Expert: Melvin Mills - 3/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am having trouble finding out what movement and size my watch is I know that it is 14k solid with hunters case made in 1885 by the serial number it is not quite 40 mm without the crown and on the mechanism itself the only stamps are Illinois watch co, Springfield, and safety pinion other than the serial number, on the hunters case it is marked ross, it is a ladies watch and i would really like to know more about it as it was given to me.

ANSWER: Ms. Rececca,

It seems like you are off to a good start with collecting knowledge about your watch.

What would you like to know about it?

kind regards,

Melvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What i don't understand is how to find out the size of the watch i keep seeing size 12 and such and i don't understand jewel movement, i see everywhere else that it states on the mechanism itself but mine does not, so how do i know what the movement is if it does not state it.

Answer
Ms. Rebecca,

Jewels were used to cut down on the wear caused by metal rubbing on metal.  It is used when a pivot will fit inside a hole.  The hole would fit a jewel that is shaped like a donut.  When the pivot is set into the jewel, there will be far less wear than if the metal was rubbing on metal.  


Because there is less rubbing, it is cutting down on friction.  As a result, the watch is more accurate.  The more jewels, the more accurate the watch should be.

Size, that is an interesting story,  I believe that it was Mr.Dennison who made the scale for American watches.  To determine the size of an American watch, one uses a Lancashire gauge.  To give you an idea of how it works, a size 10 is 1 15/30 inches.  A size 11 is 1 16/30. Size 12 is 1 17/30 inches, and so on, right up to size 20, 1 25/30 inches.  

The Swiss have a completely different measurement system.  

I hope that will help you.

Kind regards,

Melvin