can we talk pocket watches in this section... as an accessory to CAS ???

Magnum Wheel Man · November 22, 2011, 07:02 AM

looking at buying an original "railroad era" pocket watch... the ones I'm looking at at mostly open faced, & of the better name brands...

I read some where that Illinois brand pocket watches did better than all other brands on a railroad test for time keeping... I'm hoping to buy a running watch or two, & have them serviced, so they keep good time & wear one for CAS, & maybe one for dressier non work days outside of CAS

anyone got expirience with any specific watch makers you've been happy withy their work ???

any reason I wouldn't want to replace the crystal with a newer non scratched or yellowed crystal, while it's getting serviced

so was silver or gold cases more period correct for working men like cowboys ???

I'm kinda at a loss for watch chains & fobs... most period watches aren't sold with them... any suggestions there ???

Andy Griffith · November 22, 2011, 09:04 AM

Get ready to spend some money.

A good Hamilton, Am. Waltham, Elgin or Illinois lever set railroad watch will cost you. Most of them seen at gun shows, etc., have been treated badly- broken staffs, cracked faces, rusty internals, never serviced, etc. If you don't know what you are looking for, I'd recommend buying from a reputable watch shop specializing in pocketwatches, and they are very, very hard to find!

Try pocketwatchsite.com, as they have a lot of good reviews and I've ordered some stuff from them.

Also, a good, full cleaning and service will start at $200 and up- I paid $300 earlier this year for a full service on a 1918 Elgin that I carry daily.

Do you want a watch of the period? If you are looking for a quality 1880's "biscuit" watch, they are a bit cheaper, but they don't keep as good time as their newer brethren. A cowboy would be better served with a "hunting" case, as it protects the face and crystal of the watch during work, and would be likely more authentic to what he would carry than an open face. That's my two cents- I'm not a collector of them or anything- I just like pocketwatches.

Magnum Wheel Man · November 22, 2011, 03:16 PM

well maybe I got screwed... but I just bought my 1st one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260894268313...84.m1439.l2649

I suppose cowboys may have used a hunter style more often... but I thought even a ladies pocket watch ( I don't know the difference really, other than they seem fancier ) could be in order it could be my "mommas", or my brides, given to me to use while on the trail...

I suppose I'll need a vest to put the watch into???

can't imagine cowboys on the trail carried a vest pocket watch with a traditional chain & fob, like a townie ???

maybe I'll make up a leather braided watch "chain" & fob it with a locket picture of my "mail order bride" ???

Andy Griffith · November 22, 2011, 03:51 PM

I think that's a great deal if it's been serviced recently. The less expensive watches will still cost the same to service.

The nickel silver cases don't tend to bring as much as the other ones. I don't typically think about those much- but they are good watches- not like a 21 or 23 jewel, but a good watch. I should have mentioned them before, but I seldom think about them.

Magnum Wheel Man · December 6, 2011, 07:31 AM

I'm suprised this thread didn't get more action ???

anyway I bought my 2nd watch... an Elgin 15 jewel from 1913 in a gold filled hunter case... it's supposed to be keeping good time... I'm now looking at vests that will work with my chinks I bought last fall...

will probably pick up a "t-bar" chain for fancier times... but still trying to figure out a more cowboy ( less townie ) look for the chain... have seen braided horse hair watch chains... that or leather might be the look I go for...

any thoughts on that ???

mykeal · December 6, 2011, 12:05 PM

Well, it is a Black Powder and Cowboy Action SHOOTING forum, after all....

Hawg · December 6, 2011, 12:09 PM

I doubt many cowboys had such frivolties as a watch.

Magnum Wheel Man · December 6, 2011, 12:12 PM

well as far as "playing the game" it is one of the group of items listed as needing so many off of the list to qualify for the classic cow boy class isn't

Hawg · December 6, 2011, 12:26 PM

You only need five of these.

