Pocket Watches

warranted 14k means that there is a heavy plating of 14k gold guaranteed to last a certain number of years without showing any wear.

If it is solid gold, (and if it is, it should be marked 14 or 18 k gold,) it is worth a bit, maybe 500-1000. If you can, take it to a jeweler to have it appraised. They can tell you if it is really gold or just gold plated. Don't tell them that you want to sell it, even if you do. Instead them that you need an appraisal for insurance purposes, because I once took a watch to a watch store, and he offered me $20. Luckily, I didn't take it. It turns out, the watch was worth over 1000!

400

J Boss patented a "rolled gold" product in the last 1800s. It is not a plating process. It is a lamination of a thick sheet of copper, sandwiched between two thinner sheets of 14k gold. At that time, it was permissible for 14k to be etched onto an item made with the patented process. The gold weight is in the 4-5% range. Many people have been burned with these things.

110-130$

€ 420, -

According to the Waltham database, your watch is a model 1883, grade 84, 15-jewel, open face pocket watch, size 18 (men's watch), unadjusted, with a Breguet spring balance. The manufacture date is 1898.

The value of the watch depends largely on the metal composition, appearance and condition, which was omitted from the question; however, "grade 84 unadjusted" indicates the movement was utility quality, and likely has a metal alloy, brass or plated case.

Comparable Waltham watches have been appraised at $100-$300, and have been selling at live auction anywhere from $60-$210.

[December 2010]

The Waltham pocket watch 17170235 is a model 1900, 16-jewel ladies watch with a hunter (full) case. The watch was manufactured in 1908 and its appraised value ranges from $200-$600, depending on condition and appearance of case. The more ornate cases increase the value.

[December 2010]

Depending on the condition of the watch, an American Waltham pocket watch from 1877 can bring anywhere from 300 dollars to over 2,000. Most watches go for below the 1,000 dollar range.

According to the Waltham database, this is an 1899 open-face watch, size 16, with a 15-jewel movement. Apparently the company is uncertain whether the watch is 10 or 14k, as they have this comment:

"The second plate says: English Make guaranteed to be made two plates of 10 ct. gold with plate of composition between. Below the serial number is the number 14, but it doesn't say karats. Inside the machine says American Waltham."

Waltham pocket watches are plentiful on the open market. Comps from recent live auctions:

c. 1900 missing crystal, no notation on running condition...$100-150.....$125

1906 Gold filled, open-face, VG, runs...............................$250-350.....$275

1900 14k with safety barrel, runs....................................$190-375.....$150

unknown year, 14k, 19 jewel, second hand.......................$400-600.....$225

1894 17 jewel, runs.......................................................$100-200.....$250

Based on the above and depending on condition, the appraised value of your watch may be around $200-$300, and may bring approximately $250 at live auction. On eBay, perhaps slightly less.

If you're planning to sell, have the watch professionally appraised.

[December 2010]

What is an approximate value of a 1896 Elgin pocket watch the serial # is 6396446. It is 10000 Run Quality, size 6s. The watch has 7 jewels and hunting movement. The model is 2. It is 3/4 plate and the case is engraved. The case is iin excellent condition But the face has two hair line cracks that can be seen with a magnifying glass.

Your watch is a Model 1888 (aka Model 88) Royal grade, size 16 watch with a hunter case (full case). It has a 15-jewel ruby movement, adjusted, and is stem-winding. The manufacture date appears to be sometime in mid-1894.

Placing a value on the watch is much more difficult because metal type, aesthetics, condition, etc., factor heavily into the equation. The value of the watch could run anywhere from $10 for a non-working movement in a nickle case to approximately $800 for a working movement in an attractive 14k gold case -- and anywhere in between.

The majority seen at auction seem to run from $100-450, which is often below the estimated value.

You would be wise to have the watch professionally appraised.

[December 2010]

The value of an E. Howard watch from that era is approximately $200-$1,300, depending on the metal fabrication, the appearance, and the condition. Cased watches have a higher value than open-faced watches; running condition may or may not be a factor in a Howard watch of that age, models V(16S) and IV(18S) (only models made in 1872).

