Identifying a Case fom a Jones Calibre 'H' Pocket Watch.

Finding an intact and complete original Jones pocket watch is a rarity. Alan
Myers estimates that no more than 2 percent of the about 26.000 watches made,
have survived . Of these, only a small minority are original and cased in the
authentic case almost 150 years ago. The early cases of the highest quality
'E' and 'H' movements were made of 18 and sometimes 14 kt gold. The first
about 15.000 movements were all exported to the USA. Here they were cased in
engine turned cases. Jones considered the casing in America more efficient and
cheap. However, many cases have been removed for their scrap gold value, also
taking in mind that the Schaffhausen watches were not considered to be
collector items until 1980. In the US were several factories
only making
pocket watch cases. Among them were Keystone, Dueber, Wadsworth, Jas.Boss,
Brooklyn Watch Case Company to mention a few. Casing a Jones movement in the
US was extra difficult as the Americans used standard sizes for their own
watch production of which the brands Waltham and Elgin were the largests. The
Schaffhausen Jones movements measured 43,3 and 43,7mm and were too small for
a 18 size case and too big for a 16 size.Therefore every Jones case had to be
custom made to gurantee an optimal fit.

An early pattern 'H' watch found in the US has movement nr. 964. It is assumed
that the numbering of the Jones watches starts at 500, making that movement
964 belongs to the first 500 watches made. It has a 18 kt gold hunter case and
the movement fits exactly in the case. From other early pattern 'H' watches we
know that it should have a stamp :'INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO.' The word
INTERNATIONAL should be stamped in a 'waving banner'.The inscription suggests
that the case has been stamped in Schaffhausen but it is
definitely
applied in the USA.

However, the case of 964 has another stamp in its case. There are 3 letters
F.H.M. surrounded by acolades ( image to follow). In the US there were no
official gold marks issued by the government. This is in contrast to the
European countries. A search was made among the stamps in gold watch cases
from the era and used by watchmakers, importers wholesalers watch case makers,
jewelers and gold smiths. Unfortunately identification appeared not
possible.However, overlooking the route of the movements once landed in
America it was clear that the mysterious inscription most probably was an
abbreviation of F.H.Mathez the general agent of IWC in New York. Mathez was
appointed by Jones to represent the brand in the US. He was responsible for
import and distribution and probably also for the casing of watches.
F.H.Mathez was from Swiss origin. If one searches his name in Switzerland the
name is found predominantly in Tramelan, a Swiss village in the French
speaking Jura valley. There even was a Fabrique d'Horlogerie called Gindrat-
Mathez. F.H.Mathez was a partner of Mathey brothers and later Meylan junior
was added. Their business consisted of import and distribution of Swiss
watches of different brands (Jaeger LeCoultre, C.H. Meylan, Badollet and IWC)
It would be interesting to know whether other collectors have seen the same 3
letters in Jones watch cases.

Adrian

(alwaysiwc).

This is the
image of the Jones watch case stamped with F.H.M. (F.H. Mathez,
watch agent for Jones in New York,
1872).

Fascinating Adrian, thank you so much for sharing. What a treasure you have
there in that little piece of history.

Fantastic information and beautiful watch and case.

Any chance of a dial side picture :o)

Hi Mark,

Here you are.

Note that the dial logo is the oldest one known for Jones watches. It was
present on Jones pattern 'E' and 'H' and has 2 lines.

Adrian,

(alwaysiwc)

To learn more like this is a real pleasure. Thank you, Adrian.

Nelson