Watch case?

[Robbie]

As some of you may know, I`ve been water detecting a lot this summer. Well last weekend I pulled this thing out of the water. It`s caked with sand inside and I don`t know how to open it without breaking it. Any ideas what it was. It looks to date back to 1885. Thanks for looking and stay cool.

 

[del]

Can you give us a look at the other side Robbie and a side profile ?

 

[Robbie]

back and side views

Here`s a couple more views . Thanks

 

[del]

it looks very similar to a late 1800's or early 1900's era Woman's rouge or powder case Robbie

 

[Robbie]

it looks very similar to a late 1800's or early 1900's era Woman's rouge or powder case Robbie

Maybe, but why would it have dates on it?

 

[del]

Maybe, but why would it have dates on it?

could be patent dates for the product inside or the case design .

 

[fyrffytr1]

My old eyes are having a difficult time trying to read what is on your item. Can you tell me what it reads around the perimeter as well as what is in the center?

 

[Robbie]

My old eyes are having a difficult time trying to read what is on your item. Can you tell me what it reads around the perimeter as well as what is in the center?

It`s not just your eyes, I have trouble reading it myself. What I can see is American along the top and Watch along the bottom. Some of the dates I can see are Feb 17 1885, Aug 4 1885, and July 1 ..?? It`s made of brass so I may be able to polish it to bring out more detail.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think you may be on the right track with the watch idea. Here is a link.

http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/waltham.html

 

[Robbie]

I think you may be on the right track with the watch idea. Here is a link.

http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/waltham.html

Great researching. Thank you for the link.

 

[BTV Digger]

Think I found it for you Robbie. It reads "American Waltham Watch Co." and is a brass pocket watch movement can from the late 1800s or early 1900s. Here's a link to one very similar to yours. http://hortonclocks.com/Completed_auctions/2015/May15/parts/parts_007.htm. Scroll down about halfway on the right.

John

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think BTV has hit the nail on the head. Way to go.

 

[The Rebel]

Awesome find & ID!

 

[del]

Great detective work John !

Think I found it for you Robbie. It reads "American Waltham Watch Co." and is a brass pocket watch movement can from the late 1800s or early 1900s. Here's a link to one very similar to yours. http://hortonclocks.com/Completed_auctions/2015/May15/parts/parts_007.htm. Scroll down about halfway on the right.

John

 

[Caretaker]

wicked cool find, I grew up a mile away from the watch factory, always wanted to detect the Charles river right next to it