oldhippiecoinhntr
Jr. Member
- Nov 25, 2007
- 49
- 3
Been a while since this post started. Hope the original poster reads this. As to the watchs; I dont claim to be an expert, but collected watchs at one time pretty heavy. I doubt strongly that any of your watchs have sterling silver or solid gold cases. For one thing the style of the watchs suggests otherwise. There were very few watch cases made of sterling silver, or solid gold. One problem was that solid sterling or solid gold was very soft, and didnt make for a very strong case, as they were easily bent or dented. I have seen some very small size watchs, usually a ladies pendant watch made of solid silver or gold, but seldom larger sizes.
Watch cases were stamped inside back covers as 15 yr, 2o yr, or 25 yr cases. The higher the year number, the more gold was plated onto the cases base metal. The base metal usually being some kind of metal such as brass. The case on the left in box was most likely a silveroid case, or possibly coin silver though not likely that. The gold colored case was some sort of gold plated case, again indicated by a number such as '10 yr' or higher. If you view some watch cases that were heavily used, you can see the gold wore thru to the base metal. This is not to say your watchs have little value, as the value of any antique watch is based on other factors besides the case. Most of the value of a watch is based on quality of the movement., indicated by the number of jewels. The more jewels the watch has, the better the time quality. Hence a 21 or 23 jewel watch is a better movement than a 7 jewel. The amount of jewels is usually indicated on the movement itself. Also the maker and or model of watch, determines its value as well. Elgin was a prolific maker of watchs, haveing made millions before 1900. While some makers never buillt 1 million in total. So rareity is a factor in value. And then again, so is condition. So you should take your watchs to a collector/repair man for best assesment. But likely you already have. But perhaps my info here will help other guys and ladies, finding watchs, to objectively view watch values, or gives ideas as to how to determine something to start with. Hope I have been of some help.
Watch cases were stamped inside back covers as 15 yr, 2o yr, or 25 yr cases. The higher the year number, the more gold was plated onto the cases base metal. The base metal usually being some kind of metal such as brass. The case on the left in box was most likely a silveroid case, or possibly coin silver though not likely that. The gold colored case was some sort of gold plated case, again indicated by a number such as '10 yr' or higher. If you view some watch cases that were heavily used, you can see the gold wore thru to the base metal. This is not to say your watchs have little value, as the value of any antique watch is based on other factors besides the case. Most of the value of a watch is based on quality of the movement., indicated by the number of jewels. The more jewels the watch has, the better the time quality. Hence a 21 or 23 jewel watch is a better movement than a 7 jewel. The amount of jewels is usually indicated on the movement itself. Also the maker and or model of watch, determines its value as well. Elgin was a prolific maker of watchs, haveing made millions before 1900. While some makers never buillt 1 million in total. So rareity is a factor in value. And then again, so is condition. So you should take your watchs to a collector/repair man for best assesment. But likely you already have. But perhaps my info here will help other guys and ladies, finding watchs, to objectively view watch values, or gives ideas as to how to determine something to start with. Hope I have been of some help.
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