I would like to set the record straight. This watch is a variation of the TipTop wristwatch design marketed by New Haven in the Twenties and Thirties. The TipTop was originally a full line of inexpensive, unjeweled timekeepers, including alarm clocks, pocket watches and wrist watches. They were distinguished by their octagonal cases. The wrist watch line was unique in that the watch movement was a "closed-faced" configuration with the winding stem at the 12 o'clock position instead of 3 o'clock like most wrist watches. This meant that the winding/setting crown would interfere with the wrist strap. So New Haven simply rotated the watch clockwise. I believe this variation was commonly called a "drivers watch" because the watch is easier to read when the wearer's hand is held vertically when holding a steering wheel. The cases for the vast majority of TipTop wristwatches is octagonal with fixed wire lugs soldered to the case to accommodate a strap. The design is identical to the trench watches of World War 1, with the exception of the crown above the 12 and the resulting offset design. For that reason, TipTops on eBay are very often billed as trench watches when in reality New Haven did not offer them until 7 or so years after the war.

The TipTop came in two sizes, regular and Junior. I believe the Tiny Pal was the "girls" version of the TipTop Junior. The fat spade hands are original. Most TipTops came with radium-painted slender hands.

By the way, I bought the TinyPal watch that is the subject of this article/appraisal a few months ago. The movement is the same as a TipTop Junior. The case is very interesting. It is a regular wrist-watch style case from the Thirties or Forties. The movement fits the case perfectly, but, as you can see, the 12 o'clock marker is now where the 3:00 usually is. I can't understand why a young girls watch would be cased in a man's watch case. That's why I think this particular is watch was converted at some point for some unknown reason. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Finally, although TipTop wrist watches were inexpensive disposable watches, interest in them and demand have been growing. A decent example in running condition with a good dial and decent case can now sell in the $60-75 range.

Eric Wells

Eric,
You seem to have researched this topic quite well. When looking for these watches in the wristwatch form, I come across a number that have been recased in round cases. The size 6 movement in your watch (not seen) obviously fits your case very well, but that does not mean it was made for this case. As I pointed out in my appraisal the early wristwatches which generally were converted from pocket watches in the 19-teens, the vast majority had wire lugs which might also appear in some photos to look like straight-lugs. The lyre shaped lugs on this particular case appears (to me at least) to date from decades later, perhaps post 1950 when one sees watches made with harp shaped lugs quite commonly. So, my guess given the extra information you provide, is that the dial and movement were from the New Haven series (Tiny Pal) which predated the two types of Tip-Top wristwatches, the Tip Top and Tip Top Jr., the Jr. model being slightly smaller. I believe the Tiny Pal was patented June of 1914. The Tip Top watches were patented in the 1924 era and advertised by New Haven heavily in the 1929-1930 period. Tip Top wristwatches were placed in octagonal or pentagonal shaped cases while the Tip Top pocket watch models also had polyhedron shapes. So, round cases with such dials and movements are usually suspicious of being marriages.
I agree that in good original condition these little timepieces would generally sell in the price range you mention or even a bit higher, but those that are married to round cases are suspicious and would tend to bring about 50% or less the price of the genuine item.
I am not able to add anything further to what you have already unraveled about their history. I am always amazed when I see that any subject you look into, usually has a deeper and fuller story below the surface. Thanks for sharing that information.
My best,
David