Wind up wrist watch
- Thread starter Gunslinger808
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Walter Rego
Member
I carried this one today at church. This is what's known as a private label, a watch which was ordered marked with the name of a retailer rather than the maker. This one is double signed(signed on the dial and movement) for Fred Pieper, a jeweler and railroad watch inspector in Covington, KY.
This is one of three watches I have signed for Pieper, all three from the same major American maker(although all three watches are different). Since we seem to have some watch knowledge here, would anyone like to take a guess as to who the maker of the watch was?
The face is ~almost~ identical to a Waltham Model 1903 Crescent St. railroad watch that I own except for the style of the hands and very slight differences in the numerals. The movement in mine is different. I'm guessing yours was a Waltham product also.
Ben_hutcherson
Member
Good guess but it was made a little bit further to the west than in Waltham.
Looks like a high jewel count Illinois - maybe 21 J ?
Engraving is a bit different, but is it a private label Bunn Special ? Color me jealous.
Engraving is a bit different, but is it a private label Bunn Special ? Color me jealous.
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Ben_hutcherson
Member
Very close. It's a 17j Bunn private label.
I also have a 21 Ruby Jewel Bunn Special signed for the same jeweler
The 18 size Bunn and Bunn Special series, as well as all of the high grade Illinois private labels, are fun and interesting watches to collect with interesting variants.
Actually, I think the 992B is a pretty advanced watch. Here is a bunch of info on it: Hamilton 992B (Beginning to End)).
I am thinking of getting one one of these days.
Ben_hutcherson
Member
The 992B was the most technologically advanced watch made in America, and in some respects is superior to any mass produced watch movement coming out of Switzerland now. Specifically, the "Elinvar Extra" hairspring, which Hamilton made in house, is considered to be the finest production hairspring material made. The late George Daniels used stocks of Elinvar Extra hairspring wire to make the springs for his watches.
The 992B was not the best finished watch made in America(one of the various "American Watch Company" grade watches made in Waltham, or the Edward Howard get that honor) but was probably the most consistent and at the end of the day the best timekeeper of any watch made here. It could go head-for-head with most any mechanical watch in current production now, and probably be at least equal if not better.
george minze
Member
I carried this one today at church. This is what's known as a private label, a watch which was ordered marked with the name of a retailer rather than the maker. This one is double signed(signed on the dial and movement) for Fred Pieper, a jeweler and railroad watch inspector in Covington, KY.
This is one of three watches I have signed for Pieper, all three from the same major American maker(although all three watches are different). Since we seem to have some watch knowledge here, would anyone like to take a guess as to who the maker of the watch was?
Covington Ky was once a hub for the old and I guess defuct Louisville and Nashville RR....I don't know who bought them the3y did a heck of a lot of TVA coal business...I remember a wth make almost in the square in Covington I know he was a RR certified watch inspector.....When you ran on
Train Orders on single track you had better have a good watch..Now with centralized traffic control I guess it isn't as important.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
The old L&N was absorbed into the CSX system. Their former headquarters building here in Louisville still has the huge neon L&N logo displayed.
harleyvato
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My watches I have to maintain them every three years as stated earlier,they keep great time too
Probably will outlast me, luckily only one of my sons has any interest in watches,the smiths on the other hand..........
Probably will outlast me, luckily only one of my sons has any interest in watches,the smiths on the other hand..........
THEWELSHM
Member
Graduation present from my Dad in 1969. Wore it every day (including my RVN vacation) until a few years ago when I started frequenting hospitals and didn't want it to come up missing.
The watch that was used to refire APOLLO 13
thewelshm
THEWELSHM
Member
My watches I have to maintain them every three years as stated earlier,they keep great time too
Probably will outlast me, luckily only one of my sons has any interest in watches,the smiths on the other hand..........
I have a 14060 Sub ( Dateless) and Just sold A 16523 inverted Six Daytona. I bought My Dad an Oyster perpetual datejust. Love them
thewelshm
Ben_hutcherson
Member
Not too discourage you from maintaining your watch(something which is admirable), but Rolex cases tend to be very well sealed(to keep out dust) and modern synthetic oils are very good about staying put as well as maintaining their lubricating properties for a very long time.
Unless you're diving, three years is probably overkill and 5 years is a more realistic minimum. Of course going too long in the other direction isn't good either, as there are some parts of the Rolex movements that can get very difficult and expensive to repair very quickly if they are run too long without servicing(although this typically takes 10+ years).
Of course, you won't hurt anything by having your watch serviced every 3 years provided that you're using a watchmaker who is careful and knows what they are doing.
I have a 1921 Illinois Sangamo Special which I am fond of. 21 jewels, if memory serves. I have thought about collecting, but haven't taken that plunge just yet.
