Acquired: Grandfather's pocket watch

[rolexjim]

The back story:

I never knew my maternal grandfather. He was much older than my grandmother when they were married. He died before I was born (in the 1950's). Our family has only 1 picture of him and no possessions, aside from a pocket watch.

According to my mother, the 4 daughters purchased it for him in 1943 as a retirement gift. He supposedly carried it with him each day until passing in 1958. At that time, it was given to a cousin who kept it, but never carried it.
I knew of it's existence because I had seen it in family pictures.

My cousin now makes regular trips past my business for his job. We talk occasionally and I have asked him about the watch several times. He said he's had it all these years but not being a particularly sentimental type, has never wound it or carried it. What a shame, I thought. I asked him if he could bring it on a future trip because I would love to see it. He agreed.

Well, imagine my surprise when he came to my business and gave it to me this week. I was stunned. When I asked him why, he stated that he had no one to pass it on to in the family and that since I had children, he thought it would be better off with me. I graciously accepted.

Now, about this watch. It is a Ruxton Shock-Resist. It was purchased at King's Jewelers in Columbia SC in 1943. I have done much research online and what I have come up with:

"Ruxton® is a registered trademark used for watches that were sold by Friedman’s Jewelers, Inc., with headquarters at 101 West Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia. The fine old Victorian era building at West Broughton and Whitaker Street still stands. Several generations of Southern gentlemen were given Ruxton® watches from Friedman’s to mark special occasions in their lives—graduations, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and retirements.

Friedman’s was founded in Savannah in 1920; it was Savannah’s first choice when shopping for men’s watches. Friedman’s grew to become a specialty retailer of fine jewelry, operating stores located in 20 Southern and Midwestern states, before it closed in 2008."

Aside from that, I only know it's Swiss made because of the markings on the dial and stamped on the movement. I could find no information on who actually produced the watch.

I noted that on the inside of the case back, there is an engraving "9-62", which I assume to mean that someone serviced it in that month/year.

That watch will not wind, and I am not going to force it. However, the time can be set freely by pulling the stem out to the second click.

I have contacted a reputable jeweler with several certified watchmakers on staff about examining the watch next week. I'll follow up with what I find out.

Now for the pictures:

[FTX I]

Love it. Bring it back to life

[MILGAUSS88]

UXN is the code for Marsh watch co.
I see 235 on the movement, I assume that is the calibre.
Star Watch case company is an American brand, so the movement was most likely cased in the USA.

[rolexjim]

Thank you for that information. I cannot find any information about the Marsh Watch company. The UXN code is the "importing" company code. No telling who actually manufactured it. I had noted the Star watch case and assumed the movement was shipped from overseas and cased here.

[joli160]

That's really nice, I would be delighted with an heirloom like that

[rolexjim]

I am resurrecting this thread because I just sent my pocketwatch off for service. I sent it to Rusty @ Antique Watch Co. in North Carolina.
I'm very excited.
He is going to supply me with pictures during the different phases of service.
I'll post up again when it returns.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by rolexjim

I am resurrecting this thread because I just sent my pocketwatch off for service. I sent it to Rusty @ Antique Watch Co. in North Carolina.
I'm very excited.
He is going to supply me with pictures during the different phases of service.
I'll post up again when it returns.

.
That is very cool...
I was looking for the original pics from your 2017 post.. which are not there.
It's great that you've sourced a service for it and can't wait to see how it goes.
I also think it's fabulous to 'resurrect' it. You'll be happy you did.
.
I did the same to my Grandfathers pocket watch. It's what you gotta do...

[77T]

Glad you’re following through with the project to give it new life. I’ve done a couple of these types of “resurrections” for family members.

Rusty was my “go to” for a pocket watch project - the outcome was great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rolexjim]

Thanks. Knowing that watch hasn't been carried or used in at least 60 years means that all those scratches, nicks and dinks came from years of probably daily carry, probably during hard work. My grandfather was a share cropper and always moving around. Very hard work.
I also love all the fading and imperfections in the face.
If it could just talk, imagine what it what it may say...

[Slimpee]

That's awesome!

I have had two pocket watches from two of my great-grandfathers serviced recently. They're certainly not certified chronometers but they both work well and one actually does keep pretty good time. I can probably mess more with the regulator on the other but I think i'll leave it as is.

I absolutely love looking at them and take tremendous pride in getting them running again (after however many decades non-running). I see myself as the caretaker until I will pass them down the line. As someone else said, each mark, scratch, and dent is part of the family history and I look forward to adding to that history!

Keep us posted!

[TudorTommy]

Oh boy! Hello from the upstate and we are all looking forward to the updates! I love these resurrection threads, and this one is really close to home!

