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Post#1 @
06-20-02
, 08:58 PM
I have an old pocket watch that I took possesion of when my Mom's Mom died. We all thought it was my Grandfather's watch. I was happy about this being his watch, as he died when I was ~4 months old and I had nothing that was his. When my second son was born it stimulated me into thinking I might want to get the watch fixed. It was very well worn and did not run. When I unscrewed the back plate I was shocked to find a wedding picture of Mormor and Papa - my mothers maternal grandparents - cut into the shape of a circle and pressed into the plate. This had been not my Grandfather's watch, but my Great-Grandfather's watch. This was even more significant as I was now staring at the picture and holding the watch of the man whom I never met but after whom I named my second son. So it's a no-brainer, no. 2 will get the watch. One day. Long from now. Anyway, now that you've suffered through my story, here's my question: Are there any online resources that will tell me how old the watch is? How about how much it might have cost and where one might have bought it? It is a well-jeweled Waltham. I had it fixed and it runs like, well, clockwork (oldest joke in the biz.  ) , but the guy who fixed it assured me it wasn't really anything special - except to me! I paid more to fix it than it likely is worth, but I'm happy to have it running again. I am curious about this watch's history, but unfortunately the last guy to carry it has been dead for 40 years.Thanks for listening. [Edited by Rank Amateur on 06-20-02 at 08:00 PM] |
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Post#2 @
06-20-02
, 09:03 PM
That is a beautiful story! Your son should be very honored when you pass it down to him. I wish I had something like that from my parents ~ even though it may not be worth much money the sentimental value makes that watch **priceless!** |
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Post#3 @
06-20-02
, 09:04 PM
Have a look at the following links: General info: http://www.oldwatch.com/walthamdate.html Serial Number Checker: http://www.waltham-community.org/WalthamWatch.html This will give you the year of manufacture. Hope this helps. Bazil |
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Post#4 @
06-21-02
, 12:11 AM
Thanks Bazil! That was quicker than any google search anyday. The serial number is 16,7xx,xxx, so that puts it at about 1908. Very interesting. Mormor (Selma, actually) was born in 1890. She was among us well into her 90s, and lived across the street from me when I was a boy. I knew her quite well, but her husband died before I was born. I believe she emigrated from Sweden when she was just 14 to escape an alcoholic father. She and Anders met in the States but went back to Sweden to get married. They returned to raise their family here in Ohio. I'm guessing that 1908 is about when they were married, and I will hope that the watch was a wedding gift. Until today I had always assumed the watch was newer - like the 1902s. The picture I found inside may well be later than 1908 - she doesn't appear to be wearing a wedding dress. Anyway here's the (bad) pic to share what I found:
[Edited by Rank Amateur on 06-20-02 at 11:16 PM] |
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Post#5 @
06-21-02
, 07:52 AM
Anytime - glad to help. That's a really nice thing to have - little pieces of family history don't need to be valuable to be absolutely priceless. You're right to get it fixed - it's something that'll probably be treasured by whoever it goes to next. [I will hope that the watch was a wedding gift] You never know - it could have been just that - especially with the picture inside. It could also have been an 18th or 21st birthday present. You'll probably never know - and it doesn't matter one bit. Bazil |
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What is Their Story, R/A?
Post#6 @
06-21-02
, 07:58 AM
This was a stupid question. You probably told us as much as you knew  . Maybe you could learn more, however.AGBF [Edited by A Girl's Best Friend on 06-21-02 at 07:02 AM] |
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Post#7 @
06-21-02
, 06:12 PM
That's about all I know. Maybe I'll pick what I can from my Mom's brain. My Grandmother does have two brothers who are still living, maybe one of them can fill me in on the details of their Dad and the story of the watch. I hope they don't want it back! These people are the closest thing to "ethnic" in my family and their story is important to me. I'm 1/4 Swedish and the rest is hillbilly and Presbyterian mutt! [Edited by Rank Amateur on 06-21-02 at 05:14 PM] |
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For AGBF, since she asked
Post#8 @
08-09-02
, 09:25 AM
In talking to my Aunt last night, I showed her the watch and learned a few things. When she first saw the watch she said, "That's Dad's." I said "Nope, it's Papa's." Mormor and Papa were married in 1913, so the watch is older than their marriage. Maybe it was a 21st birthday present for Papa. I think he was born in ~1888. My Aunt says that he didn't talk much, Mormor did all the talking. He worked his whole life in the Goodyear Plant No. 2 in Akron, OH and though a regular laborer was know by all. During WWII, one of his sons (my Great-Uncle who was moving up the Goodyear corporate ladder in Asia) was enlisted and stationed in Burma. He was not heard from for many, many months. There was a lot a fighting near where they *thought* he was and they feared the worst. Getting messages through, even for business, was difficult. Personal notes from the military were even more rare. My Great-Uncle managed to tack a two-word message on to a transmission from one of the Goodyear plants (in Jakarta?) back to Akron that said "Larson here". The story goes that the President of Goodyear himself saw this at the end of the business transmission, went into the plant to find Papa, and let him know where his son was and that apparently his son was OK. I'm not sure how many stories are out there in the heads of my family members, but I guess I should ask and then take good notes! |
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Post#9 @
08-09-02
, 07:16 PM
RA, This is so cool. Glad you received the info on the watch. I have a couple books I may could add something for you. Just drop me an email with ser#, and any other number on the watch, watch case, movement, etc. Tell me anything it may say and where. Congrats! |
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Post#10 @
08-10-02
, 09:09 AM
RA--- What a truly special watch! Thank goodness you decided to have it fixed and found that picture. Thanks for sharing the story with us...it is a beautiful one! Make sure you write everything you find out about this watch down, so you can give it to your son when you give him the watch eventually. That way, you can continue to pass down this story! Kara
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Post#11 @
08-10-02
, 10:54 AM
Thanks Kara, will do. I'll be taking Steve up on his kind offer.
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hey,R.A.....this was an enjoyable thread to read through...thanks for the fun read...the waltham is a watch...like my great grandfathers elgin...was a very popular brand at the turn of the century and made in mass for the general public ...but they were not the mass production that we see today...they were sturdy,well made watches that as you can see were built to last...even the gold plate was quality...most of the watches by waltham were heavy plate and warrentied for several years...you will see a stanp that says some thing like...20 year warrent on these gold plate models...since they were a must have gift at this period of time and many pocket watches were made for weddings,graduations and 21st birthdays...you see alot of them around...so the repair /cleaning bill overrides the value...but your son wont care about that when you give this to him one day...i recieved my great grand fathers watch last year from my father as an early christmas gift.. i would like to see your watch...as i would be proud to share mine...when we are able to get together...e-mail me when you get time away from the jewelers bench...jal |
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