19th Century Railroad Pocket Watch

Pocket Watch M.J.Tobias Liverpool England 

(Railroad Time Keeper)

This is a "Railroad Time Keeper" pocket watch from M.J.Tobias Liverpool England. I picked up awhile back. The most interesting aspect about it to me, it's the inscription on the inside of the dust cover. 

"Presented to Chas H Brown by his Grandfather 1880"

In the 19th century, the Swiss were not the pre-eminent watchmakers they later became. They made many imitation American watches, and they made many watches that claimed the provenance of famous British watchmakers. One such watchmaker was M.I. Tobias. There probably are 20 M.J. Tobias watches (or more) for every genuine M.I. Tobias. Some may have been retailed by Tobias' successors. Others likely were 19 Century equivalents of fake Rolex's, etc.

I just recently had the watch tuned up and cleaned. I also had the crystal replaced and had to get a wind-up key which was missing when I bought it. The watch ran well before the minor repairs. Now 135 years later and a few bucks it run better then ever.

Even though it's a really nice time piece, I just can't help thinking of how happy "Chas" was when his proud, I'm sure, grandfather presented it to him so long ago.

I'm thinking the Grandfather worked for the railroad and gave it to his grandson when he started working for for the same.

My only question.Why didn't the watch stay in the family? at the very least for sentimental value.

May 21,1864, Civil War Harper's Weekly Advertisement for M.J Tobias Watches.

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