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Buren pocket watch - $250 (Midland)
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Details of Your Watch
* Dial: An open-face design with a white porcelain or enamel dial, featuring large black Arabic numerals for hours and smaller red numerals for minutes.
* Sub-dial: A "seconds" sub-dial located at the 6 o'clock position.
* Movement: Likely a Swiss hand-winding mechanical movement. Similar Buren models from this era often contain 7 jewels.
The movement in your image is a Cyma Tavannes 776 (or similar caliber from the 7 series), a classic Swiss mechanical pocket watch movement.
Movement Details
* Manufacturer: Cyma (Tavannes Watch Co.). These two brands were essentially the same company, sharing movements across different brand names.
* Caliber: Likely a variant of the 776, an open-face manual winding movement.
* Jewels: Marked 7 Jewels, indicating a standard, reliable grade for its time, though not a high-luxury piece.
* Serial Number: The number 885202 is visible on the plate.
Estimated Date
This type of movement was commonly used starting around 1910 through the 1930s. Specifically, models similar to the caliber 776 were prevalent in the mid-1920s and into the 1940s, including military versions.
Key Markings
* Brand: The name "ALPHA" with a star emblem is the trademark for Alpha Watch Co., which was a brand used by the Swiss manufacturer Buren Watch Co.(H. Williamson Ltd).
* Serial Number: The number 863863 is a unique identification for the case.
The exterior of your Buren Alpha pocket watch features a classic Art Nouveau style engraving, common from roughly 1910 to 1930.
Design Features
* Floral Motif: The case is decorated with a central floral crest, likely lilies or stylized poppies, surrounded by intricate scrollwork.
* Shield/Cartouche: The rectangular blank space in the center was designed for the owner’s initials or a monogram, which were never added to this particular piece.
* Material: The even wear and greyish patina confirm this is a nickel-silver or base metal case. While it doesn't have the "melt value" of solid gold or silver, these cases were prized for their durability.
Collectibility
The condition of the engraving is quite good, with much of the "engine turned" (the fine circular lines in the background) still visible. Collectors often look for these specific "Alpha" branded Buren watches because they represent reliable, working-man's timepieces from the early 20th century.