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Anyone else collect watches or clocks?

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waltesefalcon

waltesefalcon

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A photo Doc posted of an old South Bend pocket watch on the Photo Bug group made me wonder about this. I own many watches, mostly pocket watches with a couple of wrist watches thrown in. The watch I wear daily is a 1932 Hamilton 992. I keep it with a plain face and in a simple stainless steel case since I carry it daily.
 
Used to be fascinated by 'em, not so much anymore. That South Bend had a broken mainspring, I asked Grandad if I could try and fix it... I was 11~12. He said "sure" certainly figgerin' I'd NO chance. Asked my dad to borrow his small screwdriver set and went off to the bench to learn about it. I reattached that mainspring to the post it had snapped from with solder and re-assembled it. It worked!

...and I ain't been right since... :smirk:

My "dress" watch is an Omega Seamaster, forty years old. Everyday timepieces are a Swiss Army phenolic black bezel, nylon/leather band, black face and another one with a metal band and white face. A few Sieko and a Waltham in a drawer someplace.
 
Nothing wrong with a Seamaster. My dress watch is a mid fifties Wittnauer, not sure of the actual date on it. I'd like to someday upgrade to either a Seamaster or even a Constellation.
 
That's why I call it my "dress-up" one, Walt. :wink:
 
My dress-up watch is a 50's (I think) Lord Elgin that I need to send out for repair. Some fool dropped it.
I have 3 shelf clocks all of which I've had apart for various repairs. One still is apart now, one was my great grandfathers. Two wall clocks, this one I remember my dad dealing on and proudly bringing home when I was maybe 6 or 7. He had to do a new leaf and scroll work on the case which you can't tell:

DeerClock_zpsdfb860f7.jpg
 
Are you sitting down? Better be. I have 23 wind-up watches - Elgins, Hamiltons, Bulova, Timex, etc. I have collected wind-ups for some time now. My all time favorite is a Hopalong Cassidy and my dress up Hamilton. Yes I do wear them all and chose depending on what puts a smile on my face. I also have collected pendant watches. If I can I'll post my Hamilton. The Hamilton started as a pay so much monthly till paid and then could take home - husband and mom-in-law surprised me with a pay in full. I spilled my guts to mom-in-law, swore her to silence and she spilled her guts to son/husband. I am not sure what the allure is with a wind-up watch but I have always had a penchant for them.

hamilton top.jpg Not a great photo but the best I have.
 
Well.... I can't really come up with a number. ALOT of clocks. Maybe 200? My pride and joy is a 1820 Heman Clarke salem Bridge clock. If anyone knows what that is... You ARE a collector. I have a few watchs as well. I stoped carrying pocket watches on a daily basis. Too many broken crystals. I do use my fathers 1920s hamliton wrist watch on special days.
 
Interesting you mention Hamilton Watch -- I'm not a watch collector (don't wear one anymore) but I do have a few pocket watches that came from various parts of the family. The neatest one is this Hamilton that was my grandfather's -- still in the original box with the guarantee and pen knife.

(Quick check online says this watch is probably from 1939)

marshall_watch.jpg
 
George, I thought Clarke was spelled without the e? Regardless that is a neat clock you have, I'm envious since I have never even had the chance to see one. I do have a watch nearly as old though, I have a 1833 John Forrest of London "Chronometer Maker to the Admiralty" Fusee pocket watch.
 
I have a grandfather clock that was a present from my uncle Hartley Howard to his sister Mary H. Hays on November 17th, 1900. The clock maker is J.C Grogan of Pittsburgh, PA. It chimes 8 bells or Westminster chimes. Supposedly it is one of two ever made. The other one is supposed to be in the Vice President's house in Washington DC.
 
If I am not mistaken, Grogan was a high end jeweler in Pittsburgh. It was common to have the jewelers name put on the face of the clock or watch at the factory. All high end jewelers did this. Rarely if ever did they actually make a clock or watch. The most well known is tiffanys. they never made a clock or watch but puchased very high end and had the name added. I am sure your clock fall into this catagory. Any 8 bell clock is very high end. Its great that you have all the history of your clock.
 
You guys motivated me, just dug out my watches and had a battery put into the modern one (basic plain silver one with a cover). Will get some pics up tonight.
 
I have an old Ships clock out of an old destroyer
My dad got 4 of them back in the early 70's
 
Liking Mickey. I find it interesting that many of us with LBC's are also collectors of things. Watches, clocks fascinate me along with toasters, waffle irons, bug sprayers and so many other things. If I have a choice I'll take the old before the new almost all the time. Fortunately husband feels like I do and we tend to live in a quirky house, albeit organized.
 
I prefer eclectic rather that quirky, sounds better. Besides the old things tend to work, the new not so much. As far as organized, well not so much either.
 
I agree about the old working best. My 80 year old Hamilton keeps excellent time. Which is what it was built to do, the 992 movement was a "rail road chronometer" they were adjusted to five positions and temp, had double roller balance, 21 jewels and had to keep time to within +/- 30 seconds per week.
 
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