You are here:

Clocks, Watches/Pocket Watch witn Inscriptions

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/7/2009


Question

Rockford
Hello I have two watches that I would like to ask about.

One is an Elgin 21 jewel with a power indicator and second hand.  
Normal stamped manufacture information:
On the watch inside: 21 Jewels 27702424; adjusted 5 Positions; B.W. Raymond
On the cover plate: Watch Star Case Company 12K.T. Filled 6770456

Now the weird part – lots of numbers hand etched in the cover plate – not caught by the naked eye.   Most these look like scratches but they are not.  There are in a pattern – kind of strange..

The second - is a Rockford.  I opened to get a shot of the back and found, aside from all the normal manufacture stamped inscriptions, there was a large amount of hand engraved numbers and letters.  Again really hard to see.  These are along the inside curve of the back cover plate.  I cannot make these out until I get a magnifying glass or a younger set of eyes - they are very small.

Normal stamped manufacture information:
On the watch inside: R.W.CO (not sure of the "CO." part); Rockford, ILL.  710419; 17 Jewel
On cover plate: Dueber Warranted 20 Years 6692584

As a matter a fact these watches have been opened and looked at before and no one ever noticed before - it was a fluke to see it in the light.

I plan on getting more information as to what the numbers and letters are but until then - is this normal?  What could these be?  Messages?  Again – there a few numbers here and there on the watch that are stamped or machined in…the letters and numbers I refer to are hand scratched inside.  What year are these?  Who is B.W.Raymond?  The Rockford looks like gold plate over brass…and has carving (worn) on back.

I have incuded the Rockford picture - I only see one picture upload..


Answer
Adrienne,

This was a common practice by watchmakers.  Everytime someone serviced a watch, he would make hand engraved notations.  Some are simple: initials and a date.  Some look like the guy thought he was a spy during the cold war and was sending encrypted messages to the CIA. haha

The scribblings were designed so the watchmaker knew the last time he serviced the watch and assuming he got it back for additional servicing the next time, he would know what the messages meant.

Kind regards,

Melvin  

Melvin Mills

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding the repair of quartz watches and antique American pocket watches. I cannot give appraisals. My expertise is in watches, not clocks.

Experience

I am trained to repair quartz and mechanical watches, both modern and antique. My business focus is on quartz watches and antique pocket watches. I have been in this field for almost 5 years.

Organizations
I belong to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC).

Education/Credentials
I am a Certified Master Horologist from the National Institute of Horology.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.