Hello David,
Thank you for sending this pocket watch into mearto.com for an appraisal.
TITLE:
Gent’s, full size (16-18 –size not provided), gold-filled, pendant wound and pendant or lever set, open face pocket watch, (no serial number provided) made by the Waltham Watch Company (1906-1923), Waltham, Ma. USA, circa 1910-1915. Accompanied by a white metal ringlet type watch chain, circa 1920 or later) and gold plated belt clip.
PROVENANCE:
“This was my grandfather's”
DESCRIPTION:
Case: No size provided, assumed to be either size 16 or size 18, gold-filled hunting case pocket watch with gilt polished covers, front and back. There is no engine turning or engraving on the covers and inside of the covers are not shown at all. There is a coin shaped, gilt fluted suppressed ball pendant and round bow placed at the twelve position with a broad bezel that likely unscrews rather than opens from a hinge. The inside of the back cover is not shown so that we do not know the casemaker or quality of the gilding, rolled gold gold-plated or gold filled (most common). The watch is accompanied by a white metal ringlet type watch chain, circa 1920 or later) and gold plated belt clip.
Dial: Round double -tiered and single sunk, white enameled dial with fine black Arabic hour chapter ring, closed minute track, red Arabic markers placed every five minutes around the periphery of the dial, sunken subsidiary seconds dial @6 and steel American style Spade hands with the dial signed, “Waltham”.
Movement: NOT SHOWN- Waltham made hundreds of different style movements and without showing me the movement nor tell me the size it is impossible to guess at the plate design.
CONDITION:
Case – Moderate scratches, scuffs and rubs with small defects to the polished gilt surface of the cover. Interior of cover not shown. Condition is fair.
Bracelet – A very inexpensive white metal ringlet watch chain and belt clip in fair condition.
Dial: The dial is very good with little wear to the numerals or signature and original spade hands. I do not discern any fractures on this dial from the single photo.
Movement: Not shown but I will assume for this appraisal that it is original to this case, genuine and functional with a cleaning.
MARKET for Waltham pocket watches:
Today’s pocket watch market is doing well at the higher end of the scale. The demand for non- Gold American made pocket watches is quite weak except if the watch is of railroad grade (this is not) or made by one of the upper end companies like Hamilton or the Illinois watch company.
No matter what the maker, however, buyers are looking for horological items that are close to perfect. Any damage and the bottom drops out of the price.
PRICING:
The fair market value of this gold filled open face pocket watch by Waltham, whether size 16 or 18, in its current state should have a value on the watch market today in the range of $150-$200.
If, at any time you wish to make the appraisal more precise feel free to send me the precise width of the case and clear photos of the movement so that I can read the serial number clearly.
I will be away to help a relative who is having surgery tomorrow (Tuesday March 8) but should be back on Wednesday or Thursday if you decide to send me further information.
Thank you for choosing mearto.com for you appraisal.
My best,
David