Aged Sheaffer Pocket Watches

[Lazard 20]

http://s29.postimg.org/i0jw57eyv/1899_Sheaffer_Special_Pocket_Watch_reloj_bolsill.jpg

[mariom]

That's a stunning looking watch.

[3rdlakerobert]

I almost bid on this. Now I wish I had (scroll down).

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sheaffer-Special-Pocket-Watch-Ft-Madison-Bloomfield-IA-/331799888862?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=yX3pxYZaSBtFj3qIHr%252B%252FIkkwBgQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Edited March 27, 2016 by Robert111

[jar]

Remember that most watch companies made and sold uncased movements in standard sizes which individual jewelers then cased. The watch is a Hamilton.

[Lazard 20]

I almost bid on this. Now I wish I had (scroll down). http://www.ebay.com/...cvip=true&rt=nc

 

The watch that you refer, recently auctioned, is a Illinois watch private label, probably railroad grade and most probably from Glen Bowen collection. Someone will have to thank your "almost" -smile- .

 

Remember that most watch companies made and sold uncased movements in standard sizes which individual jewelers then cased. The watch is a Hamilton.

 

Yes, this is a typical private label movement from Hamilton, stamped Harward Special on the dial and engraved Harward Special too on the barrel bridge, as others Hamilton for "J.R. Sheaffer & Son" and more later for "J.R. Sheaffer & Co" watches. First only in Bloomfield and later in Bloomfield & Fort Madison. They, the Sheaffer, market different private label brands; in this particular case is a 1899 Hamilton grade 929 but surely we will see here, in this topic, other Sheaffer with differents Hamilton grades and other brands.

 

Footnote for those who do not know it; J.R. Sheaffer is Jacob Royer Sheaffer, Walter's father.

 

http://s10.postimg.org/lwst9iw3d/J_R_Sheaffer_Lazard_Bloomfield_outside_jewelr.jpg

Edited March 28, 2016 by Lazard 20

[Lazard 20]

Let's see another! In this case Hamilton too but different grade.

 

For curious; in this time Mr. Walter had not yet acquired -really, barter by his farm- Mr Bowen´s yewelry in Fort Madison so only figure Bloomfield store.

 

http://s9.postimg.org/6459lgxe7/1903_Sheaffer_Special_Pocket_Watch_Lazard_reloj.jpg

Edited March 28, 2016 by Lazard 20

[corgicoupe]

I believe RR grade requires 21 jewels and adjusted 5 positions. And it must be lever set rather than stem set.

[Lazard 20]

I believe RR grade requires 21 jewels and adjusted 5 positions. And it must be lever set rather than stem set.

 

We got out of the question but no, at least not necessarily nor always.

 

RR grade is dynamic and variable over time and railway companies so I want to remember for Illinois Central Railroad e.g., during late nineteenth, only 15 jewels and other features as adjust cold-heat, patent regulator and less variation than 30 seconds/week was enough.

 

For more info: Just What Is A Railroad Watch.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Lazard 20

[pajaro]

Is that the same Sheaffer?

[Lazard 20]

Is that the same Sheaffer?

 

Yes, they, J.(Jacob) R.(Royer) Sheaffer & Son, are respectively Walter A. Sheaffer´s father and Walter A. Sheaffer, our Walter "fountain pen" Sheaffer. In these same watches, a few years later, we´ll see engraved in watch movements not only Bloomfield (father´s jewelry) but also Fort Madison (Walter´s jewelry) when in 1906 Walter exchange his farm with Bowen´s jewelry in Fort Madison.

 

 

Footnote. At some point we´ll also see as "J.R.Sheaffer & Son" changes for "J.R.Sheaffer & Co."

Edited March 30, 2016 by Lazard 20

[corgicoupe]

We got out of the question but no, at least not necessarily nor always.

 

RR grade is dynamic and variable over time and railway companies so I want to remember for Illinois Central Railroad e.g., during late nineteenth, only 15 jewels and other features as adjust cold-heat, patent regulator and less variation than 30 seconds/week was enough.

 

For more info: Just What Is A Railroad Watch.

I stand corrected. Very interesting article. Thanks for the link.

[Lazard 20]

I stand corrected. Very interesting article. Thanks for the link.

 

You´re welcome. Let´s see more Sheaffer´s watches.

 

http://s16.postimg.org/xjqitc4d1/1900_Harward_Special_Pocket_Watch_Lazard_Sheaffe.jpg

Edited March 31, 2016 by Lazard 20

[Lazard 20]

Before proceeding with more watches and variants, for curious who don´t know these details, I put here 5 pages of Walter Sheaffer´s Life Story -with special thanks to Mrs. Sarah Clendineng of Cattermole Library, Fort Madison, Iowa. There are a reproduction in PCA library too- where he remembers how and why started to market these Hamilton watches and the commercial psychology and selling techniques applied, really advanced for those times. Enjoy it!

http://s18.postimg.org/esvfylucp/Sheaffer_Memories_Lazard_pag1.jpg

http://s13.postimg.org/skh221oav/Sheaffer_Memories_Lazard_pag2.jpg

http://s16.postimg.org/c8a7xzg8l/Sheaffer_Memories_Lazard_pag3.jpg

http://s21.postimg.org/3o054rniv/Sheaffer_Memories_Lazard_pag4.jpg

http://s13.postimg.org/uua89x3k7/Sheaffer_Memories_Lazard_pag5.jpg

Footnote: Walter seems to refer to 1888 although I understand that Hamilton watches market couldn´t happen before c. 1893. I don´t know if it's a memory lapse or simply he started selling Hamilton´s 5 or 6 years after he joining to Bloomfield jewelry in 1888.

