dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 19, 2023 2:41:14 GMT
I have an old pocketwatch that used to belong to someone in my family. Since both my parents are deceased and I didn't find out about it until my mom was pretty far into dementia i don't have much info on it. I live in a small town rural area so not much locally to rely on. Does anyone have any resources?
Tia!
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 19, 2023 2:45:33 GMT
Be careful. It might be real gold. Have a local jeweler you might trust, look it over.
They also might have or know if a watchmaker nearby.
Funny I was just thinking about my mother's. There is a picture of me in it and a lock of my hair. I have a jeweler's loop. I might just check it out.
|
|
zztop11
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,539 
|
Post by zztop11 on Jan 19, 2023 12:17:45 GMT
You can order a little magnifying glass called a "loop" from Amazon. See if it's marked 14K or whatever. Also you can see if there is a brand name on it. Also open it up and see if there is any writing on it. It will probably be tiny. That's why you need to use the loop/magnifier. If you find a brand, check on eBay to see what other watches like that have sold for. It would give you some idea of its worth.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 19, 2023 12:23:10 GMT
Gather all the information you can from the pocketwatch itself.
- Is it open face, hunter, half hunter (refers to the covers)?
- Look at the face (dial) and write down anything you see there - usually the manufacturer's name (Waltham, Elgin, etc).
- Pop the case open gently with a thin knife or blade. On the mechanism of the watch it will most likely tell you about the movement (for example, 17J for 17 jewels).
- Type all that above info into google and see what pops us.
- On the inside cover of the case, you'll likely find a materials mark like 14K for solid gold or 12KGF if it's only plated. You might also see hand etched dates and possibly initials. These types of watches required periodic cleanings and adjustments. It was quite common for the jeweler to note that work inside the case cover.
With all that information, you might be able to get a fairly accurate idea of what you have and the appraisal value of it.
|
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,322
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Jan 19, 2023 13:03:28 GMT
This is a helpful site to help find out more info on your watch by its brand and serial number. Pocket watch search by Serial NumberSome watches, the case is a different brand than the watch itself, so it can get a little confusing. |
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 19, 2023 13:51:49 GMT
Some watches, the case is a different brand than the watch itself, so it can get a little confusing. Yes! I forgot to mention that. And the movement can be a different source than the name on the face as well. |
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Jan 19, 2023 14:23:39 GMT
There are FB pages that probably can help. Crazy Lamp Lady's husband (not husband but like married) knows a bunch about watches.. I know she has mentioned several FB pages that offer help.
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Jan 19, 2023 14:32:59 GMT
Come back here and tell us when you determine the approximate value of the watch.
|
|
dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 21, 2023 1:23:35 GMT
Come back here and tell us when you determine the approximate value of the watch. I can find the brand and the range in value is a lot. There is a number but it is on the case. I don’t know how to find the serial number of the timepiece |
|
dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 21, 2023 1:33:05 GMT
This is a helpful site to help find out more info on your watch by its brand and serial number. Pocket watch search by Serial NumberSome watches, the case is a different brand than the watch itself, so it can get a little confusing. This requires a fee to look up. Are there any other services? |
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,322
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Jan 21, 2023 2:20:02 GMT
This is a helpful site to help find out more info on your watch by its brand and serial number. Pocket watch search by Serial NumberSome watches, the case is a different brand than the watch itself, so it can get a little confusing. This requires a fee to look up. Are there any other services? Are you using the search bar in the right spot? I just did one and there was no fee.
Top of the site... White search bar that has a little clock to the left side of it. That is if you have located the serial number inside the watch and the brand.
|
|
dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 21, 2023 3:13:56 GMT
This requires a fee to look up. Are there any other services? Are you using the search bar in the right spot? I just did one and there was no fee.
Top of the site... White search bar that has a little clock to the left side of it. That is if you have located the serial number inside the watch and the brand.
Yes I was able to look it up - I did find the serial number! But to find the value I need to “become a supporter” and pay a fee. |
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,322
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Jan 21, 2023 3:38:40 GMT
Are you using the search bar in the right spot? I just did one and there was no fee.
Top of the site... White search bar that has a little clock to the left side of it. That is if you have located the serial number inside the watch and the brand.
Yes I was able to look it up - I did find the serial number! But to find the value I need to “become a supporter” and pay a fee. Ah, gotcha. I would take the data you found out and do a google search on that. Also, we have a place here where I live that buys coins, tokens, gold, silver and the like; well known company with an outstanding reputation and they use eBay a lot to determine prices/values. For example I had a brothel token and he went an looked it up on eBay and saw what they have sold for and then made me an offer.
And as others have mentioned, if you have a watch shop nearby, they might be able to give you a good idea as well.
|
|
dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 21, 2023 3:45:33 GMT
Yes I was able to look it up - I did find the serial number! But to find the value I need to “become a supporter” and pay a fee. Ah, gotcha. I would take the data you found out and do a google search on that. Also, we have a place here where I live that buys coins, tokens, gold, silver and the like; well known company with an outstanding reputation and they use eBay a lot to determine prices/values. For example I had a brothel token and he went an looked it up on eBay and saw what they have sold for and then made me an offer.
And as others have mentioned, if you have a watch shop nearby, they might be able to give you a good idea as well.
I live in a rural area but will have to look at some cities I can travel to. We used to have a small jeweler but of course, out of business. I remember my mom saying when I was young that the jeweler really wanted this watch but at the time I was young and had no idea what that really meant. And my mom developed dementia and I never got to ask her more about it. It is a beautiful old piece, I’ve dated it from 1891-1895. |
|
dexter
Full Member
Posts: 255
Nov 28, 2016 15:57:15 GMT
|
Post by dexter on Jan 25, 2023 15:44:36 GMT
Update: The watch is not currently working and dates from 1891. I am still working on the valuation of the case but if it is simply gold filled it has a value of about $500. I wasn't planning on selling it but since I don't have anyone to ask about its origins or story but having a date can help me maybe put some pieces of the story together. Thanks for all the help!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 25, 2023 16:53:08 GMT
Trust no one.  Even small town jewelers can be a bit shifty, especially if they offer to purchase. Online appraisals or Facebook groups would be a good source, but I would want to be anonymous. I just don't trust anyone! LOL And the internet is a crazy place. If it is of any value - I would not want anyone to know I have it or come looking for it to steal. So much theft around me, in my small rural area. The local thief was behind me in the grocery checkout yesterday. He hasn't pinched anything from us, but he did clear out the neighbor ladies shop and house after she died. Her family knows it. The sheriff knows it, but according to the Sheriff's department "there is nothing we can do about it". Uhh... yea. Don't steal my stuff... I will do something about it. |
|
oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
|
Post by oh yvonne on Jan 25, 2023 16:59:50 GMT
What a cool thing to have, wow, that's really old watch!
This reminds me of that amazing PBS Antique Show episode where the Vietnam vet brought in a Rolex he'd purchased while he was in the service and then kept it in its box w/the all the paperwork and never ever used it because it was 'too nice' to use.
He literally fell over in shock when it was appraised as super rare and collectible not only because it was an extremely limited edition watch but because of it's mint condition. That's my favorite episode. Oh that and the Tiffany lamp sisters.
|
|
