Internet Horology Club 185
Another request for identification

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2291010082/m/9711021103

January 29, 2008, 17:41
Mortimer Schwartz
Another request for identification
Here is a watch owned by the late father of a friend. The father was a chef/owner of a restaurant in the gold and timber area of northern California, and I am guessing that this watch was traded for a meal or more. The watch is very big, around 59cm.


January 29, 2008, 17:45
Mortimer Schwartz
Trying to post photo of movement, but have to first find out how to resize it. Sorry! The dial has two big chips, as you will notice.
January 29, 2008, 17:50
Mortimer Schwartz
Here is the movement.
January 29, 2008, 17:51
Mortimer Schwartz
Oops, here it is.


February 02, 2008, 13:31
Dave Freeman
Hi Mort,
I've been trying to find out some information about your PW.
I think your watch and the ones I'll show later all contain slightly
different styles of Swiss Made movements from
around the 1900-1915 era.
I would expect they may even have been carried in WWI.
You mentioned your watch is around 59cm, did you mean
59mm in diameter, what a monster. Wink

Shown below for comparison purposes is a picture of a 54mm
WWI era watch I have alongside a 16s Waltham Railroad PW.

Figure I




Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
February 02, 2008, 13:35
Dave Freeman
Figure II

Here's a view of the movement in my 54mm PW
with a WWI vintage Swiss Made movement.




Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
February 02, 2008, 13:36
Dave Freeman
Figure III

Here's a WWI vintage IWC which contains a Swiss Made movement.




Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
February 02, 2008, 13:38
Dave Freeman
Figure IV

Here's a Swiss Made Helvetia which I believe
is from around the same time frame.




Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
February 02, 2008, 21:19
Mortimer Schwartz
Thanks, Dave, for this education. I am printing your posts so that I can give them to my friend. Yes, the watch is a monster!

Mort
February 03, 2008, 05:01
John Woolsey
Mort,

The movement in your friends' watch is a fairly generic Swiss Lever ebauche, probably 7j.

The damage on the dial near the numeral is where the dial foot has been overtightened and it's pulled the copper base causing the enamel to break loose.
If you note the marks to the left of the winding wheel too, they're fingerprints caused by the acid in sweat, so take care when handling movements, as that damage is usually permanent.

Good example of Swiss pocket watches 'Made for the masses'.

Dave,
Nice examples, you're probably about right with your dates, but I'd put the IWC a bit later than WW1 though and nearer WW2, as the movement is very similar to those used in military pockets of that era.

Best regards

John