Antique Pocket Watches

[Vrillon]

This one time had a label as being an 1820s England pocket watch, what research I did indicated it as pure silver.







This one I thought might be gold filled, it gives off that gold tone all throughout the watch like the Elgin down below, I found several model of watches in which this picture seemed to be replicated in, but it was not exact nor the same type. 2nd Picture is out of focus, but it look exactly like the inside of the one below of the Mercedes except this one is named Majestic, on the bottom says Antimagnetic then small letter on bottom says hong kong, kind of like the next watch upcoming.





T

[Vrillon]

Forum keeps screwing up, here is the 2nd batch.

This is the mercedes one which the inside looks like the Eagle version, might be gold plated although I would guess it is brass.





This next one is probably the best of all, its an Elgin, I never could get the back unscrewed to see the movement or jewel count, a Jeweler told me it was gold filled, possibly 18 or 21 jewel (he couldnt get the back off either), most watches I have found like this were selling up to $300+ but I could never find the exact type as this one like the other watches.

[syl]

I have an old Elgin watch sort of like yours. To get mine open you unscrew the crystal and then pull up on the stem and then the movement swings out of the case. You have to take the crystal off to change the time. With the crystal off you can access a small lever that allows you to change the time. It was done like that to prevent accidental changing of the time. The type watch I have is called Railroad Grade as it was meant for use by railroad personnel.

[Vrillon]

Interesting, Ill try that on the Elgin, does the movement and jewel count matter in the value of a watch?

But I believe the B.W. Raymonds are all railroad watches, not sure on that though.

But does anyone have any idea on the values of these watches?

[Vrillon]

I have an old Elgin watch sort of like yours. To get mine open you unscrew the crystal and then pull up on the stem and then the movement swings out of the case. You have to take the crystal off to change the time. With the crystal off you can access a small lever that allows you to change the time. It was done like that to prevent accidental changing of the time. The type watch I have is called Railroad Grade as it was meant for use by railroad personnel.

You mean the stem at the top in which you set the time? or something else?

I took the crystal off, got the level going in order to change the time. But unable to see the movement on the inside.

[syl]

Yes, the stem used to wind the watch. With the crystal off pull up on the stem (gently, don't want to break anything) and it should release the movement. Mine is hinged at the bottom and the top just swings out. I think jewel count does matter. 21 is probably more valuable than 17 but I think rarity and overall condition can really affect the value. If you look on ebay that will give you an idea of what they go for but prices in antique stores are usually much more. The movement and the case were usually made by different company's so they each have their own serial no. Many times you will see numbers scratched on the inside of the case. That was from someone servicing it long ago.

[Vrillon]

Well the thing about the stem is, I never been able to wind it, it moves the hands back and forth, I tried pulling up on the stem and I didnt want to break it, but it never came up.

[syl]

You should probably take it to someone who works on these watches. There has to be a way to open it.

[syl]

Actually mine is hinged at the top and the bottom swings out.

[jondar]

The poster above who said the B. W. Raymond is a railroad watch is correct.  It is 21 jewel and was approved for Railroad use.  I used to know who it was named after but have forgotten.  Tho I believe that Mr. Raymond was a corporate executive of Elgin but don't hold me to that.  It's a high bucks watch, my next door neighbor, tho he worked for a power & light company wore striped overalls on weekends and a striped railroad cap on his head like the switchmen and brakemen on the road wore. Of course he carried a railroad watch and his two prized watches were a B. W. Raymond and a Hamilton 21 jewel RR watch.  He valued the Hamilton at a little over a thousand.  The other very close.

[KC]

What are the markings on the top side of the first pocketwatch listed?  Unable to see from the angle photographed.

[railman44]

Most railroad watches are lever set.  The glass/bezzel need to be removed to pull the lever before you set the stem for a time adjustment.  Most railroad watches are stem at the 12:00 position.  Most rr watches are bold arabic numbers.  Most rr watches are at least/minimum 19 jewels.  VERY old rr watches can deviate these rules.  These rules came into effect around the late 1890's and very early 1900's. 

[Vrillon]

What are the markings on the top side of the first pocketwatch listed?  Unable to see from the angle photographed.

Trying to research those, this is what I found;



which indicates its from Sheffield England 1822

That is about as much as I can find, I will try to identify the other hallmarks tomorrow, some of them seem to be hard to really match like the 3 pointed shields which also contain the letter Z, an Anchor, and the letters LP overlapping each other.

Also a square of a Lion.

Here is a better shot of one of the insides



also 2 names inscribed in that area that cant be seen, assumed they did with a needle or something, which was interesting if those are people who repaired the watch or something, because this pops up where you put in the key and all;



Says Examined by Mann & Son
Cross (or Gross. ?) Gloucester

[Vrillon]

The poster above who said the B. W. Raymond is a railroad watch is correct.  It is 21 jewel and was approved for Railroad use.  I used to know who it was named after but have forgotten.  Tho I believe that Mr. Raymond was a corporate executive of Elgin but don't hold me to that.  It's a high bucks watch, my next door neighbor, tho he worked for a power & light company wore striped overalls on weekends and a striped railroad cap on his head like the switchmen and brakemen on the road wore. Of course he carried a railroad watch and his two prized watches were a B. W. Raymond and a Hamilton 21 jewel RR watch.  He valued the Hamilton at a little over a thousand.  The other very close.

Well most B.W. Elgins I have seen have ran for about $250-$500, the problem I have ran into though when comparing prices has been alot of them look exactly like the one I got, and all of them have varied in prices in between that range. One on ebay currently that is very similar that is just now hitting the $200 mark in bids.

But from looking at those, they appear to have the back cover unscrewed off to, but I just dont know anymore, I know I could screw the front off easily, the back the Jeweler couldnt even get open.

[KC]

Try taking a pic without the flash on shiny objects such as the watch above.  Too hard to read the marks due to the glare!