Catalog: Antiques: Instruments and Implements: Timepieces (107)

NATIONAL WATCH Co. Elgin, Ill. 1864 – 1874 One of the most predominant early American Watch producers. This watch was introduced for sale in 1870 and is an excellent example of what was available in the 1870s. This is the watch of the “Wild West”, because this manufacturer distributed watches all during the 1870s and carried by lawmen, saloon keepers, bankers, cowboys, Railroad men, and gunfighters. NATIONAL WATCH CO. was directly associated with the “Wild West” because that is what was available (400,000 produced and distributed by 1874), accurate and at a reasonable price.

Learning from the errors in production and mistakes in design, National Watch Co. was formed in 1864 by officers of the earlier Waltham Watch Co. Some of these Waltham organizers were P.S. Bartlett, D.G. Currier, Otis Hoyt, Charles H. Mason and others. The idea of beginning a large watch company for the mid-West was discussed by J.C. Adams, Bartlett, and Blake. After a trip to Waltham, Adams went back to Chicago and approached Benjamin W. Raymond, a former mayor of Chicago, to put up the necessary capital to get the company started. Adams and Raymond succeeded in getting others to pledge their financial support. The National Watch Co. was formed in August 1864 and incorporated in Elgin, Illinois. The factory was completed in 1866, and the 1st movement was a B.W. Raymond, 18 size! All watches were key wind and had porcelain dials marked: “NATIONAL WATCH Co.” Any dial that is marked this way is very scarce. They made history laid the foundations of the Industrial Revolution with production efficiencies and the ease of service by watch journeyman in the field.

They produced 400,000 watches by 1874. In 1874 they went out of business, refinanced, and incorporated with a Name change to the city to which they owed their origin, Elgin NATIONAL WATCH Co., Elgin, Illinois. They went on to produce 50 million watches, both wrist & pocket by 1955. NATIONAL WATCH CO. was directly associated with the “Wild West” because that is what was available for them to wear and use. Other choices were more expensive and not as serviceable and dependable in the American West.

The example presented here is Museum quality OEM with an absence of any wear or use. NATIONAL WATCH Co. Circa: 1870! 18 size, open face, key wind and key set, full plate gilt, 15 jewels, "W.H. Ferry", and "ELGIN, Ill", serial No. 93884. The white porcelain dial is marked: NATIONAL WATCH Co. The original coin silver hunting case is a double hinged back and bezel, key wind plain polished with fancy engraving on both sides. The dial, case, and movement are all original to one another and shows no wear or use at all. Remarkable! The chain is sterling silver and includes a T-Bar and proper winding key both to wind and set the time from the center post. Clean, running. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET, BITCOIN, BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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ELGIN National W.Co. 18k GOLD EXPOSITION ENGLISH original Hunting case; 1879. Has the English Lyon Hallmark. Features a home by the lake with fancy engraving and engine turning. All original, very fancy, mint condition with an initialed crest and a blank dust cover. 11 jewels 3/4 plate gilt, 16 Size, Lever set to change the time, Serial No. 630,310. Solid 18k yellow gold! 124 grams total weight.

Wild Bill Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Railroad men, gunfighters, Saloon keepers, Lawmen, Cowboys carried solid gold ELGIN Watch Co. watches because they were available, accurate, reasonably priced and in circulation all over the Wild West at that time! THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BONDS. BUY HISTORIC AND COLLECTIBLE HARD ASSETS.

Offered with this purchase: The Deadliest Men by Paul Kirchner Soft Bound C: 2001. Personally signed by the only living participant in this book. The Deadliest Men by Paul Kirchner Soft Bound C: 2001. 417 pages. Offered as a result of frequent requests by my valued customers. This book provides facts surrounding my personal gun fighting experiences in my store. These events occurred from 1989 to 1992 in the Watchcompany retail store in West Los Angeles.

