I came across this watch at the Fairlawn mart last Sunday. It is a Pierce Parashock Automatic from the 1930s
It has some different features like an early use of Inca-block and a most unusual self-winding system. The weight move back and forth between 12.00 and 6.00 in a straight line. The self-wind is performed by a straight ratchet (see the picture).
The watch is listed in the Shugart book on page1031 top left hand corner. I am wondering if anyone has any further information on Pierce and specifically this watch.


Rich Kuhn

NAWCC 128623
IHC Member 155

eMail: rich@watchmakerfinds.com

Web-Site: http://watchmakerfinds.com

eBay Auctions: watchmakerfinds eBay Auctions

Picture 2


Rich Kuhn

NAWCC 128623
IHC Member 155

eMail: rich@watchmakerfinds.com

Web-Site: http://watchmakerfinds.com

eBay Auctions: watchmakerfinds eBay Auctions

Picture 3

Picture 4

Rich,
i have never seen an automatic like this before. I hope some of our fellow members can share some of their knowledge about this watch.

Tony Dukes

Rich,

The Incabloc "lyre-shaped" shock springs like those used in your Pierce, were first introduced in 1938, and assuming they're original to your watch, it can't be any older than that. In my opinion, it probably dates from the late 1940s to the mid 1950s, but that's just an educated guess. I don't know much about the particular movement in question, but I have seen a few of them over the years.

Pierce watches are interesting, if nothing else, because they made all their own stuff -- movements, cases, etc. One of their primary characteristics is that their movements are always very, very strange. They didn't attempt to make watches in the conventional manner, they "reinvented the wheel," and started from completely different perspectives every time.

I can't think of any significant "breakthroughs" ever made by Pierce, but it wasn't because they didn't try new and different ideas! Overall, I'd classify their watches as "medium" to "low grade," but they are interesting, and I must admit that I have several of them myself (mostly chronographs).

The movement in your watch is a wonderful example from the "Rube Goldberg" school of watchmaking, and it certainly makes an interesting addition to a collection of unusual self-winders!

Thanks for sharing the images of it, and I hope this helps shed at least a small amount of light on the subject!

==============

Steve Maddox
Past President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas
IHC Charter Member 49

Tony and Steve,
Thanks for the input I have one Pierce chrono and it is also different.


Rich Kuhn

NAWCC 128623
IHC Member 155

eMail: rich@watchmakerfinds.com

Web-Site: http://watchmakerfinds.com

eBay Auctions: watchmakerfinds eBay Auctions

This is off the top of my head, so I amy revise...but I THINK (no it does not hurt).. I THINK that this is a later version of the WIGWAG system and one of the many offshoots of the FORTIS/BLANCPAIN/selza collaboration of the 1920's with A. Schild movements?

Is this possible Steve? Or am I remembereing this incorrectly?

Jeff Hess

Come to think of it, I have had Harwoods with signed "PIERCE" dials and cases!

It must be a part of or an offshoot of that deal?

Jeff

Jeff,

You and Lindell are both right -- the watch in the images above is a later version of an idea that had been around for a number of years. A careful comparison of the movement in it with the one shown in the Shugart book will reveal several subtle differences, which indicate something of an "evolution" over the years.

As with the vast majority of their movements, Pierce actually made the ones in the images above (both are basic calibre 861s). All the Harwoods I've seen used "bumper" automatics, but I certainly wouldn't say it's beyond the realm of possibility that some of their later models may have used Pierce movements. Both companies seemed unusually attracted to strange ideas.......

===================

SM

Steve, the example that i recenlty has was marked pierce on the dial and the case but harwood on the movement and was the standard harwood bumper

Jeff Hess

Jeff,

I don't think I've ever seen a watch signed by both Pierce and Harwood, and I wasn't aware there was a connection between the two companies, but there might have been for all I know. Like I said before, both companies seemed particularly fond of strange ideas, so they at least had that in common.

It'll be interesting to see if any additional information turns up.

BTW -- The "standard" Harwood bumper movement didn't have a winding stem or crown; what about the Pierce/Harwood you saw?

============

SM

Steve Maddox
Past President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas
IHC Charter Member 49

Pretty old post here, but wondering if we have any Pierce wisdom in the group now.
I dug out this old Pierce ParaShock, wound her up and it's running fairly well. Needs a good COA and case cleanup. Looks like it belonged to a painter!

Hoped it might be automatic, but I don't think it is?

Might clean her up and treat her to a new band.

Pierce back

well how about movement picture.
But new hands ,crystal and buffed out case will make her looks good.

Thanks Peter, but I haven't opened her up yet. It has a thin gasket for waterproofing and I don't want to damage it. Maybe I could fabricate one if I ruin it.

Okay, you talked me into it. Looks like your basic 15J manual wind. Appears to be running well with brisk balance movement.

Back cover, with at least 4 prior service etchings. Can't make out most of them but looks like it was in the late 60's and early 70's. Not really sure.

clean looking movement

I think this company still exist, I should have link to website, will post it when I get home. They used to have different name and changed it to Pierce later. I believe I have pocket watch made by them (before name change, watch seems to be made around 1940) I can post it.

Thanks Rafal,
That would be great. I think mine is a fairly average example, but still, it would be nice to track the number to see the date of production.