Gold pocketwatch family reunion 100+ years later

[DownNDirty]

I recently took a two-week vacation with my wife and stepson to England to visit with my in-laws (my wife is British). My father-in-law is a retired vicar (priest in the Anglican church); he retired a little over a year ago as vicar of a very old church in a tiny village in Norfolk County. My in-laws are good friends with the owners of a huge "hall", which is basically a large mansion on an estate, that was built in the early 1600's. I received permission from the owners to metal detect on the grounds of the estate.



One day as I was detecting not far from the main entrance to the hall I got a really good signal about 8 inches deep. When I uncovered part of the target I saw a round gold object with roman numerals around a dial and I instantly knew that it was a gold pocket watch!



It's an 18 carat gold Dent pocket watch with an elaborate monogram on the back side. The case is in superb condition. Dent actually built the clock mechanism inside of Big Ben, and was the official clock/watch maker to the queen.













After cleaning the watch I took it to the owners of the estate. They took one look at the monogram and immediately recognized it as a family monogram, so it belonged to one of their ancestors. After hearing this I said, "Then it's yours." They were both astounded by the fact that I found it and very grateful to me for giving the watch to them. To me it was a no-brainer; there was no way that I would have kept a family heirloom, and besides they were very generous to let me detect on their property. It really made me feel good to return the watch to the family, where it belongs. After returning to the US I did a lot of research & found out that the watch if restored would be worth several thousand dollars. Even so I have no regrets and would have done exactly the same thing if I had known this at the time.

The case was made by James Weir of Glasgow, Scotland. His company made watch cases from 1891 to the 1920's, so that pins down the age of the watch to those years.

[K1DDO1979]

Thats a awesome find and even better return! Good job!

[ajaj]

Wow and Wow...Great job! Better yet, please post some of your other finds. Just looking at that manor makes me drool for a detector.

aj

[DownNDirty]

I will be posting them soon-the coppers have been soaking in mineral oil. Based on what I found I don't think the property has ever been detected.

[Erik in NJ]

Great photos and even better story. What a stand-up thing to do in returning it to the family from whence it came! One of the great return stories on this site and definitely deserves an Honorable Mention!

[Carolina Tom]

WOW... That is a stunning find!

When you told me you found a pocket watch, I had no idea it would be that sweet. That is one awesome find! I think that was a really class act move to return it to the family.

I would have been torn between greed and doing the right thing... it would have been an epic battle between right and right now!

Is this a banner find? It's 18K and 100 years old... and that monogram is killer, as well as identifies the long lost owner. Let's see what the other TNet members think. It would look nice up top...

Congrats on a really nice find, as well as kudos for the return.

[Argentium]

Wow , Great find/return that should continue your access to that property for years to come ! Did you recover any silver coins
on this property ?

( Yes - Banner ! )

[Erik in NJ]

I was so caught up in the pics and return story, but yes, definitely a Banner Find as well! I cast my vote for Banner and Honorable Mention!

[BuckleBoy]

I think this is a banner find. Great photos, and the watch was given back to the descendants. This needs to be on the banner for those reasons:

High Value and made of solid gold
Great photos and story
Returned to the family

Congrats on such a great find, and having an awesome story to tell--and most importantly for doing the right thing!

Best Wishes,

Buck

[park pirate]

Awesome find....

[Captain Caveman]

Congrats on getting to hunt that property! Congrats on the watch! Props for turning the watch over to the owners...way to shine a positive light on the hobby. I can't wait to see the rest of your finds!!!

[krymesolvr93]

This deserves both an honorable mention and banner find! Fantastic!!!

[RJ55]

Super find and great thing you did to give it to them. Good karma heading your way. Banner vote also!

[DirtStalker]

Great find and return DnD. I've been looking for your post I agree Banner vote in.

[CRUSADER]

Agreed, a no brainer on the return.

On the positive side, I'm sure your be welcome back anytime.