If the voice of God came to me and told me that I could select only 3 of the watches from my collection and the rest would have to be crushed and dumped in the ocean I would choose these. You have to understand even though I have wrist watches in my "permanent" collection I started out as a pocket watch guy several decades ago. I am growing to love a couple of my Heuers and Omegas and Zeniths but they would all go to the crusher to save these 3. They are in order from first priority to third with the reasoning following the photos.

#1

This very rare Ball private label for Marcy & Co Jewelers may be the only complete original example in existence. I know of one other which is missing its dial. I like the watch because it is one of the earliest serial numbers known of a Ball watch made by the Hamilton Watch Company. It is also rare in that it is a Hamilton 938 grade of which only a very few were made for Ball. It is thought that Webb C. Ball may have made these "named" watches for the principles of his original Ball Agencies or Ball RR Watch Inspectors. Marcy was the original Ball Agency in my home town of Indianapolis, IN.

Aside from all of the technical and rarity coolness of this watch, the watch was previously owned by two of my mentors in the watch business. The late William "Bill" Curtin, Master Watchmaker found the watch back in the 1970s. Bill is known for his tourbillion watches, of which he built around 15, and his double tourbillion clocks of which he built 2. In a weak moment Bill sold the watch to my friend Joe Jones who is one of the foremost experts in the world on The early production of The Elgin National Watch Company. In another weak moment Mr. Jones, who is also a Master Watchmaker sold the watch to me. This watch will always remind me of my 2 friends.

#2

This little Vacheron Constantine was presented to Mr. Frederic E. Ives on June 28, 1911 by the International Photo Engravers' Association at their convention in Cincinnati, OH. I have a copy of the Journal of the Association from the next month where the presentation is detailed. Mr Ives was the inventor and holds the patents for several very important processes in image reproduction. These include the halftone dot screen and the CMYK color separation process. He had a US war ship named after him in WW-II and has his portrait on a US Postage stamp. I have made my living in the image reproduction business all of my life and Mr. Ives is a hero of mine.

I also acquired this watch from a mentor of mine and a watch collecting pal of my father's. 15 years ago I was standing next to Dr. Bill Heilman when he picked this little watch up off a table at a watch show. Dr. Bill collected dedications. Knowing my business he showed it to me after he bought it. I told him if he ever decided to sell it, it would have a good home in my permanent collection. A couple of years ago Dr. Bill's health was failing and he called me to see if I wanted the watch. I made the hour drive to his house in about 1/2 hour. When I got there he handed me the watch which had an old string tag with my name on it. He charged me exactly what he paid for it all those years ago. The only reason why this watch is not #1 is because my real passion is for American watches.

#3

The above watch is without any doubt a superb example of one the two best time only pocket watches ever produced by any major watch company anywhere. By best I mean finish, fit, and technology. The only other watch that is its equal is the American Watch Company grade 21 jewel model 72. There are Pateks and Vacherons and maybe a few other which are arguably close, but none better. Every piece of this watch is damasceened or polished to a mirror finish on both sides. The undersides of the plates are finished as well as the tops even though only a watchmaker will see them. My friend Joe Jones had to replace a little internal setting lever under the dial of this watch. He had one from a lesser grade watch but it would not fit between the dial and the top plate until he polished it like the rest of the parts.

There are 501 serial numbers reserved in the Elgin factory records for this grade 72 "Convertible". They may or may not have actually made all of them. This watch will convert from open face (wind at 12 o'clock) to hunting case (wind at 3 o'clock) by switching the odd little contraption you see on the movement in the photo. It is housed in its original very heavy 18k triple hinged Jurgensen lipped case case with glass exhibition back. The grade 72 was so expensive when it was made that only a wealthy man could afford one. While the provenance is not as good as for the Ives watch I have it on very believable authority that the watch was purchased new in around 1880 by E. J. Young lumber baron and the founder of the Ohio Blue Tip Match Company.

This watch is "permanent" simply because it is such a well preserved example of a great achievement in watchmaking.

If you would like to see a few more photos of my 3 "keepers" here is a link to a gallery.

http://www.johncotephotography.com/Watches/3Keep/index.html

JohnCote
Watch Nerd