My newest aquisition: $40 at a local antique shop.

[Major Francis Cleverly]

Elgin pocketwatch.  SN 14680516.  This excellent site says the following:


Serial Number   SN Range Quanty Name Year grade size code   jewels Adj/reg/etc.
--------------  -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
      14680516  14680001   1000      1909 381*   16s hbn6p     17j Adj
    first run of grade 381;  516 of 45000 in grade


grade total runs   first yr  last yr class  size  code   jewels Adj/name
----- ----- -----  --------  ------- -----  ----  ------ ------ ----------
381   45000  41        1909     1917  107    16s  hbn6p     17j Adj

(*) notes on grade 381:  bridge


Class 107:         16s HC 3/4 pend model 6
    305      26500 made bridge 15j
    339      50500 made bridge 17j
    381      45000 made bridge 17j Adj


It doesn't seem to have lost any time in the last several hours, but it's a little early to tell if it's keeping good time.  There are some scratches on the inside of the case (from jewelers no doubt): 

"A 10/8/42 Cln Set Spg."
"CMLiL"
"K8279"
"6/30/63 MS"
"47565R"



It does have a relatively clean cover (Jewel?) for the front, but it was a better photo with it removed.





I haven't owned a vintage pocketwatch and was pleasantly surprised to see this one for sale (and in good working order) so had to share it with everyone.

[okoshima]

I have a question, well 3.

what are the pocket watch jewels?

and what are their purpose?

and also how do I tell how many on mine?

link to pics of mine:

HERE

[rogue_designer]

I have a question, well 3.

what are the pocket watch jewels?

and what are their purpose?

and also how do I tell how many on mine?

link to pics of mine:

HERE

the jewels are bearings - low friction bearings. Usually ruby or sapphire - things that can be polished very smooth, and are very very hard.

their purpose is to allow pieces of the watch to move with as little resistance, but as accurately as possible.

Usually, the case or the movement itself tells you how many jewels - it's impossible to tell from the outside otherwise. Even with a skeletonized movement, you won't see all of them.

Major Cleverly - that looks like it is a great find for $40. Nicely done. Very nice timepiece.

[okoshima]

nooooooo..... mine has nothing to say its blank

[rogue_designer]

nooooooo..... mine has nothing to say its blank

Looking at the pics (somewhat blurry) I see at least 3 jewels (they are the red bearings at the center of some of the larger gears). So, yours just doesn't say. I don't know enough about the manufacturer and movement of your watch, but it looks cool, and it works - unless you're a collector, what more do you want? Enjoy it.

[okoshima]

hmm I was being inquisitive... and not bad for my first real pocket watch?

walked into the jeweller's and they had a few but then they brought that out and I fell for it (strange really as there were some nice half hunters) it seems to keep time well but I don't know how to check for seconds (hints and sorry for threadjacking)

also meant to say this in last post

nice watch!

modified my post

it says fully jewled on a random site i found it on so id assume thats 17 and thank you for info and sorry again for threadjacking

[shadowpuppet]

I have a question, well 3.

what are the pocket watch jewels?

and what are their purpose?

and also how do I tell how many on mine?

As a jeweler for 10 years and a watch aficionado, I can provide some help in answering this.

The jewels in a mechanical pocket watch are small rubies or similar gems (garnets and sapphires are also used) that are positioned in various places where metal would otherwise rub against metal. This helps the watch remain more accurate (the less friction there is, the better), and stops the gears from scraping off metal shavings from one another that might soon gum up the works. The more jewels a watch has, the more accurate it will generally be, and the longer the gear wheels will last. Quartz (battery-operated) watches don't have much in the way of moving parts, so they generally don't have any jewels in them.

The jewels are almost always synthetic these days. Up until about the end of the 19th century, they were real, though they obviously weren't the fine gem-quality ones that could otherwise go into jewelry. The value of the ones in a watch is negligible.

As for how many are in yours, Mr. Okoshima, it's usually stamped somewhere on the case, the face or the movement itself. If it's not, you can try looking at the manufacturer's (or even a retailer's) website, and see if it mentions the jewel count in the item description. In the photographs you posted I can see a few, but there would be several others out of view, as well. 17-jewel is pretty standard, though I have seen some with more or less.

[shadowpuppet]

Whoops! Speedily answered, Mr. Designer!

And yes, Major Cleverly, the Elgin was a very nice find, indeed! You'll get a great deal of enjoyment out of it, and with a little love, you will likely be able to pass it on to your children in working order.

It does have a relatively clean cover (Jewel?) for the front, but it was a better photo with it removed.

"Cover" would be correct.

[MrFats]

Well, since we are on the subject of acquisitions, allow me to introduce:


My new elgin.


Another watch, cannot recall the name


Seems kind of cheap.

[HAC]

I have a question, well 3.

what are the pocket watch jewels?

and what are their purpose?

and also how do I tell how many on mine?

link to pics of mine:

HERE

Recent watch? Looks to be a Chinese movement, probably 7 jewel, but I'd need clearer pics for definite ID..
Jewels, as said, are primarily bearings, and they do need the slightest amount of lubrication to function correctly. They also serve the purpose, to a lesser degree, of shaft alignment. A good watch will usually start at 17J, and work up. 23 is usually considered to be the norm for a quality watch. It also is important as to how the jewels are mounted in the plates.  Lowest on the totem pole there is jewels pressed into the plates, followed by jewels in pressed gold mounts, followed by jewels in screwed in gold chatons.
Here's a movement pic of my 1950's Hamilton 992b pocket watch. Ypu can clearly see the jewels and shaft ends..



Cheers
Harold

Cheers
Harold




[/quote]

[Vienna Fahrmann]

     Dear Major Francis,

     What a beautiful watch.  It's so satisfying to see an object with such nice details, both inside & out.

       
     Vienna

[Keithe]

Hello all;
I thought I would share my weekend finds...
I finally found "THE PERFECT WATCH".  The pocketwatch I found is called "The Perfect Watch" by CELCO. It is not a high quality watch but the name was too good to pass on.


The second object is a pocket watch compass which will no doubt prove useful.

[Sir Theodore Catchpole]

I have a question, well 3.

what are the pocket watch jewels?

and what are their purpose?

and also how do I tell how many on mine?

link to pics of mine:

HERE

Recent watch? Looks to be a Chinese movement, probably 7 jewel, but I'd need clearer pics for definite ID..
Jewels, as said, are primarily bearings, and they do need the slightest amount of lubrication to function correctly. They also serve the purpose, to a lesser degree, of shaft alignment. A good watch will usually start at 17J, and work up. 23 is usually considered to be the norm for a quality watch. It also is important as to how the jewels are mounted in the plates.  Lowest on the totem pole there is jewels pressed into the plates, followed by jewels in pressed gold mounts, followed by jewels in screwed in gold chatons.
Here's a movement pic of my 1950's Hamilton 992b pocket watch. Ypu can clearly see the jewels and shaft ends..



Cheers
Harold

Cheers
Harold

[/quote]


that is an AMAZING pictor