The list below shows a sample of estimated value and the closing bid at live auction for E Howard watches of approximately the same age. Comparable items appear to sell for a bit less on eBay:

c. 1874-1878 18k ornate case, blue sapphire movement..........$900-1,300.....$950

c. 1869-1899 Brass, open face, runs......................................$200-300.......$275

c. 1874, silver, #4 (1 5/16"), runs.........................................$400-600.......$500

1878, 14k YG with case, runs...............................................$500-1,000.....$200

c. 1870, 14k, 19 jewel, runs.................................................$450-700........$195

c. 1865, 17 jewel, 14kt, runs................................................$300-500.......$375

c. 1872, 14k white gold, 17 jewel, runs, open face..................$200-450........$210

c. 1870, 14k white gold, 17 jewel, open face, 1 3/4"................$200-300...... $175

If you plan to sell the watch, you would be wise to have it appraised first.

Your watch is a Model 1908 (aka Model 08) Royal grade, size 16 open face watch. It has a 17-jewel adjusted movement, with Waltham's patented Breguet hairspring balance. The manufacture date is 1914.

The value of your watch depends largely on the composition, appearance, and condition. Watches of this model in running condition auction for the approximate average prices shown below:

Silveroid finish..............$75

Gold-filled....................$150

14k Gold/white gold......$450+

If your watch is 14k or 18k, it would be wise to have it professionally appraised.

[December 2010]

The alphanumeric code you've provided, MJWC p 238 17 is a model number (not serial number) for a Waltham men's wristwatch manufactured between 1940 and the 1960s.

You haven't provided enough information to hazard a guess on the value, but there are many Waltham watches from that era selling on eBay for $25-50 (running). A 14k or 18k gold watch would be worth much more. If you have reason to believe the watch is more than a utilitarian timepiece, you would be wise to have it professionally appraised.

[December 2010]

£580

This serial number is registered as a Model 1891, Seaside grade, size 0 (1 1/6" across) ladies watch. It has a 15-jewel unadjusted movement with a Breguet spring balance. The manufacture date is 1905.

There is no notation as to whether this particular run of serial numbers was for an open face or hunter case (full case, with cover), but most of the 1891s had hunter cases.

The value of your watch depends largely on the type of case, metal composition, appearance, and condition. The watch is available in both yellow and white 14k gold, coin silver, gold-filled, and nickle. Fourteen karat gold watches of this model in running condition appraise for approximately $300-500.

The following is a sample of recent auction prices (running, unless otherwise specified):

14k white gold, hunter case...............$360

14k gold, open face..........................$125

14k gold, hunter case.......................$345

14k gold, not running, no crystal........$150

14k gold-filled, hunter case (plated)....$105

Coin silver, hunter case.....................$220

Coin silver, open face........................$130

If you plan to sell, please have the watch professionally appraised.

[December 2010]

This serial number is registered as a Model 1899 (aka Model 99), No. 610 grade, size 16 open face pocket watch. It has a 7-jewel unadjusted movement with a Breguet spring balance. The manufacture date is 1907.

The value of your watch depends largely on the type of case, metal composition, appearance, and condition. The 1899 model was available with varied movements, many 15 or 17-jewel, and at a wide range of grades and fabrication. The 7-jewel, No. 610 grade used older technology than other watches of that era, and was intended to be economical. Nevertheless, there are quite a few of these still ticking.

Only available in lower grade metal fabrication (prices for running watches):

Gold-filled (plated)....................$40-80

Coin silver................................$110

[December 2010]

1,000

The Waltham Plan was established by Francis Cabot Lowell and his associates in the early 19th century. This innovative model integrated the entire textile manufacturing process under one roof, combining spinning and weaving in a single factory. It aimed to provide a controlled environment for production, while also employing young women, known as "Mill Girls," who lived in company-owned boarding houses. The plan played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution in the United States.

Funziona sulla base della pressione che esercita l'acqua sul vetro

plated gold $300. real gold $1500.

$300..