c.1890s Cabinet Card Exhibiting the Parts of a Railway King Watch Manufactured by the Columbus Watch Company
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This c.1890s cabinet card, originally published by Goble & Wenzel, showcases a disassembled “Railway King” movement manufactured by the Columbus Watch Company.
The photograph features all the intricate parts of a disassembled watch movement arranged in an oval shape with the text “Parts of the Columbus Watch” creatively penned in calligraphy above the display.
The number of the movement is 66223. Interestingly, this serial number predates the introduction of the “Railway King,” suggesting that the movement was possibly “old stock” that was finished as a Railway King for this artistic scene.
A comparison of the style of marking on the barrel bridge and the dial imagery indicates the movement is more consistent with the “Railway King” production around serial number 180,000, similar to this watch uploaded by Pocket Watch Database contributor cbfixesall (#180134). However, the production of this grade featured a two-tone finish instead of the bright nickel damaskeening seen in the photograph. The nickel damaskeening was possibly chosen to highlight the monochromatic photograph’s finish.
The top plate markings also suggest the watch represents a movement from earlier production, with “Col. Watch Co.” engraved. The standard “Railway King” movement did not carry this additional company marking, but it was prevalent in earlier production. Additionally, the “Adjusted” and “Safety Pinion” markings are not present but were included on “Railway King” movements.
This cabinet card features a fascinating look “inside” an American watch movement from the 1890s and was likely an intriguing curiosity in its time. It is unclear whether the watch factory commissioned the work or how the photographer arranged to capture the mesmerizing scene.
