Pocket Watch Case

A collector once shared a story about a trip to a rural flea market where he spotted an old box labeled Misc. Inside were rusted keys, broken trinkets, and random odds and ends. There he discovered a hand-engraved dedication on the inside lid: To Capt. Taylor – For Meritorious Service, 1918. Curious, the collector traced the box back to a decorated World War I officer. He contacted the officer’s surviving family, who were stunned to learn about the box. They had thought it was lost forever. Later, they shared photos of the box displayed in a family history exhibit. Samuel Swartchild (originally Schwarzschild) immigrated to the US as a child. After a brief stint in the Civil War Union army, he moved to Chicago and became a supplier of tools and materials for watchmakers, jewelers, and engravers. Located on East Madison Street, the company advertised itself as the “World’s Largest Watchmakers’ and Jewelers’ Supply House”. It was one of Chicago’s oldest businesses when it closed. This handmade oaken wood case housed different-sized pocket watch crystals or “lentilles” (lenses) as they were called. Given the construction and appearance, we’re guessing it dates to the 1890s or early turn of the 20th century, especially with its use of horsehide glue and wire finishing nails. Original hardware on the graduated pull drawer, and inside are 96 tapered compartments. The smallest to the right in the picture measure 1.125 by 0.5 inch in length and depth (2.9 x 1.3 cm). The largest compartments are on the left, 2 by 1 inches long and deep (5 x 2.5 cm). Each compartment is about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) wide, more or less. You can see the compartments and the tapering on the bottom of the drawer along with its excellent patina bearing indication to its age. The box overall measures 13 x 10.25 x 3 inches (33 x 26 x 8 cm) and is in solid, strong, functional condition. Still with its original finish, there is some slight scratching on the top as shown in the photograph. The bottom has some scratches as expected for its age. The sides and front are in very good condition. The drawer slides in and out well and is also in excellent condition. The painted gold lettering is strong and highly visible. The metal Swartchild & Co. Tag nailed to the lid is the perfect final touch. A solid, usable, beautiful box all in one. Full of nice open spaces, not dirty glass vials. Not sure for what you could use it? Coins, stamps, and other small collectibles? Maybe buttons or fishing flies? How about small bits of hardware or jewelry, especially precious metals? Safely store diamonds or other small precious stones individually wrapped in papers? Everything organized and easily accessible at your fingertips! This is a true one of a kind find.

Chalmers & Co Chicago Pocket Watch Gold Filled Monitor Watch Case. CONDITION: wear, crack in dial, was running approx 5 years ago – but not now, winds (see photos for condition).

Antique circa 1890 18 size Columbus 15 jewel pocket watch in a Chicago case co. 5 ounce coin silver case – with chain – as seen in the pictures. The case shows some of the typical bumps and scrapes from age and use. The watch has been serviced and is running strong and keeping time to better than a minute a day.

Early Elgin keywind pocket watch from about 1871. Made for John V Farwell & Co. Only about 2400 of these were made according to pocket watch data base. The 11 jewel movement is running strong. I see one small chip on the edge of the dial between 9 and 10. The front lid lift spring is weak. Lid opens to 90 degrees and has tight hinges. The 11 jewel movement is a model 1 grade 12 with a solid nickel balance. Serial number is 101015. The release button is well worn and does not stay in place properly. It will come with a key and be very well packaged. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “geokri” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, Korea, South, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Republic of, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

• Number of Jewels: 11 jewel
• Model: 1
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Department: Men
• Case Color: Silver
• Case Material: 0,900 FINE COIN SILVER
• Pocket Watch Size: 18
• Dial Style: Roman Numerals
• Movement: Mechanical (Manual)
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Features: 12-Hour Dial
• Seller Warranty: Yes
• Vintage: Yes
• Year Manufactured: 1870-1879
• Dial Color: White
• Closure: Full Hunter
• Brand: J V farwell
• Serial Number: 101015

This is an 1880s Patek Philippe & Co. This watch has a 70, XXX serial number dating it to 1884 or 1885. The movement is marked Patek Philippe Geneve and is jeweled. The dial is marked Patek Philippe & Cie Geneve, N Matson & Co. (N Matson & Co was a famous Chicago jewel in the 1870s/1880s). The case is not original. It is a Gold Filled Keystone Case that I believe dates to around the 1930s. It has a Dr. S name engraved on the back. The watch dial is approx. 43mm and the case itself is 50mm in diameter. The watch has been tested and keeps relativity good time. The dial looks great and I did not notice any cracks or major wear. The movement looks great. The case of the watch is engraved on the back and has some light tarnish and scratches in a few places. The item “1880s PATEK PHILIPPE POCKET WATCH with N Matson Chicago Dial & Gold Filled Case” is in sale since Thursday, April 22, 2021. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “salesexecut1ve” and is located in Iowa City, Iowa. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
• Department: Men
• Case Material: Gold Filled
• Movement: Mechanical (Manual)
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Year Manufactured: 1880-1889
• Dial Color: White
• Brand: Patek Philippe

Please look at my other items. Pictures don’t do these watches justice. (1798) Waltham 18 size 21 jewels adjusted The Belt Railway of Chicago high grade 845 (1906) Defiance Case. Please look at all pictures as they are most of the description!! All Watches have been serviced, cleaned and oiled, and run great and are guaranteed for 30 days. Because of there age they may not keep exact time. Most of the Watches will be within a few seconds a day, but a few may be up to a few minutes a day. The item “Waltham 18S. 21J adj (1906) The Belt Railway of Chicago grade 845 defiance Case” is in sale since Saturday, July 18, 2020. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “fiste-marti” and is located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian federation.

• Year Manufactured: 1900-1909
• Brand: Waltham WATCH Company
• Closure: Open Face
• Year of Manufacture: 1906
• Model: model 1892 grade 845
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Display: Analog
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Style: Railroad Grade
• Case Material: defiance case
• Movement: Mechanical (Hand-winding)
• Vintage: Yes
• Features: 12 hour Arabic numbers THE BELT RAILWAY OF CHICAGO Enameled dial
• Escapement Type: Lever
• Serial Number: 15097351
• Number of Jewels: 21 Jewels
• Pocket Watch Size: 18