Antique Key Wind Pocket Watch Identification - and ideas ???

[DeepseekerADS]

Over 30 years ago I purchased a silver Key Wind antique pocket watch, and I have been trying to identify this watch ever since. Since I'm on this site, maybe someone here can lend me some help. I took 3 pictures.

The hallmarks:



The back of the watch:



The Front of the watch:



All help will be greatly appreciated

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

photos did not load


what are the hallmarks? how many jewels?

Identify your POCKET WATCH

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Picture trouble, picture trouble, Minutes of waiting and the images won't pop up.

Maybe they'll work tomorrow?

Bear with me folks, they uploaded fine.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

photos did not load


what are the hallmarks? how many jewels?

Identify your POCKET WATCH

I know almost nothing about the watch, the original owner was a collector and passed away very soon after I bought it. I do know it is silver. There's no name on it, and 3 or more hallmarks, one being a lion. Everyone's saying this site has trouble with photos today, and now I see why

 

[diggummup]

Try copy & paste for photos. It seems to be the only way they will post. We would need to see the works in order to identify the watch maker. Cases came separately and are not specific to a particular watch.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I pulled out the works, no writing on them whatsoever.

 

[Mackaydon]

Admin. is aware of the pic posting problem.
Suggestion is to wait till tomorrow when they can address the issue.

 

[diggummup]

Admin. is aware of the pic posting problem.
Suggestion is to wait till tomorrow when they can address the issue.

They've been aware of this problem for at least two full days that I know of and we are still waiting... semi-patiently.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

ok..british sterling marks on the watch case...

he walking lion, the mark for sterling silver.
•A sword erect between three wheatsheafs (garbs): the town mark of the Chester Assay Office.
the Q is a date code...still looking...

Marks in Watch Cases - Hallmarks, Maker's Marks, Sponsor's Marks

can we see a photo of the movement please?
beautiful old watch...sterling and a double sunk dial with no cracks?

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Thanks Don,

This watch is quite complex, all the folding wings to it. Here's 3 more pictures. The inside facing the works seems to be the same hallmarks as on the outer shell I posted. It might disassemble further, I'll explore that. But here's 3 more pictures







The workings are golden colored, but until I try to go deeper, no marks to say gold - and I wouldn't think so anyway.

By the way, this watch winds and works

But I don't mess with it, had it long buried so to speak...

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

ok..beautiful watch...my posts keep disappearing...oh well..

don't disassemble it any further please...damage may occur...unless that springs is a locking mechanism for the dust cover? then a photo..

I don't know my English movements as well as I like...but.
double sunk dial...sterling, key wind, key set? does that thing chime?
anyway...it is beautiful...love the chain...pricy even back then.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Thanks again Don,

I've only wound it a little once, and it worked. Didn't hear a chime.

I had trouble getting the face to snap back in. I have pictures now, so I won't be taking it apart again.

I can't see any silver markings on the chain, and it looks like it could be original - but with the clasp part of it, maybe it's not. Here's a new picture with chain.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

beautiful...except for the discoloration at the button pin...it looks original to me.

the movements that fold out like that are fussy going back in...gently and turn the stem back and forth so the stem aligns is the issue..
sure wish I knew who made the movement...sure didn't put junk into a nice case like that.

thanks for sharing...

 

[nhbenz]

There is a dust cap release, small little thing in an elongated slot. That will allow you to see the movement. It's at the 10 o'clock position in your last photo of that cover.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

There is a dust cap release, small little thing in an elongated slot. That will allow you to see the movement. It's at the 10 o'clock position in your last photo of that cover.

I just went to look, and the hinge on the dial cover is loosening, so I dare not go any further with it.

Perhaps I will never know. It'll be an heirloom anyway, no way I'd sell it - unless of course it was worth a little island in the warmer climates.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[nhbenz]

Ok, I can understand that. If you change your mind, actually the little thingy that gets moved is at the 9 o'clock position, but it effects the catch up at the 10 position. It really shouldn't take much at all.
shown being done in this video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M1EdkO4Uexo&list=PL213415632ED98AA6&feature=plpp

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Ok, I can understand that. If you change your mind, actually the little thingy that gets moved is at the 9 o'clock position, but it effects the catch up at the 10 position. It really shouldn't take much at all.
shown being done in this video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M1EdkO4Uexo&list=PL213415632ED98AA6&feature=plpp

Wow, looks like you may have nailed it - a Fusee? Exact same (by the works cover), but different case and all. That's a beginning for sure! Thank you

 

[steelheadwill]

What a beautiful piece.
The Q date mark is similar for 1812 and 1834, likely the earlier considering the works.
Fusee or pumpkin in the fine case like that is quite impressive.
Only someone with considerable wealth would have a watch like that, each piece of the works was painstakingly cut and filed by hand.
Good idea to not run it until it has been checked out by a qualified horologist,
I know this is the case with later spring mechs, if something inside lets loose it can destroy the entire workings.
Thanks for showing something I hope to have in my collection someday.

 

[diggummup]

This one was out of my league so I posted this over on NAWCC and here is the reply I was given so far...http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?109401-Trying-to-ID-an-English-Pocket-Watch-For-a-Friend

Posted by- gmorse

Hi,

Your correspondent in the other forum is right about sterling silver and the Chester Assay Office mark, but I doubt if this is as early as 1834, let alone 1812; I'd be inclined to go for 1899, judging by the style of the dial and case. I can't make out the maker's mark in the two diamonds, could you take a clearer picture, or failing that, tell us what the letters are please? It certainly isn't a clock-watch or a repeater: no chimes!

If you slide the steel crescent on the dust-cover clockwise, it will release the catch and you can lift the cover off, then you can see the movement and take more pictures. You won't do any damage by doing this, and more information might come your way. The dust cover is gilt brass by the way.

If the watch has not been run for at least the last 30 years, it's not a good idea to run it now until it's been properly cleaned and lubricated, as old oil and dirt can do damage.

Regards,

Graham

 

[diggummup]

Are the letters inside the two diamonds a J and an H?