Illinois Watch Company . . .

[RJSorensen]

On days that it is just too wet for even the ducks . . . what is a fellow to do? So I got out my grandfathers gold watch and decided to photograph it. I will post it on the family web site to share with all of the other family members out there. It was a fun and yet troubling experience . . . this is a bit more complicated than one might suppose. Makes me all the more in awe of those whom shoot so well in the studio all the time, aka Charles, and such others.

I have tried static shots in the past but this is the first time I have tried to make a 'real' attempt to do a nice job. If it were not for the fun, it would be cheeper to have sent this work out, lol. If you have expertise in this area please voice your thoughts and or share a suggestion or two.

My kind regards as always,

20D/17-85

[gramps]

Nice photo of a hard subject. The Illinois Watch Company, in its time, was known as about the best. Have you opend the back and taken a look at the damascening (sp?) on the workings? About 20 years ago I came across my grand fathers watch, opened the back and found a phot of my gramd mother from the early 1900's.

[RJSorensen]

I will have to have a look . . . thanks for the tip. This was purchased in Chicago, about 1907, as best I can figure out. I wound it just a bit, just for fun and it would appear that it still works! What a treat that was. This is one of those things that gets handed down one side of the family, but all sides wanted it. Best I can do is to take a photograph of it best I can and share it via the web. Thanks Gramps.

[gramps]

Please take some shots of the "guts". If you want I can look up the serial number and give you a mfg. date. One of my "too many" colections is pocket watches, mainly rail road grade dating from the early 1900's to the 50's.

[stoneylonesome]

Nice job RJ. that's a beautiful watch.

[RJSorensen]

Ok . . . it took me a few minutes to figure out how to take the back off, but I did it. It is a beautiful piece of art. Thanks for the tip . . . but no photo of grandmother. I was hoping beyond hope for one as well. Good shots of her seem to be in short supply.

Sorry for the motion of what ever it is on the left side, but the darn thing is running! We are just tickled so over this. Dad did not ever tell me that it worked, just to take care of it and pass it on when the time comes.

I hope this is clear enough that you can see that which you wish Gramps. How about telling me some of the history and age if you can.

Thanks all again as always.

p.s. my little home studio is a hit.

20D/17-85

[Skip Souza]

I thought the first photo was fantastic thin I saw the second one. WOW. Great work on a rainy day.

[stoneylonesome]

WOW! that is one beautifully made watch. they sure don't make things like that anymore :cry: Just a thought have you done a search on the net for info on that watch?

found this, it might help
http://www.thewatchguy.homestead.com/index.html

serial numbers
http://www.thewatchguy.homestead.com/IllinoisSerial.html

[RJSorensen]

Gosh Stoneylonesome . . . that means it was built in 1904? Older by three years than I thought. Must have been his 16th birthday present from his father. That would be something. I had not considered that. It has his initials JCS engraved on the back, I like that. Thanks for the link and such.

[Maureen Souza]

Wowzers.... loved the first capture of the front but the back is even more amazing. Nice work for a rainy day..... Our rain is supposed to be leaving tonight so hopefully we can get out in the hills and see what's happening through the eye of the camera this weekend.
Thanks for the interesting post.

[RJSorensen]

Well this was a good project . . . I learned some about lighting and a lot about watches. A fellow never knows in the morning when he gets up, what he will find in the day ahead.

Thanks to all . . .

[boomer1959]

A work of art RJ :D

[EricKonieczny]

After seeing this thread, it got me think about my great grandpas pocket watch that I inherited. I went and picked it up and took a few shots of it.

WOW it was tough getting good shots.

Unfortunelty, my watch is not in mint condition but I am interested in getting it restored if possible.

Gramps do you have any suggestions.

I know little about this watch.

RJSorensen, what did you use for lighting, and how did you set it up. My lighting attempt was horrible.

http://www.ekreating.com/images/Front.jpg

http://www.ekreating.com/images/Back.jpg

[RJSorensen]

Nice watch . . . interesting to hear what Gramps has to say about them both. Well for lighting I went to Lowes and bought the 1500 watt dual halagon/dual head contractors lighting kit. It lets you set the light in 250 bumps up to 1500 watts. I used 1000 watt for this setup. I don't know anything, but just adjusted them till there was as little glare as I could get through the view finder. Then I used a big flashlight to back light the dark part. Which was always my stem. I used a remote release and a tripod with the camera at 90 to the watch. I used fish filter floss for the background. I works fine but if you are not fast the watch will sink into the floss. I need a better backdrop for the next set of shots.

It is all fun and this way I can see if in need to buy some Alien Bee's in the future or if this is the peak of my studio work for me . . .

You can learn a lot in a hurry with these little projects.

Thanks everyone whom has been so kind with this thread.

[EricKonieczny]

RJSorensen

Thnks for the lighting tips. I have a halogen utility light and a metal clamp light I am going to try. The downfall I have is that I do not have a tripod yet, I just got my 20D three weeks ago.

In the next few weeks I am getting a tripod and then going to start playing with home studio setup for shots like this and water shots, and other product shots since I have already been asked by a friend for his company.

It is nice that we can learn about a few subjects, photograpghy and watches at the same time.

[Michaelmjc]

Great pictures, I love the little stories you have for each photo RJ. I love the shot if the "guts" very nice. Keep that thing in good shape and be careful with it, im sure it'll be worth a ton ;)