Posted 9 years ago
pw-collector
(297 items)
Ok, this may not be a proper 1st post after returning from cancer surgery!!!
Just to clarify, I am not a smoker nor have I ever been a smoker, but couldn't resist this novelty item that I have never seen before.
The watch is manufactured by the Ansonia Clock Co. which began in 1850, was incorporated in 1873, They began manufacturing pocket watches in 1904, and continued in business until 1930 when they sold their equipment to Russia.
I'm not sure if Ansonia made this ashtray assembly, but this watch was not intended to be carried in a pocket because the pendant/stem was not made to accept a bow (swing ring) to attach a watch fob or chain to. A post is attached to each side of the watch case that fit into the arms of the match box bracket that holds the watch and allows it to swivel on its axis. The arms are pinned to the bracket and I have not been successful in seeing how to remove the watch (which is not currently in running condition). I did remove the back of the case and was amazed at how clean the back plate was, and it was marked A 22 (1922). I'm surprised the dial and back plate isn't yellow from all the cigarette smoke that it has encountered. If anyone has encountered or has one of these, and knows how to remove the watch so it can be serviced, I would love to hear from you.
The bracket behind the watch, holds a small penny box of matches that measure 2 inches tall, 1.5 inches wide & 0.5 inches thick.
The ashtray is 6.5 inches in diameter and lacks any markings of manufacture.
Thanks for looking,
Dave
Very unique!
Welcome back!
Thanks walksoftly for the "welcome back" & appreciation.
That's great I have never seen one like it before. I wonder what lands it's travelled all for pleasure I hope. Thanks for the show
Thanks for the comments & appreciation:
Zowie (the ashtray shows a lot of use of many cigarettes & possibly cigars also).
aghcollect
I can see that & I would say maybe way back someone would of cleaned it also from many years of use. I just hope it also brought many years of pleasure & not pain & used in a war didn't really want to go there said now.
If you take the time to research the company you will find their patent for the ashtray (1922 I think).
Two Thumbs up Dave.....very cool :-)
fhrjr2,
I've searched U.S. Patents by year, name (Ansonia) and by type (ashtray) and have come up blank so far. I have looked through all my pocket watch books, dollar pocket watch books, novelty watch books and have come up blank there also.
Thanks for the comments & appreciation:
vetraio50
racer4four
Kerry (menthol Kool?)
LOL, yes "KOOL", did you see my Johnny Zero pocket watches ? They're something I'm sure you'll enjoy
pw - I found this, doesn't really help on removing the watch though;
https://books.google.com/books?id=iPeNOctHtYIC&pg=PA353&lpg=PA353&dq=us+patent+61,464&source=bl&ots=-gB1-jxiNe&sig=t1xciHu7wcdS3aFp14UBBs--U48&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JxGfVdmBIImrgwTooIPABQ&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=us%20pat
If the link alters itself - just scroll down a little and click the blue "page 353"
patent 61,464 inventor Russell Cowles - assignor to Ansonia Clock Co.
aghcollect, that is awesome. Thanks for searching this, very much appreciated.
Dave
That was a speedy recovery! I'd only just seen your previous post, lol. I'm glad you're home and are back to what you love :)
You're welcome pw - always like to help -- in addition, just an idea, have you tried that maybe the side pins push to one side or the other, one of them may be spring loaded and the watch could be removed by that method (somewhat like when you replace a tp roll on its' roller)
Thanks Vintagefran for the well-wishes and appreciation.
aghcollect,
The side pins and arms are stationary, no spring action, no movement whatsoever. It appears the inventor, Mr. Russell Cowles, did not consider the possibility of anyone wanting to do any maintenance on these inexpensive, non-jeweled watches.
Thanks for the appreciation:
slotman
fortapache
mikelv85
Glad you are doing good, very cool ashtray:)
It was ahead of it's time, designed with no means of fixing it, just like they do now.
https://www.google.ca/patents/USD61464?dq=61,464&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OeKfVcjcHdGmyAS2pZm4Bw&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA
Could you spread the arms enough to get it off of the pins?
Thanks Trey for the well-wishes and appreciation.
walksoftly,
The arms will not move without doing damage. In photo #3, it appears the arms were slipped on to the pivot pins and then pinned to the back plate. The back plate pins appear to be brazed on. No space to pry off with a blade.
I've had a quick scan around no luck sorry It's just different that I like
The links to the patent & drawings, kindly supplied by aghcollect & walksoftly, show (4) ball-type feet on the ashtray bowl, but this example shows no evidence of having any type of feet ever being attached.
Dave
Dave, as an ex-smoker, my LUV is for the watch as I refuse to vote on ashtrays out of principle. Got you! You didn't think I had any, did you? I can't remember how long ago I quit & consider that a good sign.
BB2, and I thought the only "principals" you had, were from grades 1-12. Just kidding. I'm glad you quit long ago.
Thanks for giving the watch LUV!!
Dave
I quit before I moved out of French territory, 12 yrs. ago, & into Dutch. I have friends in high places & high friends in places in both countries. Both circles have their purpose. Can that watch mount have a spring loaded pin like for a watch band? One good pix but still not clear enough to me. Has to have a way to remove it! Does it move any? If so, there is a way to take it off. I won't suggest our motto in demolition.
Dave....just a thought....Ansonia watches I have, movement comes out the front after removal of beasle, bet only 1 or 2 screws in back...1 top one bottom
What a neat piece ! I am surprised inside isn't all clogged from smoke too . Hope you can figure out how to get it off to service it . Love it is unique
Thanks Manikin for the comments & appreciation.
Thanks GeodeJem for the appreciation.
Kerry, you knowing, that I am watch repair challenged, I sent you an email with some photos you can look at. It does look like the movement comes out fro the front.
Dave
Thanks Roycroftbooksfromme1 for the appreciation.
Thanks officialfuel for the appreciation.
See Part 2 for the removal of the watch movement here:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/162855-ansonia-pocket-watch-ashtray-part-2?in=activity
Dave
Thanks BB2. See link for disassembly.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/162855-ansonia-pocket-watch-ashtray-part-2?in=activity
I can now get a good nites sleep! LOL! I was thinking that it might require bending the back plate a bit, but since the trunnion mounts are soldered, that wouldn't work (or not smoothly!). LOL!
Thanks for the appreciation:
petey
Kerry,
The Ansonia pocket watches arrived today, and after a strenuous period (on my part) on the operating table, I was successful in putting the heart back in the body. Adjusted its arms to the right time, turned its crown, rotated it a little, and it took off ticking like a brand new baby.
Thanks for all your skills & time.
Dave
LOL thanks Dave, just saw this post...and already asked on another if it had made it...lol
Careful Kerry or you might damage that rough & tough biker image. LOL!
LOL Lucas, already damaged it years ago wearing a set of Mickey Mouse Ears for a helmet.... but that's another story
Thanks Rustfarm for the appreciation.
Thanks Radegunder for the appreciation.
Thanks pops52 & packrat-place for the appreciation.
Hello Dave, just checking in....and wondering if the repairs are holding up? Have a great day
Kerry