[rolexjim]

Originally Posted by TudorTommy

Oh boy! Hello from the upstate and we are all looking forward to the updates! I love these resurrection threads, and this one is really close to home!

Thanks from Aiken!

[TudorTommy]

Any updates or progress? I hope the project is still happening!

[rolexjim]

Originally Posted by TudorTommy

Any updates or progress? I hope the project is still happening!

In fact I just came on here to update.
Rusty emailed me with the estimate yesterday and I accepted.
It will take approximately 4 weeks now for completion.
He agreed to photo document the process as well so I will end up with nice pictures of the overhaul process.
He said I will not here from him again until it is complete.
That was a kind way of stating don't email or call for updates.
I totally get it.

So, once I receive the pictures I'll post up.

Thanks for following.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by rolexjim

In fact I just came on here to update.
Rusty emailed me with the estimate yesterday and I accepted.
It will take approximately 4 weeks now for completion.
He agreed to photo document the process as well so I will end up with nice pictures of the overhaul process.
He said I will not here from him again until it is complete.
That was a kind way of stating don't email or call for updates.
I totally get it.

So, once I receive the pictures I'll post up.

Thanks for following.

All right then...See what happens in a month...

[Tools]

Looking forward to it.

Sometimes we need to resurrect these old soldiers or they will eventually die out, which would be a very sad day for enthusiasts the world 'round.

[TudorTommy]

Haha, definitely sounded like he dropped a “don’t keep bugging me” hint. It’s great to know that little piece of history will be getting new life. Good on you for making it happen.

[rolexjim]

Just to be clear, he actually stated that he receives so many phone calls and emails that it affects the work. He was very courteous in his statement.
I don't want anyone to have the wrong idea.
Rusty seems top notch.

I am very excited and anxious to get this watch back and see it running after a half-century of motionlessness....

[brandrea]

There’s something really cool about a pocket watch. Congratulations Jim

[spoilsofwar01]

Really nice watch to have been given the 962 possibly may be the silver content of the case ? post a picture if you can,

[rolexjim]

9-62 looks like a date.
The case states 10k rolled gold plated.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by rolexjim

9-62 looks like a date.
The case states 10k rolled gold plated.

Aha, the picture make this clear, incidentally there is a silver grade 962, I was thinking it was stamped, so yes possibly a service mark, nice pocket watch all the same, enjoy.

[rolexjim]

So after consulting with my brother who acquired the watch in 1968 (he was 17) he stated it would not wind. This verifies the watch has not run since at LEAST 1968. If it were serviced in 1962 that would be odd, depending upon the level of service performed, of course.

[TudorTommy]

[QUOTE=rolexjim;11205223]Just to be clear, he actually stated that he receives so many phone calls and emails that it affects the work. He was very courteous in his statement.
I don't want anyone to have the wrong idea.
Rusty seems top notch.

Definitely didn't have the wrong idea. Good you made the statement just to be certain no one else did! Seems like anyone involved in watch service or repair is getting more business than they know what to do with.

The 962 is very possibly a service date. Friend of mine had an old railroad watch serviced and cleaned for elderly friend of ours. It had similar marks inside the case indicating each time it had been serviced. Unfortunately he has passed away and the watch is gone.

[rolexjim]

Watch is being returned today. Rusty said it is running well.
He sent a couple of pictures.
I'll post more once I receive the watch.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by rolexjim

Watch is being returned today. Rusty said it is running well.
He sent a couple of pictures.
I'll post more once I receive the watch.

...Well, a.month later as said, that certainly looks pretty darm good imo.

[TudorTommy]

Great news!! Nothing like keeping a piece of history going or even better, bringing one back to life! Cant wait for the pics!!

[Swaye]

Great thread! My father passed early last year and when I was going through his mementos box I found my Grandfathers WWII Omega he wore throughout the war in Europe. It was strapless wrapped in wax paper and in a small matchbox. Took it to my watchmaker, had it all gussied up, added a bund strap (this watch is tiny), and now wear it on rare occasions with pride. I think you will appreciate taking the the time to get this watch fixed.

My Grandfathers watch is a 1934 Omega by serial number, which I guess was quite common for WWII soldiers to buy a used watch after boot camp and take it with them to Europe. I learned a great deal about WWII watches of the period just trying to do research on the piece. That was half the fun!

[rolexjim]

Rusty sent this picture before sending it back.
It doesn't look much different, just a bit more clean.

I cannot wait to get it back and start carrying it from time to time.
When not carrying, it will be on display in my home.

[Slimpee]

Very cool! I'm glad you're putting some love and attention to your grandfather's pocket watch.

I look forward to seeing the final results!