Chaps, spurs, cuffs, tie or scarf worn loosely around the neck or with scarf slide, vest, pocket watch with full length chain, jacket, sleeve garters, knife, botas, leggings, braces; no straw or palm hats allowed

November 22, 2011, 07:02 AM	#1
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	can we talk pocket watches in this section... as an accessory to CAS ??? looking at buying an original "railroad era" pocket watch... the ones I'm looking at at mostly open faced, & of the better name brands... I read some where that Illinois brand pocket watches did better than all other brands on a railroad test for time keeping... I'm hoping to buy a running watch or two, & have them serviced, so they keep good time & wear one for CAS, & maybe one for dressier non work days outside of CAS anyone got expirience with any specific watch makers you've been happy withy their work ??? any reason I wouldn't want to replace the crystal with a newer non scratched or yellowed crystal, while it's getting serviced so was silver or gold cases more period correct for working men like cowboys ??? I'm kinda at a loss for watch chains & fobs... most period watches aren't sold with them... any suggestions there ??? __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

November 22, 2011, 09:04 AM	#2
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	Get ready to spend some money. A good Hamilton, Am. Waltham, Elgin or Illinois lever set railroad watch will cost you. Most of them seen at gun shows, etc., have been treated badly- broken staffs, cracked faces, rusty internals, never serviced, etc. If you don't know what you are looking for, I'd recommend buying from a reputable watch shop specializing in pocketwatches, and they are very, very hard to find! Try pocketwatchsite.com, as they have a lot of good reviews and I've ordered some stuff from them. Also, a good, full cleaning and service will start at $200 and up- I paid $300 earlier this year for a full service on a 1918 Elgin that I carry daily. Do you want a watch of the period? If you are looking for a quality 1880's "biscuit" watch, they are a bit cheaper, but they don't keep as good time as their newer brethren. A cowboy would be better served with a "hunting" case, as it protects the face and crystal of the watch during work, and would be likely more authentic to what he would carry than an open face. That's my two cents- I'm not a collector of them or anything- I just like pocketwatches. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

November 22, 2011, 03:16 PM	#3
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	well maybe I got screwed... but I just bought my 1st one... http://www.ebay.com/itm/260894268313...84.m1439.l2649 I suppose cowboys may have used a hunter style more often... but I thought even a ladies pocket watch ( I don't know the difference really, other than they seem fancier ) could be in order it could be my "mommas", or my brides, given to me to use while on the trail... I suppose I'll need a vest to put the watch into??? can't imagine cowboys on the trail carried a vest pocket watch with a traditional chain & fob, like a townie ??? maybe I'll make up a leather braided watch "chain" & fob it with a locket picture of my "mail order bride" ??? __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

November 22, 2011, 03:51 PM	#4
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	I think that's a great deal if it's been serviced recently. The less expensive watches will still cost the same to service. The nickel silver cases don't tend to bring as much as the other ones. I don't typically think about those much- but they are good watches- not like a 21 or 23 jewel, but a good watch. I should have mentioned them before, but I seldom think about them. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

December 6, 2011, 07:31 AM	#5
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I'm suprised this thread didn't get more action ??? anyway I bought my 2nd watch... an Elgin 15 jewel from 1913 in a gold filled hunter case... it's supposed to be keeping good time... I'm now looking at vests that will work with my chinks I bought last fall... will probably pick up a "t-bar" chain for fancier times... but still trying to figure out a more cowboy ( less townie ) look for the chain... have seen braided horse hair watch chains... that or leather might be the look I go for... any thoughts on that ??? __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

December 6, 2011, 12:05 PM	#6
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Well, it is a Black Powder and Cowboy Action SHOOTING forum, after all....

December 6, 2011, 12:09 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I doubt many cowboys had such frivolties as a watch.

December 6, 2011, 12:12 PM	#8
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	well as far as "playing the game" it is one of the group of items listed as needing so many off of the list to qualify for the classic cow boy class isn't __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

December 6, 2011, 12:26 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	You only need five of these. Chaps, spurs, cuffs, tie or scarf worn loosely around the neck or with scarf slide, vest, pocket watch with full length chain, jacket, sleeve garters, knife, botas, leggings, braces; no straw or palm hats allowed