NAWCC Meet and THE OPERA WATCH

[unclesallie]

I missed all but the end of the local National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Show near where I live, but when I found out about it I rushed over....and to my horror all but 7 or 8 of the 70 or so exhibitors had broken down and gone home!

I went over to a corner where two dealer/friends I recognized were still up and running. I started to leave and my daughter innocently pointed to a pocket watch that turned out to be a rolex, triple signed, circa 1900(we have to check the serial number). It is pristine, and is a called an 'opera watch'. (the dealer is a retired professor of medicine, and for 20 or so years, Chairman of the Dept of Pathology, Univ. of Maryland, 'Dr. Max.'

Hope you enjoy:

[mdx77]

Great pic's Dan.......when/where was this?

[delldeaton]

Thanks.

It was actually my grandfather who got me interested in and taught me the first things I learned about watches. Always had a passion for pocket watches.

[toph]

Great pics
that is a very interesting peice!!

[ttannert]

WOW! Very cool.

[Z-Sub]

Super! vintage year?

[chicagowatchman]

Very nice! Love the elegant black ring!

[unclesallie]

the meet was in York, Pa. near where I live... a regional meet and small by comparison to Chapter meets or(of course) The National NAWCC meet. In 2010 it's scheduled for York.

As to whether it's a vintage year? well, not sure, but I think around 1900 according to Max, who has his fair share of rare watches, including at least 10
Howard Watches in pristine condition(so he knows his stuff). Next weekend I'll stop up at Black Angus, in Adamstown, Pa. and go over the serial number. I bought it about 5 hours ago, set it and it is keeping spot on time...not bad for about 108 years old, eh?

On the larger subject, I encourage all of you to join the NAWCC. They put out wonderful booklets once a month, and news of meets, and lots of ads about all kinds of watches. Also, you can cruise by the National Clock and Watch Museum in Columbia, Pa. and see their wonderful collection; if you're a member the Museum and its FANTASTIC library is free admission(I think includes your immediate family too). The meets are great because you meet a lot of knowledgeable people, manufacturers, parts people, parts manufacturers, and dealers and deals at wholesale. I've never heard of anyone getting ripped off at an NAWCC meet.

[Alcan]

Dan, that's a very interesting pocket watch but if Rolex signed would have to be at least 1919. Wilsdorf registered the company name Rolex in 1915, and the company name was officially changed to the Rolex Watch Company in 1919

[marshallr47]

Very nice and unique. Thanks for sharing.

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Dan, that's a very interesting pocket watch but if Rolex signed would have to be at least 1919. Wilsdorf registered the company name Rolex in 1915, and the company name was officially changed to the Rolex Watch Company in 1919

you can clearly see the rolex 'signature' on the inside of the case back, the dial, and movement(you can see that in the picture)...thanks! gotta check that serial no. (half the fun)

[delldeaton]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

... On the larger subject, I encourage all of you to join the NAWCC. They put out wonderful booklets once a month, and news of meets, and lots of ads about all kinds of watches. Also, you can cruise by the National Clock and Watch Museum in Columbia, Pa. and see their wonderful collection; if you're a member the Museum and its FANTASTIC library is free admission(I think includes your immediate family too). The meets are great because you meet a lot of knowledgeable people, manufacturers, parts people, parts manufacturers, and dealers and deals at wholesale. I've never heard of anyone getting ripped off at an NAWCC meet.

Couldn't agree more!

Proudly post the NAWCC logo and my member number on the signature for my website. Maybe I should update my signature here, too?

Better still: Someone should Post a "What's your number?" Thread in the Open Forum section here (provided it's not outside of WTF Rules, of course).

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

you can clearly see the rolex 'signature' on the inside of the case back, the dial, and movement(you can see that in the picture)...thanks! gotta check that serial no. (half the fun)

Very true.

I had to use the case hallmarks on this one to date it to 1908, the same year W&D registered the Rolex name.

[unclesallie]

Al: that is a beauty. Do you have plans to restore the watch? If so, send pics when done!

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

Al: that is a beauty. Do you have plans to restore the watch? If so, send pics when done!

Thanks, Dan.

It's currently with Bob Ridley in Texas for a complete restoration. The movement is a stem wind, pin set Aegler (I think) in rough condition, so parts may have to be fabricated for it. He's also going to locate or make period-correct hands, and have the case redone and a new bow made. One big plus, the dial is virtually perfect as it is.

I'll probably have the price of a new Platinum DD into this project by the time it's done!



Are you going to go for the Opera watch? Looks like it's in superb condition and would make a fine addition to any collection.

[Leigha2z]

Hi Dan!

Thanks so much for your PM!

That is such a beautiful watch! I can just imagine ladies of that time sitting at the opera with watches like that around their necks!
I had never heard of or seen a watch like that before, called an opera watch, I will look for more of them, it would make a beautiful necklace for say an opera singer of today and a beautiful necklace for a daughter when she is old enough to appreciate it. (Maybe even a primaballerina one day? :-)

Thanks so much for sharing!

Best,
Leigh

[jdc]

Congratulations Dan, I find pocket watches fascinating and love the age, will enjoy seeing you posting more information as you research it further