Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches, with offices in New York City and Toronto, was one of the very first internet watch dealers since 1994. Throughout our many years, we have supplied numerous vintage watches to the film and television community. Our watches have been in Disney films and TV, including Twitches and Grey Gardens, as well as worn by Hollywood actors, congressmen, a Supreme Court Justice and many top Fortune 500 executives. We hope you enjoy our informative vintage watch videos!
You mentioned sidewinders - gotta throw out an ocd argument - a "sidewinder" *technically* is a hunting case movement in an open face case. What you were calling a "sidewinder" isn't technically right - it was just a regular hunting case movement configuration.
It’s weird that pocket watches were used to time railway schedules in the 18th century, especially since the first steam locomotive wasn’t made until the 19th century.
I am going to add a couple of things, there are other comments about the inaccuracies in this video, I will add some buying advice for people buying their first pocket watch. Tip one, do not buy a low grade 7j movement like the Elgin watch he demonstrates in this video, here in the UK it costs more to service the watch than its value, buy a minimum of 15j, it is a better quality movement and there are millions of pocket watches out there. Tip two, never buy a pocket watch that has a damaged dial, chips, hairlines, you cannot get new replacement dials. Avoid Omega, masonic, suffragette, Disney dials etc, they are constantly faked. Tip three, never buy a watch with a damaged case, it is not as easy as people think to put the movement in a donor case and will cost more than the watch is worth. Tip four, do not be afraid of buying watches that do not work, quite often they just need a service or a new spring, look at the case for any damage, if the case is in good condition the movement clean and the dial undamaged then you probably have a good watch. Obviously, this is a risk that something may be broken and may be expensive to repair. Tip five, once you purchase your watch, have it serviced immediately, do not run an old watch that may have been in a drawer for over 40 years (pocket watch era finished circa 1980s), it can damage the movement. Tip six, do not use any kind of cleaning cloths on pocket watches, they can contain mild abrasives and may damage the surface. Tip seven, buy a chain, never drop a pocket watch. Tip eight, if it is your first pocket watch buy a Waltham or an Elgin, millions of them out there, you can pick them up cheap, parts are available (not dials) every horologist has worked on them throughout their career. Do not buy a Fusee pocket watch, here in the UK it is getting harder to find people to service them, parts are unavailable as well. I was quoted £450 to have a fusee serviced a few months ago $558.50 at 25/06/2020. Last tip, buy a working pocket watch, without damage, nice dial, 15j plus. There are millions of pocket watches, be patient. If you want to try a mechanical pocket watch to see if it suits you, buy something like a Smiths Empire, about £20-£25 working in the UK, then sell it on. pocketwatchdatabase.com is your friend to look at serial numbers, it will tell you everything about the movement, try searching the Elgin watch serial 7696154 in the video. There is information about cases, companies, sizes, virtually everything you need to know. Good luck and enjoy your purchase.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457(Horologist) One who practices or is skilled in horology. (Horology) a person skilled in horology, esp an expert maker of timepieces. They are becoming hard to find, the one I use retires in a few weeks, I am going to have to start posting my watches to get them serviced and repaired.
I noticed that you did not discuss European Made watches. I have a 29 jeweled Patek Philippe. Octagonal .95 Platinum cased watch. Rolex made some pocket watches that are of a good value to be purchased in the market today. (My Rolexes are worn on the wrist.)
Why did not address the fact t hat there would be a bit of paper inside the watch that documents the service/ calibration of the watch if it was; "Railroad"?
You have to kind of define railroads. The first American railroad was built in the 1760's in NY, and VA also used rail to get coal out of the mines to the James River depos in the late 1700's. BUT, they were gravity and/or horse drawn; *steam locomotives* didn't make their appearance much until the 1820's. Still, from a purist standpoint, they WERE railroads.
Thanks for a great video! Has anyone put a display case-back on their Elgin Railroad Edition pocket watch? It's such a beautiful movement. It would be nice to observe the movement in action without having to unscrew the existing, plain, case-back.
Hi, I have a Waltham Vanguard 23j in A Waltham salesmans case it is in stunning condition, it looks great with the glass back. The cases are sometimes available on Ebay. This is the watch movement. pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/18098705
how to buy a pocket watch 1-get some money you dont need. 2-shop everywhere. 3-try to buy a watch with certification or serviced, otherwise your buying garbage at very expensive price.
Gotta correct you on one thing. Wrist watches did exist in the 1800s. Actually the first one was made in 1810. They were quite common in the 1800s, but only worn by women, because they were marketed as bracelets. So it might be true that they started to be made for men during the 1900s, but they did exist for women throughout the entire 19th century pretty much.
It was the first world war that wrist watches became a watch for men because the military issued them to soldiers because they were much more convenient to use in battle.
Excellent guidance and insight into these beautifully crafted jewels of precision timekeeping. All gentlemen must have one and it is our duty to preserve them for the next generation. American Railroad pocketwatches for example were beautifully made and are a fine examples of this art and craft!
