Tuesday, September 30, 2008



As for time, I collect Elgin pocket watches (approx. 1865-1930s), and lately some of their later wrist watches (1930s-40s). All of my watches work, and I have an awesome repair lady here. The thing I love about Elgins is that they are easily repaired, although very old, and tough as nails (unless you really stomp on them)--so that one repair is good for a lifetime!
I got started with the large silver one on the left from just just after the Civil War. It had belonged to my great-grandmother's great uncle Edgar. She gave it to me, and it needed some repairs, but it got me started. Then I bought the little gold one on the right with the chain for 3 bucks and had it repaired--who wouldn't be hooked??? The silver one next to the large silver, which is middle top, I bought because it usually feels too special to wear the old family antique out of the house, and it is nearly the same looking. The gold one bottom left is my most recent watch---I bought it in good working condition, but my repair lady tells me it was originally in a solid gold clamshell case (hunter) and somebody removed it, sold the gold, and put it into this cheaper case! Live and learn, eh? The bottom middle silver one is very ornate, and was given to my wife by her grandmother, and the octagon on the bottom right is my prettiest. I have quite a few more. I'll set them all ticking at once and it is LOUD!

And the lower pic shows my Daffy Duck clock in the studio, under Jesus.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I do love that octagon one, Gary. It's the one my eyes went to first. Very nice collection.

Ya learn something new about someone, everyday. :)

kate&jim

Gordo said...

They quite literally don't make them like that any more, do they? Well, they might, but mere mortals certainly can't afford them.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

ah, but we CAN afford the antiques!

Lynda said...

The watches are gorgeous! I have always wanted one that played music. What a wonderful collection.

Anonymous said...

I have one that I keep in a small glass bubble of a case. Also afraid to carry it around. But, I put it in my hand and wonder what the hand that first owned it looked like, I wonder what that person thought! Leaves are just beginning to turn here in Cleveland. Nice pics!

Reb said...

All very beautiful, but I have to say the octagonal one is the star in this photo.

Chatty said...

Wow - the colors of your house and surrounding your house are just magnificent - this is the time when I want to be back on the east coast instead of in Arizona - it's still 100 today! I love your watches, Gary - what a neat collection. I love watches too - I don't have nifty old historic ones - just watches, but I love 'em! I also think your zebras are absolutely adorable! Have you made any bottle topper zebras yet?

Anonymous said...

Lovely watches, and to have a story for each one!
Then you cracked me up with Jesus watching over your Daffy Duck clock (and your glazes). :)

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Jesus keeps an eye over everything, right?
ZEBRA TOPPER! Right on.

Tink said...

What a neat thing to collect! I collect old keys. My Mom collects old spoons. There's just something comforting about old objects. They all feel like they have a story to tell.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

more people should collect my pots, actually...

Anonymous said...

God, those are beautiful watches. I used to collect old typewriters before I moved to Europe. But I had to give them all away before I left. Now I have just one. -- Marian

Tricia said...

The watches are beautiful, and Daffy hanging out with Jesus is rather interesting, but those fall foliage photos? They are making me drool. This is the first time in forever that I've not been home during fall foliage. Sob, Sob.

Linda Starr said...

Very beautiful fall photos and love the octagon watch too; it was 95 here today and tomorrow the same. Weekend is supposed to drop though, hopefully.

Farmer*swife a/k/a Glass_Half_Full said...

The pics are beautiful; fall and all.

The pocket watch collection -- too fab. Wow. Those really nice. REALLY Nice!

And, the history was a great share! Thanks!

Newt said...

That is way cool. I'll keep an eye out for those. I am a sucker for old watches as well so when I am in antique stores I am always checking out the time pieces.