Posted 14 years ago
kmike
(1 item)
this is a 1889 Howard brothers la.Porte.ind dial but it has a Illinois watch company movement is that normal im not sure thanks for the help
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I agree with Jason on the date but it is probably closer to 1894. What you have is known in the industry as a “Private Label” dial. Jewelry and department stores could order watch movements from certain manufactures, with the name of their store and city they did business in printed on the dial. The best example of this is Tiffany’s of New York who ordered movements from makers such as Patek Philippe etc. with Tiffany on the dial and sometimes on the movement also.
Does it hurt or increase the value, probably not as there are collectors who love these “Private Labels”.
Basically what you have is a size 18s. 7-jewel Illinois private label pocket watch,
c.1900
Jim
c.1894, sorry for the typo :)
thisoldwatch thanks you so much
I really like private label watches... It adds another whole layer of history to the watch. Since nobody else mentioned it I'll add that your watch is also what's called a "side winder." It started out life as a hunter case watch but at some point was put into an open face case.
thanks toolate2