Equity Watch Company
KGray25158
I have just been given a pocket watch and would like to get more
information on it. It is an open face with the name Henry J Linn
inscribed. The mechanism has Equity Watch Co., Boston 7 Jewel and a number
140011. The inside of the rear case is inscribed Watch Star Case Company
Stellar. I have also notice a faint outline of two die on the front face,
one has 3 and the other has 4 dots, ??
I have tried various search engines but have had no luck - can any body
help with any information and / or web sites to browse for this watch.
Thanks,
Keith
STDWATCH
Your pocket watch was probably made by the Waltham Watch Co. in Waltham
MA. The 'Equity' name was used on a line of low cost movements made before
WWII. The Star Watch Case Co. made watch cases in Luddington, MI up
through the early 1980's. Stellar was one of Star's grade names for their
cases, used, I think, for Gold Rolled Plate. The movement is slightly
larger than a standard 16 size, about 16 1/2, and requires a special case
to fit. The name on the dial is probably that of the selling jeweller. The
painting of the dice may have been added by the owner, the fact that it is
mostly worn off indicates that it was added after the dial was made. Some,
but not all, of the Equity movements did not carry standard full Waltham
serial numbers, making them difficult to date.
Hope this is of some help.
Ed Ueberall
The Escapement
Vintage Pocket Watch Restotation
Tim Sweet
Keith,
The serial number you provided (it was from the watch movement and not
the case...right?) comes back as an Appleton-Tracy Size 16, Key wind
3/4 plate, with 15 jewels, if it is in fact a Waltham, as was mentioned
by another post. I doubt that this is correct (either the number or the
fact that it is a Waltham must be wrong)
The date would be wrong also, 140,011 would have been made in 1864 and
Waltham didn't start producing the Equity grade until the 17million
serial numbers around 1908. The first Equity was numbered 17,874,001 and
was a model 1908. In addition all Equity were Pendant wind and pendant
set.
Equity was produced in the following models, 1908 (size 16.5), 1894
(size 12), something called GIANT (size 16.5), 1900 (size 3/0) 1907
(size 3/0), 1908 (size 16) and a 1898 (size 6/0). Most all were 7
jewels with a few 15 and fewer 17 jeweled models made.
Regards
Tim Sweet
M.O.S.T. Watch & Clock Co.
