Old pocket watch face ID

[Nathan6309]

I found this old pocket watch face that seems to have some writing on the inside. It looks almost like it says Prize Medal Paris, an M, and the years 1867 and 1878. It also appears to have four numbers beneath it which appear to be 2386. Does anybody know anything about old pocket watches?

 

[s2ndjetli]

You have opened a Pandora's box of history here, more than what a forum can read.. In 1878 Paris had exhibitions..coins, pocket watches..items that shined gold..hint hint..the name Prize Medal is a brand that made such items and was registered in France. most say exhibition Prize medal... yours is stamped with a lot number but value is hard to determine as you have WHAT LOOKS to be the back casing. There movements is what was defined and judged at the time, very similar to our Railroad Elgin specs of yesteryear.. Hope it helps, AWESOME find.

 

[Hawks88]

Nice find. Congrats.

 

[Tony in SC]

It would be almost impossible to tell what watch it came from. Most watch companies did not make their own cases. Probably an ebauche bar movement going by those dates.

 

[Nathan6309]

Thanks so much for the information. This piece is a lot cooler than I thought it was.

 

[Tony in SC]

If you can clean it a little, it may have the initials of the jewelers that have worked on it.

 

[pistol-pete]

And it's not the face. Back of a case