We've got it!

It's been ages since we spoke about pocket watches, and today I'm very pleased to share some good news. After many months, a very special long awaited pocket watch has finally arrived. It is a Showa 3 (1928) Seikosha railway pocket watch. What a beauty! Known as type 19 (52mm case size), it became the official railway pocket watch of Japanese National Rail from 1928 to 1945. In 1945, type 19 was then replaced with Seikosha 9119, featuring the same mechanism but in a slightly smaller case (50mm). Type 19 was the El Primero of the Japanese railway saga. Of course, Seikosha was not the only watch to be used on Japanese Rail as a time keeper. From the late 1880s, Japan imported high grade pocket watches from both the USA and Switzerland. Waltham, Omega and Longines were already well established in the land of the rising sun. But one can only imagine the euphoria which culminated with Seikosha's technical mastery to manufacture a high grade pocket watch as good as foreign. Proving itself as robust and reliable in less than a decade, Seikosha established itself as the official JNR supplier. While foreign railroad pocket watches remained in service until their 'expiry date', National Railway favoured Seikosha over all other suppliers. Externally, design-wise, the Seikosha type 19 is heavily inspired by the 1920s American Illinois Bunn railroad pocket watch. The most prominent feature is the crown bow which clearly is not an imitation of American style, but rather one of the most elegantly designed European inspired bows, rooted in the Art Deco era.

The best way to understand and appreciate the true value of a high grade railway pocket watch is to remind ourselves of what such high precision instruments cost in the 1930s. While a top of the range Rolex Oyster Perpetual was advertised for 14 pounds, the cheapest Illinois Bunn was sold for $65 USD. And the Seikosha type 19 was not any cheaper than its American equivalent. A high grade pocket watch, especially a railway issued piece, should be a corner stone in any ambitious watch collection. If you are yet to acquire your first piece, the time to look for one is now while the prices remain very reasonable. If you are interested in a pocket watch from a particular year, send us an email and we will keep an eye out for you!

Its been ages since we spoke about pocket watches...

It's been ages since we've talked about pocket watches - and today is a perfect day to share with you a couple of horological gems. The first find is a recent discovery of two Japanese National Railway pocket watches which come with very exotic 'service papers'. The first watch was manufactured in Showa 31 (1956) and issued to JNR as watch number 1747. Recorded in fine ink are six consecutive services, specifically noting the timekeeping and beat error in the years Showa 38, 39, 40, 44, 47, 55 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1980). The circular Kanji print instructs the watchmaker to fill in all the fields. Of course, my Japanese is very shaky but it looks like the label comes from Shizuoka service centre.

The second watch is JNR 5279 issued in Showa 30 (1955) with the same label. A reliable service history record of a precision instrument like a railway pocket watch provides priceless historic data and adds significantly to the value of the watch itself. Not to mention the obvious, the trustworthy number 1747 was continually in service for at least 25 years. The second little beauty is this Japanese National Railway watch shipping container.

This one is designed to accommodate two pocket watches while transported around. I have not seen anything like this before! The industrial robustness of the container is clearly evident,  but the box is an art piece in itself showing the impeccable attention to detail of the Japanese. The latch still works perfectly despite at least 50 years of use. If you ever come across one, snatch it in a heartbeat!

Speaking of Shizuoka, this is the view of Mount Fuji from the city edge.

Major C. P. Heydenrych

Its been ages since we spoke about railroad pocket watches! Today, the focus of our interest is a 1925 Omega SAR-SAS railway pocket watch number 1498, fitted with a 19 LBN calibre movement. The watch arrived in very poor condition, with a number of movement parts missing and heavily worn out engraving on the nickel case back. However, the writing on the porcelain dial is well preserved and it is one of those rare quad sign examples which bears railway designator as well as Omega brand name, local co-brand, and co-brand location. (SAS-SAR, Omega, C.P. Heydenrych, Johannesburg) South African Railway watches are so rare that any example in any condition is worth our attention. Unfortunately due to current workload I will not be able to undertake any restoration right now. But I can't wait to get my hands on to it. In the meantime, the preliminary research is presented here for your enjoyment:

