|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 17, 2013 19:50:36 GMT -8
I've been meaning to post a pic of this watch since Spencer posted his ebay pocket watch. This watch has been in my family for quite a while. It's 14K gold and it has a solid gold watch chain and pen knife. It also has my family crest engraved on the back. The brand is "Yard" but unfortunately, it doesn't run. I remember my Dad mentioning that he took it to a jeweler who sent it to a watch maker but that guy (or gal) couldn't make it work. I couldn't figure out how to get the back off to see what is inside. It's a real beauty, too bad it only gets displayed in the china cabinet!
|
|
cd_god
Is a Permanent Fixture
Finna set up a HOOD next door to your richie phuk suburban mansion
Posts: 12,216
|
Post by cd_god on Aug 17, 2013 20:00:39 GMT -8
I've been meaning to post a pic of this watch since Spencer posted his ebay pocket watch. This watch has been in my family for quite a while. It's 14K gold and it has a solid gold watch chain and pen knife. It also has my family crest engraved on the back. The brand is "Yard" but unfortunately, it doesn't run. I remember my Dad mentioning that he took it to a jeweler who sent it to a watch maker but that guy (or gal) couldn't make it work. I couldn't figure out how to get the back off to see what is inside. It's a real beauty, too bad it only gets displayed in the china cabinet! Not knocking you but "Non Japanes Forum"? Back when I had my second carple tunnel surgery back in 2004 I bought an Elgin pocked watch off of EBAY since I couldn't wear watch with a wrist brace on and took ti to the only place at thetime I could find that would work on mechanical watches. Unfortunately the watch needed hard to find parts and time went one and a coupleof years later thwey no longer had my watch. The only other pocket watch I own is a modern Davosa with a Unitas 6497 movement and a quartz Seiko alarm clock I got at their now defunct outlet sotre in Pleasant Prairie WI back in the day.
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 17, 2013 20:03:56 GMT -8
I'm sure Tim will move it if he deems it appropriate.
|
|
donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
|
Post by donciccio on Aug 17, 2013 22:28:34 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing!
Any chance for a movement shot Bob?
|
|
|
Post by dad-the-diver on Aug 18, 2013 0:31:50 GMT -8
Sweet Bob. What with you, Spencer & Chris all into this "waistcoat watch" gig I can see I'm going to have to look on ebay for one of my own. Can see a whole new infatuation happening!
Thanks for that Mate.
|
|
donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
|
Post by donciccio on Aug 18, 2013 6:30:47 GMT -8
Sweet Bob. What with you, Spencer & Chris all into this "waistcoat watch" gig I can see I'm going to have to look on ebay for one of my own. Can see a whole new infatuation happening! Thanks for that Mate. yes1.gif
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 18, 2013 7:30:38 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing! Any chance for a movement shot Bob? I'd love to post one but I can't figure out how to get the back off. Scarred to damage the watch. Any ideas on how to get it opened up?
|
|
donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
|
Post by donciccio on Aug 18, 2013 9:27:09 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing! Any chance for a movement shot Bob? I'd love to post one but I can't figure out how to get the back off. Scarred to damage the watch. Any ideas on how to get it opened up? Lets see her from behind.
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 19, 2013 7:19:43 GMT -8
I'd love to post one but I can't figure out how to get the back off. Scarred to damage the watch. Any ideas on how to get it opened up? Lets see her from behind. Here's the inscription: "Bob from Lil Sept. 18th 1926". Turns out the watch was my Grandmother's wedding present to my Grandfather: and it's rusty guts: I was told my my father that he sent it to a watch maker and was told it will never run again. Also, I tried pulling the crown to see if the hands would move (before I figured how to open the back) and it came clean out of the watch. Sigh . . . . at least it's a beautiful display piece.
|
|
|
Post by Groundhog66 on Aug 19, 2013 8:13:08 GMT -8
Great piece Bob, it sure would be nice if you could get it running again.
