Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.

 
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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.


😎
 
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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.


absolute stunner Bernhard!
 
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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.


My guess is the case is 18-karat gold? The inevitable question……..is the movement maker identified? Face up, I’d call it a chronograph. But the complicated looking movement might indicate there is more to it than that. The watch appears to be pin-set, but if it is a chronograph, there is no stop-start and re-set button in evidence. You must have anticipated questions. Such watches are not a focus of mine, but I think I’d have jumped on that one! Outstanding!
 
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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.

Woozers Bernhard! That is an absolute gem! Congratulations on getting it.
 
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A Smiths on the wrist today and a Smiths Empire on my desk 😀

 
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Here a recent purchase. Passed at auction and I was offered it for scrap value. So I could not resist, even if unseen until today. and it turns out to be in perfect condition and running very well, no faults at all. At a first glance, one thinks that it is a quartz watch because of the action of the dead beat central seconds, and not a sophisticated complication.


Dual barrels and jewels for as far as the eye can see, can't wait for you to do the research on what and who the maker are, what collector wouldn't want that one !
 
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@Bernhard J , I may have answered one of my questions. The arrow points at a lever on the edge of the case. Please describe its function.

 
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Another one I was asked to evaluate, nice little Waltham, no material markings. The owner wants to know what year is it? Is it a ladys watch, since it is so small? Why is the back also possible to open? And of course what is it worth?
 
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Take the serial number to the Pocket Watch Database and input it to reveal all

Possibly a size 10 men's but appears to be a women's size


Back should have a tiny lip to slide a knife edge inside to pop open
 
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It is a woman’s watch. They were generally fitted with a bale on the bow through which a long (~40”) chain was fitted. Women would wear a chatelaine (type of brooch) on a dress front or jacket from which the watch might be hung. The case serial number is not the best reference for gauging age. The s# on the mechanism is what we’d need. But I’ll guess it’s age to be circa 1905. Value? Probably more valuable to the owner than to anyone else. But things being how they are, under $100.00. My guess is it is about a 6-size movement (1 3/8” diameter), so the case would bring it to about 38 to 40 mm diameter. Give us the s# from the mechanism to eliminate guesswork.
Edited:
 
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This is at auction in a local Auction house
"An Art Nouveau gold plated pocket watch by R B Anger and Co, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on a rolled gold fob chain and attached compass charm. In working order "


I've not heard of the maker before and I haven't been able to find out much about them.
Online bidding is at AUS $200.
Pics supplied by the auction house, no movement pics provided.
Anyone know much about these?
I'll probably drop by when I'm in the area and have a look, might be able to take a movement pic.
 
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All that verbiage just tells you the Jeweler who ordered them for their shop and where they were located.


The manufacture will be on the movement
 
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There’s about a 0.5% chance that Anger is the maker. It appears to be a private label watch. The retailer could pay the company that produced the dial extra to personalize the watch. With a picture of the movement we might be able to help identify a maker. My guess is that the case is gold filled. I had to convert to Canadian $ ($182.00) in order to gain perspective. I most certainly wouldn’t be interested at that price as it is not what I collect. And I wouldn’t encourage anyone to bid that high without knowing the case material, and seeing the movement!
 
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All that verbiage just tells you the Jeweler who ordered them for their shop


The manufacture will be on the movement
This particular auctioneers don't have a clue about a lot of the stuff they sell and often get the descriptions totally wrong.
I've seen the sheila who does the cataloging and pics in action, she has no idea about any thing that I've ever been interested in.
She may well be an expert in frilly porcelain or furniture but defiantly not watches!
 
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This particular auctioneers don't have a clue about a lot of the stuff they sell and often get the descriptions totally wrong.
I've seen the sheila who does the cataloging and pics in action, she has no idea about any thing that I've ever been interested in.
She may well be an expert in frilly porcelain or furniture but defiantly not watches!

To risk buying at auctions means you must have knowledge of the items offered. I have bought at auctions before, but I find auctions to be risky if you don’t look out.
 
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At the risk of being flamed I would say that as the movement appears to say Swiss Made from the unfocussed text at the bottom of the dial your chances of buying any thing decent are even further reduced.

As others have said the only hope of knowing what it is will be to have an image of the movement and inside caseback.
 
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At the risk of being flamed I would say that as the movement appears to say Swiss Made from the unfocussed text at the bottom of the dial your chances of buying any thing decent are even further reduced.

As others have said the only hope of knowing what it is will be to have an image of the movement and inside caseback.

#1. Good point!
 
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To risk buying at auctions means you must have knowledge of the items offered. I have bought at auctions before, but I find auctions to be risky if you don’t look out.
I dare say it will get bid up as there's still a week to go, I hadn't heard of the brand before and was only really asking out of curiosity as much as anything.
And you're right, I wouldn't bid without seeing it first.
Thanks for you're insight
 
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… I hadn't heard of the brand before …

Anger went out of business because they had a management problem

::rimshot::