Pocketwatches

Shangas · May 9, 2009

First thing's first. Off to the engraver's to add your name & qualifications to the watch.

Second thing's second: If you intend to use and wear this watch, send it to an expert watchmaker for a complete overhaul. You don't wanna use this watch in its current condition, god knows the last time it was lubricated properly.

Third thing, if you're going to wear it, buy a chain...Or maybe this watch already has one?

DocMustang · May 10, 2009

First thing's first. Off to the engraver's to add your name & qualifications to the watch.

Second thing's second: If you intend to use and wear this watch, send it to an expert watchmaker for a complete overhaul. You don't wanna use this watch in its current condition, god knows the last time it was lubricated properly.

Third thing, if you're going to wear it, buy a chain...Or maybe this watch already has one?

My father has started a tradition of adding your name to the watch before you pass it on. This makes sense; as a Naval Officer I will likely not remain LT T.C. Hathaway, IV, MD for long. I think CDR or CAPT would look better.

I have a very nice chain for the watch. I will post pictures of it when I can. The fob belonged to my great great uncle. Like me he was an active Freemason and the fob Is an excellent example of fraternal jewlery from around the turn of the last centruy. It contains his entire Masonic resume'. I will wear it once I can legitimately claim membership in both the York and Scottish rites.

The watch was last refurbished in 1975 by an expert watchmaker in Germany, where my father was stationed as a young Lt. and where I was born. It likely needs service again though. I am not sure whether I will have this done here in Ann Arbor or once I get to my residency.

As for wearing it every day. I have thought about that a good deal. It is far too valuable for so common a service. If anything were to happen to it I would never forgive myself. It will fill the place of a family treasure. Like the family silver or "the good china" I will use it only for special occasions. With reverence and respect.

Lamplight · May 10, 2009

Congratulations on you degree, and what a wonderful story! Not many people get the chance to own a watch that old, let alone one that's been in the same family for so long. It's beautiful.

Shangas · May 10, 2009

If it was last serviced in 1975, then it's definitely due for another service. At the VERY LEAST, a watch should be looked at every TEN YEARS.

I (and I'm sure many others), would love to see the chain & fob that goes with this watch.

I can understand your worrying about wearing the watch, but within reason, there's no reason why you cannot. It's next to impossible to lose a pocket watch, since it's always attached to your clothes. Unless the chain breaks (and I can't see that happening to ANY chain that I own!), you'd never lose it.

If you wear jeans a lot, you might be able to put the watch into the watch-pocket of your jeans (if it's big enough). The watch-pocket is on the right hand side, just below the belt-loops. A belt-clip or ring-clip chain would then go around your belt or belt-loop (respectively), to keep the watch safe.

DocMustang · May 10, 2009

As Promised here are a few more photos:
The engraved names, my great grandfather hand scrawled his name neatly onto the polished surface of the mechanism cover, along with his birthplace, White Stone, VA:

Here is the watch on the chain:

Close ups of the fob. You cannot tell from the picture but the visor on the helmet is a separate piece. It does not fully open but is nevertheless a fine example of the jeweler's art.

Fobs like this were quite common. What makes this one particularly interesting is that it combines imaging from the York Rite (the Templar cross seen above) with the double eagle of the Scottish Rite (seen below):

Jewelers would keep crosses like this one as a stock piece and add custom items to it like the eagle above and the engraving seen below. The imagery seen below can only be seen by lifting the eagle up as a locket and is taken from the York Rite specifically the Mark Master degree, and Royal Arch.

Engraved on each of the limbs of the cross are the 4 separate York Rite Bodies my Great Uncle belonged to. His blue lodge, Royal arch chapter, Cryptic Council and Templar Commandery. Underneath the Eagle is engraved "Grand Consistory of LA" a reference to the Scottish Rite.

Again fobs like this one of various quality are perpetually available on E-Bay and are not rare or particularly valuable. This one is important to me because it is the oldest Masonic Artifact of my family. Although astute readers may have picked up references to "The Craft" in Henry's Letter published in the link above. I think I will have to make a few inquiries of the Masons of Lancaster County, VA

DocMustang · May 12, 2009

So as suggested, I took the watch in to have it looked at and was given an estimate of $125 to have the watch cleaned and serviced. He also told me that the watch needs a new mainspring. I also found a second watchmaker who works about an hour from me, who comes highly recommended. I will take it by there and see if he concurs with the first opinion.

Shangas · May 12, 2009

$125 for a servicing & mainspring sounds pretty reasonable. The mainspring gets a LOT of use, for obvious reasons...it powers the whole darn watch!...So getting it replaced should be pretty easy, as there were billions of mainsprings produced.

Best of luck, doctor, in getting your watch back to peak condition!!

shortbow · May 12, 2009

:eusa_clap

draws · May 13, 2009

Beautiful watch! I have an 1897 Hampden GF hunter but is not a hand-me-down. Take good care of it since the golden era (30s-40s - Depression era) is about to re-emerge, sad to say. Your son should be educated as to its meaning and also learn from the past. I fully intend to leave this to one of my grandchildren.

