1903 (circa, and later) open face with Minerva model #3 movement.

KarlvonKoln · January 4, 2021

The fourth of five pocket watches my brother sent to me to service: an open-face with Minerva model #3. Straight-line anchor lever, "visible pallets", double roller, 15 jewels. The case is silver with rose gold trim, marked 0.800 fine, stamped with the Halbmond und Reichskröne of the German assay office for export to Germany, case serial #754944. I will edit, or reply, to include more details later if I am able to learn more.
This one has a fine Swiss movement in marvelous shape, wheels are perfect, pivots look great, everything in there in meticulous shape and ready to run, needing only a good cleaning, lube, and possibly regulation. But the case on the other hand...just refer to the pictures below. The bow has somehow been *torn* from its pendant. The crystal looks as though it has been skittering down a street like an expensive stand-in for a hockey puck. And the face had the classic marks of some careless "tech" prying the dial off by force: divots in the porcelain directly on the other side of the dial feet (4:30 & 10:30). So for this watch, it is more in need of case restoration than any mechanical repair. But that's okay; I've been practicing this kind of thing.
- For the crystal - I have been buffing it with basic toothpaste. (Chuck wanted to keep the original if possible.) And it's actually coming around, slowly but surely.
- For the dial - I have already repaired it with my dial enamel and it looks loads better; barely noticeable at a foot or two away.
- For the pendant - If you look at the first picture, with the dial facing you, the right side of the pendant has a kind of brass fitting, or ferule. I am turning a piece of brass to that exact size and shape. It will be mounted using silver solder, which I will build up around the edges where the original metal is absent. Then to gently file and buff down to shape. After that I will reinstall the bow.

EDIT: included original photo of the movement which I forgot to do earlier.