Posted 13 years ago
Purplesuebug
(3 items)
I have this watch by FE Commings of Harrisburg, PA. Does anyone know where I can get any info on this watch. I seem to hit dead ends every time I try to search. Thanks.........................
F.E. Commings | ||
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Very good info AR8Jason, thanks so much. Do you know whether he made a lot of these or was he small time. My wife's Grandfather had this watch along with a 1905 Waltham. He worked as a welder in the yard for the PA RR and probably got them there. Since the watches are older than he would have been if he was alive today, he probably got them secondhand, which would explain why the Waltham has Willy Kerr inscribed inside instead of Augustus Putt. Anyway, they are my wife's grandfather's and she wants to get them cleaned and inspected. I'm trying to find out if it can be done. Thanks again for all the info, it is very interesting and also allows me to narrow the date of the watch. Take Care.............
What you have is called a "private label" watch made by the Illinois Watch Co. for this jeweler. It was made in 1899. It's an 18 size hunter case model 5 with 17 jewels. Pretty much every watch company back in the day would take special orders from jewelers, or even individuals, to have their names put on the dial and as you can see from this one even on the movement! I have a Hamilton made private label posted here for a jeweler in Roswell NM... A lot of collectors like these as they add a whole new layer of history to each watch. Thanks for sharing it! Oh, could you post pictures of the front and back of the case? We'd love to see them!!
Here's a link to mine: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/7513-110-year-old-pocket-watch?in=user
Thanks Gentlemen for your information. I know know that this watch is worth cleaning and a check-up. My wife wants me to extend her thanks as well. I am posting the pictures of the case as soon as I finish my thank-you note. Take Care........
Beautiful!!!