Gold Pocket Watch....spanish wells bahamas

[Blak bart]

Dug this bad boy up this morning. We went back to the same spot that produced a penny bank and some jewelry. We collected some conglomerate and brought it back to the boat for clean up and this litte baby was totally encrusted too. Its been a good spot and appears to be an old burned out home site that is totally submerged now. Im thinking late 1800s early 1900snot sure but getting good stuff each day at low tide. Appears to be gold filled or heavy plated. Very ornate, still cleaning and checking for marks. Ill post more pics as it cleans up. us cracking and cleaning more conglomerate from this morning. Never know what you'll find !!!! cleaning up nice

 

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[ScubaDetector]

You are so very right. You never know what you will find. Looks like a nice score even if plated.

 

[Johncoho]

Cool find and great job on the cleanup. Mel Fisher would be proud!

 

[against the wind]

That is one sweet old pocket watch.
Congrats

 

[Wildcat1750]

Oh my, what a beauty!

 

[mooncusser]

very nice . i bet your having a blast and warm...cmon summer

 

[Scrappy]

It's always better in da Bahamas 🇧🇸

 

[kingskid1611]

That would get my blood pumping...Good Job!!!!!

 

[Blak bart]

Cleaning up incredibly well !!!! Its henry everys watch !!!!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Beautiful old pocket watch, congratulations!

 

[nov2101]

Very cool...total envy for the find and even more the weather.

 

[Blak bart]

Well its cleaning up nicely, and its come along way since yesterday morning. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a solid gold piece and is of very high quality. I see no hallmarks or gold stamps on this piece except for 3 flowers engaved on the bottom of the watch. If I was to guess I would say these flowers were hibiscus flowers. We'll test the gold when we get back to the states in a few months. I cant find any examples of this piece on the net in my searches yet. The age of this piece is a mystery as well.the craftsmanship is exceptional and the stem part seems to be a bit different than what ive seen on the net but im far from done with my searches. Any thoughts or expertise is welcome, so please let me know what you think.
Got to go back low tide is almost here. Many rumors here on the island about a case of gold Pocket Watches being lost here on the island in the 1800s. Hmmmm.... who knows wish me luck !!!!



Im learning, only 5% of watches were solid gold, so this is heavy plate or gold filled.

 

[kingskid1611]

Well its cleaning up nicely, and its come along way since yesterday morning. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a solid gold piece and is of very high quality. I see no hallmarks or gold stamps on this piece except for 3 flowers engaved on the bottom of the watch. If I was to guess I would say these flowers were hibiscus flowers. We'll test the gold when we get back to the states in a few months. I cant find any examples of this piece on the net in my searches yet. The age of this piece is a mystery as well.the craftsmanship is exceptional and the stem part seems to be a bit different than what ive seen on the net but im far from done with my searches. Any thoughts or expertise is welcome, so please let me know what you think. View attachment 1410885 View attachment 1410885
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Got to go back low tide is almost here. Many rumors here on the island about a case of gold Pocket Watches being lost here on the island in the 1800s. Hmmmm.... who knows wish me luck !!!!

I couldn't see your pics but that would be exciting if that was a case down there......

 

[Blak bart]

Had to edit post
From this to this in 24 hours

 

[Silvermonkey]

What a beautiful pocket watch. The detail is what makes it special. You deserve much credit for the fantastic clean up job.

 

[Mackaydon]

Blak bart,
You wrote: "Many rumors here on the island about a case of gold Pocket Watches being lost here on the island in the 1800s."
That statement reminded me of our experience of finding and salvaging (from my boat, the R/V Explorer), the "Brig Baltic" bound from NYC to Galveston, TX; lost in 1866 near Ridley Head, just east of Spanish Wells (our port during the salvage op). One of the stories that 'lured' me to seek out an unnamed vessel was the story of finding a gold pocket watch at the scene some time prior.
That area can get very nasty weather-wise; as witnessed by Hurricane Andrew from which we raced back to Florida after completing our salvage ops in 1992.
Good memories (of the finding, ID-ing and salvaging).
Don.....

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on the watch and nice clean up

 

[Doc Arey]

Maybe you found one of the 5%!

 

[Relicific]

Love the photos
Great find
Congrats

 

[bonepicker]

That pocket watch is amazing, and you did a great job on the cleaning. I didnt want to respond right away, because i was waiting to hear what else you found out about it.
Definitely keep us posted when you have it tested. Either real gold or very heavy plating. That thing is nice looking.