Expert: Melvin Mills - 11/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: I found an old pocket watch in my mom's case of stuff and I know it was a private label watch for Marshall Field's in Chicago, but that's it. It's marked Ariston USA 15 jewels. It looks like 14k gold. serial number is 2904355 Any information you could tell me would be very helpful!! I don't know anything about watches and I can't seem to find any other information about the pocket watch. Help-to insure or not to insure.

ANSWER: These watches ALWAYS came with an Ariston marked dial and case.

On some of the higher grade movements ,Marshall Field had these watches finished to a higher standard than the equivalent Illinois watch.
Some watches were marked Ariston Jr. or Ariston Rated.I have a 12 size 23j Grade 510 that comes with a rating card similar to railroad watches. In some movements the plate shape differs from a standard Illinois.

Aristons came in womens,12 and 16 size watches.They are an underappreciated Private Label.



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

QUESTION: How were you able to find that information about your size and grade?

Answer
Well, because I am the expert!  
LOL

Just kidding.

I am a watch collector and I have collected data from many sources over the years.  Many of my fellow collectors in my network act as a reference for me.

I have some additional info that did not make it in the first post:

Your watch is a 12 size grade 403 movement produced in about 1916.

The total production of this grade in the open-face version was 32550 made between about 1911 and 1919, but only a small fraction of these would have been marked with the Marshall Fields "Ariston" private-label.

Kind regards,

Melvin