This 1905 Seth Thomas open-face 18-size Model 5 pocket watch was manufactured with a two-tone finished full plate, 17 jewels, and it is adjusted. The movement is stem wound and lever set, with a Breguet hair spring, and micrometric regulator. Its serial number is 227076, and its grade is Seth Thomas numbered grade 182. The movement is signed “Von Gunten Bros. - Keystone Special”. 

The movement presents with an 18-size Seth Thomas Arabic Montgomery dial with a dots minute track, red five-minute marginals and black one-minute marginals; fitted with Seth Thomas #1282 blued spade & whip Railroad hands 18-size. This dial and hand combination was chosen to replace a Seth Thomas #1217 dial that was stylistically inconsistent with documented Von Gunten examples. There were no hands on the movement at the time of purchase.

Charles and Louis Von Gunten, Swiss born jewelers doing business in Ontario, were the Van Gunten Bros. They started out in St. Mary’s Perth South, Ontario Canada and then opened a store, Von Gunten Bros. Jewelry, on King Street in Chatham Ontario. A local historical source places the Von Gunten Bros. Jewelry store at 31 King St. W., within the Scane Block on the north side of King Street between William Street and Market Square. Further primary documentation is being sought to confirm this address.

Louis Von Gunten eventually left the business which was then carried on by Charles and his son, Alexander. “Alex” Von Gunten, born July 25, 1862, was a successful jeweler in Chatham Ontario Canada from the 1880’s until the 1940’s. He was also appointed by the Ontario government as the Issuer of Marriage Licenses. He died in 1952 at 89 years of age after 8 years in retirement.