Unusual Swiss fake BALL pocket watch c1890
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About this item
This watch is sold in our Watches for restoration section and does not come with a warranty. If you are looking for watch with a full warranty, please go to our Stock page or ask for assistance to find what you are looking for.
This watch is running but losing around 5 minutes a day. The watch has not been cleaned or serviced and is sold with no warranty
With the success of the American pocket watch industry, there came a wave of watches from Switzerland which copied the style of these railroad watches but generally without the quality and they used names which sounded like the American watches they were trying to fake but were just slightly off; like Hampton Watch Company instead of Hampden.
In 1871 Congress passed a law requiring all watches to be marked with their country of origin and these Swiss watches got round that problem by adding the word “Swiss” in miniscule text or on a patch of engraved detailing. However these watches do make an interesting addition to any collection of American watches
Movement – this nickel full plate movement has a lever escapement and an unusual micrometer regulator. The movement is decorated with damascening and has gold looking jewel settings held in place with screws. The movement is signed “Time Ball Special, 21 Jewels, 2 Adjustments, Hirsch, Swiss” and is in 85% mint condition – light tarnish and some scratches
Case – the movement comes in an American Fahy’s coin silver case, which has a screw off back and bezel. The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 80% mint condition – some dents and bruises on the back
Dial – the white enamel dial has an imitation Montgomery style dial with continuous minute marks and also a 6 within the sub seconds dial. The dial has a full set of blue steel hands, is signed “Time Ball Special” and “Swiss” right on the very edge of the dial, mostly obscured by the bezel. The dial is in 100% mint condition.
The watch has a bevelled mineral glass
The watch is stem wound / stem set
The watch measures 58mm wide x 21mm deep
Additional Information
London, United Kingdom
