Pocket Watch help, info needed!

Wow, I don't even know what to say to this haha that is just amazing that you sprung that from nowhere. Inside the initials are for a man's name? Is it possible that it was his or would it have been a keepsake thing for a sweetheart or something as that's puzzling me now? Originally the watch came from America so it travelled quite the distance! I can't find any marks inside but I take you advice that it probably is full silver. What do you think it would value at? Not sure the pendant is original though as it crunches slightly

 

That may be....or be that as it may.....you're now the watch guy.....
or at the very least...........the guy to watch !!!

 

you sprung that from nowhere

From my head, is all. I am far too lazy to get up to look stuff up.The pictures do not include the inside of the case back or the pendant, but if it 'crunches' it may be that the mechanism that disengages the winder from the spring to set the watch is a bit deranged,

I don't do values since I am in England and local market conditions may be very different where you are. I'll just say the value is fairly modest, whatever that means.

 

Thankyou so much for your help, still gob smacked at how you did that haha. Well I live in Northern Ireland so hopefully it won't be much different. Just let me know above £100 or below haha and I will do my maths or hide in shame haha!

 

I'd say probably about £50 against a plain case that would be maybe 20 to 30.

 

What can I say, you live and learn! Still a pretty wee thing!

 

Please note as a dealer I think in auction prices, not retail.

 

Pretty much how I value coins I buy so I understand that completely

 

I think there is a maker's mark.



It looks to me like a key with the initials P and M to either side.

 

I'm just not paying enough attention, am I.

Apparently the key indicates Geneva.

 

I ESPECIALLY LOVE the front, but the back is GORGEOUS as well!!!

 

AF, can you please tell me how you deduced the jewel-count on this watch? I never understand how people do that.

 

normally, they're marked or they're visible , but I thought I only saw 4 here....although....that does sound low...

 

He said 15, which is about mid-range. Jewelling goes from 7-23, normally. So 15 is about halfway.

 

Typically the balance pivots have a pierced jewel and flat capstone each end, which is four, the impulse pin should be a jewel, the lever pivots should be jewelled, so that makes 7 in total, mostly hidden. These are the parts that move fastest where the jewels do most to prevent wear. If the escape wheel pivots are jewelled, that's 9.

Jewels on the train wheels are usually visible at one end so for each one you see, add 2. If it is jewelled all the way to the centre, the total is 17, quite a usual figure for a jewel count.

Adding capstones to pivots other than the balance staff adds to the overall count. They also add expense and a presumption of quality. Having the jewels set in individual screwed seats is another sign of quality.

Automatic watches (self winding) earn a few more jewels for the rotor and transfer arbors, so the usual count is 23. Jewelling the barrel pivots is a bit over the top but some top grade US pocket watches have this.

This all applies to lever escapement watches, cylinder escapements found in the cheaper Swiss watches typically have fewer jewels due to the construction and function of the escapement.


Exceptions are watches made in Switzerland in the late 19th C for sale in America, these were made to look highly jewelled like top grade US watches but only had jewels where they were visible. Made to deceive.

In the 1960s there was a fad for wristwatches with absurd jewel counts, up to 60 or so. These tended to be automatic watches with entirely non functional jewels dotted all over the rotor.

 

For , not the watchman......you sound absurdly well versed !
Thank you......that was even a fun read !!