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S.B. Champlin Company Providence, RI 1872 - 1934 A sharply angled, almost-triangular-plan 5-story brick industrial building, this was constructed by the S.B. Champlin Company (established 1872) to house its manufacturing of gold rings and gold-filled chains as well as provide rental space for other jewelry manufacturers, an own-and-rent practice then common in the jewelry industry and characteristic of neighboring contemporary buildings in the Jewelry District. The building was so successful that it was enlarged to the south in 1901; only a faintly visible seam marks the union of the two sections. In 1978, the building was converted to condominium use, the first of its type in the area, and retains mixed residential and commercial use. Extremely rare. A 1896 slight variation from "Mesh Sterling" design. This is Sterling Silver, not nickel, coin silver! It is all original and has never been applied to the bow of any pocket watch! Vintage Pocket Watch Faub STERLING SILVER Nylon Ribbon C: 1890 NOS. Extremely rare American Pocket Watch accessery. Just removed from my personal collection of over 45 years. Never sold or applied to the bow of a pocket watch (it is important to note that the flat surface of the Faub charm itself is free of any initials). Still has the original tag marked "STERLING" and "S.B.& C. Co." THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS BUY HARD ASSETS SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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Rare early Movement Tin. AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH Co. 18 Size MOVEMENT TIN with STEM & CROWN 1870. Marked: AMERICAN WATCH CO. Exposition model with the original glass on both side for easy viewing. Early Waltham Salesman and Jewelers presented movements in these easy view tins to show dial and movement choices. Very rare because when closed you can wind the watch as if it was in its final watch case. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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Very scarce Key Wind and Key Set from the rear. 3/4 Plate gilt, 7j, #44,488 (Low Number). The case is in especially wonderful condition, free of any distraction. The original dial has some hairlines at the sub. seconds circle, which does not distract. Clean, running and very nice. LANCASTER W. Co. New Era Mint original 3oz. Coin Silver Open Face Case Pre-Hamilton. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE, DON'T INVEST IN BONDS or STOCKS. BUY HARD ASSETS PROVEN IN TIME.

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ILLINOIS 18 Size Railroad Hands Bold Blued OWM Unused Factory 1905. These hands will be removed from the original Factory Card. never used. Intended for Illinois 18 size Railroad Grades. Reg. U.S. Pat. Office Depose + Swisse; Made in Switzerland for the 18 Size Illinois Watch Co. Railroad Grades. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET, BITCOIN, BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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S.B. Champlin Company Providence, RI 1872 - 1934 The men's watch chain or "Vest Chain" is typically much scarcer than the pocket watch itself. This is because by 1915, the watch was retired to storage and the chain “discarded”, thrown away, or women converted them to bracelets. This fine men’s vest chain presented was produced by the Champlin Co. in 1896, inventoried, and was never sold to the trade or Jeweler for sale. It is therefore, in pristine, new but old stock condition! Can’t get any rarer or desirable!

A sharply angled, almost-triangular-plan 5-story brick industrial building, this was constructed by the S.B. Champlin Company (established 1872) to house its manufacturing of gold rings and gold-filled chains as well as provide rental space for other jewelry manufacturers, an own-and-rent practice then common in the jewelry industry and characteristic of neighboring contemporary buildings in the Jewelry District. The building was so successful that it was enlarged to the south in 1901; only a faintly visible seam marks the union of the two sections. In 1978, the building was converted to condominium use, the first of its type in the area, and retains mixed residential and commercial use.

Gold filled vest chains were originally produced with high gold content. True Gold-Filled vest chains are considered a solid karat gold with today's value per gram @ $3.22. Total weight is 9 grams.

Vintage 18k Gold Filled Vest Chains 1896 S.B. Champlin Co., Providence, RI. NOS. Never used, sold or applied to a watch. All chains still has the original Sales Manufacturers tags. Vintage 18k Gold Filled Vest Chains 1896 S.B. Champlin Co. NOS. All Prestine original condition. Please view the chain inventory and make a selection. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BONDS. BUY HISTORIC AND COLLECTIBLE HARD ASSETS.

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S.B. Champlin Company Providence, RI 1872 - 1934 The men's watch chain or "Vest Chain" is typically much scarcer than the pocket watch itself. This is because by 1915, the watch was retired to storage and the chain “discarded”, thrown away, or women converted them to bracelets. This fine men’s vest chain presented was produced by the Champlin Co. in 1896, inventoried, and was never sold to the trade or Jeweler for sale. It is therefore, in pristine, new but old stock condition! Can’t get any rarer or desirable! These chains are among uncirculated inventory that the Champlin Co. never sold to the trade in 1896. Never known to exist until I began to release them from my personal collection.

