You never quite know what you might find amongst the Wayne County Historical Society’s collections. While looking for a special item to feature From the Collection this month a thin, flat, brass case about the size and shape of a modern-day smart phone, caught the eye.
It was tucked away in one of the Wayne County Historical Society’s vaults in a lockbox that among other items contained a shoebox full of antique pocket watches. Nestled in the shoebox full of round pocket watches, the flat brass case was unlike anything else in the box, and begged to be opened.One push on the button catch at the bottom of the brass case opened and revealed a handheld sundial and compass that were supposed to be used in conjunction to tell the time of day. Appropriately named the “Sunwatch” it was marketed as “the tickless timepiece” pocket watch. Granted you never had to wind the clock but how a person was supposed to tell the time on a cloudy day was never addressed.

Image of Ansonia Clock Co. Sunwatch baseplate that can be seen at the Wayne County Historical Society.

George Hollinwood’s patent filed for the Sunwatch on Apr 20, 1921. Found in Google’s Patent database.
There are quite a few of these old Sunwatches still circulating as the Boy Scouts of America used many of these types of sundials during the 1920s. Current value of an Ansonia Sunwatch ranges anywhere from $50-$175USD according to the Ebay market place. A warm thanks goes to Dan Shadburn for donating the Sunwatch to the Wayne County Historical Society in November of 2005.
I have a sunwatch which says patent pending, apparently acquired while I was a Boy Scout in the 50’s, although it was more likely my fathers. It is missing the instructions- are these available?
You might be able to pick up a copy of the instructions on an auction site like Ebay.
I have a sunwatch that I have had for many years.
I started to research it today. And the one in your collection
is a little different from mine. The description you gave is what
mine looks like with the two patent references. Also mine has
Germany printed on inside and was manufactured by
Outdoor Supply Co,Inc NY,USA. If I were to value it what
that be?
Hi, I recently acquired one that is either bone or ivory. I have not been able to find any information on this particular type. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It has Scrimshaw etching for the tables, 3 masted tall ship engraved on the cover, recessed brass compass and brasse sundial arm. It is an absolutely lovely piece. Any help would be appreciated.
Cherryl
Sounds tremendous
I have the instructions scanned
Trying to figure out how to attach them here
If you send your email to me, I can email them back as attachments
wwilson1963@gmail.com
Dr. Will Wilson
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
I have a copy of the instructions and time table.
patent date on the “SunWatch” is: May 10, 1921
Can send scanned document.
My central stylus seems possibly rusted or stuck in place.
So far, I have not rtried hard to unfreeze it.
Will
I have a SunWatch but no instructions! I would really appreciate getting the scanned document if you could send it. Thanks!
The central “stylus” isn’t. It is a sun dial by which the sun casts a shadow onto the dial below. When you use a finger tip to lift it out, on the side you can set it to 40 degrees.
Simon
Understood, but that’s my problem – The stylus is stuck in the closed position.
Would love to have a copy of the instruction book! Thank you so much.
I got A sunwatch with instructions and box it came in were is best place to sell this?