LILLIAN TUDIN

The Birks St. James Ladies Pocket Watch

A Swiss-Canadian Gem from 1909-1911

Retailed by the esteemed Canadian jeweler Henry Birks & Sons, this vintage ladies’ pocket watch showcases the fusion of Swiss precision and Canadian craftsmanship.

The “Birks St. James” marking honors their historic Montreal store on St. James Street, Produced around 1909-1911 based on the movement serial 2261425, it features a hunter-style gold-filled case by the American Watch Case Company of Toronto (A.W.C.Co), stamped “CASHIER” with a winged wheel symbol denoting its 14K gold-filled construction and durability guarantee. The additional stamping “3184” on the back edge is likely a manufacturing assembly code, used by case makers to match components like the back, bezel, and body during production—ensuring precise fitment in an era of hand-assembled watches. Such short numeric marks were common for internal tracking and do not typically indicate dates or values but add to the watch’s authentic vintage character.

Key Specifications

Movement: Longines 13.98 caliber, 15 jewels (often listed as 13 due to era conventions), manual wind, Swiss-made

Case: 14K gold-filled, hunter style, approximately 35mm diameter, made by A.W.C.Co in Canada

Serial Numbers: Movement 2261425 (1909-1911); Case 753184

Markings: Birks St. James; CASHIER with winged wheel; Back edge stamped 3184 (assembly code)

Style: Ladies’ fob or pendant watch, with hinged cover for dial protection

This timepiece, blends luxury retailing with reliable horology, captures the sophistication of the Edwardian era, and remains a testament to enduring quality.