WWII Canadian Issue Waltham Pocket Watch

[lawrence_n]

Well, trying to get an idea of value and interest in a Waltham pocket watch, radium dial, and second hand. It's clearly Canadian marked. I don't know if the guy's asking price is fair, cheap , or over the top. Any input would be most appreciated.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Best I can do is show you this one, which you may have seen already. He's close to you too... Very Rare 1941 Waltham Premier 16s 17j WW11 Military Pocket Watch as most are 9J | eBay

There's a couple more there too.

[Flying10uk]

I don't think that they are particularly valuable because thousands were produced and thousands have probably survived. The very similar one that I'm holding right now was made in Switzerland by Moeris for British forces as it has a broad arrow on the back. It was purchased in the late 1940's as surplus by my late father when he worked on a farm. Pocket watches were popular at that time with farm workers because much of the work was manual and, on the farm where my father worked, horses were still used for ploughing and harrowing the fields. A wrist watch was easily broken and so many farm workers had a pocket watch tied to a piece of string in their jacket or trouser pocket.

Later edit: I think that my father said that he wore the watch "medallion style" on a string round his neck, as the chest was the least likely place where you got hit/banged while doing farm work. This watch did get a little further use in the 1950's for amateur motor sport, where there was a timed stage etc.

[lawrence_n]

I don't think that they are particularly valuable because thousands were produced and thousands have probably survived. The very similar one that I'm holding right now was made in Switzerland by Moeris for British forces as it has a broad arrow on the back. It was purchased in the late 1940's as surplus by my late father when he worked on a farm. Pocket watches were popular at that time with farm workers because much of the work was manual and, on the farm where my father worked, horses were still used for ploughing and harrowing the fields. A wrist watch was easily broken and so many farm workers had a pocket watch tied to a piece of string in their jacket or trouser pocket.

I had a Moeris made pocket watch which I sold. It was of the type attached to the radio sets and maybe from a Sherman tank radio. As mine is Canadian marked, they're somewhat scarcer from what I've been able to ascertain thus far.

[lawrence_n]

Update! There were 2 pocket watches in the lot. One is the Waltham pictured and the other is a Hamilton gold-filled that needs some minor attention. Both run well though would probably benefit from a cleaning. The Hamilton may (and I stress may) be military but there are no markings to indicate such. Since these come from the estate of a very old deceased veteran, the Hamilton may be a private purchase. You'll note the 24 face. The Hamilton may be fairly valuable if ebay is anything to go by. There's a guy not too far from me who does service and repair to old time pieces so I'll see what he says. For now, enjoy.

[lawrence_n]

More info to share. If what I've been told is correct, the Waltham is indeed a very good find. As I've heard it, the government wanted a good quality reliable pocket watch for issue to those requiring them. Waltham (among others) was tapped to provide the government with the watches but they didn't have sufficient numbers of the 9 jewel movements to fill the order. The balance of the order was filled with the much higher grade "Premier" 17 jewel watches, so hence more expensive but also more rare. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chime in on that.

[browningautorifle]

I know there was a watch issued to the snipers because we talked about it here some time back. Maybe you can find something about it over in the threads...or maybe one of the others involved would come forth.

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
As you will know, snipers were always given the best of the day to ensure Timings were absolutely spot on as a Starred item, especially if you were calling in ordnance of any kind. The Walthams/Smiths would have given good accurate service in WW1 into WW2 and beyond as the G1098/CWC variants did in our day.

[browningautorifle]

We issued a standard Timex wrist watch...I have one still.

[Gil Boyd]

Ticker Ticker TIMEX wartime slogan!!