that one finds a house at all equaling it in a village the size of this.” He attended the world's fair in Chicago in 1893 and served as treasurer of the New York State Association of Opticians in 1898-99. Hibbard sold the store in Pulaski to John C. Peach in 1908, and died in 1916.

I am interested in finding out the manufacturer and model of this private label watch. Its bridge and regulator are similar to the Hamilton Grade 940, although I have not found a picture of an early, single-roller 940 movement with the same shape bridge. If it is a Hamilton the serial number 206536 would suggest its manufacture in 1903. Can anybody help me find the make and model of this watch?

Dial and movement are both signed C.B. Hibbard

Case is .800 coin silver with a gold stag on reverse. Both bezel and case back are threaded.

Another view of the movement

Hey Ken, Looks like an 18 size model 5 Seth Thomas,made in 1889.

Cecil: I think you may have nailed it! I see an identical-shape bridge in the lower right picture of an 18 size Seth Thomas on p 388 of the 2010 price guide, and the same bridge shape on an 18S "Maiden Lane" Model 5 on p 395. But how do I figure out how many jewels it has? The Guide says "A Double Roller Grade is identified by recessed area under balance wheel" What does that mean? Is this a double roller watch?

Nice watch Ken.

If you are interested or don't have this info yet. Charles was born March of 1847 in New York State, in 1900 he is listed in the census as being in Oswego County NY & a jeweler, He is married to Mary born June 1847. They have a daughter Carrie L born July 1875, daughter Cornelia E born Apr 1878.

1910 he is in Sandy Creek, Oswego, NY & listed as a jeweler. Married to Mary & daughter Cornelia still with them.

Tom

Ken

I am not that familiar with Seth Thomas. From the rear of the movement it looks like a 15 jewel but some could also be an 11 jewel the dial would have to be removed to be sure.

If you look at the Maiden Lane on page 389 you will notice it had a recessed area cut into the plate a little larger than the diameter of the balance wheel.

Tom

Thanks Tom. I just had the watch overhauled, but didn't think to ask him how many jewels it has. Hibbard sold his store in Pulaski and moved back to Sandy Creek, where he was born. He ran a watch repair business there for five years, and after his death in 1916 he was buried in Pulaski. I bought the watch years ago because I'm from Watertown, about 40 miles up the road from Pulaski.

Just a little more on Charles. His middle name was Benton.

In 1850 he was 3 & living with his parents in Sandy Creek. His father was listed as a farmer, he was Elisha A born about 1815 in NY, wife was Cyntha born about 1819 in NY. There children then are Warren W 1839, Martha M 1843, Senior N 1845 & then Charles.

Tom

Ken

I am kind of the opposite of Lindell, I like a watch that I can put with a certain person so I tend to collect private labels, loaners & inscribed watches. I am such a history buff that I like a name to go with my watch. Plus with collecting the opposite of Lindell it gives me a chance to own some

On your watch I can't tell if it is a 15 jewel or less, sometimes the makers only put jewels on the end of the wheels you can see from the back & none under the dial. If yours was that way then it would more than likely be a 11 jewel.

Still a very nice watch & a great looking case. Plus like you said near to your home town.

Tom

Thanks for everybody's help in identifying this watch. Here's an ad from the December 9, 1896 Pulaski Democrat