Another super pocketwatfch

[Dan R]

From my archives.





It's hard to beat an 18s, 21j PW, unless of course, you are going snorkeling.



Dan

[Der Amf]

I for one would be delighted to read simply anything you want to tell us about this. When made, how it fits into the history - even stuff about what size it is - I'm sure I can't be the only person here who admires PWs but is still pretty clueless about them.

[Dan R]

I for one would be delighted to read simply anything you want to tell us about this. When made, how it fits into the history - even stuff about what size it is - I'm sure I can't be the only person here who admires PWs but is still pretty clueless about them.

I'll be happy to comply, but give me until tomorrow. Work has not been all unicorns and rainbows and I am soothing my injured whatever with a martini and hand-stuffed olives. But I have my reference book here and will get back to you tomorrow.

Cheers!

Dan

[Dan R]

The pocketwatch is a American Waltham pocketwatch made somewhere in the 1905 - 1907 range. The model number is 1892. It is an open face lever set movement. As you can see, it was adjusted to five positions. The name Vanguard on the watch designates a different grade of the model number. Waltham would often chose the names of board members, company investors, or other prominent individuals. It simply meant that it had a different level of finish.

The Vanguard 1892 model in 18s was their highest grade watch. Variations do abound as it can be found with 19, 21, or 23 jewels. The 22nd and 23rd jewels were used in the mainspring barrel if memory serves me correctly.

I would note that this particular pocketwatch is railroad grade, but I've not been able to determine if was railroad approved.

I would note that the case was a replacement. You can see that there are impressions from the case screws from a different movement.

I'll close by adding a picture of the movement after I serviced it. I amped the light a little to show off different parts of the finish.

Cheers!

Dan

[is that my watch]

The pocketwatch is a American Waltham pocketwatch made somewhere in the 1905 - 1907 range. The model number is 1892. It is an open face lever set movement. As you can see, it was adjusted to five positions. The name Vanguard on the watch designates a different grade of the model number. Vanguard would often chose the names of board members, company investors, or other prominent individuals. It simply meant that it had a different level of finish.

The Vanguard 1892 model in 18s was their highest grade watch. Variations do abound as it can be found with 19, 21, or 23 jewels. The 22nd and 23rd jewels were used in the mainspring barrel if memory serves me correctly.

I would note that this particular pocketwatch is railroad grade, but I've not been able to determine if was railroad approved.

I would note that the case was a replacement. You can see that there are impressions from the case screws from a different movement.

I'll close by adding a picture of the movement after I serviced it. I amped the light a little to show off different parts of the finish.

Cheers!

Dan

wow that's sexy lol

[Der Amf]

Er, 18 plus 5 plus 30 all over 30 equals 1.767" is about 45mm. So for the watch overall about 55mm?

[Dan R]

Er, 18 plus 5 plus 30 all over 30 equals 1.767" is about 45mm. So for the watch overall about 55mm?

I don't have my calipers with me, but it is a little over 2", so 55mm would be very close.

Dan

[Der Amf]

I don't have my calipers with me, but it is a little over 2", so 55mm would be very close.

Dan

That's quite a carry-able size - is 18s the size the market likes the most? ie do larger more unwieldy PW tend to cost less, irrespective of equivalent quality?

[Dan R]

That's quite a carry-able size - is 18s the size the market likes the most? ie do larger more unwieldy PW tend to cost less, irrespective of equivalent quality?

That is a tough question to answer. To listen to the "experts", the 16s is the most desirable.

To be honest, once the machinery caught up to the ability to downsize, you could get as an attractive looking 16s as you could with an 18s. Personally, I like the 18s as the balance wheel is on the plate as opposed to in the movement on a 16s. And I am bad about buying Hamilton display cases which have a glass on both sides. You can't bottle up that look, really!

As for costs, I did a quick run down of the Waltham Vanguard 1892 and my most favorite 16s pocketwatch, the Hamilton 992B. At least in the US eBay, the prices were within 25USD. In the distant pass, like 15 years ago, the 16s held a premium. That edge seems to have vanished a little.

Of course, your mileage may vary based on make, model, and year. I found some of the 12s Hampden's to be just little gems. Those, sadly, seem to go for less.

Hopefully, that helps,

Dan

[Der Amf]

A few Waltham 1892s on UK ebay as the moment - all around the £300 mark