Reply With QuoteThe fusee ones nice
My sister has an inherited pocket watch collection. It has been in the family many years, and she no longer wishes to hang on to it. Pocket watches really aren't my thing, but I know a few of you here are quite knowledgeable. There are about thirty watches in total, and I've taken photos of the majority here.
The 32mm gold one is solid 18k. The verge one marked Walpole & Cliff, London, is I think probably the most interesting - amazing craftmanship and she was told it is an 18th Century Doctors Watch, as it (unusually) has three dials and registers seconds (for taking a pulse). I don't know if this is true?
The majority of the rest seem to be fairly standard stuff, silver cased, of varying ages. There are a couple of Waltham Mass. ones, and an Empress English Lever. There are also a number of more ornate ladies ones, again all silver cased.
We understand that they do all work, and there are keys for those that require it, but I don't want to start fiddling with them as I really don't know what I am doing! No idea of accuracy, but then I don't think this is so important for one of these. Some of them may be French possibly?
Any info (as I would be interested!), suggestions, ideas as to value, best place for her to disppose of them etc would be most welcome (ideally as one or two job lots rather than individually). She doesn't really want to do ebay for understandable reasons. I might be tempted to retain the verge one myself as it is a beautiful thing with an incredible miniature chain regulator/drive.
Over to you!
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So clever my foot fell off.
The fusee ones nice
Originally Posted by Balance wheel
It is incredible workmanship really, given the tools and technology of the time. I can only imagine what it would have cost in relative terms.
I’m guessing from the lack of responses here that most TZers, like me, don’t know much about pocket watches.
If anyone can point me in the direction of someone who does I’d be grateful.
So clever my foot fell off.
Pocket watches seem to sell for criminally little money, given the work and quality.
Perhaps it would be worth contacting a good auction house, in case any of the pieces would make it into a decent catalogue?
Definitely this.
very nice
When I started collecting watches I started with pocket watches but later switched to vintage military timepieces and wristwatches. Still got a few pocket watches. Pocket watches sort of took a dump in prices even though some movements are a piece of art. The fusee most likely held it’s value and best of the bunch. You can date the fusee by the silver marks and there should also be a case makers mark to see who made the case. You can search eBay past sells on fusee watches for a idea on price. Is there a name on the movement some watchmakers are more wanted and makes the value go up maybe due to rarity. Hope the info helps.
When I started collecting watches I started with pocket watches but later switched to vintage military timepieces and wristwatches. Still got a few pocket watches. Pocket watches sort of took a dump in prices even though some movements are a piece of art. The fusee most likely held it’s value and best of the bunch. You can date the fusee by the silver marks and there should also be a case makers mark to see who made the case. You can search eBay past sells on fusee watches for a idea on price. Is there a name on the movement some watchmakers are more wanted and makes the value go up maybe due to rarity. Hope the info helps. Also does the fusee still run the fusee the doctor watch cool movement there should be a fusee chain if you look on the side of the movement there like a sprocket like on a bike when you wind it with the key the chain windups on the sprocket and powers the watch and most likely all made by hand.
Last edited by River Rat; 1st March 2020 at 11:47.
That reminds me...
Starts at 25:10
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Very nice watches there.
The doctor's watch appears to be missing an outer case, this should be a 'pair case' example.
Edit: missed the green maize lined outer case, this must be the one!
Last edited by bobbee; 1st March 2020 at 12:35.
It is. I’ll take a better pic with it later.
Last edited by TheFlyingBanana; 1st March 2020 at 14:14.
Here you go, some better pics of the verge properly cased:
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So clever my foot fell off.
I recently put a reply on here to a members question about selling a stamp collection .
The same advice applies to your good self , find a reputable auctioneer in your area , preferably one who is linked on their auctions to thesaleroom.com via the Antiques trade gazette .
This will give anything you place with the auctioneer global circulation via the web .
Set a realistic reserve price and leave it to them.
If you can find an auctioneer who has specialist watch and clock auctions , that would be even better as these attract the specialist buyers , however having said that , the professional and real enthusiast will be regularly searching thesaleroom.com listings for future auctions pieces they are interested in.
Please do not be tempted to let an auction house buy the collection from you on a valuation visit and then they sell it / them after .
I am afraid It has happened with some terrible stories as a result .
Depending where you are in the UK I may be able to steer you in the right direction via a PM if you wish .
Good luck .
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Last edited by Norbert; 1st March 2020 at 18:29.
They're probably going to be bullion value only. Remove the movements from the cases (excluding the fusee watch with regulator dial), send the cases off to Hatton Garden Metals, and list the movements as a joblot on ebay. It's what any buyer is likely to do with them if purchased at auction, so why not do it yourself and cut out the middlemen. You'll also avoid the auctioneer's commission. Generic late 19th century Swiss pocket watches like those are ten a penny and, as has been mentioned, few people want them these days. It's vandalism, but that's the reality.
That was a nice program thanks for sharing 👍
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