Internet Horology Club 185
Empire Watch Co. & Harp/Lyre Symbol 18sz P.Watch?

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2291010082/m/364106003

June 14, 2010, 18:46
Buster Beck
Empire Watch Co. & Harp/Lyre Symbol 18sz P.Watch?
I do have this ole watch.... Big Grin

It IS an 18sz mvmt and housed in a Dueber silver case and an unmarked DSD of porcelain.

I recently acquired this watch that I am stumpted as to the who/why/where Eek

Simply marked Empire Watch Co. No. 26413 "Duke" and that HARP/LYRE symbol Confused Confused

It is a stemwind/lever-set watch with what appears to be a higher grade mvmt. It has a gold foot on the bridge and that jewel setting is capped.The barrel cover [ratchet wheel] has the two holed access to let down the spring that you generally see on higher graded watches Eek

I would call your attention to the nickel damaskeened plates and the UNIQUE SYMBOL of a HARP/LYRE that is stamped Eek

I am in need of knowing all there is to know about this watch mvmt as I know nothing at all and have come to a dead end. Please expound your knowledge. All observations will be appreciated very much. Thanks for your needed help Smile To follow- 4 pictures;
regards,
bb


June 14, 2010, 18:47
Buster Beck
Image 2


June 14, 2010, 18:48
Buster Beck
Image 3


June 14, 2010, 18:49
Buster Beck
Image 4


June 18, 2010, 21:13
Samie L. Smith
Buster nice looking watch wish i could help in who the maker was. Smile
June 18, 2010, 22:04
Mary Ann Scott
Buster - I found reference to an Empire State Watch Co. that was affiliated or a part of the Marion/U.S. Watch Co. But nothing with just Empire Watch Co. I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I should run across something.
June 18, 2010, 22:07
Tom Brown
Buster

I will see if I can find more. This article mentions a Empire Watch Co., the article is from a magazine titled "FAME" A Journal for Advertisers Sept 1897.

I agree nice looking watch!

Tom

01

June 18, 2010, 22:19
Tom Brown
This is from the Bristol Times & Mirror 04/17/1897 Gloucestershire UK

02

June 19, 2010, 09:16
Buster Beck
Thanks for all the appreciated help Smile

The watch does appear to be a well made timepiece and the little screw on the regulator pointer was throwing me a curveball Wink

Thanks to Samie's advise, it turned out to be just a set screw that you loosen and move the pointer and then retighten to keep it in that position.

I thank you Tom as I do believe it fits all the nomenclature for the London company that you posted. Its in a very hefty 4 oz. Dueber coin silver case that appears to be all original. After centering the regulator the watch seems to keep excellent time and the balance has a full swing and a nice strong heartbeat. I sure wish there was a picture of one of these for the London company known as "Empire Watch Co." to compare the movement to Confused

regards,
bb