Unknow older watchers

[rousp]

Hi
I haven't been around here before, but I'm sure that you guys here are as nice as the one in the Omega forum..

I could really need your help to find information on two watches I have, but don't know anything about..

On the caseback of the "Unknown gold watch" there is stamped:
Lower part: 470143 613
upper part:
113
14k 0,585
under there I can barely see that there have been two marks, maybe manufacturer or similar..

You can find images of it here (the watches that are called unknown) (http://mytimewatchers.com/Misc./Misc..html) ;-)

If you know or think you know or even just have seen something similar please let me know either by mail or posting here in this thread..

Thanks
Rousp

[Eeeb]

The link does not work... for me at least.

But I did find them on your website...

I can not ID either of them. The octagonal watch looks to be from the 20's or early 30's. I would guess the ladies watch was just a little more recent, but not much. Since the movements are not marked, they are probably Swiss. I know of no American makers in this era who did not mark their movements.

Others will probably know more!

[rousp]

Link is fixed!

I would think that both watches are ladies, they are both tiny... But I don't know vintage watches..!

[Ray MacDonald]

I don't think I can ID them exactly either. The octagonal one I would place in the 1920s and the lady's elliptical in the 1930s. They are definitely European designs - probably Swiss as Eeeb has already pointed out.

[bjohnson]

I have one of those. The year made is the last two digits of the text at the bottom edge of the dial.

From what I've read the first Timex Electrics were made by Durowe/Laco in Germany

But I didn't record the movement info or take a photo the last time I had mine open for a battery change

[bjohnson]

Due to the lack of photos available for the backs of movements from ladies watches, you'll probably have to ID by the traditional approach .. remove the dial and ID by shape of the setting works (and overall movement dimensions)

[rousp]

I have one of those. The year made is the last two digits of the text at the bottom edge of the dial.

From what I've read the first Timex Electrics were made by Durowe/Laco in Germany

But I didn't record the movement info or take a photo the last time I had mine open for a battery change

The only thing I can read without taking it apart is "Great Britain".

Open for a battery change? I just pop of a cap the size of the battery on the back and that's where the battery goes..

[rousp]

Due to the lack of photos available for the backs of movements from ladies watches, you'll probably have to ID by the traditional approach .. remove the dial and ID by shape of the setting works (and overall movement dimensions)

ID by the shape of the setting works?
I didn't quite get that, care to explain?

Thanks for the information so far.
As far as I understand, you think that the "unknown gold watch" is a gentleman's watch and the other a women's watch?

[Eeeb]

ID by the shape of the setting works?
I didn't quite get that, care to explain?

Thanks for the information so far.
As far as I understand, you think that the "unknown gold watch" is a gentleman's watch and the other a women's watch?

There is no perspective on size in the pictures. If it is a small watch, 25mm or less, it is probably a ladies watch. 30mm or more, probably a gents. The second watch is certainly a ladies watch from the style.

[rousp]

It's small, so a ladies watch then.

[Chascomm]

I can only offer the usual obvious comments. The Unknowns are women's watches which look Swiss inside and out. The octagonal one is older, by style and movement. A fairly early example of pinless setting. the movement was probably designed for a pendant or brooch watch. Mid 1910s to mid 1920s. The tonneau is somewhat newer; late '20s to 1930s. The form movement shows the greater maturity of wristwatch design by that stage.

Both seem to have good quality movements (the older one is particularly good for a woman's watch of its day), so I'd guess the cases are as good to match them. You're very lucky to have those original straps. It's the fine details that really make these watches special.

[rousp]

....
Both seem to have good quality movements (the older one is particularly good for a woman's watch of its day), so I'd guess the cases a good to match them. You're very lucky to have those original straps. It's the fine details that really make these watches special.

Thanks for you comment, a good one!

I'm thrilled to hear about your compliment's on the oldest movement (octagonal), as it still runs and keeps the time. Do you think it will be worth investing in an service of that movement? It's not used..
The tonneau don't work anymore.. And don't think I'm going to let a watchmaker look at it anytime soon either.

The straps are a real charm and makes these watches even better, I think that they are original but really don't know to be honest.

Take care
Rousp

[rousp]

I've found this watch on an auction today, the band resembles the one on my tonneau.
Have a look here (http://lauritz.com/Item/Item.aspx?LanguageId=5&ItemId=1366866&nBids=5&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2flauritz.com%2fItemList%2fIt emList.aspx%3fLanguageId%3d5%26DC%3d1%26CPIn%3d0%2 6ISz%3d0%26PSz%3d30%26PSzG%3d6%26SO%3d3%26ST%3d0%2 6TTyp%3d0%26TVal%3d0%26FLId%3d5%26FCId%3d6%26FText %3d%26LLan%3dFalse%26Vat%3d0%26STA%3d2%26IgId%3d11 7%231366866EndTagRU).

Obviously my band is older, or at least in bader shape. My questione is, was this an regular type of band or could this be an clue to the fact that my tonneau is an Ebel? If you look at the caseback even the layout on the numbers there are similar to my tonneau..

Take care
Rousp