Watches from each decade, 2023 edition - Share your watches Part 1: (Up to) The 10s
There has been such an influx of new members since last year, which of many seems to have an interest in vintage watches, I hope there is an interest of a rerun of the ”Watches from each decade”. The idea is to try to give some sort of context to the actual time period and their watches with some text and historical pictures. The real contribution to the posts are the watches shared. Specially for these early years you might find the watches too precious for regular wear. Here is a chance to share your old darlings that maybe normally is kept in a safe place far from daily wear.
Naturally there will be fewer contributions from this early period. Accordingly, this first chapter covers the first two decades. Last year I was afraid that we wouldn’t see any watches from the period. I was positively surprised with contributions from @Rarias @Speedy77 @ChronoGuy @Sinnguy @Fieldwalker and @animalone Let’s see if the list can be even longer this year.
The end of the old 1900th Century and the beginning of a new era could be symbolized by death of Queen Victoria in 1901. She had by that time ruled Great Britain with their colonies for 63 years. For the Empire it had been a time of it’s peak with the industrial revolution and a long time of peace, Pax Brittanica.
A bit later, since the end of the 19th Century after the French-German war, France and the rest of Europe, experienced a period of peace and positive social changes. This period, La Belle Epoque, with faith in the future, as well as Pax Brittanica, ended violantly in 1914 with the start of The Great War.
An example of how the period has effected popular culture of today is the movie Oppenheimer, a 2023 well deserved blockbuster. The period is of importance for two of the historical characters in the movie. Oppenheimer, the leading role, was born 1904. The year after, 1905, Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity. A work considered as the birth of modern physics and the foundation for Oppenheimers later project.
The concept of wristwatches wasn’t new even if it was more common to wear them on a necklace for women, or in a pocket for men. The Cartier Santos is considered to be the first wristwatch for men. It was designed 1904 specifically as a Pilot watch for the man wearing it’s name. But it was not until 1911 the Santos became commercially available. The horror of The Great war created a great deal of creativity for wristwatches with soldiers modifying their pocket watches into wristwatches to improve their functionality in battle.
Do you have a watch from the period you would like to share? I can’t contribute until the 40s myself.
I collect new as well as vintage. I have a weak spot for 50s and 60s Omegas. Besides from those I consider myself allround.
I can start earlier this year, but not this early.
I can start earlier this year, but not this early.
I saw a glimpse. I assume you enter the 30s. Good looking watch BTW.
@YourIntruder I'm assuming it was the Brook & Son Submarine watch that I shared last time ?
I will share it again, as it's a watch that deserves to be better known in the watch community.
Brief summary for those not familiar with them, originally dating from 1915/16 and made at the request of a pair of submarine commanders to be suitable for when they were at sea. These are amongst the earliest wristwatches to be "waterproof"and anti-magnetic. There is a much better write up of them here https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/waterproof.php#Submarine
Earliest true wristwatch that I had was this 1912 Stauffer, Son & Co made for an Edinburgh retailer.
You haven't specified wristwatches only so I'll also share this pocket watch chronograph (don't know the exact age but it's certainly from the early 1900s
@YourIntruder I'm assuming it was the Brook & Son Submarine watch that I shared last time ?
I will share it again, as it's a watch that deserves to be better known in the watch community.
Brief summary for those not familiar with them, originally dating from 1915/16 and made at the request of a pair of submarine commanders to be suitable for when they were at sea. These are amongst the earliest wristwatches to be "waterproof"and anti-magnetic. There is a much better write up of them here https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/waterproof.php#Submarine
Earliest true wristwatch that I had was this 1912 Stauffer, Son & Co made for an Edinburgh retailer.
You haven't specified wristwatches only so I'll also share this pocket watch chronograph (don't know the exact age but it's certainly from the early 1900s
It was indeed your Brook & Son Submariner. A georgeous looking watch to say the least. Thank for sharing your gems also this time. Pocket watches and jewelry watches are more than welcome.
Thank you👍 Thank you for sharing. Glad you provided a sample from 19th century. 1889, jeez that is old.
This is a Waltham movement in an English silver case dated 1917, it belonged to my Grandfather but not sure he was the first owner.
And I have a Thos Russell pocket watch in a Elgin case, not sure of the date.
This is a Waltham movement in an English silver case dated 1917, it belonged to my Grandfather but not sure he was the first owner.
And I have a Thos Russell pocket watch in a Elgin case, not sure of the date.
That Waltham is absolutely amazing👍 Fantastic that you have a family history with it as well. Thank you for sharing.
That Waltham is absolutely amazing👍 Fantastic that you have a family history with it as well. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, it is the watch the really started my love of watches. Very special.
My vintage watches are family pieces. For pre 1910 I have one prime example:
My grandfathers dad, Reginald, was born in 1860. He became a physician and was eventually promoted to royal surgeon, and accompanied the royal family to Africa in 1898.
No date on the watch so it’s easier to date knowing the owner.
As a professional, his diary often refers to the specific time of any occurrence he’s describing. So I can deduce he bought his pocket watch early in his professional career ~ likely ~1885, to 1890 at the latest.
