Did I post something about this watch?? Seems I did, but maybe I will repeat. This watch had total of 3 covers. Outside back cover( missing), inside back cover(the one you see with holes), and front cover over face of watch(also missing). On this watch the only thing that may have been silver where the outside covers, and maybe inside cover. They would have been marked "sterling" or 925. The frame of this watch as is there, is a base or pot metal, which also has the remains of loop post, loop is missing that chain or fob goes too. From my experience and knowledge, this type of watch as found, was NOT a silver watch in content of parts. Movement of this watch was mounted in frame of course, and protected by covers.
And Key winds werent exclusive to eurpope, MANY makes of key winds made here in USA! Includeing some Elgin, which by the way, made over 13 million watchs by 1900! I would have to check my serial number book, but maybe as many as 30 million? My book is in storage now for winter. In my collection of watchs, I have a couple of Howards, that I dont think made a million watchs total and were not makeing watchs by late 1800,s or early 1900's. Key winds were made into eary 1900's, but not much later than that.
This watch was likely not made in europe, and did not likely have any silver in it. "Silveroid" again is what most watchs used for metal for covers, that were lower grade watchs in the era just before and after 1900. And I repeat, there were a number of companies that made key wind in usa!! One fact is true, Watchs and watch makers were more prevelant in europe before they were here, in greater use. But didnt take long for the fashion and advancements to reach here. Elgin is likely the most well known and largest producer of watchs before and after 1900 in the mechanical type of watch. Chain drives for driveing the works appeared in europe and here, as well as cylinder movements, though those types were out of use before 1900 here in usa. Gold of course was another medium of use for watchs. Also a lot of early swiss watchs reached the states, of which I have many.
There is to much more to say about watchs. I have been collecting for many years. I am not trying to knock the mans find, but lets not make a silk purse out of a sows ear, so to speak. I have found a number of watch remains, in the last couple years of detecting. And as relics when you dig them out of ground they are ok. But dont plan on buying tickets to Hawaii just yet from selling watch remains.
![:-\](https://www.treasurenet.com/smilies/undecided.gif "Undecided :-\")
The edge on it shouts "silver" 
If it is, nice chunk 
