Nice post Surf. Those old pocket watches are one of the many things in life that I've never got into collecting but always appreciated the beauty, quality, and craftsmanship of.
Show us your watch!
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I don't collect them, but from about ages 11-17 I regularly carried a pocket watch while working for my neighbor on his farm. He carried a pocket watch because he said he didn't want the danger of a wristwatch catching on the moving machinery parts and causing injury. I followed suit. I had a couple of them(not collectible, I'm sure) I may have to dig them out.............
Thanks for bringing back some memories Surf...........
Thanks for bringing back some memories Surf...........
If you find them, post some pictures. People actually do collect old dollar watches. They don't bring premium prices, but there are people who are obsessed with them.
Hey, tarheeldan. I just wanted to bump this up so you'd make sure and see the info I posted on your family watch.
I love the photo's of your watch Surf Monkey, very nice. 
I love watches but usually just buy inexpensive ones for work. I am a nurse and I did receive one as a gift that is very cool that is pinned to your left breast pocket and the watch appears to be upside down but when you look down you can see the face of the clock. These are considered "old fashioned" I rarely see too many nurses wearing them but the idea is that you can see the time without moving your arm. They are very helpful if you are doing a treatment and want to look down quicky and see the time.
I love watches but usually just buy inexpensive ones for work. I am a nurse and I did receive one as a gift that is very cool that is pinned to your left breast pocket and the watch appears to be upside down but when you look down you can see the face of the clock. These are considered "old fashioned" I rarely see too many nurses wearing them but the idea is that you can see the time without moving your arm. They are very helpful if you are doing a treatment and want to look down quicky and see the time.
I love the photo's of your watch Surf Monkey, very nice.
Very cool! I've seen those pin type watches before. There's also an entire class of wrist watches known as Doctor's Watches.
Thanks!! I really appreciate the info. I'm a little surprised at the dating though, my father gave me the impression it was a fair bit older. Maybe the watch has come down with a lil' sandbaggin'.
I do want to invest in getting it fixed up, it's just a little hard on a grad student stipend - but guaranteed, when I get back in the workforce I'll have it given some proper care EDIT: oh, and in case you were wondering it's gold plated, not 24k. No intention of ever selling it though
Thanks again!!!!!
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Thanks!! I really appreciate the info. I'm a little surprised at the dating though, my father gave me the impression it was a fair bit older. Maybe the watch has come down with a lil' sandbaggin'.
My guess is ballpark. The serial numbers aren't dated year by year, only by the overall production of the watch. The 917 was made from the mid 30s through the mid 50s and your number is closer to the final 1/3 than it is to the first. Therefore I think it's somewhat safe to assume it was made around the mid to late 40s. That being said, identification of production year in this case is basically a guessing game. If your dad said he bought it earlier than that, he's probably more correct than I am.
You should definitely have it serviced. When you're ready to do so, let me know. I can direct you towards some really good watchmakers. I've found that it's better to find a great watchmaker than a local one (unless there's a great one locally.) I send my watches to watchmakers by priority mail. It's a great way to go, especially considering that most jewelry stores do the same thing and often send them to repairmen who don't know what they're doing when it comes to vintage watches.
Advice on a good watchmaker would be great! I won't be done with my degree until 2012 (hopefully....grrr dissertation) but I'll certainly be vaping (and not smoking) and spending altogether too much time around here, so hope you are too
EDIT: oh, and in case you were wondering it's gold plated, not 24k. No intention of ever selling it though
Cool. Yeah, the gold filled ones are less valuable but still quite collectable. I've seen these 917s go for upwards of $500 in gold filled cases. But since it's an heirloom, you're right to keep it in your family. All too often I see watches appear on eBay that are described as "my grandfather's watch" and it pains me to see them changing hands.
My current everyday watch. It's titanium and has the rare Anthracite Dial
Hope this thread is not just pocket watches!
It may not be expensive and I dropped it cracking the glass...but it was my fathers who passed away from lung cancer after smoking since he was 12 till he died at age 55.
I took this from his "drawer of wonders" after he passed and have had it for years.
I wear it always.
The glass is a baby blue and it's raised a bit around all the sides and flat on the top.
It gets a LOT of comments and praise from both men and women.
It's perfectly worn and rubbed and a little dirty but I don't care, I love it and will treasure it forever. Every time I check the time I remember the great man that I was able to have in my life for 27 years.
Sorry for the blurry pics.
I took this from his "drawer of wonders" after he passed and have had it for years.
I wear it always.
The glass is a baby blue and it's raised a bit around all the sides and flat on the top.
It gets a LOT of comments and praise from both men and women.
It's perfectly worn and rubbed and a little dirty but I don't care, I love it and will treasure it forever. Every time I check the time I remember the great man that I was able to have in my life for 27 years.
Sorry for the blurry pics.
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It may not be expensive and I dropped it cracking the glass...but it was my fathers who passed away from lung cancer after smoking since he was 12 till he died at age 55.
I took this from his "drawer of wonders" after he passed and have had it for years.
I wear it always.
The glass is a baby blue and it's raised a bit around all the sides and flat on the top.
It gets a LOT of comments and praise from both men and women.
It's perfectly worn and rubbed and a little dirty but I don't care, I love it and will treasure it forever. Every time I check the time I remember the great man that I was able to have in my life for 27 years.
Very touching. My Dad also left me his watch. I am kind of sad it's a dress watch and could not hold up to daily wear. On special occasions, I do wear it and think about my Dad who is gone for over 7 years already. I miss him a lot.
Yes I miss my Dad so much.
Dads watches are always the best.
I'm glad you have got one of your Dads as well
Dads watches are always the best.
I'm glad you have got one of your Dads as well
Yes I miss my Dad so much.
Dads watches are always the best.
I'm glad you have got one of your Dads as well
There's nothing like heirloom time pieces. My great grandfather was a conductor on the L&N railroad and he carried a Hamilton 992 that's pretty much exactly like the watch I carry now. His actual watch went to my brother when our dad died, but I inherited my GREAT great grandfather's watch. It's an English fusee movement (basically an older technology that was very common in the mid 19th century.) It was made in 1879 in Llanidloes Whales where my ancestor was a coal miner. He bought this watch right before immigrating to American where he settled in Kentucky and started a coal mine there. This is by far and away my most precious watch:
Beauty!! Really like that a lot.
Makes me want to go get a pocket watch. I'd look rather slick pulling one of those beauties out of my pocket.
Makes me want to go get a pocket watch. I'd look rather slick pulling one of those beauties out of my pocket.
I love 'em. People tend to think they're dorky or something, but just 70 years ago pocket watches were THE way that most Americans kept track of the time. Millions and millions were made, meaning that you can find fantastic watches for very little money. And I think they look cool.
You Great Grandfathers watch is really special. Sometimes I look at my cell phone instead of my watch...bad boy...I do prefer my mechanicals. Something amazing about a ticking watch. I love to have the exhibition backs so I can see it moving.
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