SAS-SAR stands for South African Railways - Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweg, spelt in both English and Afrikaans respectively. The railways have always been an essential part of South Africa’s transport system, and the SAR infrastructure is the most developed across the continent. In 1860, the first locomotive was introduced to South Africa which connected Durban to Harbour Point, by the Natal Railway Company. Other railway lines linked towns and cities within South Africa, constructed and operated by Cape Government Railways and Netherlands South African Railway Company. In 1910, the four British territories of Cape, Transvaal, Natal and the Orange Free State republic gained nominal independence from Britain. These four provinces formed the Union of South Africa and as a result, the railway lines across the country were merged creating the South African Railway. The railway pocket watch dial on today’s agenda is inscribed:   SAR-SAS Omega C. P. Heydenrych Johannesburg But who exactly is CP Heydenrych? Carel Petrus Heydenrych of Johannesburg was the son of Johanna Jacoba Heydenrych (born Theunissen) and Carel Petrus Heydenrych. He was an important military figure: A Major and Colonel who served with the Rand Rifles during the Boer War and with the Witwatersrand Rifles during the First World War. His war achievements were recognised with an honorary war medal in his name: The Major Heydenrych Medal.

After the Great War ended, CP Heydenrych commanded the South African Armoured trains throughout the 1920s. An armoured train is a locomotive that is protected with armour - artillery and machine guns for example. Armoured trains proved popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, especially during wars, as they could easily transport large amounts of firepower.

Johannesburg, 18 March 1922. Major CP Heydenrych, Lt-Col RC Wallace and Major JM Greathead with troops at troop train on station platform. Since 1893, working on the railroad required officials to carry railroad timekeepers to ensure trains were on time in order to avoid catastrophic collisions. By the end of the 19th century, Omega, together with its brand sister Gurzelen Brandt, had garnered a reputation of producing outstanding railroad watches, supplying South African Railways with the very watch we have in our workshop. The nickel case back has the issue number 1498 and did have a locomotive motif engraving, however this has been completely worn away with time. In it's original condition, it would've looked something like the pocket watch on the left:

As a railroad commander, the Omega SAR-SAS pocket watch would have most probably been a part of CP Heydenrych’s uniform. However, it is unlikely that this pocket watch is a one-of-a-kind unique timepiece. What is more likely is that there were a number of pocket watches made by Omega, and due to Major CP Heydenrych's military status, the porcelain dial bears his name almost like a 'special edition' of the SAR pocket watch. Omega railroad pocket watches are far more than just a timepiece. They are a piece of history which carry huge horological importance. And this watch in particular not only preserves railway history, but the military achievements and life of Major and Colonel Heydenrych. "Railroad watches may be considered as the first reference watches of the manufacture, much before the record precision chronometers, the Olympic chronographs or the NASA Official Speedmasters." – A Journey Through Time.

Skoda

* Overseas model shown. Free tyres for life. Tinted windows included.

Big thanks to everyone who helped us with our search for the locomotive on the case back of the University pocket watch in yesterday’s email. We have received so many suggestions but believe it or not, we still don’t have a definite answer. The two candidates with the most votes are the Soviet Passenger P36 steam locomotive and the Czechoslovak 4-8-2 Skoda. The Russian P36 steam locomotive was a 4-8-4 configuration manufactured between 1950 and 1956 for mainline use. A total of 251 were in production. The P36 was the last type of mainline steam locomotive built in Russia. There are at least five locomotives still in use today, used for private train experiences: https://www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com/about-us/P36-Locomotive.php

The Czechoslovak 4-8-2 Skoda express passenger locomotive was introduced to Czechoslovak State Railways in 1938. 16 years later, in 1954, the design was developed further into the 498.1 class. The benefit of these locomotives was improved stability at speed. Both Czech locomotives were technically sophisticated for their time and allegedly capable of 11% thermal efficiency.

So which one? While the Czech 4-8-2 Skoda image looks exactly like that on our pocket watch, the obvious question is: Why would a Russian railway pocket watch have an image of a Czech locomotive on the case back? On the other hand, the Russian P36 would make more sense on the back of a Russian Molnia railway pocket watch, but the images don't really match up. So, could there be a third contender?