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 19, 2013 8:25:12 GMT -8
Great piece Bob, it sure would be nice if you could get it running again. I'd be over the moon if I could but with all that rust in there, I'm doubtful that it can because I couldn't find ANYTHING about the brand when I did a google search for it.
|
|
|
Post by Groundhog66 on Aug 19, 2013 9:41:54 GMT -8
Well, hopefully someone can help point you in the proper direction.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 10:13:04 GMT -8
Well, hopefully someone can help point you in the proper direction. Somebody over at the TZ forums will know for sure. I once had an obscure pocket watch and they were able to tell me about the maker; when it was made and a couple of names of real watchmakers; ie folks who can make any part that is required.
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 19, 2013 11:01:19 GMT -8
After some help from a friend (thanks Chris) I believe I have a bit more information on the watch. I believe the watch was made by Raymond C Yard. He was a jeweler to the rich and famous in the 20's through 50's. He started out as a door boy at Marcus & Co. and moved up the ranks until he was a salesman. John D. Rockefeller encouraged him to start his own shop and was his benefactor so he had good backing. Rockefeller bought all his jewelry and referred his friends. Apparently, R.C. Yard was a famous art deco jewelry designer.
This makes sense to me as my grandparents were rich (until the crash of 1929). My grandmother was related to the famous Admiral Halsey.
I've got to take a look at the movement to see what the markings say because it appears that somehow Yard got the movement from a supplier and perhaps created the case and dial.
Either way, it's a really cool thing to find out more about the watch. I had no idea there was an inscription on the inside of the case until yesterday and I've known about the watch since I was a kid.
It would be really cool to get this thing running but that is a long way down the road!
|
|
|
Post by Groundhog66 on Aug 19, 2013 14:28:35 GMT -8
Great bit of info, and good luck...I really hope you can get it ticking again.
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 22, 2013 6:20:41 GMT -8
Bit of an update.
In doing some web research, I've found that restoration is possible. The movement was made by International Watch Co., a high end Swiss maker. It's their calibre 77 which is one of their better movements. I've read that only 10,000 were made.
I'd have to send the watch to IWC and it could cost me up to or above $2,000 to get it restored. They say that they will either have the parts or make them if necessary.
That's really steep for me at this point in my life so it may just have to wait, but at least I know it is possible. I'll pass the information on to my son in case I don't get the chance to have it done.
|
|
donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
|
Post by donciccio on Aug 22, 2013 9:15:44 GMT -8
After some help from a friend (thanks Chris) I believe I have a bit more information on the watch. I believe the watch was made by Raymond C Yard. He was a jeweler to the rich and famous in the 20's through 50's. He started out as a door boy at Marcus & Co. and moved up the ranks until he was a salesman. John D. Rockefeller encouraged him to start his own shop and was his benefactor so he had good backing. Rockefeller bought all his jewelry and referred his friends. Apparently, R.C. Yard was a famous art deco jewelry designer. This makes sense to me as my grandparents were rich (until the crash of 1929). My grandmother was related to the famous Admiral Halsey. I've got to take a look at the movement to see what the markings say because it appears that somehow Yard got the movement from a supplier and perhaps created the case and dial. Either way, it's a really cool thing to find out more about the watch. I had no idea there was an inscription on the inside of the case until yesterday and I've known about the watch since I was a kid. It would be really cool to get this thing running but that is a long way down the road! Glad I could point you in the right direction Bob. thunbsup.gif
|
|
donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
|
Post by donciccio on Aug 22, 2013 9:17:30 GMT -8
Bit of an update. In doing some web research, I've found that restoration is possible. The movement was made by International Watch Co., a high end Swiss maker. It's their calibre 77 which is one of their better movements. I've read that only 10,000 were made. I'd have to send the watch to IWC and it could cost me up to or above $2,000 to get it restored. They say that they will either have the parts or make them if necessary. That's really steep for me at this point in my life so it may just have to wait, but at least I know it is possible. I'll pass the information on to my son in case I don't get the chance to have it done. Whatever you do with it Bob, fix it or not , make sure it stays in the family!
|
|
|
Post by 69ChevelleSS on Aug 22, 2013 9:44:07 GMT -8
Whatever you do with it Bob, fix it or not , make sure it stays in the family! You can bet the mortgage on that one Chris! First prize would be to get it fixed up and give it to my son when they put me in the box.
|
|
|
Post by Groundhog66 on Aug 22, 2013 10:09:56 GMT -8
Hopefully you can get it fixed, that would be fantastic.
|
|