Two Lynn Family Pocket Watches
compiled by John J. Schneider, 11 Dec 2023
The grandfather of Audrey Lynn Schneider, my mother, William Lynn (1867 - ?) was a brakeman for a local railroad in the Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania area, this according to the 1900 Federal Census. For my 21st birthday Mom gave me his pocket watch that he used in his occupation, a Santa Fe Special, made by the Illinois Watch Co.
William Lynn had a son, William Nicholas Lynn, my Mom's father, who owned a Waltham Colonial Series, extra thin pocket watch. The back of the case is engraved with his initials, WNL. I was recently given this watch by my older sister Lynn Schneider Stevens, who obtained it from my youngest brother Mark, who had no use for it. As I recall, when the boys in my family turned 21 mom would bring out the collection of her family's watches and we had our choice of the available loot. I picked the Santa Fe Special 1973.
The serial numbers for each seem to indicate the Waltham was manufactured in 1909 and the Santa Fe Special about 1924.
Here is all the information I could gather for these two watches:
Santa Fe Special
Illinois Watch Co. (Springfield, Illinois)
Santa Fe Special
s/n 4505967
21 Jewels
Adjusted to Temperature and Positions (3)
Open Face
Grade: 806
Est. mfg dates: This web site states the date of manufacture as 1883, while the pocketwatchdatabase indicates a DOM of 1924
Model: 9
Size: 16s (43.18 mm - 1.700 inches - 1-7/10 inches)
Plate: 3/4
Setting: Lever
Movement Finish: Nickel (The nickel material was more durable than gilded plates and offered a better surface for decorative machining methods.)
Notes: Going Barrel
Railroad Grade: Limited Approval
Railroad Grade Classification: Class G https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/reference/railroad-grade-classifications
Illinois Watch Co. Santa Fe Special s/n 4505967
owned by Grandfather William Lynn.
1900 Census he was 33 year old and a brakeman for a local railroad
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/trade-names/santa-fe-special
Santa Fe Special was used as a trade name on pocket watch movements manufactured for Santa Fe Watch Co. by Illinois Watch Co..
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/company/illinois/model/16s/model-9
Waltham Colonial Series
Waltham watch of William Nicholas Lynn, father of Audrey K. Lynn
Manufacturer: American Waltham Watch Company
Movement s/n: 14844533
Google search words: American Waltham Watch Company, Colonial Series, 14844533
MOVEMENT:
Manufacturer American Waltham Watch Company
Grade: No. 1420
Serial Number: 14844533
Size: 14s
Model: 1897
Jewel Count: 15j
Setting: Pendant
Movement Finish: Nickel
Dial: Enamel
Plate: 3/4 Split Plate
mfd date: 1906 - this web site and this site says this Waltham was made 1906 using
14844533 as the serial number.
Waltham Colonial Series listed in The Jewlers Blue Book
Colonial Series, extra thin.
Movement grade: No. 1420 Nickel 15 Jewels
https://nawccinfo.nawcc.org/walscans/BookGray/gp067n14790001_15062700.pdf
https://blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com/2021/06/14/walthams-introduction-of-the-extra-thin-colonial-series/
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/company/waltham/source/waltham-gray-book-serial-list/67
Link to the full Jewlers Blue Book, 1912 46th Annual Edition
--------------------------
engraving inside case:
FOR WALTHAM
C.W.C CO. (i.e., Cresent Watch Case Co.)
COLONIAL SERIES
WARRANTED 25 YEARS
(CASE S/N) 17599
--------------------------
Case Manufacturing Info:
Initial Marking: CWCCo.
Location: Roseville, N.J.
Years of Operation: 1885-1904
a subsidiary of Keystone Watch Case Co. (see https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/walthams-1900-model-10-size-watch.100626/ )
in 1885 the American Watch Co. is renamed The American Waltham Watch Company;
in 1907 The American Waltham Watch Company is renamed Waltham Watch Co.
Initial Marking: A.W.W.Co.
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
Years of Operation: 1852-1957
Factory Building Status: Still standing. Building has been converted into apartment lofts.
http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/waltham.html
Crescent Watch Case Co. Brooklyn 1882 - 1886 "Until the 1920s, cases were almost always made by different companies than those that made the watch movements, and watches could be cased at the factory, or by the distributor, or by the individual retailer at the point of sale."
Waltham advertisement for Waltham Colonial Series pocket watch.