A sharply angled, almost-triangular-plan 5-story brick industrial building, this was constructed by the S.B. Champlin Company (established 1872) to house its manufacturing of gold rings and gold-filled chains as well as provide rental space for other jewelry manufacturers, an own-and-rent practice then common in the jewelry industry and characteristic of neighboring contemporary buildings in the Jewelry District. The building was so successful that it was enlarged to the south in 1901; only a faintly visible seam marks the union of the two sections. In 1978, the building was converted to condominium use, the first of its type in the area, and retains mixed residential and commercial use.

Gold filled vest chains were originally produced with high gold content. True Gold-Filled vest chains are considered a solid karat gold with today's value per gram @ $3.22. This NOS chain weighs 9 grams.

This is one example of many chains never used, sold or applied to a watch. Please view the images of this chain selection inventory with the attached images provided. Length varies from 9 - 14 inches. Still has the original Sales Manufacturers tag on each of them. Vintage 18k Gold Filled Vest Chain & T-Bar 1896 S.B. Champlin Co., Providence, RI. NOS. Prestine original condition. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BONDS. BUY HISTORIC AND COLLECTIBLE HARD ASSETS.

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Rare early Movement Tin. AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH Co. 12 Size MOVEMENT TIN with STEM & CROWN 1870. Marked: AMERICAN WATCH CO. Exposition model with the original glass on both side for easy viewing. Early Waltham Salesman and Jewelers presented movements in these easy view tins to show dial and movement choices. Very rare because when closed you can wind the watch as if it was in its final watch case. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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Circa: 1885. AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH Co. MOVEMENT GILT TIN 12 Size, Screw Off with solid Top and Back with Coin Edges on both sides for a better grip. Patented 1885 - 1894. Stored for over 50 years and now being released. I held these back because of their mint condition. Unused condition and completely authentic and original movement gilt tin to store the 12 size Waltham Movement securely. Salesman and merchants used these tins to protect movements from damage when transporting or storage. 44mm diameter and 17mm thick. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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ROCKFORD MODEL 3 Hunting Model 15 Jewels 1884 ALASKA solid SILVER Case. FPG, No. 228,547. Plain screw back and bezel massive case marked "ALASKA SILVER" on the inside back. The crystal is hard rock and extra thick (very scarce) and is original to this case. Very clean, running and impressive watch. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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S.B. Champlin Company Providence, RI 1872 - 1934

The men's watch chain, or "Vest Chain" is typically much scarcer than the pocket watch itself. This is because by 1915, the watch was retired to storage and the chain “discarded”, thrown away, or women converted them to bracelets. This fine men’s vest chain presented was produced by the Champlin Co. in 1896, inventoried, and was never sold to the trade or Jeweler for sale. It is therefore, in pristine, new but old stock condition! Can’t get any rarer or desirable!

A sharply angled, almost-triangular-plan 5-story brick industrial building, this was constructed by the S.B. Champlin Company (established 1872) to house its manufacturing of gold rings and gold-filled chains as well as provide rental space for other jewelry manufacturers, an own-and-rent practice then common in the jewelry industry and characteristic of neighboring contemporary buildings in the Jewelry District. The building was so successful that it was enlarged to the south in 1901; only a faintly visible seam marks the union of the two sections. In 1978, the building was converted to condominium use, the first of its type in the area, and retains mixed residential and commercial use.

Gold filled vest chains were originally produced with high gold content. True Gold-Filled vest chains are considered a solid karat gold with today's value per gram @ $3.22. This extra fine Rope design has total weight of 9 grams, Vintage 18k Gold Filled Vest Chain with a Double Ring design & T-Bar 1896 S.B. Champlin Co., Providence, RI. NOS. Never used, sold or applied to a watch. Still has the original Sales Manufacturers tag. Vintage 18k Gold Filled Vest Chain & T-Bar 1896 S.B. Champlin Co. NOS (New, But OLD STOCK). Prestine original condition. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET OR BONDS. BUY HISTORIC AND COLLECTIBLE HARD ASSETS.

