Elgin Pocket Watch

[PAyoungin]

I bought these two pocket watches along with 20-25 (WestClox, Bullseye, Ansonia, Ingersoll Waterbury, St. Regis, Tru Test, Ingraham too many to list) others for $43. The brass/?gold? one is in the best condition, works, and has initials and engraving on the inside as well:
Eml E. Romberger
'08 (1908?!)
Serial Number: 7337700
Keystone Watch Makers

The second silver toned one is BIG and HEAVY: 2 & 1/4 inches and 152grams.

My question: is there a specific name for these watches; like the Elgin "?"

 

[daroofa]

You can enter the serial number (the one on the movement, not the case) at this site and it should give you some info about it.

http://trusted-forwarder.org/elgin/databases/elgin_sn_intro.html

 

[AU24K]

The first one is known as a "Hunting Case" the second is an "Open Face."
They are both "Single Sunk" meaning that the second hand sweep is sunk below the face.
Would like to see the "works" on the first one!
Keystone Watch Co. was in business in Lancaster PA from 1886-1891. It was probably also known as Lancaster Watch Co. They sold out to Hamilton Watch Co. in 1891. It's worth at least $100 by itself.
Pretty good score overall, I'd say.

Best,
Scott

 

[PAyoungin]

Here are pictures of the inside. I am going to the jewelers later today..

 

[Mackaydon]

Using "daroofa's" reference, this appears to ID the Elgin shown immediately above:
http://trusted-forwarder.org/cgi-bin/elgin_sn?sn=13291776&action=search
Don....

 

[crankyolman22]

I cant find my watch book right now but if you go to your local book store chances are they have one you could use to figure it all out. This could also give you an estimated value although real world values are usually lower and watch prices are down unless the case is gold, then of course its up. Sounds like a keystone case, The serial number on the case doesn't mean much. The one actually on the movement will tell you approximate date of manufacture. The case is probably gold filled but depending on how its identified may just be real gold. usually if it says warranted (10, 15, 20 etc) years its filled. Guaranteed could go either way. U.S. assay means gold and there are tons of other marks that could indicate gold or not.The watch book has some helpful pages on that too. Size matters too, and by size I mean of the size of the movement not outside dimensions. Smaller watches are women's and bring less. I personally like the larger women's watches, I think they are quite graceful and undervalued. Again best source for this is the watch book. All that said I wish I could have gotten those watches at that price I did once get a 14K white gold watch at an auction for $70. I sold it 3 days later for $350, I only keep yellow gold ones

 

[gods country girl]

is it a railroad grade pocket watch you can tell by unscrewing the front cover ,does it have the small lever that pulls out to set the time?does it say how many jewels movement it is?that can make a difference in value, usually 20 + jewels makes them more valuable.

i have these 2 hamiltons i found while cleaning out someones basement after a flood,they let me keep the watches for helping them clean.as you can see each movement lists the jewels.I also had a 3rd watch (gold filled) that said warenteed 20 years which means that is all the garuntee the gold will stay on it.I have already sold that one.

 

[crankyolman22]

OK I found my watch book
I am assuming the first movement picture is the damaged open face watch (S/N 29057187) This looks like a model 5, grade 43, size 18, full plate, 11 jewel movement. First produced in 1885. The s/n put it manufacture in 1925
The other movement I am assuming is the sidewinding hunter. It looks like a model 6, grade 151, size 16, 3/4 plate, 7 jewel movement and according to the S/N was manufactured in 1907.

 

[PAyoungin]

Thank you!!

 

[BigJer22]

I have a 14K Elgin pocket watch that was my great grandmothers. I can't seem to find much info about it. I was just at a watch repair guy and he gave me a quote of $350 to replace crystal, tune movement and replace the second hand. The serial number is 3372656 - can anybody help me in determining a value of this watch. I was thinking about repairing it and giving it to my daughter but I'm not sure if it's worth doing and I don't want to give it to her broken/not working. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!