Ball Waltham 19 Jewel Question

June 14, 2010, 14:21

Keith Klimkowicz

Hi All

I just acquired a list of serial numbers for the Webb C. Ball watches. I was going through some of my Ball watches and discovered one that I can not find on the list. This is a Waltham 19j serial number B217592. The list shows B216,201-B218,600 but does not show a 19j Waltham being in that serial number range? Can anyone help explain?

Regards
Keith

June 14, 2010, 17:20

Lindell V. Riddle

Keith,

Here are the facts:

Ball-Waltham 16s B216201-B218000 (1,800) 17-21J (ORRS Mixed Run) 1904 production

That means Ball-Waltham numbers B216201 through B218000 will likely be 17 to 21-Jewel movements and to me that "Mixed Run" includes 19-Jewel movements such as yours. In my opinion your movement fits as it should.

The next run of 600 was...

Ball-Waltham 16s B218001-B218600 (600) 16-Jewel (CS Hunter Cased) 1906 Production

Always remember, there was not the kind of clear record-keeping we wish there had been, the runs should be presumed to be mixed runs, this is especially true of ORRS Ball watches, for example that means Brotherhood movements and movements of other jewel counts should be expected to show up within the various ORRS runs, that is normal. Just because we believe a run may be primarily one particular style the blocked numbers were often revised which we find to be a basic truth with all the watch companies.

Hope this helps,

Lindell

June 14, 2010, 17:50

Edward L. Parsons, Jr.

As Lin explained, your watch comes from a 1904 "mixed run" of 1800 watches with serial numbers B216201 - B218000. Roy Ehrhardt's list (American Pocket Watches, 1993) specifically shows 17-jewel and 21-jewel models as part of that mixed run, but any open-face ORRS watch in production at the time could have been included.

19-jewel Ball-Wathams had been in production since 1899, so its entirely reasonable to conclude some 19-jewel models were also included in that mixed run (since you have one of them), but just were not annotated in on the list.

June 15, 2010, 08:02

Keith Klimkowicz

Lin & Ed

Thanks for the information. I understand now how the list is presented.

Regards
Keith

October 27, 2021, 14:39

Mark Cross

How's this for resurrecting a necropost? 11 years later......

I own a 19j Ball-Waltham 19j I got off the 185 auction that I just LOVE and carry a lot, serial number B217426, that I've found on other listings as being made in 1910. I believe even Ken, who I got it from, thought it was from 1910 in HIS research. (fuzzy memory)

Based on what I just read here, this number falls in that mix run from 1904 which is according to Roy Ehrhardt's list.

Am I deciphering this correctly? Is my ORRS a bit older than I originally thought?

Regards! Mark

October 27, 2021, 14:56

Roger Stephens

Mark, I believe you are deciphering that correctly.
As to whether the information is correct.
I don't know

Roger

October 27, 2021, 16:04

Mark Cross

Lol! Yep, I’m in the same boat.

Makes sense being a Waltham Model 1899 movement, but assumptions are dangerous.

Thanks for replying, Roger! Most days I feel alone when I'm in here.

Regards! Mark

November 07, 2021, 15:41

Kevin Moodie

Mark,

does your watch have a cap jewel on the escape wheel?? I think that is how the 17 jeweled watches were up-jeweled.

January 24, 2022, 16:12

Gary Orris

quote:
Mark,

does your watch have a cap jewel on the escape wheel?? I think that is how the 17 jeweled watches were up-jeweled.

Good evening, (here in the UK).
I have a Ball Waltham serial number B214798. I was told it's year of manufacture was 1905.
This one says 19 JEWEL on the movement but does not have a cap jewel on the escapement.

Regards ..... Gary.

January 24, 2022, 21:20

Kevin Moodie

Gary,

I think the movements originally manufactured as 19 jewel had a jeweled mainspring barrel. The 17 jewel movements has an unjeweled barrel so a cap jewel was used to bring up the jewel count.

best
Kevin

January 25, 2022, 09:26

Mark Cross

Hi Kevin! Sorry, I just saw your question when this popped BACK up (hard to keep a good post down, I suppose.

)

I'll have to look-see on mine. I honestly don't know.

Thanks for asking and pointing me in a direction to explore, as I'm retiring next week an will have more time to look more closely at things like this in the near future!

Regards! Mark

January 28, 2022, 09:01

Tom Dunn

Enjoy your retirement, Mark!

January 28, 2022, 12:47

Mark Cross

Thanks Tom!

Because of Covid numbers a retirement party planned for me got canceled. Talk about ending a 48 year career with a whimper. Nothing planned in the future either.

Guess I have to buy my own gold watch and inscribe it from me TO me in recognition of years of service.

Ah well…..

Regards! Mark

January 28, 2022, 13:50

Dave Turner

Sorry about the party Mark!
But when you get that new gold watch for yourself post some pictures.

January 28, 2022, 13:52

Mark Cross

Lol! Actually I think I’m going to get a movement demagnetizer instead! I need it more!

Regards! Mark

January 28, 2022, 15:03

John Willis

Congratulations on your retirement Mark. Hope you have many years to play watches!!, John

January 28, 2022, 18:10

Mark Cross

Thank you!

January 30, 2022, 14:18

Theodore J. Brown Sr.

Congats Mark!

January 30, 2022, 14:26

Gary E. Cochran

Congrats Mark on your retirement......I have been retired 22 years now....I have never woke up in the morning and said to myself..I sure wish I was back in the plant...LOL...

January 30, 2022, 18:16

Mark Cross

Appreciate it!

January 31, 2022, 17:49

Gary Orris

quote:
Gary,

I think the movements originally manufactured as 19 jewel had a jeweled mainspring barrel. The 17 jewel movements has an unjeweled barrel so a cap jewel was used to bring up the jewel count.

Many thanks Kevin that makes perfect sense, sorry for the long delay.
And Mark, enjoy your retirement.
Regards ..... Gary.