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LANCASTER, Pa. RUBY Grade 16s Hunting Model C: 1878. Serial No. 191,060, 7j, 5/8 Plate Nickel, 11j, Lever Set, marked: RUBY/Lancaster, Pa. Original 2oz. COIN SILVER Double hinged back and bezel open face case. Everything is original and the white porcelain dial is marked: Lancaster, Pa. and is also perfect. Hamilton Watch Co. was formed in 1892 acquiring and purchasing all assets of this company to form the most accurate Railroad timekeeper in history. This scarce pre-Hamilton watch is clean, running and still accurate. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET, BITCOIN, BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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Rare. All original 16k solid yellow gold factory built case by the factory. 138 Grams, total weight. Original white porcelain single sunk dial with never before seen fancy gold hands; marked "E. Howard Watch Co. with hairline at 1 edge. The Series III gilt 5/8 plate gilt key wind and key set from the rear, serial No. 4290 is original to this case. Movement marked: "E. Howard Watch Co., Boston", Reeds Pat. 1857, 15 jewels, compensated balance. Clean, running and completely free of distraction. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE, DON'T INVEST IN BONDS or STOCKS. BUY HARD ASSETS PROVEN IN TIME.

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Swiss NATIONAL WATCH COMPANY 18k GOLD Chaux-De-Fonds Minute Repeater and 30 Minute Register Chronograph. Slide activating minute repeating. 55mm Diameter. 16mm thick. Fully functional with clear vivid chimes. Nickel and Gilt high-grade movement, serial No. 7966.

Plain polished surfaces and closes tight. Very nice and all original. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET. BUY HARD ASSETS SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE FROM AN OLD TIMER--now in my 53rd year trading, buying and selling horological items!

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Unique and very rare. This all-original solid gold watch was made especially for HOWARD & Co. 5th Ave., New York in 1879. This American Silversmith and Jeweler specialized in fine Silversmithing. This firm was established in 1866 by Edward T. and Joseph KP. Howard. Branches were opened in Newport and London. The last heard of from this Jeweler was 1922.

The case is all original to this movement and is in mint condition. The movement is 16 jewels, lever set, Adjusted with a serial No. 1,423,596. It is 3/4 plate nickel and is also fully marked: "Made Especially For HOWARD & Co., 5th Ave., N.Y." The dial is marked in a very rare overlapping initials: Waltham Watch Co. or AWC. 120 grams of 14k gold total weight. All jewel settings are 14k capped and screw down. The dust cover dates this to XMAS 1889. All pristine condition. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET, BITCOIN, BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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Circa: 1888. AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH Co. MOVEMENT GILT TIN 16 Size, Screw Off with solid Top and Back with Coin Edges on both sides for a better grip. Patented 1888 - 1892. Stored for over 50 years and now being released. I held these back because of their mint condition. Unused condition and completely authentic and original movement gilt tin to store the 16 size Waltham Movement securely. Salesman and merchants used these tins to protect movements from damage when transporting or storage. 48mm diameter and 16mm thick. THIS IS A FINE COLLECTIBLE. DON'T INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET or BONDS. BUY HARD ASSETS, SOMETHING PROVEN IN TIME.

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ROCKFORD WATCH CO. Rockford, Illinois 1873 – 1915 The Rockford Watch Company’s equipment was bought from the Cornell Watch Col, and two of Cornell’s employees, C.W. Parker and P.H. Wheeler, went to work for Rockford. The factory was located 93 miles from Chicago on the Rock Rover. The first watch was placed on the market on May1, 1878. They were key wind, 18 size, full plate expansion balance and dials made by outside contract. By 1877 the company was making ¾ plate and nickel movements that fit standard steel cases. The factory was located on the Railroad lines, and they always advertised the Railroad. The company had some problems in 1896, and the name changed to Rockford Watch Co Ltd. It closed in 1915 with pocket watch production serial numbers reaching over one million.

The example for sale is a very scarce 1 first MODEL produced in 1878. The case, dial, and movement are all original to one another. Model 1, 15 jewels, Key Wind and Key Set, Full plate Gilt, (German Jeweler Private Contract), J.K. LANOEMILIH LERMUN, OHIO, Serial No. 100,119. Remarkable, clean original plates. The dial is mint; white porcelain single sunk and marked: ROCKFORD WATCH Co./ILLINOIS. The case is a 4 oz. coin silver double hinged back and bezel NEWPORT COIN with the original super thick beveled crystal! Very scarce in this all original state.

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