The true value of a pocket watch depends on a few factors. Age, rarity and brand will all affect the sale price. Chiefly, the brand name will represent most of the watch’s value – good pocket watch brands can sell for several thousand pounds. We’re here to help you get a better picture of pocket watch values.
In this post
How do I know if my pocket watch is worth anything?
Indicators of High Value
Gold case: A gold case marked 14K, 18K or 750 with the stamp on the inside back cover of the watch are more valuable than unmarked watches. If there is no stamp, it is not gold. Heavy weight: The weight of a pocket watch may indicate that it has a sophisticated movement or a case of solid gold.
How do I find out what my watch is worth?
You can usually find the reference number on the dial, case back, lugs, or in the watch’s papers. Can’t find the reference number or model name? Use the Watch Scanner in the Chrono24 app. It can recognize 15,000 watches and tell you their current market value with a single photo.
Which pocket watch is most valuable?
Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication
The most expensive pocket watch ever sold at auction is the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, fetching US$23.98 million (23,237,000 CHF) in Geneva on 11 November 2014.
How can I tell how old my watch is?
To determine the age of your watch, you will need to open your watch and find the serial number on the watch’s movement. This crucial figure will indicate the manufacture date. (Unfortunately, you cannot rely on the number stamped outside on the watch case which is largely used only for identification purposes.)
Is there a Kelley Blue Book for watches?
The Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch™ Reports are a quarterly barometer of which brands are hot and which ones are not.
What does 17 jewels mean on a pocket watch?
fully jeweled watch
What does 17 jewels mean? A watch with 17 jewels is often called a fully jeweled watch. This means that it uses jewel (usually ruby) bearings in the mechanical movement from the balance wheel all the way to the center wheel pivot.
How do I know if my vintage watch is valuable?
The serial number on a watch will help you match it to the date it was made, as well as its manufacturer. This is another essential factor that will help you determine the value of your watch. You can use a reference chart to match your serial number to this information.
How can I tell if my pocket watch is solid gold?
Pure gold is 24K, so a 18K watch would have “0.750” stamped on it and a 14K watch would have “0.585” stamped on it. If a watch is only gold-filled it will frequently state that it is such. “Rolled gold” and “rolled gold plate” are comparable terms that suggest it is not solid gold.
How do I identify my pocket watch maker?
American Pocket Watches
Most American watches will have the maker’s name on the dial of the watch and the movement. Most are accessible by opening a screw off or snap open case back. In some instances, the name on the dial was not a recognized maker but displayed a private label.
What makes a pocket watch expensive?
The higher the quality of the watch, the more jewels it will have. Some have up to 25. High jewel examples are fervently sought by pocket watch collectors. Brand Name: The brand of the watch can also greatly impact the value.
How much gold is in a gold filled pocket watch?
Gold Filled Watches
They are legally required to contain a minimum gold content of 5% of the total weight of the item undergoing the gold filling process. They also technically contain 100% more gold than their gold plated counterparts.
What is my Elgin pocket watch worth?
$200 to $5,000
How Much is an Elgin Pocket Watch Worth? A Railroad Elgin pocket watch can range from $200 to $5,000. It depends on the year of production, the material used, and the model’s significance. They were exquisitely designed according to railroad industry standards and kept the most precise and accurate time.
What does the grade of a pocket watch mean?
Grade refers to a watch movement’s size, finish, jewel count, and design—also known as a pocket watch’s finishing traits. Watch companies, jewelers, and other retailers used the pocket watch grade to market movements, with or without their cases.
What is a hunter pocket watch?
A hunter-case pocket watch is a case with a spring-hinged circular metal lid or cover, that closes over the watch-dial and crystal, protecting them from dust, scratches and other damage or debris.
How do I identify my Elgin pocket watch?
You can identify your antique Elgin Pocket Watch with the Serial Number etched on the movement. Please note this digit isn’t the same as your case’s serial number, as those are almost irrelevant.
How do you tell what year a pocket watch is?
Remove or open the back cover from your watch and look for a number engraved into the movement; this is the serial number for your watch, and by using it, you can find the closest years it was made on these tables.
Can you check a watch serial number?
The serial number of your watch is engraved on the case at the 6 o’clock end between the lugs. You will need to remove the bracelet/strap to see it. The model reference is engraved in the same place at the 12 o’clock end.
How old does a watch have to be to be considered vintage?
Some people think it is pre-1980, while others will argue that anything over 25 years old or 50 years old is vintage. However, everyone can agree that a vintage watch comes with history. Each vintage piece will have patina from years of wear, and for many that means they are each unique and aged just right.
What can you do with old watches?
Here are a few suggestions:
- It can be sold to a jewelry store or an online auction site.
- Don’t forget about old watches from deceased family members and loved ones.
- Repurpose the watch’s components in other crafts.
- Donate it to a worthy cause.
- Make use of it as a paperweight.
- It can be repurposed into something else.
What is my omega worth?
Prices at a Glance: Omega Watches
| Model, reference number | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Moonwatch Professional, 310.30.42.50.01.001 | 6,300 USD (MSRP) |
| Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, 224.30.55.21.01.001 | 7,200 USD |
| Constellation Globemaster, 130.30.39.21.03.001 | 6,000 USD |
| Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M GMT, 231.10.43.22.03.001 | 5,900 USD |