The internal markings are
“Dobree and Freeman” 318 Strand, London
..along with numerous small numbers and symbols I don’t know the meaning of:
The outer caseback has our family crest and banner, a griffin with the phrase “en avant”, along with his initials
Great story! Thank you for sharing (again). Are you a straight line of medical servants from your grandfathers dad up to you?
Great story! Thank you for sharing (again). Are you a straight line of medical servants from your grandfathers dad up to you?
I’m old, and my parents are very old. So, Between the 3 of us we can piece stuff together quite well.
And since I love watches, of course I need the family history behind each one. 👍
I’m old, and my parents are very old. So, Between the 3 of us we can piece stuff together quite well.
And since I love watches, of course I need the family history behind each one. 👍
Sounds like my wife and myself now adays. We have to piece things together. Mostly with success👍
My vintage watches are family pieces. For pre 1910 I have one prime example:
My grandfathers dad, Reginald, was born in 1860. He became a physician and was eventually promoted to royal surgeon, and accompanied the royal family to Africa in 1898.
No date on the watch so it’s easier to date knowing the owner.
As a professional, his diary often refers to the specific time of any occurrence he’s describing. So I can deduce he bought his pocket watch early in his professional career ~ likely ~1885, to 1890 at the latest.
The internal markings are
“Dobree and Freeman” 318 Strand, London
..along with numerous small numbers and symbols I don’t know the meaning of:
The outer caseback has our family crest and banner, a griffin with the phrase “en avant”, along with his initials
Hi, you can date the case by the hallmarks, the lion head means London assay office, the crown and 18 refer to the gold quality and the C refers to the year, I cannot make out the exact details in the photo but if you check London hallmarks for 1800’s you will be able to work it out.
1916 trench watch
1916 trench watch
That watch is georgeous. Thank you for sharing. Do you know the brand?
My vintage watches are family pieces. For pre 1910 I have one prime example:
My grandfathers dad, Reginald, was born in 1860. He became a physician and was eventually promoted to royal surgeon, and accompanied the royal family to Africa in 1898.
No date on the watch so it’s easier to date knowing the owner.
As a professional, his diary often refers to the specific time of any occurrence he’s describing. So I can deduce he bought his pocket watch early in his professional career ~ likely ~1885, to 1890 at the latest.
The internal markings are
“Dobree and Freeman” 318 Strand, London
..along with numerous small numbers and symbols I don’t know the meaning of:
The outer caseback has our family crest and banner, a griffin with the phrase “en avant”, along with his initials
Wow beautiful watch! Thank you for posting
Per, great post! I learned a lot. As always, very appreciative Brother
Per, great post! I learned a lot. As always, very appreciative Brother
Thank you my friend🙏
Posted this little Elgin a few times before but I love to share it, so here it is again. This was my great-grandfathers watch he received as a retirement gift from the bank he worked at for 51 years. According to the serial number it should be from around 1885.
Posted this little Elgin a few times before but I love to share it, so here it is again. This was my great-grandfathers watch he received as a retirement gift from the bank he worked at for 51 years. According to the serial number it should be from around 1885.
Thank you for sharing. What a beaut and what fantastic condition. And you have it’s provenance as well👍
Posted this little Elgin a few times before but I love to share it, so here it is again. This was my great-grandfathers watch he received as a retirement gift from the bank he worked at for 51 years. According to the serial number it should be from around 1885.
Holy crap! It’s so well maintained!
Amazing timepieces
Holy crap! It’s so well maintained!
If you look closely at the hunter case you can see some faint markings that must have been more prominent at some point in time. The case most have been polished over and over in the past. That is a little regretful but all in all your right, I am happy about its good condition.
If your interested to read more about this piece, feel free: https://www.watchcrunch.com/Zeitmesser73/posts/elgin-pocket-watch-my-first-mechanical-watch-41373
If you look closely at the hunter case you can see some faint markings that must have been more prominent at some point in time. The case most have been polished over and over in the past. That is a little regretful but all in all your right, I am happy about its good condition.
If your interested to read more about this piece, feel free: https://www.watchcrunch.com/Zeitmesser73/posts/elgin-pocket-watch-my-first-mechanical-watch-41373
That is a slight bummer to lose early etchings. Thanks for sharing, such a lovely piece.
I'd love to contribute to future decades. 20s and 30s might be a tad tricky but 40s and onwards would be great fun. Are you planning on continuing the series decade by decade?
I'd love to contribute to future decades. 20s and 30s might be a tad tricky but 40s and onwards would be great fun. Are you planning on continuing the series decade by decade?
Yes absolutely! Decade by decade until the 90s. You are in the same boat as me, I can’t contribute until the 40s.
You have some absolutely stunning gems. Thank you for sharing. I will take a look at the website👍
I received a #pocketwatch a few years ago, it was damaged and I didn't have the energy or time to try and repair it or send it off for repairing, so i sold it, more recently my brother has brought this one in. Thoughts?
Thank you Ben 🙏
I received a #pocketwatch a few years ago, it was damaged and I didn't have the energy or time to try and repair it or send it off for repairing, so i sold it, more recently my brother has brought this one in. Thoughts?
Thank you Ben 🙏
It looks fantastic. The dial seems very well preserved. Thank you for sharing👍
Amazing!! Thank you for sharing such exquisite pieces. Love these #pocketwatches