October 31, 2012, 13:31
Larry BuchanMeet Me On Crescent Street
Dueber Special case trademark
October 31, 2012, 18:30
Larry BuchanMy Pennsylvania Railroad calendar from 1949, showing their GG-1 electric locomotive, and a modern steam locomotive at one time they were called "The Standard Railroad of the World" with their innovative designs and standardization.
November 02, 2012, 09:03
Derek RamsdaleWow ! Pennsylvania Special. You certainly kept that one quiet Larry. This must be the most sought after grade in the 92 models. I would give my fang teeth for one of those. In the guide book it tells us that one of the 21j grades had a gold train, which is a touch extravagant when the train can`t be seen.
Was that railroad company the foremost in the US ?
November 02, 2012, 15:27
Larry BuchanHello Derek:
In its heyday during World War I and in the 1920s Pennsylvania Railroad system, hauled more freight and passengers then it's rival the New York Central, and at that time out hauled both the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, and the Union Pacific two of the largest railroad systems in the west.
Hard times caught up with the eastern seaboard carriers in the late 1960s, and the two rivals merged together to become the Penn Central, it didn't last long as there were two styles of management, but didn't see eye to eye and they ended up in bankruptcy, the US government took over and turn the system into Conrail, and merged many other failing east coast carriers into the system at the time, in the 1990s it was sold off, and divided between the Norfork Southern, and CSX, which were both large systems of other troubled railroad companies. On the west coast there was also large mergers, with the Santa Fe merging with the Burlington Northern to form Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Union Pacific absorbed many other carriers so the United States is left with four big systems, along with the Canadian National. That was a Canadian Crown corporation run by the federal government from after World War I when many other Canadian carriers tried to compete with Canadian Pacific and all went bankrupt, Canadian National Railways was finally offered up for sale by the federal government in the late 1980s at fire price sales, it was brought up by a bunch of smart investors who merged the system with the Illinois Central, that is now one of the five biggest carriers in North America. My company the Canadian Pacific was bought out with a shared take over by Bill Ackman of New York City, we now have Hunter Harrison, the former CN CEO and Illinois Central man, that perform the miracle with CN and recently retired, Bill Ackman hired him and he is now running the show up here in Canada from Calgary, Alberta, and is definitely making some big changes to make the shareholders happy. I have mixed feelings, and only hope it doesn't affect my pension, only time will tell.
Larry
November 03, 2012, 21:48
Eric UnseltThe Royal is the next of the named grades that make up the M92 family:
November 03, 2012, 21:50
Eric UnseltPendant-set and 17 jewels make it gorgeous carry watch.
Fronting it is a train-tracked Arabic dial:
November 04, 2012, 18:54
Mike LaForestHOLY SMOKES!!! on the Mdl. 1892 Pennsylvania Special! Just WOW! Thanks for posting, Larry!
November 04, 2012, 19:00
Mike LaForestEric, Maybe I will be lucky one day like Gene Bouffard and run across a rare M92, or even a Royal. Your watches always look 'the best that they can be".
November 06, 2012, 15:11
Derek RamsdaleI just had to show this ---- a street sign showing THE Crescent Street in Waltham, Mass.
November 18, 2012, 15:54
Eric UnseltAnother Model 99, and this time it's a 17-jewel Grade 636 with all the gilt hardware:
November 18, 2012, 15:55
Eric UnseltFronting it is an excellent Arabic dial with matching spade-and-javelin hands:
November 26, 2012, 12:59
Larry BuchanWaltham 18 size Bold Arabic 24 hour dial
November 26, 2012, 13:00
Larry BuchanAnother view of dial with bezel removed.
November 26, 2012, 13:02
Larry BuchanPhoto of 18 size, 17 jewel movement
November 26, 2012, 13:03
Larry BuchanWaltham 18 size, 17 jewel, Model 1892, Serial No. 17,188,443 manufactured 1908, Adjusted 5 Positions, movement marked "MADE FOR Canadian Railway Time Service." The Waltham serial number list indicate this watch came from a run of 1000 from 17187501 to 17188500 and shows as a Grade of ***'t Spec. (Assorted Specials.)
November 26, 2012, 13:10
Larry BuchanCase trademark CASHIER EXTRA yellow gold filled case made by the American Watch Case Co. of Toronto, Ontario.
December 06, 2012, 19:52
Larry BuchanHere is a photo of my Waltham 16 size, 17 jewel, Model 1908, Grade Canadian Railway Time Service 24-hour dial
December 06, 2012, 19:56
Larry BuchanAnother view of the movement.