Full Steam Ahead

With all due respect, I don’t think any of you have ever heard of the pocket watch brand University. Neither had I, until I acquired one the other day. Disguised behind a western name it was our old friend, a Russian Molnia railway pocket watch, made for the export market. Watch export was not a huge money earner to the Soviet Union compared with other commodities. However, millions of watches were exported to central and eastern European countries, China, India but also to the United States and Germany. The Russian watches were very affordable, reasonably accurate and some examples like University railway came in a rather attractive full relief case. Clearly, it was intended to impress railway authorities. There is however a mystery to be solved. What is the make and model of the locomotive on the case back? Many watch enthusiasts have tried but I am yet to be convinced that we have an answer. Those who attempted began their research with a list of Russian locomotives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_steam_locomotive_classes The best candidates were SO18 or FD21, but in my opinion there is very little resemble between the two and the locomotive on the case back. My theory is that the locomotive was a 1930s German locomotive sold to Turkish railways. In order to please the Turkish customers, the Russians put that model on the watch case back and this is where the research should start. Unfortunately not my area of expertise, but as always your input is appreciated.

The best watch in the world (for money)

James McLeod was a qualified jeweller and optometrist who established his business in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1889. At one point in time, he was a Secretary of Optometrist Association which speaks volume about his professional and business reputation. However, MacLeod was also a proper watchmaker who appreciated quality and workmanship. He was passionate about importing English and Swiss pocket watches of railway quality. It was of little surprise that MacLeod was a major supplier to Queensland Government Railways supplying in excess of 500 Moeris pocket watches.

Here are two advertisements from 1911:   

Honest Watches. There is no Present so Popular either for a Lady or Gentleman as a GOOD WATCH. I CARRY A VERY LARGE STOCK. Being a Practical Watchmaker, I do not Stock Watches which I know cannot possibly give satisfaction. The duty on English watches is 20 per cent on Swiss and American 30 per cent. That means you cannot get a watch which will keep time under a fair price. This cut shows my Ladies’ Watch, which I supply in silver for 85/, 42/, and 50/. In gold they cost £3/3/, £4/4/, £5/5/, up to £12/13/. All Good. All Guaranteed. GENTS’ WATCHES. – Railway Levers, £1/1/; Do. Silver levers, £3/10/, £3/10/, £4/10/. Gents’ Gold from £4/10/ to £25. NOTE.---My Railway Levers are used on all the Government Lines, £1/1/, post free. Supplied ONLY by J. MACLEOD, LEADING JEWELLER AND OPTICIAN Phone 116. BUNDABERG. The other day we have unearthed an original Macleod Railway Lever pocket watch. While it was not an official numbered Queensland Government Rail timepiece, it was signed ‘ D P White, 22 May 1918 Gayndah‘ as well as Gootchie, 15 May 2019. Gootchie is nowadays described as a ‘locality’ with a population of 96, fifty kilometres south east of Gayndah. However, as you Queenslanders know, Gayndah is the oldest town in Queensland – and was a major railway destination. It is quite possible that DP White was a railway man himself, and most definitely in a need of an accurate timekeeper.                  The watch itself is an early 1900's Moeris Cal. 19 movement, stem wound and pin set, 50mm nickel case and porcelain dial. It is interesting that Macleod refers to Railway lever in his later advertisements as “Burnett lever”. Burnett river flows generally south past Eidsvold and Mundubbera before heading east, adjacent to the townships of Gayndah and Wallaville before entering the city of Bundaberg – which is general direction of railway line. James McLeod's optometry, jewellery and watch business thrived for the next 40 years. Upon his retirement, the shop was taken over by his apprentices, who to this day serve the good people of the Bundaberg region.  Was the Moeris 'railway lever' the best watch in the world? Of course not, but it was surely better than many 'railway' watches sold by other jewellers. A timepiece designed to run for 20 or so years, it survived to this day - a testimony to McLeod's conviction that Moeris is worthwhile investment.  Overhaul of the Gayndah Railway Lever pocket watch was assigned to Bobby, our young apprentice. He spent the whole day working on it and this is his final verdict:  When first starting on a watch like this it’s hard to foresee what the outcome will be. A 100 year old watch that isn’t ticking is an indication that any number of things could be wrong with it, or maybe it just needs a good clean and oil. You have to be mindful that it’s been through years of abuse and the end result may just be the same as when you started. It gets to a point in the repair where you have invested so much time into the watch that it becomes a personal vendetta to get the watch to tick no matter how much time you spend adjusting. Even though there were many challenges, we took a once desolate watch and gave back its heartbeat. 100 years old and only losing a minute after 24 hours, that’s a win in my book.  Gayndah Railway Station