Steve, According to Illinois Watch Co. by Meggers and Ehrhardt, page 135, the grade 179 was the predecessor to the Sangamo grade and it has the solid gold train also. RR
Hello All: I just joined ihc185 as a new member and have just read previous posts on the Sangamo watch. I was amazing how much knowledge some of you Illinois experts know about the differences in the Sangamo and the Sangamo Special. I have a small hobby collection of antique pocket watches and have just attended the Ft. Mitchell Show. To my amazement several older members at the show reviewed my Sangamo/Getty Movement #1418489 which I believe to be c/1879. Several at the show called it a great 23J completely original HC. The case #'s match the movement and the words of several at the show one of the most beautiful ex-heavy gold HC. Since I collected the watches in the late 1960-1980-s without any knowledge of watches you can understand my surprise.
My wife and I would like to utilize ihc185 for educational purposes and at this point do not have pictures of the watch. We plan to do so in the very near future. Thanks to anyone that may want to respond to this post.
According to Illinois Watch Co. by Meggers and Ehrhardt your watch was made in 1898. It is from the first run of Sangamo 23J Model 4 from 1,418,201-1,418,500. The book is old and does show an earlier run of Model 4 Sangamo from 1,417,901-1,418,000 which doesn't list the jewel count and no examples from that run had been reported prior to the book being written so it may be the second run however. I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures.
Thanks to each of you for the WELCOME! Thank you Richard for the great info from your Meggers and Ehrhardt book. Can I purchase this book and if so where? Thanks again,
You are reminding me I have a couple extra copies of this long out-of-print book that should be sold in our trading mart or auctions. Meanwhile, you and everyone else, feel free to post your questions and we will always do our best to answer them.
To all those with interest: This is our first attempt to make pictures of watches and could never figure how to make the inside of the dust cover and the inside of the back case without reflections. Hopefully you can tell the Getty Movement SANGAMO/model 4 (Thanks to Richard) #l418489-23 Ruby Jewels and dated 1898/14k Solid Gold HC (Extra Heavy). Richard also checked the Meggers/Ehrhardt and determined either first run or maybe second run. Now for rest of the story as we try to add the image. Thanks.
Sam, Thanks you for the pictures they look great. That's a nice looking Sangamo. The Illinois book is showing approximately 700 movements like yours were produced. The dial on your watch goes great with the fancy case.
The Illinois book can be found on eBay by doing a search for, ILLINOIS American Pocket Watches Volume Two Roy Ehrhardt. It's available on CD or a copy of the book from IHC Member Bill Selover "partimeart" on eBay. The CD is currently $20.00 less than what I paid and it's a great resource except the pictures aren't very clear. Haven't heard anything but good feedback on the book copies and they're relatively inexpensive compared to an original.
Hello Richard: I have been trying to find the book on EBAY sometime and finally found Vol. II by typing in your info on Google. We bought for $15 plus $4/19.00. Have not received yet and will post the contact to later this week. (Have to learn how to post direct links.) Thanks again for helping us and hopefully we can post additional photos of this beautiful solid gold HC. Sam
Meanwhile, you and everyone else, feel free to post your questions and we will always do our best to answer them.
