Help, Keystone pocket watch

[Bob Purkiewicz]

Help,

My father gave me my grandfathers pocket watch. It was made by the
Keystone Watch Company. There are several numbers 340916 and 77753. Is
there a page on the web were I can get some details on Keystone?, or
does someone know anything about Keystone?

thanks, Rob

[Michael P. Smith]

Well Rob,

 

  To be honest, the best bet is to take your watch to a knowledgable vintage/antique pocket watch repairman/collector.  There are so many variables in determining the history and value of a watch that you can very easily get the wrong information.  I strongly recommend taking it to a professional.  Most will look at it for free.  And then tell you it needs cleaning for a small fee:)

 

   In the case of the Keystone Watch Company, I ASSUME that it is the Keystone Standard Watch Co..  If so, here is what I know.  It comes straight from the "Complete Price Guide to Watches" No. 19 (an extremely valuable book to the pocket watch/wrist watch collector and only costs $27).

 

Keystone Standard Watch Co.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

1886 - 1890

 

Abram Bitner agreed to buy a large number of stockholders' shares of the Lancaster Watch Co. at 10 cents on the dollar; he ended up with 5,625 shares out of the 8,000 that were available.  Some 8,900 movements had been completed but not sold at the time of the shares purchase.  The company Bitner formed assumed the name of Keystone Standard Watch Co. as the trademark but in reality existed as the Lancaster Watch Co.  The business was sold to Hamilton Watch Co. in 1891.  Total production was 48,000.

 

Since they only produced (or the guide only lists) 10 types I'll list them here.

 

    Description                   Avg.  Ex-Fn  Mint

1.  18s, 7-15j, OF, KW           $100   $120   $200

2.  18s, 7-15j, OF, SW, 3/4, LS    70    100    150

3.  18s, 15j, dust proof, ADJ     100    120    225

4.  18s, 11-15j, dust proof, OF   100    125    175

5.  18s, 11-15j, dust proof, HC   120    150    225

6.  18s, 17j, dust proof, HC      150    175    250

7.  18s, 20j, dust proof, HC **   300    450    600

8.  18s, West End, 15j, HC         85    125    175

9.  8s,  11j, dust proof          100    125    175

10. 6s,  7-10j, HC            *   100    140    250

 

Legend:

 18s   refers to the size of the watch.  Size 18 means that the movement itself is 1 23/30 inches in diameter.

 7-15j refers to watches with anywhere from 7 to 15 jewels

 OF    means open face case (no metal cover over the dial)

 HC    means hunter case    (metal cover over the dial)

 KW    means Keywind.  Watch requires a key to wind it up.

 SW    means Stemwind. Watch winds from the stem (like a timex wristwatch)

 3/4   means that the three quarters of the movement is covered up by a plate as opposed to full plate.

 LS    means that the watch is lever set.  In order to change the hours and minutes, you need to pull a lever first.

       The lever is normally located on the watch dial at the 10 or 2 o'clock position and moves in and out of the watch.

 *     Uncommon - Only about 2,500 known to exist

 **    Scarce   - Only about 1,000 known to exist

 

 Also, the "West End" on item 8 is known as a movement name.  In the case of this watch, not only does it say Keystone Watch Co., but it will also say West End on it as well.  The prices listed are the prices paid on average for Average, Extra-Fine and Mint condition watches.  Special circumstances can change the worth of your watch.

 

 And finally, the numbers you saw on the case or movement are indeed serial numbers.  The number on the movement is usually much more important that the number on the case itself.  Movement serial numbers are normally used to determine the age of the watch, and in some cases will also indicate the actual model of the watch (if someone has a production serial number model list for that particular company).

 

 

Hows that for some information? ;)

 

 

Michael P. Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Purkiewicz wrote in message <36B67477...@swbell.net>...