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Men's 1927 Ball Watch Co. Pocket Watch w/ Chain & Presentation Box - SERVICED | Webster Clay Ball (October 6, 1847 – March 6, 1922) was a jeweler and watchmaker born in Fredericktown, Ohio. When Standard Time was adopted in 1883, he was the first jeweler to use time signals from the United States Naval Observatory, bringing accurate time to Cleveland. In 1891 there was a collision between Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway trains at Kipton, Ohio, which occurred because an engineer's watch had stopped. Ball had earned a reputation for perfection in timekeeping along the Cleveland routes and was an obvious choice for railroad officials as their first "Chief Time Inspector"; charged with establishing precision standards and a reliable timepiece inspection system for railroad chronometers nationwide.Later, Ball established his own watch company dedicated to "the best of the best." Ball Watch Company ordered movements — to his exacting specifications — from highly-regarded watch companies in the U.S. and Switzerland. Specially-marked and damaskeened movements were ordered from top American manufacturers Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham as well as from Swiss manufacturers Audemars Piguet, Gallet, Longines and Vacheron Constantin. These movements met the highest standards in commercial watchmaking and were quite expensive – and sought-after – even during their manufacture and use.On Feb. 10, 1907, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored his efforts by appointing Ball as an honorary member. |
Today, Ball Watch Company models are some of the most prize railroad watches available. We've offered a few rare Ball models over the years, but few rarer than this Ball-Illinois gentleman's pocket watch with enameled bezel and rotating seconds bit. Accompanied by an equally rare and mesmeric mechanical fob and chain, the watch represents all that is impressive and genteel about the Golden Age of American horology.Please take a moment to admire the images of special order Ball-Illinois movement of this timepiece, as they illustrate one of the most stunning examples of 20th century horological engineering one could fine. It's such a beautiful mechanism, machined to such exacting standards that it's humbling to consider today.Dial, case movement – all are completely original to this watch as it emerged from a New England estate in period presentation box.We've hand-polished the case; cleaned, oiled and calibrated the movement. If you're looking for an refined means to tell the time, you've found it!
As many of our fine buyers and repeat clients know, each day we offer a smattering of things we've picked up here and there, many fine watches and pieces of jewelry that for one reason or another we'll not be offering on our Web site – some new old stock! Take a moment to look through our eBay offerings and bypass the estate and yard sale madness for watches and outstanding pieces of Victorian and Deco jewelry – many of which are running and pristine – that are ridiculously underpriced. Watches this week include a '20s ladies antique watch or two, '30s Deco pieces, a '40s military style wristwatch, and fine Retro stainless steel wristwatches that are representative of a style that’s becoming all the rage; as well as gold rings and vintage wire lug examples perfect for restoration. Coming up are sterling silver wristwatches and a few items dug out of the workbench drawer of a retired watchmaker or two. Don't know anything about wristwatches? Have no idea about your grandfather's railroad pocket watch? We're one of the Web's largest vintage wrist and pocket watch dealers and are delighted to answer any questions you have about the timepieces we offer or those heirlooms you're unsure of. We extend a heartfelt invitation to see our other offerings and stop by to find out what's next!
| PAYMENT: PayPal payments are preferred, but we do accept credit card payments over the telephone. Please call us at (813) 839-5984 for any questions regarding payment. SHIPPING: All bidders to pay actual shipping costs. If there is a handling fee listed, that is for insurance. We are happy to combine shipping on multiple items. For items shipped within the United States, we ship either via USPS. Priority Mail with signature confirmation on items under $1000. Priority REGISTERED MAIL for items over $1000. INTERNATIONAL buyers must email us at the end of the auction so that we may calculate shipping costs and determine the method of shipping. Lower priced items (under $250), must be sent via online TRACKABLE shipping via USPS Priority International Mail. Items over $250 must be shipped via Federal Express, because it requires a signature. We MUST and WILL adhere to your country’s customs rules and regulations. If the item is not allowed via USPS, we must ship via Federal Express. Because of the unpredictable nature of today's mail, we cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged by the post office or lost or held up in customs agencies and so require postal insurance for ALL overseas items. WE WILL NOT FALSIFY CUSTOMS FORMS. ALL CUSTOMS FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER. Your purchase acknowledges that you understand these policies. FLORIDA RESIDENTS will be charged an additional 7% for sales tax. CONTACT US: You may reach us Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST) at (813) 839-5984 with any questions you may have. TERMS OF SALE: We take great pride in our images and item descriptions and are careful to note as much about an item as we can. We do not sell auction items on approval; therefore, all items we sell on eBay are sold AS IS and all sales are final. If you have a question or would like to see the image of an item at another angle, we are happy to accommodate you. Please check our feedback; we try to be as accommodating as possible. WE WILL NOT GIVE PARTIAL REFUNDS!!!!! |
| Strickland Vintage Watches is a member of theNational Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, have been honored as one of Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" in timepieces, and have been on eBay since 1998. We invite you to find out more about us by clicking on our ME page! |
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