Edited April 1, 2016 by Lazard 20

[3rdlakerobert]

Thanks! Loved the story. I can see why Walter was so successful in the pen business later.

[Lazard 20]

Thanks! Loved the story. I can see why Walter was so successful in the pen business later.

 

Hi Robert, the pocket watch arrived this morning. The movement is a Illinois watch c. 1910. Have stamped "SHEAFFER SPECIAL" in dial (only the Hamilton-Sheaffer was stamped and engraved HARWARD SPECIAL according with my observations of 12/14 of this watches) and "SHEAFFER SPECIAL FT. MADISON & BLOOMFIELD, IA." engraved in movement.

 

http://s9.postimg.org/f268z8czj/1909_Sheaffer_Special_Lazard_illinois_watch_1.jpg

 

http://s29.postimg.org/counm96w7/1909_Sheaffer_Special_Lazard_illinois_watch_2.jpg

 

http://s10.postimg.org/y9y90q909/1909_Sheaffer_Special_Lazard_illinois_watch_3.jpg

Curious resemblance typographic between Sheaffer Special and Sheaffer´S.

http://s16.postimg.org/571gm316t/Sheaffer_S_Lazard.jpg

Edited April 2, 2016 by Lazard 20

[3rdlakerobert]

Very nice, Lazard. I'm envious. Will you have it serviced?

[Lazard 20]

Will you have it serviced?

 

No, the seller warned it does not work. But the watch have already appointment to go to watchmaking workshop next Tuesday; in a week, next to some others pocket watches around here, we will hear its ticking that, with some nostalgia and through time, moves us to grandparents´ dinning room. Also will serve as background for taking some photos with pens; I think will be "amortized" very soon.

 

I take advantage of this entry for to present this other Sheaffer in perfect condition and really fancy.

 

Do you can imagine two of this Hamilton fancy watches, among other ten spartans and less precise watches, presented on a plush tray on the counter of Bloomfield store?, Would you take it for see?, Would you had left it, fearful and quickly, on the counter when they say you its high price or you would had carried the pocket watch at home to risk your family say you should cast a fight because you've been beguiled by uncle Walter "sleight"?

 

http://s10.postimg.org/7a688w2s9/1902_Harward_Special_Pocket_Watch_Lazard_Sheaffe.jpg

 

 

Looking with eye today, surely we would had said: "Please, give me two!" ... while we thought: other worst situations I´ve escaped; I'll see how to tell this madcap purchase at home". Isn´t it?

Edited April 2, 2016 by Lazard 20

[3rdlakerobert]

That's certainly a beautiful watch, and I could see myself being completely taken in by it, then carrying it home, worrying, worrying.

[Lazard 20]

We continue with the presentation of Sheaffer watches. Hampden play today...

http://s24.postimg.org/6zja78rcl/1908_Sheaffer_Special_Lazard_Pocket_Watch_reloj.jpg

 

... and another Hamilton.

 

http://s21.postimg.org/4y3kbvtp3/1910_Sheaffer_Special_Lazard_Pocket_Watch_reloj.jpg

Edited April 5, 2016 by Lazard 20

[Lazard 20]

I´ll introduce in the next days others Sheaffer´S pocket watches as wallpaper in the most entertaining way possible as a tribute to these unique people and their time, making use of little known and some unknown S´S memorabilia from my collection that will make reach us the intra-story of these tenacious men worthy of all praise.

http://s23.postimg.org/3neomyymj/SHEAFFER_LAZARD_PHOTO_MEMORABILIA_250.jpg

 

 

Let´s go with the first of them.

"Noble" Walter A. Sheaffer was a member of various organizations with recreational, cultural and social objectives; so, he was "Shriner" Kaaba Temple and Elk´s (1) member whose building, facilities and matchbook I´ve used as wallpaper setting with this 1903 Sheaffer's Harward Special (Hamilton, grade 992).

http://s28.postimg.org/6trqevh3h/1922_07_15_Noble_Sheaffer_S_Lazard.jpg

http://s23.postimg.org/va6b3ky4b/SHEAFFER_ELKS_LAZARD_WATCH_DIAL_WALLPAPER_1000.jpg

http://s24.postimg.org/9atvsr33p/SHEAFFER_ELKS_LAZARD_WATCH_MOVEMENT_WALLPAPER_10.jpg

 

(1) On September 7, 1933, Senator Frailey presented the Lodge Elks with the fountain pen Iowa Governor Herring used to sign "the beer bill" into law. The W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company encased the pen in glass, and attached a bronze engraved plaque describing its significance. This pen still hangs in their Secretary's office

Edited April 15, 2016 by Lazard 20