An early transitional wind movement.

Frank

I wonder if your Holler Watch Company was Peter Holler, he was a watch maker & jeweler living in Brooklyn NY in the 1870's up into the 1900's. He was born Jan 26, 1850 in Cologne Germany.

Tom

Here is the movement from my 16s Columbus HC. It is very similar to Franks except this one is not adjusted.

I picked up this Columbus a year ago in Columbia, SC. It needed a main spring and a regulator adjusting gear.

Nice heavy glass crystal and hinged 925 silver case with coin edge.

The dust cover is engraved "Patrick Tuffen."

Early serial number shows that it is a transitional model ca. 1886. The 15j watch was missing the regulator adjusting gear when I bought it. I still don't have a key for it. The damaskeening washed out in this photo. It has a unique rectangular damaskeening.
This was probably a premium watch in 1886. Nickel damaskeening was just becoming popular and it was reserved for the top of the line watches. Combined with a 925 silver case, Patrick Tuffen owned a very flashy watch. He must have been a man of distinction, although I haven't been able to find out anything about him.

925 silver case.

Nice watch Dennis. Is it possible the last name could be Tutten & not Tuffen? The reason I ask I can not find one Patrick Tuffen in census records but I do find Patrick Tutten.

Tom

Wow, those are some fine looking watches, I've only owned one and sold it years ago..Wish I would've kept it now.
This is the only Columbus photo I have.

Ray

quote:

I wonder if your Holler Watch Company was Peter Holler, he was a watch maker & jeweler living in Brooklyn NY in the 1870's up into the 1900's. He was born Jan 26, 1850 in Cologne Germany.

Tom, your guess is as good (and probably much better) than mine. It does seem to be very common for PL's to be associated with large stores and especially jewelry. Personally I'm not particularly interested* in PL's unless they happen to be South Bends.

I know there has been a thread before (4 years ago?) devoted to PL's but I don't think it would hurt to have a new one. For myself, I think I might just start one in the South Bend Forum for South Bend PL's.

*One PL watch that I was interested in was commissioned by a gentleman who used to live about 4 blocks away from me.

Hi Frank

I think it was Peter Holler, I did a little more searching & found the Holler Watch Company was located at 66 Broadway Brooklyn. With that address I found a NY Times article that mentioned a Jeweler Peter Holler of 66 Broadway, the article was dated Feb. 9. 1896.

If you would like the article I can email it to you, it is too long to post here.

This is from the Brooklyn city directory of 1894

Tom

Tom,

Thanks. Tutten? Tuffen? It looks like Tuffen to me, but I cannot argue with Tutten also. The watch was part of a large pocket watch estate auction, so it came with no explanation. I will look into Patrick Tutten's life.

What an interesting hobby we have. You start with a watch and end up researching the original owner's life. When you are done, you feel like you know the guy.

Thanks for your kind words.

Hi Dennis

You are a better judge of what it might say, I was just trying to guess at another possible name. I have trouble reading some of that old type of script.

Tom

Railway King dial

Railway King Movement

Latest columbus watch added to my collection. Won on ebay but it was a non runner and the case would not close. I wanted the watch because it had a nice hunter log dial and hands.

Chris Abell serviced the watch and it is now a keeper. Serial number--185706

Tony beautiful Columbus i love the dial.

Here is a busy dial on a movement I found. It has a two tone movement also.

Here is a nice 6s dial no hairlines

New member, thought I would post pictures of a nice Columbus:

Here is a photo of the movement of my recent purchase Columbus transitional watch from 1883. It is key-wind and stem/lever set.

Here is a picture of my Columbus, quite early with a low serial number. This is a 15jewel adjusted Ca: 1883 K/W L/S. Hunter.
Bill

case

dial

case2

case3

case4

dial2

Bill,
Great looking movement. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.
Tony

IN May 2007, I picked up this Columbus and as it had a Broken staff I put it away and forgot it . . . so it "turned up" a few months ago as I was rummaging. Today with what I have learned in 5 years with IHC185 I approached the issue again, tried a South Bend staff, and it now is back to running Railroads + + + + +. Columbus went "all the way" finishing this movement. Even the train wheels are damaskeened!