I am thinking of having my watch engraved . Any recommendations on having that done would be appreciated.

bburtner@moran · May 13, 2009

Great Watch & Fob

Beautiful watch & Masonic fob...Wear the watch with pride.Bro Brian B Tompkins Lodge #471.

DocMustang · May 13, 2009

draws said:
Beautiful watch! I have an 1897 Hampden GF hunter but is not a hand-me-down. Take good care of it since the golden era (30s-40s - Depression era) is about to re-emerge, sad to say. Your son should be educated as to its meaning and also learn from the past. I fully intend to leave this to one of my grandchildren.

I am thinking of having my watch engraved . Any recommendations on having that done would be appreciated.

Yes, as I said in my first post, I had admired the watch for my entire life. I had always known it would come to me. I did not know when or how. Many milestones had passed in my life without the watch being passed to me. HS graduation, entering the navy, Graduating from College, Getting Commissioned as a naval officer, getting married, and the birth of my son. None of those occasions were chosen to pass the watch on. Receiving it with my MD made it that much more special. I firmly believe that every young man waits his entire life to hear those welcome words from his father: "Well done son, I am proud of you and approve of the man you have become." That is what I heard and understood when my father passed the watch to me. I will teach my son this as he grows up.

As for getting the watch engraved, I would take it to a jeweler who specializes in watches, and watch repair. Try this link:http://www.watch-clock-makers.org/ to start. They may be able to set you up with an engraver or even be able to do the work themselves.

Shangas · May 13, 2009

I personally wouldn't engrave an antique watch unless, as is the case with Dr. Mustang, it's a family-inherited piece and you're recording your mark on this amazing piece of jewellery.

But if you must get your watch engraved, I suggest you do it on the inside cuvette of the watch, where it's out of the way and doesn't sully the case too much.

FinalVestige79 · May 13, 2009

Congrats Doc! That is one beautiful timepiece.

R.A. Stewart · Nov 30, 2009

Got the pocket watch; where to carry it?

I'm sure I can't be the only one with this problem--have a pocket watch I'd like to wear much more often--but you can hardly find pants with a watch pocket any more.

Now, 'f I were King of the Forest, every pair of men's trousers, athletic gear aside, would have a watch pocket. (Well, and except for those baggy calf-length shorts that always seem to be worn with a backward baseball cap and flip-flops. Not much pocket-watch love among the guys who wear those, I'd guess.) Or, if I were just an ordinary citizen with a normal degree of success and affluence, I'd insist on trousers with a pocket watch or else hie me to my tailor immediately after purchase to have one put in. Alas, I'm not in a position to do that, having chosen a profession that pays about as well as ocarina busking. I don't like to just put the watch in my side pocket, as it tends to fall out. Vests are an option, but I'd have to add some to my vest collection (or subtract some from my waistline

). Does anybody sell a nice leather watch pouch that can fasten to a belt? Or is it less expensive than I've been thinking to have a watch pocket added to a pair of trousers?

Many thanks in advance for any ideas about this.

~Rich

Brummagem Joe · Nov 30, 2009

The breast pocket

.....I'm unclear if you wear regular suit/sport jackets .......it you do it's the breast pocket with the chain through the button hole.......I often wear a pocket watch this way

R.A. Stewart · Nov 30, 2009

That's an idea; I hadn't thought of that possibility. I do wear a sportcoat most days at work, though I often hang it on my chair once I get here.

"Skeet" McD · Nov 30, 2009

In the side pocket: a called shot...

R.A. Stewart said:
I'm sure I can't be the only one with this problem--have a pocket watch I'd like to wear much more often--but you can hardly find pants with a watch pocket any more....I don't like to just put the watch in my side pocket, as it tends to fall out. Vests are an option, but I'd have to add some to my vest collection (or subtract some from my waistline ) ~Rich

It was quite common during the 20s, 30s, and 40s to wear a watch chain made to clip onto the belt or waistband; they are long, and the watch rode in the side pocket. Keep an eye out in old movies or photographs: this presentation is seen with everything from formal wear to sporting clothing, like golfing attire. You can find these chains without too much trouble if you look; here's one in my collection:

http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1708

If you wear a (sport) shirt with buttoning flaps at the breast, you could always carry the watch there, on a leather fobstrap:

http://gallery.me.com/finiancircle#100014/DSCF1876

The main thing is: that you are sure your watch is safe...and that you enjoy wearing it. I'm sure you'll find a number of ways to do both.

Enjoy!

"Skeet"

ron521 · Nov 30, 2009

There are also available leather watch holders which hold the watch on your belt, completely surrounded by leather except for a hole through which you can see the face. The watch hangs upside down, with "12" nearer your feet and "6" nearer your head, so when you view it, it is right side up to you.
To check the time you just look down, and partially lift the holder.

Cracker · Nov 30, 2009

I recently started wearing suits and ties to my office job, and one of the many advantages I've noticed is I can now carry my grandfather's pocket watch in the inside breast pocket of my jacket. In the past I have also carried it in my hip pocket, with the chain attached to my belt loop. When I finally pull the trigger on a three-piece suit, it will go in my vest pocket.

Man, I really need a three-piece suit.

R.A. Stewart · Nov 30, 2009

A three-piece suit is indeed an excellent thing.

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