Pocket Watches
Also called fob watches.
Typical period: 1830–1920
The case and the movement are separate objects and were sold separately. They are frequently mismatched, and the serial number on the movement is what dates the watch.
What you are looking at
A cased mechanical watch with a hinged cover or an open dial, wound by a key or a crown, with a movement visible through the back.
How to date it
- The movement serial number dates American watches precisely — Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton and Illinois all have published serial tables.
- Key-wind and key-set movements are generally pre-1890.
- Case marks are separate from movement marks and date the case only.
- Jewel count is stamped on the movement and correlates with quality and, loosely, with value.
- Railroad-grade watches carry specific standards and are documented individually.
Spotting a reproduction
- 'Gold filled' and 'rolled gold' are not solid gold, and the marks say so — look for 'warranted 20 years' and similar, which indicates plating thickness.
- Married watches — a good movement in a later case, or the reverse — are extremely common and are not fakes so much as replacements.
- Redialled watches have repainted dials; original dials show fine printing and age.
What it is worth
Most pocket watches are worth modest sums. Value concentrates in high jewel counts, railroad grades, complications, solid gold cases and original condition. A non-running movement of a common grade is worth very little.
Confused with
Marked as filled or rolled, and the plating wears through at the high points revealing base metal beneath.
Questions about this
How do you date pocket watches?
The movement serial number dates American watches precisely — Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton and Illinois all have published serial tables. Key-wind and key-set movements are generally pre-1890.
How do you spot a reproduction?
'Gold filled' and 'rolled gold' are not solid gold, and the marks say so — look for 'warranted 20 years' and similar, which indicates plating thickness.
Are pocket watches valuable?
Most pocket watches are worth modest sums. Value concentrates in high jewel counts, railroad grades, complications, solid gold cases and original condition. A non-running movement of a common grade is worth very little.